The shallow, but wide, lot inspired Ron Coker Jr. to use stone horizontally and vertically to surround this lagoon-style pool project.

The president/COO of Master Pools by Artistic Pools Inc. in Atlanta found several ways to incorporate natural stone throughout the backyard, which includes a free-form pool, spa, retaining wall and fireplace.

“We focused the decking around three sides of the pool,” Coker says. Tennessee crab orchard flagstone was used horizontally to create a path between the pool and the house, as well as on an upper patio area.

Coker then used the same stone in a dry-stack method to create low walls, and front the fireplace. He culled out various shades of gray flagstone for use throughout the project. When incorporated as a veneer, the stone was a thicker variety that was hand honed and mortared in place.