Building a Zero Edge swimming Pool – Vanishing Edge Pool Infinity Edge Pool? Beware!!

March 24th, 2011

Building a Zero Edge swimming Pool – Vanishing Edge Pool Infinity Edge Pool? Beware!!

The other day, I visited a woman who was interested in an outdoor kitchen. We looked at the space, and I shared some ideas with her. On the way back to the house, she asked, “You build swimming pools, right?” I said, “Of course.” She then told me she was having someone repair the tile on her zero edge pool, AKA  infinity edge pool or vanishing edge pool and asked if I would take a look at it. “Sure,” I replied, but in a few minutes, I was also sure she wished she never asked the question.

The tile was falling off, and the plaster was cracked throughout the collection pool at the bottom of the infinity edge wall. Noticing that there was probably a more serious issue with the pool, I asked her if I might come back the next day to remove the cover and see what was causing the problem.

The next day, we removed the cover and saw that the vanishing edge inground pool design was in need of much more than a simple tile repair. After four years, this $150,000 infinity pool was in horrible condition. Here’s what we found:

NJ vanishing edge swimming pool Zero edge pool infinity edge pool

NJ vanishing edge swimming pool Zero edge pool infinity edge pool

Gunite Rebound

The weir wall (i.e. the wall of the pool that showcases the infinity edge) was cracked in several places. Initial core samples show signs of “rebound” encapsulated in the wall. When the gunite is sprayed and applied to the pool, a certain amount bounces back. This “rebound” should be discarded before the gunite is shot over it once again. If not, useless gunite is trapped beneath the surface, creating pockets of nonstructural masses in the walls, in this case the weir wall. This threatens the structural integrity of the wall that withstands tremendous pressure from the pool water all on its own (i.e. without the support of surrounding soil). This can be dangerous when the rebound forms weak deposits of unusable gunite scattered within the wall.

Calcium Deposits

What was left of the tile on the weir wall had severe calcium deposits all across the surface, producing a white stain on all of the tiles due to a process called efflorescence. During this process, water enters the pores of the weir wall and slowly travels through to the other side, picking up salt and minerals from the concrete along the way. When it reaches the other side, which in this case, is covered in tile, the water evaporates and leaves the salt and minerals behind. The salt and minerals form calcium deposits on the tile and may lead to cracking. They appear in the form of white stains.

Plaster Cracking

Due to the structural failure of the weir wall, the Pebble-Tec pool plaster, a 20-year rated finish which probably cost the homeowner about $35,000, was cracked throughout the lower weir wall and needs to be replaced after just four years.

Poor Construction

To wrap things up, we checked the level of the weir wall, and it was 3/8 of an inch out of level, which is significant when you’re dealing with an infinity edge pool.  If the pool were 1/16 of an inch out of level, the infinity edge could run on a 1 hp pump to move the necessary 25 gallons per minute over the edge of the weir wall. The pool builder on this project used a 4 hp pump, which can move 400 gallons per minute over the infinity wall, to compensate for the lack of precision, taking “playing it safe” to a whole new level. Also, a 1 hp pump runs on 3.5 amps as opposed to the 20 amps of a 4 hp pump. In other words, by having a level infinity edge and using the appropriate pump, the homeowner could have cut energy usage for the water feature by 80%.

Conclusion

If a pool company is going to advertise a vanishing edge swimming pool on the internet or in a print ad and it interests you, make sure you ask to see that very pool as it stands today; furthermore, look at all the pools they are promoting that might interest you and try to see several examples of the pools they are advertising! When you go see the pool, be sure to get a perfectly good look at the infinity wall itself, not just the view it overlooks. If done right, infinity edge pools showcase every essential skill of a quality pool builder. If done wrong, these pools won’t be able to hide it. Here are a few things to look for when visiting that vanishing edge swimming pool:

1. The flow shows best. Take a look at the working infinity edge and make sure the water flows all the way across the vanishing edge. An even flow over the edge will show you that the swimming pool is level and did not settle in the ground due to poor soil conditions and bad engineering. Then, check the pump size and make sure the pump is not oversized to compensate for imprecision.

2. Have the contractor turn the water off and look at the top of the weir wall. Make sure there is no discoloration or cracks in the tile at the top of the weir wall. With the water off, you will be able to really focus and see any possible imperfections.

3. Check where the pool meets the patio on every side. There should be a consistent joint where the pool meets the patio. Be sure that there is no separation. If there is, the pool could be settling or rolling as a result of problems with soil, drainage, or slope.

3. Examine the backside of the weir wall. Are all the tiles intact? Are there tiles popping off? See that there are no cracks in the joints of the tiles as well. These problems could mean that the weir wall was poorly constructed or improperly sealed.

4. Do you see any discoloration in the tile on the weir wall? Calcium deposits will lead to big white spots on the tile. While this may occur in slight moderation, you certainly don’t want to see it throughout the weir wall. If you do, it is a good sign that there are voids or “shadowing” (i.e. empty spaces behind the rebar) in the gunite. Either way, water is travelling through the wall and leaving salt and minerals behind when it evaporates, which is not good.

