Table of contents for Spring/Summer 2019 in Luxury Pools Magazine (Digital)

For more, check out our digital edition and luxurypools.com.…

From expansive outdoor kitchens to high-tech pergolas and door-window systems, new products and construction techniques are extending a home’s living quarters into the surrounding landscape. Here is a roundup of clever ways homeowners are using technology to better connect with the great outdoors. BioClimatic Structures’ pergolas create a close-to-nature environment but also control a space’s comfort level. The louvers on the Solisysteme Bioclimatic Pergola adjust remotely; protect a space from weather; and control ventilation, temperature, and light. Its sleek design is easy on the eyes, and dedicated gutters make it easy to maintain. The system can be used on residential or commercial properties, says BioClimatic co-owner Nicole Wehmeyer. bcstructures.com In a California home, relating to the outdoors is an unlimited experience. When Malika Junaid, founder and principal of M. Designs…

Water is the essential element of a great backyard. Whether a homeowner chooses a swimming pool for family fun and fitness, a spa for relaxation, or simply wants to bring unparalleled beauty to his outdoor space, water is a medium of endless potential. Homeowners seeking the benefits and beauty of water features need true professionals to create environments that will provide years of carefree recreation and pleasure. GENESIS® imparts critical knowledge and skills to its growing network of student builders, contractors and landscape architects, enabling them to enhance their clients’ lives by fulfilling water’s potential in outdoor living spaces. Genesis University® educates, certifies, and connects watershape professionals through coursework, projects and examination using strict guidelines maintained by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). GENESIS® merged with the…

Three decades ago, Shelly and Alan Matheny dreamed of doing exactly what they’re doing now—owning and operating a thriving business that creates some of the country’s finest luxury pools. Three years ago, the Mathenys purchased and rebranded their former employer’s Little Rock location and Diamond Pools was born. The transformation fulfilled a life-long vision of owning and operating a world-class outdoor oasis and swimming pool company that offers consumers a full range of design, construction, and maintenance services. With the help of two designers on staff, the team at Diamond Pools brings a stunning and creative vision to life in each and every back yard. The nearly 45 poolscapes the company builds each year include swimming pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and benches in virtually any native material. “We…

Liquid FX Inc stands out among its competitors for a few distinct reasons. The craftsmen behind the pools, ponds, water features, and landscaping have spent countless hours immersing themselves in outdoor environments in order to find inspiration in nature that they bring back and implement in customers’ backyards. The artisan team at LiquidFX believes that every project should be unique and handcrafted in a way that creates the feeling of being in nature, even in the middle of suburbia. Unlike most competitors, LiquidFX uses real boulders, and bases an entire landscape design around them. Trees, pools, and other landscape features are planned around the boulders in a way that makes sense in a natural environment. The goal at LiquidFX is to make the customer feel like they are immersed in…

Aquatic Consultants, Inc. is an internationally recognized leader in the design and planning of pools, spas, water features, ponds, and outdoor living areas. They provide complete design services and detailed plans for residential and commercial water environments of all types. Over 10 years ago they stopped building and instead focus all their time and energy on design. As such, Aquatic Consultants is involved in a greater range of projects worldwide, with recent projects in Africa, Sri Lanka, Greece, and Caribbean Islands, as well as local projects near their home base in Miami, Florida. Among recent projects are the new main pool at the Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club in Bermuda; Ani Villas pools and water features in both Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic; and several projects for Sir…

Leading Las Vegas pool contractor and landscape design company Green O’ Aces Pools & Landscape starts every project the same way: with ears wide open. By listening to customers, understanding their lifestyle and taking a holistic view of their entire property—including the home, yard and garden—Green O’ Aces is able to create unique custom pools that are a true extension of who the owners are. It’s this mix of tried-and-true expertise and one-on-one attention that truly distinguishes Green O’ Aces from other builders in the Las Vegas area. To ensure their customers get the most out of their backyards, Green O’ Aces stays up-to-date on industry trends and products that enhance the overall pool experience. Two conversations that Ace Bedich, owner of Green O’ Aces, frequently finds himself having with…

