We originally were looking at grey steps and swimout for our new vinyl pool build but ultimately chose a liner that will compliment white steps and swimout.

http://www.vynall.com/aquadecor_aegeancrest.cfm

I also was originally planning on a brick coping with brushed concrete but now am leaning towards stamped cantilevered coping with a brushed concrete deck.

Here is a pic of what it would look like...

http://www.nehardscapes.com/stampgallery/stamp14.html

Here is a pic of my pool as it sits now....

http://home.comcast.net/~mitchcoughlin/Pool/IMG_0101_.JPG

I had the same thoughts as you looking for a more natural looking vinyl pool but as things progressed I realized keeping it simple may be the best idea overall.

Good luck!

Mitch

IMO, the only real way to get a vinyl pool to be mistaken for gunite, as ours always is, is to have the vinyl liner go over steel steps for entry, and have some swimout benches. This is a pool like mine, with 2 swimouts and the entry steps varying from about 6 feet across to 15 feet..very nice! The brick around the pool definitely completes the look. Check out poolsbycardinal.com, then find a builder who will do this for you. I also chose a great liner that makes the water look like a caribbean sea and sparkles in the sun.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

tpkav, I too am having a vinyl pool installed. I didn't really want the standard liners and steps either. I did end up going with the white steps and am now glad I did. My PB offered grey steps, which in the brochure look really good and aren't as "stark" as the white, but they wouldn't have gone well with the beige siding on my house. I have chosen the Tumbled Stone Tile liner from Pen Fab - http://www.penfab.com/in_ground.cfm. This picture really does it NO justice. I have seen it installed and it really looks great. The stones cover the wall almost to the floor. I will be getting the brick coping in an "iron" color (kind of a dark purple). Unfortunately I can't show it to you yet....my pool look exactly like Mitch's right now!! :) And, with 8 inches of rain in the last 2 days I don't think it will change any time soon! Not sure how soon you'll be doing this, but I'll post as soon as it's "presentable"....

This is one we build last year(Pool). The one in my back yard is still in the works....Pouring Decking Monday....
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/Muddy_Water/Our%20Pool%20Pics/DSCF5773.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful:

Here is the link to the brand of pools that I build ...Great Pics on this site... Aqua is another great site also...http://www.aquamagazine.com/?sectionpath=15&processor=content&action=nopost&selcategory=Vinyl-Liner/Package%20Pools&selyear=2006

Here is a link that might be useful: Fort Wayne pools

There is always one vinyl liner that catches my eye as a natural looking one, but I need help identifying the pattern. It is on the coolpool site and if you enlarge the picture you can see some of the pattern on the side wall. it almost looks like a tyedye pattern, but then when I look at pacificpools website with the tyedye pattern is does not even come close to the same appeal.

Maybe someone can help me identify the pattern, please.

Coolpool site
http://www.coolpool.com/vinyl_0084963.html

Pacific pool site - tyedye is 1st pattern in 2nd row
http://www.pacificpools.com/design/liners.html

Muddy:

How'd they get a permit for those lamp posts? I hope they are bolted down well at minimum. Could be a recipe for disaster in my opinion. In NJ you need to have ANY electric 10 feet away minimum....

The post anchors are in the concrete and the decking is poured around them...

Muddy: I see how you got your name, one good downpour and you sure have "muddy water" lol

The word is out...LOL ... What you don't see is a french drain behind the wall dumping into 2 automatic Sump pumps that are incased into 12inch PVC pipe...Thejimbar I forgot to say Low voltage if that means anything...lol

My pool has gray steps and all the components are gray...I think it makes a difference....I have an Oasis style pool vinyl.....

Another Pic of my project, I decided to go with just gray concrete because I was worried about it being too busy....

Here is a link that might be useful:

We have blue steps. People often dont realise our pool is vinyl until we tell them (of course anybody who knew a lot about pools would know right away). I am glad we got them a different color because as it is, depth perception in the water is tough and seeing where the edge of the steps are would be really hard if they were the same color as the pool. Also, it allowed us to have super padded material on our steps and baja shelf which is really comfy for sitting on and hanging out on.

Here is a link that might be useful: Drextows Photos

Drextow....thanks for the pictures of your pool. We really like the look of your stairs and baja shelf....can you tell me more about the steps and shelf??

The steps look like they have the vinyl on the front of them or are they just the "stock" blue steps?? What do you mean when you say you have super padded material on your steps and baja shelf???

Thanks for everyone's input....we are really enjoying looking at everyone's pools and learning more about what we want....too many options! Who knew it would be this complicated!

Thanks for your help.

geogiapoolover - do you have public pictures of your pool somewhere I can view? I have read that your pool is very nice! I would love to see pictures.

Drextow - do you know your liner style name/manuf. Very nice and blue.