An extreme makeover turns an unassuming lanai deck into an outdoor oasis. These Bonita Bay homeowners loved the location of their home, but needed it to fit their current lifestyle. Because they love to entertain, they wanted to maximize their outdoor space—one that would accommodate a large family and lots of guests. Working with Progressive Design Build, Mike Spreckelmeier helped the homeowners formulate a list of ideas about what they wanted to achieve in the renovation; then, guided them through the process of planning their remodel. The renovation focused on reconfiguring the layout to extend the outdoor kitchen and living area—to include a new outdoor kitchen, dining area, sitting area and fireplace. Finishing details comprised a beautiful wood ceiling, cast stone accents, and porcelain tile. The lanai was also expanded to include a full size bocce ball court, which was fully encased in a beautiful custom colonnade and screen enclosure. With the extension of the outdoor space came a need to connect the living area to the existing pool and deck. The pool and spa were refinished; and a well thought-out low voltage remote-control relay system was installed for easy control of all of the outdoor and landscape lighting, ceiling fans, and hurricane shutters. This outdoor kitchen project turned out so well, the Bonita Bay homeowners hired Progressive Design Build to remodel the front of their home as well. To create much needed space, Progressive Design Build tore down an existing two-car garage and designed and built a brand new 2.5-car garage with a family suite above. The family suite included three bedrooms, two bathrooms, additional air conditioned storage, a beautiful custom made stair system, and a sitting area. Also part of the project scope, we enlarged a separate one-car garage to a two-car garage (totaling 4.5 garages), and build a 4,000 sq. ft. driveway, complete with landscape design and installation.

Tropical islands are the focal point for the design build of the acreage behind this stunning, Mediterranean-style home. The hardscape features a three level pool, including a toddler pool and a wading pool. Starting at the reef, there are three leaf petal loungers which allow you to recline in four to six inches of water at your feet. Limestone holy boulders are placed strategically along the edge for a natural element. A beautiful blend of earthy colors within the flagstone create a natural and rustic pool deck. All of the steps and bench seating inside the pool are also made of flagstone (custom fabricated flagstone coping for this project was completed on site). The toddler pool features fiber optic lighting which was installed at the bottom of the pool in the gunnite shell to create the reflection of a starry, celestial sky (fiber optic lighting can be used to create any number of shapes or constellations). An infinity edge crashes over beautiful stone and tile work, falling into a wading pool below. Another special feature is a water feature of riverstone cobbles sitting below dancing flames. Large stepping stones alongside this feature lead you to a lounge pool deck creating the feeling of an island retreat. Limestone slabs were used for a path of steps that take you through the landscaping back to the main house. A gazebo was added to hold an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor shower and a pool house with restrooms. All of the outdoor features are automated, allowing you to operate water temperature, fire features, water features, even the music and lighting from your smartphone.

©StevenPaulWhitsitt
Photo of a tropical natural pool in Orange County with a water slide.