When Scott Cummings and Ben Lasseter worked together at a landscape architecture firm, they realized that their skills could combine perfectly to create powerful landscape master plans centered around aquatics and water features. Cummings is a registered landscape architect, unusual in the pool industry, and Lasseter is a top-notch construction project manager who can keep complex projects on schedule and budget. In 2011 they struck out on their own to create Design Ecology, an Austin, Texas-based landscape architecture design-build firm specializing in pool-centered landscapes. Since then, the firm has grown to seven employees and has created phenomenal pools around Texas, as well as designed pools in other states. They do many ultramodern and contemporary designs in line with current building trends in Austin, but also executes classic, formal, and more…

Outdoor living spaces have long received the luxury treatment, with exotic landscaping, stunning waterfalls, and hardscapes made with designer materials. Even in the most beautiful pools, though, one thing is too often an afterthought: the pool floor. Thanks to ever-evolving artistic techniques and materials, it’s now possible to lavish some love on the pool’s deepest surface. These days, commercial and residential properties alike can punch up their pool floors with handcrafted artwork. For more than 30 years, Artistry In Mosaics has created one-of-a-kind works of art for swimming pools, homes, and commercial spaces, ranging from sophisticated to whimsical. Each project, whether grand works of art or a corporate logo, receives the highest level of attention to detail by Artistry In Mosaics’ in-house design team and tile artisans. Luxury Pools +…

We’ve all seen those magnificent resort pools, with thousands of gallons of water stretching along sandy beaches and infinity edges blending expertly with the sea. At these hospitality meccas, we expect topnotch features: integrated hot tubs, waterfalls, lazy rivers, acrylic panels, creative lighting, in-water bars. The more complicated the package, the greater the appeal. Similarly, homeowners are equally eager for a pool that’s above and beyond the norm. When a pool pushes the limits of design, and therefore engineering and construction, it commands attention and garners immediate oohs and aahs. Sometimes it’s the size, sometimes it’s the positioning, but always it’s the detailing that contributes to an eye-popping end result. Here are some of the most expectation-defying projects executed by the country’s leading pool designers and contractors. The concepts are…

When it comes to your pool, you deserve a place that lets you escape — and lets you express who you are. A place that refreshes and relaxes you, helps you stay healthy and, most importantly, allows you to spend time and create memories with the ones you love most. Anthony & Sylvan Pools understands. It’s why they have become America’s largest builder of inground swimming pools and an industry leader in quality, customer satisfaction, and service. How did they get there? By putting customers first from start to finish. With Anthony & Sylvan, customers enjoy craftsmanship and expertise honed over more than 70 years in business. They’re served by one dedicated team throughout the process. Best of all, the company’s lifetime structural warranty and unbeatable service ensure customers will…

Transforming backyards, creating a place for exercise, relaxation, and most importantly, fun for the whole family, is what Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio, does best. Whether it includes spas, patio sets, fire pits, custom water features or unique decking, Presidential Pools will assist you in designing your whole backyard oasis. “We design and build swimming pools for every type of family, lifestyle, and backyard,” says the company’s CEO Tim Murphy. As the number one independently rated pool builder in Arizona by Pool and Spa News, and the largest pool builder in the country by volume, more Arizona families trust Presidential Pools with their backyards than any other builder. You can find Presidential Pools in thousands of backyards in the Phoenix Valley and Tucson metro areas as well as the region’s…

Named by Robb Report as the most influential pool designer in the world, Skip Phillips of Questar Pools & Spas, is said to deliver “a palpable elegance and a sleek aesthetic.” The San Diego-based waterscape artist and industry expert places as much, if not more, emphasis on structure and hydraulics as he does aesthetics—the latter of which have been attributed to his ability to make water “dance.” Designs by Phillips are marked by a seamless fluidity between the natural environs and the constructed landscape. In fact, he views the pool as an architectural extension of the home. “If someone walks into the backyard and feels the environment connects and that it’s a great space to be, then we did the right thing,” notes Phillips. “Fire, food, and water,” he adds,…

