Help Me Design My Tiny Pool Fountain Wall
Marcia Sieben
4 months ago
Hello! The house I recently purchased in the desert southwest came with a small spa pool (aka "cocktail pool," "spool" or "plunge pool"). The fountain wall is asymmetrical (no idea why), made of stucco, and the fountain part is copper which has developed a turquoise patina where the water flows out and is a brown patina elsewhere. It is currently just painted the same sand color as the house, but the house has light brown trim. The pool deck is flagstone, but there is a brown paver patio nearby. The waterline tiles are off-white. I was thinking of possibly adding stacked stone veneer panels (picking up house and patio colors), but I also kind of like large brownish copper-look tiles and am open to ideas. I do not want to play up the turquoise; I like natural colors and there's plenty of turquoise in the water and fountain area. There is a nature preserve behind the pool but the yard is relatively small. I may put flagstone cap tiles on the top. I can't afford anything lavish. What would you suggest? Thanks in advance!
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Comments (24)I posted this on the other side yesterday and wasn't sure where this discussion was active. Basically I scanned your two posts, but my first thought was that your space was way too crowded with the 4 parterres, and since it looks like you nixed those in favor of the border, can I offer another idea? How about a triangular bed in each corner? I would put a dwarf taller plant (maybe a conifer like a soft cryptomeria) in the corner flanked by the boxwoods for some interest. It would better balance the space instead of just a 'ring' of boxwoods. There are also some really nice variegated dwarf boxwoods (I have some around our pond) that would be a nice complement to your stonework. It would also give your fountain a little more space, not to mention more walking room. You need at least 3' of pathway. I would keep the center fountain/pool/whatever small-ish, but ensure there is some height there in keeping with your house. I love the look of an urn with your home. Are you going to be doing the maintenance on a fountain yourselves? If so, an urn or vessel does require some periodic maintenance to keep leaves out and algae at bay. Not much, just some scrubbing, etc, and winterizing, depending on your climate. Something to keep in mind. It will be beautiful no matter which you choose....See MoreHelp me narrow down some variables...price my pool! :)
Comments (24)Good morning, would love to be able to do a OB in coordination w/ both of you but....I think I am a little too far away(Knoxville) and most importantly, although saving some money sounds great, OB seems like too much of a headache for me. I also don't have the confidence in my knowledge to carry that out. But, I certainly don't mind doing what to spread some of the info. I have collected so far if it helps you make some decisions. I think Alabama,GA, TN areas the markets for pools are similar. Unfortunately, I think yes, one could probably get a pool built in Florida for 20K less than here. Many more PB's there driving the market, also I think it is easier to excavate there(I might be guessing on that) but know it is sandier,less clay than here. The options one PB gave me for pool finishes are Marcite(included) Diamond Brite 4,500 Pebbletec 6,000 Durazzo 6,500. Of course that was for a 41x19 free-form, 3-10ft, so it is not comparing apples to apples. To do that I would have to figure surface area and break it down. The cost for that pool was to 70,500 which included everything but the decking. I had pavers priced, but he gave me option for broom finished concrete, which was $7 sg.ft. As I said, I couldn't afford that one, but it did include alot of upgrades, electric heat pump 8' diving board Letro pool cleaner SWG Durazzo finish Pentair 30"Sand filter and all the assumables like lights,skimmers, drains, excavation, plumbing, etc. Another pool builder priced a 20x 40 gunite rectangle at 50,000 here. including about 1,000 sf broom finish concrete gas heater(I don't want a gas heater so would have to add $$) SWG sand filter dive board and all the assumables. Have you considered a vinyl pool?? Nowadays, you can hardly tell the difference between a gunite and vinyl if you get a cantilever coping, vinyl over step and you have more money that can be put into decking or landscaping. Here a middle of the road price for a 20x40 rectangle 3.5-8ft deep was 41,000. Would be less if you want gas heat instead of heat pump, and that included 1104sg ft broom finish concrete, vinyl over step, SWG,dive board, heat pump, sand filter, skimmers, etc. I understand that a vinyl pool may be a little easier to heat and a little easier to keep the chemicals balanced. When polled, my sons said they actually like swimming in friends vinyl pools better. I don't think I will go vinyl since I need a more custom pool to fit in my space but I would definitely do vinyl if it would work for us. Takes a lot less time to install as well. Well, wish I could spend more time here, but have to get going, part two of celebration weekend, taking second son off to college today. If you have specific questions regarding costs of any options let me know, I will be getting back to this site late tonight probably....See MoreHelp me design my fireplace wall
Comments (5)If you are using a manufactured fireplace, I would start with their installation instructions which should show distances for combustibles. Additionally, you need to know which codes apply to you: probably city code, state code, and maybe a separate fire code. (I'm on the other coast, so not much help.) Here, if I weren't sure, I would ask the building inspector the specific question, plus ask which codes apply. The codes themselves are usually searchable on-line, so you can then read it for yourself....See MorePlease help me with my tiny kitchen layout!
Comments (27)Hi Rosie! Thanks! Using the front room for dining is a great idea, however we DO use our front room quite a bit as well, because when I'm cooking/cleaning or watching a movie with my daughter, my hubby can go up front and sit in the sofa with our dog and read, so it functions as a quiet "away" room (Sarah Susanka, anyone?) but he can still feel connected to us. And vice versa. That's also where our fireplace is, and we like to hang out there, especially when our families come out from the east coast to stay with us. I think we looked into it being a dining room, but the proportions didn't work. Ah, the joys of small urban living! Maybe I should post that plan too! However, I also love hearing about your lack of need for a prep sink. Does your husband or anyone else use the kitchen at the same time as you?...See MoreMarcia Sieben
4 months ago
Maureen
3 months agoI would play up the backdrop, drawing the eye, using natural elements to off set all the stone, low enough not to interfere with view, and random placement/sizes to help with off centeted wall. Adding solar lights could be stunning in the evening.
Marcia Sieben thanked MaureenMarcia Sieben
3 months agolast modified: 3 months ago
PROSabrina Alfin Interiors
3 months agoWhat style is your home? Is it a Spanish style or is it a desert modern look? If the former, I might consider re-doing the fountain wall with traditional Spanish tiles to give it more of a resort feeling.
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If it's more modern, I'd consider a stacked stone, like this:
Modernizing a Historical Masterpiece · More InfoMarcia Sieben thanked Sabrina Alfin InteriorsMarcia Sieben
3 months agolast modified: 3 months ago
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