This particular project was unique in two respects. In terms of scale and scope, the property we were working on was exceptionally large. This allowed for the construction of an exceptionally realistic natural pool. Not only did this natural swimming area closely mimic wilderness equivalents, but it was further enhanced by a unique application of fiber optic stars that imitated stars reflecting off the surface of the water. The pool was built in a curvilinear design that imitated the edges of natural bodies of water. In order to accentuate its realism, we built the coping around water’s edge completely out of rock. This rock perimeter was then aesthetically extended in a number of ways. Starting at the far end of the pool, we constructed a large rock outcropping that supported a natural waterfall that poured over a small grotto. This grotto was a special seating area for swimmers. When it is time to take a break from exercise, they can sit on the rocky ledge and look back through the waterfall for a spectacular view of the scenery. The vertical impact created by the rocky outcropping, combined with the constant sound of pouring water, lend a sense of remote isolation to this natural pool. This feeling of being in a faraway place is then further accentuated with a spectacular display of star light that appears to dance on the surface of the water. These stars are actually an optical effect created by tiny fiber optic cables that are built into the basin of the structure. They carry light from a remote transmitter that is remotely powered, so there is no electricity or heat produced by their presence in the water. A controller causes various groups of lights to intermittently dim and brighten like twinkling stars in the night. Once this feeling of remote isolation and privacy were firmly established, we then set ourselves to the task of making the natural pool as user friendly as possible. We did this by adding two key features. The first of these was a spa that contains ergonomic places for seating and headrests. In order to integrate this obviously luxurious element into what was intended to be a very pristine setting, we built the spa’s outer structure out of rocks with a similar color and proportion to those used in the construction of the coping and the waterfall. Another element that was added for functional purposes was a beach entry located at the near end of the pool opposite from the waterfall. This area featured a blend of human amenities, creature comforts, and natural decorations to scale the sense of luxury down in order to better blend it with that natural aesthetic. Rock boulders, reflective of those used to build the waterfall outcropping, were positioned in various locations to emulate a rocky shoreline. We also installed three benches that reclined at an angle. This allowed visitors who preferred not to swim to lay back and take in the panoramic view of the starlit natural pool, the waterfall in the distance, and the circle of stone that comprised the spa adjoined to the water at the midpoint.

Photo of a tropical indoor custom-shaped pool in Jacksonville.

Shehan Pools
Design ideas for a tropical pool in Cincinnati.

Cool, pool, IPE, Slate, Coping, Fire Pit, PLanters, LED lights
Tropical pool in Wilmington.

A tropical style back yard with a pool that incorporates classic European details with bold, contrasting paving materials. Multiple levels add a sculptural look to the hardscape. A beach entry covered with Pennsylvania flagstone blurs the line of the edge of the pool.

32x36x18 Freeform 3-6 deep, 7x8 spa +18" raised with rock fall face, shelf for floating rock steps, 6" Raised Tile Wall, Country Classic travertine set in a French pattern, Florida Stucco Gem finish in White,

This is an example of a tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in San Diego.

Large tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in San Francisco with a water feature.

Photo of a large tropical backyard kidney-shaped pool in Boston with concrete pavers.

service area of the 2000 gallon salt water reef system in pool grotto
Photo of a tropical pool in Houston.

We created this natural swimming pool in Southlake, TX featuring natural rock work and three separate swimming pool areas. The diving pool features a 1"x1" glass tile slide and a rock diving board. The play pool includes four glass tile swim up bar stools and the hot spring inspired spa overlooks the sunken bar area with custom cedar pergola. Swimming pool landscaping, landscape lighting, Olympic-grade underwater speakers, and state of the art pool equipment and pool hydraulics make this pool outstanding.

With beautiful LED lighting, the Mahwah NJ swimming pool shows off a custom, freeform infinity wall and inviting grotto. From the upper pool, a 40-feet slide flows like the infinity edge down to the lower pool level. The fun and enjoyment of this pool is unmistakeable, and the unique style definitely does not disappoint.

Our client wanted to vacation in his own backyard! This was custom designed and built by our talented staff. Our goal was to exceed our clients expectations, and with his our cave, waterfall and slide this is just what he was desiring.

Location: Location: Tampa, FL, USA Hive Outdoor Living Wet Edge Pearl Matrix finish, Flagstone brick deck and coping, custom Tennessee flat rock waterfalls, outdoor kitchen with custom concrete countertops, stone Hardscape ledge stone, FireMagic grill and appliances.

Georgia Classic Pool is the Premier Custom Inground Swimming Pool Designer and Builders serving the north metro Atlanta Georgia area. We specialize in building amazing outdoor living spaces. Our award winning swimming pool projects are the focal point of your backyard. We can design and build your cabana, arbor, pergola or outdoor kitchen. Outdoor Living can be achieved year-round in the Atlanta area and we are here to help you get the very most out of your backyard living space.

Inspiration for a small tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Los Angeles with concrete slab.