Ok, neighbor (I live down by LAX), I'll throw in a couple more cents. First of all, no, you're not silly, you just shocked the heck out of us is all...I think it was the evening view toward the house that did it!!! Secondly, don't give up your questions because you do want to make *some* changes otherwise you wouldn't have asked. It sounds like the 'sterile' observation hit a chord, so work with that. I can't tell from just the two pics, but is this a fairly new property, because the landscaping seems small, either young or groomed that way. As someone with a passion for gardening and I would think the feeling you have being in the garden may be add odds with the straight, although beautiful, lines of the columns and house since you had the idea for the English garden. Sooo, take a deep breath, with any house, let alone a large one, it's a marathon, not a race, and there's always things that need changing. So, since you asked, here's some thoughts that come to my mind, in no order.... -For sure keep the view from the house to the ocean open, it looks nearly like an infinity pool, is stunning, and I would think very relaxing and good for the spirit. As mentioned, taking out the pool entirely is probably not the best thing if you move, and if you're not old enough for a jacuzzi yet but you will be eventually so that's a must keeper if they are the pools on the sides! ;-) Or, for that matter, if you re-arrange the pool a bit later, I'd keep the 'therapy' water in the design. Folks may not swim, but most everyone has a bad back, etc. and what better than enjoy the therapy looking out over the ocean??? -Is that a balcony in the middle of the house? What about some _modest_ sized, so as not to eliminate the lines of the house trailing plants or even roses? Bouganville would be monsters unless you could find a small variety, but would be drought tolerant and match the style of the house. -Urns would match the decor, but not soften the appearance if that's where you're going. Also, don't forget, unless you specifically drain water away from pots, they'll stain the concrete around the pool and it will look ghastly. -I have to agree about finding a professional for more guidance in the pool area. There must be a ton that work up there. There are so many landscape designs up there drive around at least for ideas, and if you're really brave, knock on the door on a weekend to see if they'll share. If nothing else, they should take the question as a compliment. -Knowing not what I know not, I wonder if there are pool people that could change the style of the pool to (it sounds like?) something elegant but more garden appropriate, more pond-like as mentioned above, ie, darker bottom, garden waterfall into it, etc. If it's chlorine you can have a gizmo put in that somehow makes chlorine for you, eliminating some of the maintanance, or go for salt water, some people like it, I don't know the pros and cons. -Weather. It gets chilly up there in the afternoon, let alone other than the summer season. And foggy. If you do make changes, do keep in mind some protected space if you don't have it elsewhere, if you want to sit outdoors and enjoy the view of your new garden design and the ocean. Ok, gotta get back to work, but do take to heart that although I'm sure you love your new house and the view is amazing, you wouldn't have posted if you were 'comfortable' in the pool area. Follow your instincts and see where you go. It's your space, keep asking questions until you're happy with it. Best wishes!

Also, we need to put a small retaining wall on left but it doesn't need to go the whole way down..wondering if I can incorporate that into fire pit and make a bench.

Thank you @HU-257553069!!! :) By 1/3 you mean all same size slabs but all set subway tile style to every third? just trying to make sure I understand what you describe... I looked at Permacon too but the Colors were busier and not as light (the ones in the display).. I thought lighter would look nicer. There’s the Blu smooth in Beige cream too but I wasn’t too sure if there was actually too much yellow for the cream/grey/orangy/browny colour of the house. yes was thinking of adding a sectional in the top Right corner with a table and high potted planters. i Also want to add 2 lounge chairs, and a fire pit... not sure where to put everything. the hot tub will be on the left as pictured. There will be 23 feet of interlock up to the first column (from the house). After that 4 feet from the column (as it is right now). The set up is stressing me out too. Is it okay to have more than one seating area? And to have areas that do not necessarily face each other? finally, not sure if you have an idea but I was going to do a 3 post pergola over the hot tub (with a bar facing the river) but I am thinking the post near the corner sofa will be in the way (Of people in the hot tub, on the sofa or sitting at the bar). What about a half pergola (only 2 posts on the Left, facing the left neighbo)? it would give some height, some warmth with the wood and something to hang lights to. Apologies for the really long post!!

If that is in US dollars, that is significantly more than we paid although our pool is smaller 15 X 30' ($47K CDN). But we are in Canada and I have learned that a number of factors impact your pool pricing beyond the materials, labour and equipment. Things like, access, difficulty of installation, retaining wall requirements, features, patio stones etc. Not to mention demand in your area. If you aren't sure which direction to take you should factor in the longer term maintenance cost of each type of pool. We originally liked the idea of fibreglass because they seem indestructible but when we polled our friends and neighbours about the durability of their vinyl liners, they had only positive things to say. Fibreglass is not yet common in my area and there are very few gunite pools here as well so I can't speak to those types of pools.