Table of contents for Spring/Summer 2022 in Luxury Pools Magazine (Digital)

From their style and sophistication to their adaptability and affordability, more and more homeowners are seeing that small pools are just as beautiful and fun as their larger counterparts. Whether in-ground, above ground, or even on a rooftop, here are five companies that offer products and designs for smaller spaces.…

Everyone loves a backyard with a beautiful pool, but many of the best moments with family and friends don’t actually involve swimming in the pool itself. Instead, those special times take place around the pool: sipping cocktails at the bar in the outdoor kitchen; roasting marshmallows around the fire pit; playing bocce or horseshoes on the lawn; dancing on the deck; or cuddling in a hammock while watching the stars. That’s been especially true in recent years, as the pandemic challenged people to find new ways to spend time with loved ones and socialize outdoors. Whether dining alfresco or relaxing by a fire pit, entertaining-friendly hardscaped and decking designs create the ultimate outdoor spaces that are sure to bring friends and family together all year long. Here are five trends…

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, water- and energy-efficient, and easy and enjoyable to own. “Our designs achieve the form and function that satisfy today’s busy, techsavvy, environmentally conscious clients.” says 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…

More than just a pool company, Ike’s Carter Pools Companies designs, builds, and maintains the most elegant and exciting aquatic environments that fit their clients’ coveted lifestyles. They enhance homes with immersive pieces of art, which incorporate fine waterscapes into the surrounding terrain and architecture. Incorporated in 1949, this third-generation company was, and continues to be, pioneers in the pool industry. They have been setting trends in design, safety, and technology in South Florida for the past 70 years by being involved in the industry and helping to get laws and standards passed at the state and national levels. Ike’s is a long-time state board member of the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) and have actual hall of Fame Inductee from their company. They have a long legacy of giving…

There are few luxuries quite like owning your own custom swimming pool. A beautifully landscaped inground pool can be your personal oasis to refresh and invigorate in, far away from the crowds and stressors of daily life. For over 25 years, New Jersey pool owners have looked to The Pool Boss as the area’s premiere pool builder, emerging as one of the leading design firms chosen by astute residents looking to convert their backyards from a blank canvas to an oasis-like retreat. The talented team has been building pools for area celebrities like Buddy Valastro (The Cake Boss), Joe and Melissa Gorga (Real Housewives of New Jersey), and several New York Giants players. CEO Christopher Argenziano is leading the way for clients looking for the highest standards of quality in…

This team of talented professionals is excited to take on even the most demanding of pool projects. Its energetic studio in Austin, Texas, is home to a creative professional group with a passion for design. Specializing in estate master planning, custom swimming pools, and unique watershapes, Design Ecology / Design Aquatics offers a full range of residential and commercial landscape architectural services. They tailor each project to exceed client goals with a unique, environmentally responsible design solution. Their creative process begins with design. As partner and principal landscape architect for Design Ecology / Design Aquatics, Scott Cummings takes responsibility for every design produced. He works closely with associate designers and clients to ensure that all plans fully address the unique challenges of each individual project. Scott takes the time to…

Pristine Acres focuses on designing and building one-of-a-kind outdoor spaces, specifically geared towards property owners who want exceptional quality matched with out-of-the-box design. Pristine Acres is a small business that believes in providing clients a genuine and memorable experience throughout the entire process while delivering a completed project that is left to impress. The company specializes in complete property design where the property, residence, and the outdoor living space is integrated seamlessly through a partnership between Pristine Acres and their clients. Steve Waldron, Jr., the founder and President of Pristine Acres, has a strong background in the built environment having been raised in the construction industry. Waldron has a passion for working with people and through his life’s experiences has developed a unique process which provides clients a refreshing experience.…

PRODUCT WE LOVE Transform your backyard oasis with Poolside Tech’s automation system, The Attendant. This cloud-based system continually monitors your equipment, water quality, and temperature to determine the most energy-efficient way to have your pool and spa ready when you are. Plus, The Attendant is the first pool automation system to offer full control and programming capabilities of DMX lights, giving you access to its complete color palette and allowing you to set up custom light shows. Using the unique light show designer, you can create a show using your favorite colors, and specify the length and intensity of the light and the transition properties—making this product we love functional, entertaining, and captivating! poolside.tech BEST OF THE BEST Enter your luxury outdoor living projects for a 2022 Pinnacle Award, featuring…

