When it comes to renovations, some projects are minor, some are major, and some are let’s-just-pull-the-whole-thing-out-and-start-again.

The owners of this Mediterranean-inspired home near Los Angeles went for the third option.

“At first they wanted a light remodel on the existing pool,” recalls Jeff Lokker, owner of Huntington Pools in Glendora, Calif.  “But when they realized that the cheapest way wasn’t going to give them the most desirable layout, they stepped back and said, ‘We’re going to commit to this, so let’s do it right.’”

Following is a look at this extensive renovation and the design intent behind it.