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THE CANVAS: A hilly property, yellow colonial-style house, lakeside views
THE PALETTE: Classic country motif, contrasting stone and concrete, unusual shapes in water
THE MASTERPIECE: Unique multi-level patios, marriage of form and function, an inviting outdoor space
hese clients wanted a pool and spa to go with their quaint, yellow home and small patio in Elizabethtown, Ky. The waterscape, along with a new pool house, would provide the perfect place for the couple to entertain guests and enjoy the scenery.
Taking cues from the architecture and topography, Fred Butler, owner of Pools Plus Inc., crafted this aquatic masterpiece in the classic country style of its surroundings. Landscaped areas tie into tall hawthorn trees nearby.
King of the hill
The backyard had a dramatic 5-foot slope, so Butler decided to design multiple levels that follow the topography. Users step down from the main patio to reach the pool house. The actual vessel sits at the lowest elevation. “The different levels, materials and finishes create interest and good visuals,” Butler says.
He chose a free-form shape for the pool, and placed a fiberglass spa closer to the home. The setup creates a modified triangular form that complements the architecture. A light interior echoes the tones used on the house.
Butler replicated the dark stone already used in the yard, placing it on the upper patio, walls and columns. For the pool deck, however, he selected a sprayed-on concrete material with a granitelike finish.
“The product is a nice contrast with the dark stone of the upper patios,” he says. “Also, it’s very reflective and cools down the deck, especially during the summer. And it’s a smoother surface to walk on.”
For extra atmosphere, Butler installed soft recessed lights and a sound system in the stone walls.
Environmental factor
To satisfy Kentucky building codes, an elegant aluminum fence was erected at the project’s perimeter. The barrier also separates the property from the city-restricted green around the lake.
A wrought-iron gate protects the kitchen inside the pool house from unwanted guests. “The homeowners were concerned that when they were out of town, teenagers might hop the fence and help themselves [to the alcoholic beverages in the refrigerator],” Butler says.
The designer also was careful to consider the area’s environmental conditions. The pool house is open-ended, so it needed to endure year-round exposure to the elements. To prepare for this scenario, Butler used weatherproof finishes throughout the interior.
“And with the roof and orientation of the building, most of the wind and weather comes from the closed-in side,” he said.
The result is a timeless pool for all seasons.