If the star of your outdoor space is your pool, an exquisite luxury liner may be its perfect centerpiece. Advances in ink, printing, and manufacturing have propelled pool liners to new heights. LOOP-LOC’s state-of-the-art computer technology and manufacturing equipment ensure a perfect fit on any pool—from a simple rectangle to the most complex designs. Shimmering inks and textured designs create poolscapes that, while made of vinyl, resemble tiles, mosaics, and pebbles. “There are no limitations in pool size, on the location, or creativity and customization. Choose from over 40 elegant designer patterns to achieve the perfect custom look,” comments LeeAnn Donaton, CEO of LOOP-LOC. Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living loves LOOP-LOC pool liners for their long-lasting quality, ease of installation, and a wide variety of colors and patterns. Plus, vinyl…

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 Anthony & Sylvan has 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 through more than 75 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…

Soake® Pools is a family-owned-and-operated business, located in the heart of New England. Since 2014, Soake has been leading the small pool revolution, educating the public on the benefits of small pools and manufacturing plunge pools with an unwavering attention to detail and quality. The company’s goals have always been to provide simple transparent pricing, shorten installation time, while using the highest quality materials and equipment, all at a modest price point. What makes Soake Pools unique? Soake’s precast concrete pools are manufactured in a temperature-controlled environment where they are hand-tiled with large format porcelain tiles. The pools are delivered to the customer site pre-plumbed and fully finished on the inside, so installation times can be as short as a couple of days. “We first fell in love with plunge…

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-theart 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…

With cutting-edge designs backed by a wealth of knowledge and experience, Aquatic Artists, Inc. creates breathtaking concrete pools with numerous water features and effects. The result is an outdoor sanctuary that doubles as a work of art. Why choose Aquatic Artists? They have assembled a team of some of the best craftsmen in their respected trades. They use talent and creativity to meet every challenge with customer satisfaction in mind. Their clients can be confident that their project will be truly custom-built. “Our company provides its clients with unsurpassed quality, innovative designs, unique features, and distinguished craftsmanship. From concept to construction, each project is carefully monitored by our team of experts. It’s our passion for detail that sets us apart,” comments Trey Marshall, principal, Aquatic Artists. The firm has an…

Offering progressive innovation and harmonious functionality, Keith Zars Pools continues to design timeless custom projects that infuse elegance, relaxation, and fun. Breathtaking pool designs and extraordinary craftman-ship vanish the lines between indoor and outdoor living to create an oasis of tranquility. Today, pools are a reflection of their owner’s lifestyle, challenging the team at Keith Zars Pools to design organically with an open mind to new possibilities. These customizations are just as exciting as they are beautiful. What began as a dream back in 1985, Keith Zars Pools is now recognized internationally as an award-winning premier luxury pool builder in South Central Texas. Having designed and constructed more than 11,000 pools, the company has an unparalleled reputation for creating exquisite outdoor spaces that integrate seamlessly with their natural surroundings. Keith…

Set within walking distance from the famous Coachella music festival in Indio, California, ZENYARA® is a desert oasis that has garnered a spot on the roster of venues for the festival. Hosting the likes of Adidas, Rolls-Royce, and A-list celebrities, for many, this is the place to see and be seen. With a mix of Caribbean Resort meets Disney’s Jungle Cruise, ZENYARA® is the physical construct of a tropical mirage come to life. The estate is surrounded by azure-blue water at every angle, and its architecture perfectly frames the surrounding mountain ranges. Boasting 11 bedrooms, full bar, beach bar, and pool bar, the property has all the amenities of a private resort. Guests enjoy tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts; an array of water toys, including kayaks, jet skis, and paddleboards;…

The free form lazy river at Campion in Lafayette, Louisiana, is one of the many projects GW Oliver Construction has designed and built that is changing the way student housing amenities are measured. As luxury residential and commercial builders, they are strong believers that commercial doesn’t mean cookie cutter. “Beauty and function should never be a one or another kind of thing in the aquatic world. Bringing luxury to the commercial pool world is what it is all about,” comments Katie Oliver of GW Oliver, “In a world of overtime and over budget, we strive to over deliver.” This lazy river / pool combo, designed in-house by GW Oliver and engineered by Southeast Engineers, showcases just that. From the lazy river powered by Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems to the…

