Inspiration for a large backyard round natural pool in San Diego with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

10 person hot water spa hidden inside this rock grotto.
Inspiration for a country round natural pool in New York with natural stone pavers.

Exterior projects (Mediterranean Style)

Ancient Surfaces

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Troon- Kids Pool

Legacy Custom Homes

Legacy Custom Homes, Inc. Newport Beach, CA
Large tropical backyard round natural pool in Orange County with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Sparta Lake Concrete

Contemporary Pools & Spas LLC

Large arts and crafts backyard round natural pool in Newark with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Palmer House

Apidae Building Contractors, Inc

Photos by Mark Gebhardt photography.
Small tropical backyard round natural pool in San Francisco with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Outdoor living.

Westwork Architectural Studio

Detail of a pool house designed to match the main home. Exterior spaces should be treated just as well as the interior spaces of a home. A planter box below the window brings the landscaping directly into the outdoor dining area.

Pools

Urban Design Associates

Mediterranean half moon pool with flagstone flooring.
Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard round natural pool in Phoenix with natural stone pavers.

Coastline Natural Stone Veneer Outdoor Living Pool & Spa

Quarry Mill

Coastline thin stone veneer from the Quarry Mill gives this tranquil pool and spa character. Coastline is a natural New England cobblestone. The pieces of natural stone veneer come in various colors, shapes and sizes. Coastline has a weathered and naturally rough texture with mainly earth tones. This thin stone veneer is a great fit on lake houses or coastal homes. Stones of this style can also be referred to as boulders or round side out stone. Coastline is unique because it is not a quarried stone by rather a natural fieldstone. Cobblestones can be used for both interior and exterior applications and are well suited for both large and small projects. For masons who are comfortable with and have experience installing cobblestones, they typically go quickly and have a medium to low installation cost.

Natural Stone Hot Tub

Tumber & Associates

Inspiration for a country backyard round natural pool in Toronto with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Mashpee Residence

SSG Pools & Spas, Inc.

Design ideas for an expansive mediterranean backyard round natural pool in Boston with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Sandy Springs Renovation

Splash Luxury Pools

Rip Hooker
This is an example of a mid-sized tropical backyard round natural pool in Other with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Family Residence, Custom Home, Pool Interior

CBI Design Professionals, Inc.

This pool room is part of a second phase addition to this already wonderful home. The original house had been carefully designed to take advantage of its rural setting including views of a water area, nature preserve, and woods. In order to maintain these views while providing a large indoor room for the pool, the project required a unique and difficult concept to be executed. We decided to place the pool room at the basement level where no views would be disturbed. In order to accomplish this, the pool itself was excavated below existing foundation walls requiring substantial shoring and engineering work. The roof of the pool room is a combination of cast-in-place concrete vaults and concrete plank, forming a patio surface and lawn area above. A unique skylight in this lawn area floods the below-grade room with wonderful day lighting. The end result actually enhances the views from the home by providing an elevated stone patio overlooking the ponds and nature preserve. The pool room also enjoys this view as well. We believe the final result of the project shows a very well integrated design which overcame substantial engineering challenges to form a highly functional and well designed solution.

Plumeria Sands

Moderne Builders

Kelly Peak
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard round natural pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

San Gorgonio Modern Wonder

Horizon Builders, Inc.

South facing pool area with acid release concrete finishing. Tanning shelf in pool area.
Inspiration for an expansive modern backyard round natural pool in Other with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Lazy River

East Coast Pools & Spas

Photo of a large backyard round natural pool in San Diego with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Spas

Vacation Pools

This is an example of a small tropical round natural pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and decking.

Elevated Egg Shape Pool Design

Albatross Pools

Working with the natural contours of the land, this freeform pool is partially raised above natural ground level, specifically the side of the pool design surrounded with timber decking. The dramatic rich blue pool colour created by premium Aqualux Bahama pool interior is softened by natural tones and textures of the hardwood timber decking and slate pool surrounds.

2016 - HIA Outdoor Project Winner - Sunshine Coast QLD

Contemporary Landscaping

DOONAN. Designed by Contemporary Landscaping 2016 Landscape Queensland Finalist - Residential Construction of the Year 2016 Landscape Queensland Winner - Residential 4 2016 HIA Sunshine Coast/ Wide Bay Winner - Outdoor Project This acreage design is all about creating an entertainment area that could be utilised all year round. The pools glass panels have been installed to maximise the surrounds, with the freestanding gazebo making the perfect place to sit and admire the view. For the cooler months, lounging on the circular seating around the fire pit, is not a bad way to spend evenings. The planting was selected to complement the native surrounds however provides our clients with contemporary resort like feel. The project has transformed what was once a tired background into a resort style landscape that is usable every day. Contemporary Landscaping creating lifestyles.

Sparta Lake Concrete

Contemporary Pools & Spas LLC

Large arts and crafts backyard round natural pool in New York with a hot tub and decking.

Round Natural Pool Design Ideas

Swimming pools are heavenly during hot Australian and New Zealand summers and are the perfect way to cool down, relax, entertain friends and even get fit. A pool can also create visual interest, especially when you consider features like coloured pool tiles, lighting and landscaping. If you are short on space, you might still fit a lap pool, plunge pool or swim spa, all of which could be focal points in your small garden. As you plan your pool design, map out your space and determine what size, shape and style works best for you. Browse the photos on Houzz for design ideas for above ground pools, inground pools, as well as pool landscaping and novelty features like pool slides or water features. Then, save your favourite photos to an ideabook, and get in touch with the experts behind your favourite picks.

What type of pool should I install?

The dimensions of your backyard will determine the type of inground pools you can install. Take into account boundary restrictions and pool fencing compliance. Fibreglass versions are cheaper, and quicker to install; whereas concrete constructions are better suited to tricky sites and give you more freedom in design. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to commit to an inground pool, above ground pools are a more affordable alternative. If you only have a small backyard, a plunge pool is a great solution, and can easily run along a boundary wall or down the side of a house. This option is also low maintenance, can be heated for use in winter, and can do double duty as a swim spa. A long, narrow space, on the other hand, could fit a lap pool, whereas a water feature could fill an awkward space. If your backyard features a stunning vista, consider an infinity pool to accentuate the view.

What pool fencing options are available?

While the specifics vary from state to state, fencing is required of most pool designs. However, pool fencing doesn’t have to obscure your pool design. Glass fencing is increasingly popular for this reason exactly, and is available framed, frameless, semi-frameless and even in-ground. A cheaper alternative is aluminium or steel fencing, which, again, are available in a variety of styles: flat top, loop-top, double-top and wire-based.

What pool landscaping features should I consider?

To get the most out of your pool, design an area that offers multiple hangouts. Include a nearby barbecue, dining area, seating for lounging and outdoor shower. Having shaded areas will give you more reason to stay poolside longer, too. Timber decking and stone paving are popular choices for pool surrounds, and are also helpful in creating zones. Just imagine a raised timber platform with a daybed – a luxurious, resort-style addition to any pool design. Leafy trees and rocks will create a more natural-looking oasis, and will help provide more privacy for swimmers. Where you want your landscape to be the main focus, keep pool equipment and furnishings to a minimum.