Schechner's Sports & More
Fastballs, Beach Sludge and International Incidents
In lieu of a column imploring President Obama to bail out the L.A. Dodgers, I give you scattered thoughts… Read more
Editor's Note
Let it Rain
There is a painting I love by Howard Hodgkin that hung in my office for years. Read more
Industry News
New Connecticut Law Raises Licensing Issue
Connecticut soon will be added to the number of states requiring a specific license for pool builders. Read more
Industry News
Industry Sees Rare Midseason Price Hikes from Manufacturers
A sharp rise in the cost of raw materials has prompted a number of pool and spa product manufacturers to institute midseason price increases. Read more
Industry News
Service Companies Address Drain Recall Concerns
As soon as the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced its drain cover recall, the barrage of calls began. Read more
Industry News
Drain-Cover Standard Undergoes Changes
As the industry and its consumers respond to the recent drain-cover recall, the standard governing safety of the product is undergoing changes and switching venues. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Spas
Skip Phillips | Questar Pools and Spas + Gene Brown | Valley Pool & Spa
This Canadian backyard was designed to be a crowd-pleaser. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Spas
Dave McKibben | Patio Pools & Spas
An equipment access panel couldn’t stick out like a sore thumb against subtle materials like the “Tea & Cream” decking and earth-tone tiles used by Dave McKibben, retail/spa manager of Patio Pools & Spas in Tucson, Ariz. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Spas
Dale DeLeo | Europa Escape Landscaping + Mike Freyler | Authority Spas & Home Recreation
The house features European classical architecture and rustic stone accents, so it was a natural step to give the hot tub environment an Old World feel. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Concrete Pools
Scott Cohen | The Green Scene Landscaping and Pools
A simple renovation became an extreme makeover when designer Scott Cohen decided to completely replace the existing pool — a poorly positioned rectangle that didn’t highlight the nearby golf course and orchards. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Concrete Pools
Sean Topper | Topper Design Studio, LLC + Phil Bowles | Phil Bowles Pools Inc.
The homeowner came armed with specifications — a perimeter-overflow pool sitting 2-1/2 inches above the deck, with a spa inside, raised another 2-1/2 inches. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Concrete Pools
Joey Pecoraro | Architectural Design Concepts
This vanishing-edge pool features a number of 90-degree jogs, which create an interesting shape and provide several intimate nooks. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Concrete Pools
Lisa North and Andre Del Re | Da Vida Pools, LLC
This waterscape was an experiment of sorts. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Vinyl-Liner Pools
Barry Justus | Poolscape Inc.
Designer Barry Justus had dreamed of crafting a unique project that blended sleek modern lines with rustic local materials — and the homeowners were equally enthusiastic. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Vinyl-Liner Pools
Michael Inzerillo | Swimming Pools by Jack Anthony
Combining the best of the pool and pond worlds, this project offered Michael Inzerillo an opportunity to enhance the landscape’s natural beauty. Read more
2011 Masters of Design
Giuseppe Abbrancati, Rolando Adamovicz and Kevin Anderson | Gappsi Pools
The designers at Gappsi Pools joined together in a tightly knit team to manage every detail of this project. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Fiberglass Pools
Todd Emmerson | Signature Pools & Spas + Brian Larsen | County Wide Landscaping
The client’s vacation home in Mexico provided inspiration for this resort-like escape in suburban Chicago. Read more
2011 Masters of Design: Fiberglass Pools
Bret Shallenberger | San Diego Fiberglass Pools + Frank Wiedner | Homeowner
The yard measured a snug 72- by 30 feet, but Bret Shallenberger and homeowner Frank Wiedner made the most of it. Read more