sensualappeal ■ ■ ■ ■ SPECIAL DESIGN ELEMENTS Steel-wall, vinyl-lined pool Natural stone grotto and waterfall Stamped-concrete deck Fully equipped pool cabana BUILDER | Pro Pool & Spa Ltd. Wellesley, Ont. www.propoolandspa.ca Tel: 519-656-9772 Glacial A P P E A L 54 ■ P Pro Pool & Spa Ltd., in Wellesley, Ont., was asked by a local homeowner in nearby St. Clements to add living space to their backyard by creating a ‘cottage-like’ getaway—without the drive—while also making sure certain design elements were included to make the backyard an exciting ‘hang out’ for their kids and friends. To create this unique space, the project centred on a 5.4- x 10.3-m (18- x 34-ft) ‘Gemini’ steel-wall, vinyl-lined inground pool that features four underwater lights to enhance the nighttime entertaining experience. Adding to the design’s intrigue is a backlit, natural-stone grotto and waterfall, incorporated into the rear pool wall, which sends a continuous sheet of water cascading into the pool below. Surrounding the contour of the pool is a coloured, stamped-concrete deck, which offers an abundance of poolside seating areas, including a charming breakfast nook where the homeowner can enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning while watching the sunrise. The deck is also enhanced with a decorative jumping rock at the deep end and two laminar jets that shoot arcs of water into the pool to create a spectacular display at night. To avoid distracting from these enhancing features, a ‘below the deck’ solar blanket system was installed to reduce evaporative water, heat and chemical loss and, in turn, save the homeowner some money. To further the cottage-country appeal of the landscape, large boulders along one side of the patio act as a retaining wall, while stone-slab stairs lead to a raised, poured-concrete sitting area. Here, a fully equipped covered cabana was installed complete with a full wet bar, TV, two-piece washroom and heat lamps for late-evening entertaining. It also includes a utility room that houses a full-size refrigerator and pool equipment. www.poolsspaspatios.com Water and stone come together to create a backyard getaway Pools, Spas & Patios PSP_Annual_2011(1).indd 54 ProPools&Spas_1_SApp.indd Sec1:1 3/16/11 10:10:49 PM 1/18/11 12:10:35 AM Maytron