Lastcallracing, I have a pool that is 20X40 and its free form also. I have two lights and two skimmers. I also have 7 jets in my pool. I don't have a lot of trees, but believe you me until you get grass on the ground, you will have a lot of dirt in your pool. You'll be amazed at where the dirt comes from. And its not your yard you have to worry about. Any trees within 100 feet will have all of there leaves in your pool. Its murphy's law. Also your pool will be a magnet for all sorts of debris. I would think two skimmers would be better for you. I have a white finish with Hayward logic lights and it takes the place of a colored finish. Look around and you'll see how beautiful it is at nite with the multi colors. You'll love the bubblers and the tanning deck. But the biggest advice I can give you is get as much decking as possible that you can afford. I decided at the last minute to go with more decking and I love it. One it keeps grass away from the pool. And two, people can stand around your pool and not be in the grass. The mood and ambience is so different. Maybe its because we put up a gazebo near the pool. So look at your design when they come out to mark it and see if you can add more decking. You'll definitely appreciate it.

This is very helpful feedback. It sounds like I need to consider putting two lights on the house side, one near the deep end and one in the shallow end both pointing toward the raised beam. But I could get away with just one down the center with no major shadows. racket: the pool will have Stonescapes Tahoe Blue. I'm not sure I understand what you meant by "If its dark/pebble one length" Could you please clarify? About the drains....The engineering drawing (which I don't have a copy of right now, it may be out hanging on the fence) and my contract indicate only 2. The sketch always showed 4 though...not sure why. njfolks: At the rate we're making changes, it may be next summer before digging... Please let us know how your lighting works out. Anyone have an opinion about having only one skimmer with a vacuum side cleaner?

We live in SoCal as well ccp with a pool about the size you plan. Concerning the location of jets, that's a good question to which doubtlessly somebody more knowledgeable than I will respond. http://www.google.com/#hl=en&expIds=17259,18168,26637,26638,27404&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=swimming+pool+jets&cp=15&pf=p&sclient=psy&aq=0amp;aqi=g4g-o1&aql=&oq=swimming+pool+j&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=80955853b31a6510 We have 4 jets two at each end. However the ones at the skimmer end were blocked by my predecessor, suggesting that for some reason they didn't help move flotsam toward the skimmer port as you might suppose they should Other than that: Suggest orienting the pool so your prevailing wind helps in that respect Living near Victorville we warm it in the summer using blue bubble cover which on the hottest days we roll up about 3 hours before swim. It has to be replaced once or twice a year at a cost over $100, trimming it to fit each time but guessing this method ultimately cheaper than gas or solar ......an example how primitive pool technology in a day and age when sending rockets to the moon got to be so so easy they quit doing it 42 years ago. If the Pool Establishment were like aerospace they'd all be built in standard shapes with covers ready-made to fit each one We use no cover in winter to better observe water color and to more quickly spot the larger creature otherwise slipping in at the edge though I feel guilty about drowning all those insects so we've considered a transparent cover but rejected the idea as suggesting more trimming as well as the possible need for a second reel Glad to discuss other aspects as dalehileman@me.com

Janni.... "On the island, the cabs that face out - are you sure you want those to be drawers? I have a series of large "empty" double door cabs - and plan to use that for my AWKWARD stuff like a rice cooker, waffle maker, etc. I actually have my food processor and waffle iron in a drawer today and I don't find them that particularly convenient." i also have several small appliances like waffle maker, food processor, rice cooker etc and this would be a good place to store these items. I wonder if they would fit better if this was divided into 2 drawers instead of three. Do you find it inconvenient because the drawers are too shallow? I wonder if more of these bulky small appliances would fit in these double door cabs than the drawers?? Definitely worth considering. I'm 60 and I dislike island sitting but I still have teens at home and grands that will want to sit there. I don't know where the best place is to put 3 seats. full height book space would be nice. Thank you for your helpful suggestions Janni. eta...still concerned about the bumped out cabinet too. Thanks for your thoughts on this.