Adding to my own list: Hebe pimeleoides- blackish stems with small greyish/bluish/silverish leaves that creeps along the ground at about 1 foot tall. Excellent for textural contrast and unique appeal, best against large rocks and contrasting foliage of other plants. Hebe "McKean"- dwarf 1 foot tall and wide dome of bright green/yellow scaly leaves, similar in appearance to a common heather plant (although in my opinion much more exciting and beautiful). Excellent near large rocks and contrasting foliage and colors. Most Hebes like very well drained soil with moderate moisture. See link for more info Cotula hispidula- feathery fluffy soft grey/silver foliage, low creeping, with interesting yellow button-like flowers on thin stems. Likes good drainage, full to part sun, and moderate moisture. Excellent between rocks, with gravel mulch under plant crown and stems to keep the feathery leaves clean and reduce chance of rot. Here is a link that might be useful: Hebe Society

nice pics ! Are you doing gunite or fiberglass? How long did it take to get to the stage shown on the pics? keep us posted...it will be lovely !

WOW, your design is AWESOME!!! I can't believe I hadn't seen this thread a few weeks ago. I was searching for something else and stumbled in here to this thread. apdnj, I'm curious about something. Why don't you build the poolhouse and outdoor fireplace with the pool? I can't speak for other builders but I always cut my prices on these upgrades when I'm building the pool at the same time as opposed to coming back and doing them at a later date when I charge my standard asking price. Here's a link to a thread for another member who was asking about outdoor living areas like yours. I build some brutally affordable cabana's that although not nearly as beautiful as Chris's rendering usually will get a buyer to purchase. Thanks for supporting the industry with your pool purchase!!! See ya, Kelly Here is a link that might be useful: outdoor living ideas

I have worked on many of both builders pools. The only thing that ever bugged me about East Coast was the tendency to tie drains to skimmers. Run them individually to the equipment pad and plumb the drain so it can send heated water to the bottom. After that, dead heat. Both have skill sets that are similar enough but can do different things with their designs better than the other. Both have built some absolutely amazing pools in my area. It's always a pleasure working on them vs. some of the basic stuff. Overall feedback I have heard from my customers have been pretty positive. Sometimes, E.C. seems a bit slower in progressing. If I was building in my back yard, I would use Scott because I have known him for some time and know I can trust his judgment in the areas I'm not qualified to make and not worry, and his sense of urgency to get things done. Yes Scott, I would plumb my own pad. You wouldn't expect me to to do other wise, now would you. heheh. One day, when I hit the lottery... Scott