GSM Builders is in the business of building dreams. A complete design build firm for all your outdoor and building needs. As the apex of luxury design, Fort Lauderdale, Floridabased GSM Builders has been providing luxury home and pool construction services throughout southern Florida for over a decade. Their team of trained, licensed, and insured contractors and designers are held to the highest standards, giving customers access to the top professionals in the industry. From swimming pool design and construction to custom home construction, GSM Builders’ team of architects, designers, engineers, and experienced contractors can transform both indoor and outdoor living spaces into a personal oasis. GSM Builders is SWD Registered, certified through the Society of Watershape Designers®, a GENESIS® program, delivering some 40-50 of the most beautiful new and…

Keith Zars Pools began as a dream back in 1985 and is now recognized as the premier luxury pool builder in San Antonio, Texas. The company has designed and constructed more than 9,000 pools with an unparalleled reputation for creating timeless outdoor spaces that integrate seamlessly with their natural surroundings. Through breathtaking pool designs and extraordinary craftsmanship, Keith Zars Pools excels at blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living to create an oasis of tranquility. The outdoor living and pool design experience begins when a customer’s vision for his or her design is brought to life by one of Keith Zars Pools’ award-winning, in-house, licensed landscape architects, who brings a wealth of expertise to each custom project. The experience continues when the customer visits the Design Center, which showcases…

Casa Koko is a breathtaking private oceanfront vacation villa located in the gated residential community of Punta Mita, Mexico. Designed by architect Juan Collignon and interior designer Karen Collignon, the villa is fully staffed with a concierge, house manager, private chef, servers, and a driver. From fresh ceviche and margaritas to private sailing excursions to onsite spa treatments, Casa Koko’s team delivers a truly ultra-luxe vacation experience. It’s ideal for those looking for complete privacy, security, and on-demand amenities. Complete with two oceanfront master suites, two ocean-view guest suites, five garden bedrooms (all with bathrooms en suite), an oceanfront dining terrace, spa sanctuary, fitness room, and an infinity pool that fades into the Pacific Ocean’s horizon, Casa Koko is the ultimate extended family or group getaway destination. casakoko.com…

The new infinity pool and surrounding lounge area at Hotel Arts Barcelona in Spain overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and Frank Gehry’s iconic fish sculpture. During the day, the 18-and-over infinity pool area is a relaxing, urban oasis where guests can soak up the sun, dine poolside, or indulge in a spa treatment courtesy of the hotel’s 43 the Spa. At night, the pool’s lounge area transforms into a vibrant hotspot. Guests and locals mingle while enjoying refreshing cocktails and small bites underneath the stars. Duran Arquitectes’ recent addition to the hotel’s outdoor spaces was designed to complement the existing poolscape. duranarquitectes.com, hotelartsbarcelona.com…

Christopher Anderson’s path to designing luxury furniture took a few twists along the way. The founder and president of Ledge Lounger—a $10 million-plus luxury outdoor furniture manufacturer and lifestyle brand—started off his career in the world of media. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in construction management, he worked in promotions at his alma mater, and later tackled sales and marketing at the Dallas Morning News. Meanwhile, his father was running a successful pool business back home in Houston. Anderson resisted joining the family trade—for a while. “In 2007, business was booming and Dad was crazy busy,” recalls Anderson. “After swearing I would never get involved, I gave it a try. I ended up falling in love with the landscape architecture side, working with homeowners and laying…

Whether your agenda is finishing a few laps or simply cooling off in the water with friends and family, a swimming pool has a lot to offer. Which is why it’s such good news that advancements in technology and aesthetic design have made renovating your pool—rather than investing in a new one—much more accessible. Renovations often develop when a client purchases a property with an existing pool that has been neglected, doesn’t meet current safety regulations, or just doesn’t crank up enough joy, says Scott Payne, owner of Scott Payne Custom Pools, headquartered in Pennsylvania. Payne is a third-generation pool builder who maintains certification through Genesis, a think tank of pool professionals. “A typical client has purchased a property with an existing pool and the styles don’t match or the…

