Also, if you take a look under the "Find Pros" tab on Houzz you can search for tradespeople in your area - tilers, landscapers etc.

I'm not a huge fan of the teal tiles. I would pick up a beautiful neutral travertine and some natural stone that highlights the white and pulls in the yellow timber tones to form the pool edge. Timber walls are stunning, but it requires a lot of maintenance and the commitment to keep it looking pristine. It is easier to colour block with a deep accent colour like grey or rich brown and use architectural features like pillars, shadowboxes or the frames as previously mentioned. It is also well worth getting a lighting designer to come in and help you think about how to create more drama and functional lighting for your pool.

I would definitely choose small backyard with the pool! Our backyard is rather small so when we moved in we decided to use the space as much as we could! We called the guys that install fiberglass pools, since we heard that these are great choice and more customizable than the others. We are enjoying in our backyard every day!

Hi Michelle, I agree with Deonne that you need to consider what the plants will drop in your pool - I'd avoid anything deciduous for this reason, but also Lilly Pillies because they have both flowers and berries. Also be aware that Lilly Pillies and figs have aggressive root systems. Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise) is my favourite choice for beside pools because it doesn't drop leaves or flowers, will grow in a narrow space and provides a lush, tropical-looking privacy screen. If that's too tall for you (they can get to 4-5m in height over time), look at its smaller cousin, Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise) which only grows to 1.5m.