Any dark stone in the sun will be hot. Lighter stone/cement won't be as hot but anything not shaded will be hot. Buy flip flops.

Hi Racket - I think it's unfortunate because having a SWG and swimming in a salt pool are wonderful! I think it's a great benefit to have chlorine being generated steadily and being able to maintain a steady chlorine level. Moreoever, at least for me, I have never had any combined chlorine which means I have never needed to shock. On the other hand, I do hate dealing with acid and having to dump some into my water over 5-6 days or so. I think it's unfortunate that some pool builders are starting to move away from SWG because it keeps potential pool owners from being able to experience this way of chlorinating a pool. With all due respect, I think it's much too simplistic to say that because one notices a certain type of corrosion or damage only on salt pools that the salt itself is to blame. How can one say that it is NOT because the pool owner was running their pump too long, or setting their chlorinator at too high a level which caused their chlorine level to rise much too high becoming a much more active corrosive agent? (I personally know of people that run their pumps 24 hours a day, for example.) Here's a personal story. I have my SWG set at 35% which allows me to keep my chlorine level at 5-6ppm. I was away on a trip for about a week. When I came back, I was shocked to find out when I checked my water that my chlorine level was up to 11ppm! Well, up until a couple weeks ago, we had about 3 straight weeks of rainy weather here in the Dallas-area. I concluded that it was the lack of sun exposure that caused my chlorine to creep up that much (not as much chlorine burn off from the sun.) I happen to check my water very regularly. Can you imagine the typical pool owner that doesn't, or just takes their water to Leslie's once a month? Or how about pool owners that allow their stabilizer levels to get so low that they aren't able to hold a good chlorine residual and they think the solution is to increase their chlorinator setting to compensate, not realizing that the chlorine they're generating has now become 30x more corrosive because of the low CYA level? I have read stories of salt pools being blamed for corrosion on structures made out of 316L Marine-grade stainless steel. If these stories are true, then salt pools with salt content at 3000ppm is somehow more corrosive than ocean water with salt content 35000ppm? Perhaps. But chlorine at high levels is easily corrosive enough to eat through 316L stainless steel. I'm not ready to blame salt quite yet. Mind you, I'm watching my pool very closely to see if I start to see any ill-effects, but so far, nothing yet. Having said all of this, I do think that SWG manufacturers need to be more upfront with the true care and maintenance aspects of owning a salt pool. It isn't as "care and maintenance free" as they would like the consumers to think!

Formal pools - ie geometric, symmetrical shapes - look wonderful with white plaster (turquoise water) that screams POOL. I imagine a space where the pool is the dominant feature, usually surrounded by lawn. If your pool is going more for a natural look, as yours is, then any shade of gray from medium to charcoal will blend into the landscape much better. I think your struggle is with the formal nature of your house and the informal nature of your pool. That’s why you’re leaning towards irregular stone patters; they will in fact go better with the natural shape of your pool. Geometric pool = geometric paving. Natural pool = irregular paving. So instead of trying to incorporate the formal theme into that part of your yard, which you’ve already abandoned by going free-form with the pool, designate that area as natural, lush, jungle with a subdued pool as part of it, not the show stealer.

Beautiful. You might consider an awning over your patio door. https://www.ebay.com/itm/40-x-80-Door-Window-Canopy-Patio-Awning-DIY-Overhead-Door-Clear-Decorator-/192387040987 Especially like the materials you used for the steps and landing/patio as well as including the fountain/bird bath but do take care not to decorate to the point of adding clutter your space. Potted plants flanking your door could add a welcome vibe. You might add other plants and/or wind chimes with posts that can be mobile: a wide holiday tree stand can also hold a4"x4"x6' post for hanging brackets and solar lights to be put where you want them when you want them. Since you have multiple sections in the southern sun, you might consider which one you could add the shade of a pergola over it (or gazebo by it) without blocking the sunlight to the other sections (likely the western most area) and decide if a small pergola or gazebo would suit your plans for the use of the patio. While cushions could be stored out of the sun when not in use, as you choose your furnishings, so please remember that the southern sun will bleach/fade the color fabrics and even furnishings such as wicker whereas your black metal furnishings could easily be repainted as needed so you can avoid making decisions you might well regret. Even if you prefer new furnishings for your summer use of your patio, your metal furnishings could be repainted and set in another, perhaps shady, area of your yard with their legs on individual pavers with their tops at ground level. Your view from your patio will matter so consider what you can do to improve any areas you might prefer looked better even if it is only adding a green hedge visual around the edges of your yard. Pick shrubs that will look good year round. If you are in Zone 7, consider Aucuba or Camellia or the type of Abelia bushes that keep their leaves year round and provide color and/or blooms. Looking forward to your after pics.