“A swimming pool is a piece of art in water,” says award-winning designer Joan Roca. “It’s a reflection of the space and the owner’s personality.” Roca, whose eponymous firm is based in Jacksonville, Florida, has designed and built more than 1,000 residential and commercial pools during his 45-year career, creating a sublime signature style that incorporates natural stone imported from Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Bali and a variety of avant-garde technological features. “My designs are simple, and each one is innovative and in sync with the style of the house,” he says. “I don’t show off or try to impress or impose my ideas and desires on the client.” Roca’s design process is straightforward: He visits the site, consults the client then creates a hand-drawn, colored-pencil design that is transformed…

Technology is the unsung star of today’s most exciting and dazzling pools, but it’s so seamlessly integrated that you’d never know it even exists. And that’s by design. Automation and elaborate operating systems that do everything from bathe the pool in rainbows of color to warming up the spa before the guests arrive are not, in and of themselves, the subject of poolside conversation. That’s why we asked three experts to tell us about how they used their favorite pool “toys” to create wildly wonderful projects. KEY LARGO, FLORIDA Designer: Aquatic Consultants, President Andy Kaner Builder: Reef Tropical Pool & Landscape With its spectacular oceanfront site and special contemporary/minimalist design, this project is one of my favorite automation stories, because it includes technology that we got the opportunity to use…

Babcock Custom Pools & Environments is known for creating the extraordinary. Founder Richard Babcock believes in designing on the edge of the unimaginable and building to superlative standards. The goal is always to exceed clients’ expectations, enhance their lives, and improve their communities — whether in California, Babcock’s primary market, or his original market, Arizona. Arizona is where Richard Babcock’s career of creating award-winning outdoor living environments began. Starting with a rake and shovel at his father’s side before he was old enough to vote, Babcock has spent 25-plus years launching businesses — and growing a reputation for unparalleled professionalism, craftsmanship, and honesty. “As a boy, I was very fortunate to work side by side with my father, a general contractor,” says Babcock. “He always said ‘Remember, son, a man…

All Aqua Pools Inc., based in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and often referred to “The Malibu of Orlando,” is led by owner Nils Erickson, who has over 45 years of experience constructing in-ground swimming pools. Nils Erickson started his career in the Florida pool industry with his brother Eric in 1977. These hardworking teenagers built pools together as subcontractors performing pool layout, excavation, rebar install, tile, plumbing and decking, and all phases of pool construction. It was through this experience they became experts in pool design and engineering. In 1987, Mr. Erickson obtained his Florida swimming pool contractor’s license, and he founded his own company. Over the next 20 years, Erickson Pools expanded its business to five locations and built over 5,000 swimming pools, eventually becoming one of the top…

Some homeowners have a pool to escape the summer heat. Others have a luxurious waterscape that simultaneously boosts their home’s visual appeal and serves as a nucleus for memorable gatherings. For the latter, there’s Steele’s Signature Pools. “A backyard pool is a shared space where people create memories,” says Adam Steele, CBP, Steele’s Signature Pools. And chasing the essence of such gatherings allows his boutique firm to continually innovate swimming pool design. He insists that every pool must be uniquely tailored to the homeowner, aligned with specific criteria such as their personal preferences, their home’s landscape, and most importantly, the way they like to entertain. His team of experts ensures that the clients remain the focus of each project from concept to construction. “At the end of the day, we’re…

One thing the pandemic uncovered for homeowners was the need for beautiful outdoor spaces that connect seamlessly with their indoor space. While AquaTerra Outdoors, an international award-winning design and build firm, has been in business since 2007, never have they been a more desired partner than today. AquaTerra builds and designs luxury outdoor environments featuring pools, landscaping, structures, kitchens and more. AquaTerra believes that success is a product of strong relationships, both with their clients and in their designs. Focusing on uncompromising outdoor environments and collaborating with discerning clients is what sets AquaTerra apart. Every environment and project is the result of collaboration with passionate clients. Through this collaboration, the outdoor spaces flow naturally from the clients desires and AquaTerra teams who have great respect and love for the outdoors.…

Radelli Design | Build is a veteran owned and operated construction firm that specializes in creating modern outdoor environments through a more holistic approach. Because we are all human, it is natural to seek solidarity and peace within these boundaries of what we call ‘home,’ yet the word home is an emblem in this sense. People typically use the word ‘home’ to generalize the conditioned space that surrounds them. However, the desire to experience natural elements and to incorporate everyday living with the outdoors and throughout the home is metonymy in architecture itself. Within the home, there is a room for sleeping, there’s a gathering area to socialize, and a kitchen for eating. These spaces are only a fragment of other spaces, to which boundaries were created to represent parts…