With a thoughtful blend of innovative style and the latest technology, Blue Haven offices around the country create state-of-the-art backyard resorts that are distinct in appearance, waterand energy-efficient, and easy and enjoyable to own. “Our designs achieve the form and function that satisfy today’s busy, tech-savvy, environmentally conscious clients,” said President Stephen Treese. Doing so, he says, means integrating cutting-edge systems that automate care, enhance a pool’s beauty and longevity, and increase swimmer safety and comfort. Blue Haven’s complete line of high-tech SmartFeatures™ includes stain- and slip-resistant color quartz and pebble interior finishes, dazzling, color-changing LED lighting with dancing light shows, and exclusive Microban® filters that resist mold, bacteria, and viruses. Advanced purification is also popular. Its powerful OxiPro device delivers the strongest, most reliable water sanitizer available—safely destroying 99.9%…

Serving all of Arizona, Unique Landscapes & Custom Pools builds about 100 distinctly custom pools and spas each year. But their expertise also includes creating complete outdoor living environments to meet their elite clientele’s expectations. Today, homeowners are focusing on more than just a place to relax outdoors, they are also concerned about how their pool will impact their health. Perfectly balanced water is not only important to extending the life of a pool and its equipment, but it is also an important health consideration. As we learn more about the long term impact of chemicals on our bodies, it only makes sense to examine the water in swimming pools. As one of only 60 GENESIS® SWD® Registered members, Chris Griffin understands that every customer has the right to the…

A full-service design-build firm based in Orange County, California, Danny Wang Design creates one-of-a-kind exteriors and interiors with the elements in mind. From seamless vanishing-edge water features to ultra-modern outdoor kitchens, they have over a decade of experience in creating award-winning landscape masterpieces. Danny Wang’s team of world-class designers curates the materials and finishes that, in the end captivate homeowners in their own homes. Their experts combine exceptional artwork, sculptures, and furniture to create fine-art inspired indoor and outdoor spaces, while delivering the perfect ambiance for the client's lifestyle. “Our primary goal is to create a complete outdoor experience based on each client’s personality and preferences,” states the company’s owner, Danny Wang. For a recent project in Walnut, California, the client wanted a Zen feeling both on the interior and…

Offering a fresh new perspective on outdoor living and the spaces that accommodate it, Ryan Hughes Design/Build is a second-generation company reborn for the 21st century. Ryan Hughes and his team’s work can be found in intimate to over-the-top outdoor living spaces and award-winning swimming pools across the United States and Canada. Among the firm’s specialties is the ability to capture a client’s unique vision. By creating intimate settings that fit beautifully with the surrounding environs, Ryan Hughes has become known for what he terms “artistry of space.” Signature design elements include state-of-the-art water and fire features, custom stonework, and sophisticated landscape plantings—all of which blend together to brilliant effect. With a recent multi-million-dollar outdoor living complex, the term unique is an understatement. Within the 10,000 square feet of outdoor…

Aloha Pools specializes in designing the unique added touches that make pools and outdoor living spaces as extraordinary as possible. They work closely with clients to make sure their backyard design complements their home’s architecture and meets the family’s needs. Aloha Pools takes great care to ensure the pool, spa, and hardscapes seamlessly integrate with the property, as though they have always been there and not an afterthought. “Our primary goal is to delight our clients with elegant pool projects that enhance the outdoor experience. Aloha Pools captures the client’s desires while creating a timeless, functional, low maintenance space to be enjoyed throughout the seasons,” states the company’s owner, Dean Bowling. Aloha Pools understands that constructing a pool project is a major task. Each client has unique design and site…

For 66 years, Dolphin Pools, has prided itself on being Utah’s premier pool builder by constructing the finest, most trouble-free pools possible. A family-owned, three-generation business, Dolphin first emerged in 1953 as Star Pools. The first year, Ted Ludlow and his team constructed 11 pools. In 1957, Star Pools was dissolved and Don Ludlow, Ted’s son, continued to build pools on his own until November 1959, when he was hired by Bettilyon’s Inc. to manage their Esther Williams swimming pool division. His first order of business was to change the name—and Dolphin Pools was born. In 1961, Don purchased Dolphin Pools and continued on with the business until 2008 when he turned the company over to his son, Jeff Ludlow. Today, Jeff oversees the retail, service, parts, spas, and construction…