5. In the trough or collection pond, closely examine the plaster. Make sure there are no cracks, spider cracks, or deformities. If the finish is cracked or deformed within its lifespan, it could be because there is water traveling through the weir wall and damaging the outer surface material. The collection pool should have just as smooth a finish as the inside of the pool.

Bonus: Visually take note of the length of the weir wall. If the wall is within 1/16 in. from level, the infinity edge will need 1 gallon per minute for every linear foot. Ask the pool builder what size pump he uses to run the infinity edge. Any weir wall 25 feet in length or less should be running on a 1 hp pump. If the pump is too big for the wall, the swimming pool contractor could be making up for imperfections and costing the homeowner unnecessary money on operating costs.

Remember, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and that’s dangerous in the pool business! The swimming pool contractor who built this pool has been in business for over three decades and just followed standard pool building practices, which in this case contributed to the pool vessel failure. Do your due diligence! If you see a swimming pool contractor advertising pools that you like, demand to see them!

For more information email me, Chris@PlantNJ.com

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NJ Landscape Architects – Hire a Professional Landscape Architecture Firm and Avoid Free Landscaping Plans at “All Costs”!

March 11th, 2011

Starting a great landscaping project with limited funds?  Here are five hardscape and planting suggestions that are GUARANTEED to save you THOUSANDS.

1.     Always start with a landscape plan (blueprint) prepared by a licensed landscape architect. This will ensure a balanced design and will allow you to phase the work as budgets permit.

2.     Pick materials and plants that will work within your budget. You can cut the cost of a project in half with the right choices in material. For instance, if natural stone isn’t in your budget, try pavers and save about 50%.  Larger trees and shrubs cost significantly more than smaller ones. Reduce the size and save 20 – 50%.

3.     Start the construction process by focusing on your main areas of concern, your focal point, and your most valuable asset. In general, focus on the areas you’re going to enjoy the most.

4.      When phasing a project, always look ahead to future portions of the project. Be sure to include any infrastructure components like conduit or irrigation lines early in the process so you don’t have to disturb your completed areas. An experienced landscape architect will help prevent you from doing things twice!

5.     At the start of every landscaping or swimming pool project, the best investment is a great set of plans prepared by a licensed landscape architect. A well thought-out set of plans takes a considerable amount of time to prepare, but they will help avoid hidden costs and minimize overruns in your custom landscape or swimming pool project. Don’t waste time with anyone offering you free landscaping or swimming pool plans. It’s a gimmick used to trap you into a situation where you never know the true value or cost of your project. Pay for the plans, and you will own the exclusive rights to them. Once they are in your hands, you can get an apples to apples comparison through a bidding process.

Please remember only a Licensed Landscape Architect can offer landscape architecture services. Anyone offering landscape architecture services must post their landscape architect’s name and license number issued by the state in which they practice. If any firm is advertising landscape architecture services and fails to post the proper credentials, please contact your state’s Board of Architects or your state’s Attorney General.

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Luxury Pools Magazine Profiles NJ Custom Swimming Pool and Landscaping Company

March 10th, 2011

If I were to describe the key to a successful swimming pool and landscape in one word, I would probably say “balance.” This Spring, our team at Cipriano Custom Swimming Pools and Landscaping of Mahwah, NJ shows how to use a luxury pool and landscape to find balance in the outdoor living space. The unique forum for this demonstration comes not only in practice but also in the pages of Luxury Pools Magazine. In the very first pages of the biannual periodical, the luxury pool magazine dedicates a three-page spread to our design and build firm. Here, I took the opportunity to outline three examples of luxury pools that met a number of challenges throughout design and construction. In the end, each of them blended seamlessly into its surroundings and provided every piece of functionality called for by the homeowner’s lifestyle. Let’s take a quick look at the balance achieved by these pool design ideas:

Ridgewood, NJ: Small Lot in a Flood Plain Calls for Privacy and Quiet Relaxation

On a small lot in Ridgewood, NJ, a luxury pool called for privacy from nearby neighbors and a safe, permissible solution to its location in a flood plain. By obtaining a variance for construction from the town, our licensed NJ landscape architect Bill Moore was able to simply raise the coping 18” and prevent flooding in the pool. For privacy, a decorative barrier wall rests behind the small pool and also serves as the backdrop for the pool’s hand-crafted fountains, antique medallion, and fiber optic lights.  Planting layers, two large potted plants on either end of the privacy wall, and a cool, quartzite patio complete the outdoor oasis with a natural feel.

Tips for Small Back Yards: Make the most of your space! Integrate dining areas and pool areas in order to have dual-functioning spaces.  When planting trees for screening a small back yard, use trees with compact growth habits. I prefer hollies and arborvitae over spruce or fir. If you’re designing a pool and have children, try not to let the pool dominate the entire back yard. Kids need open space.

Saddle River, NJ: Steep Yard and Tough Township Meet Creative Design

In Saddle River, NJ, a back yard included strict township regulations, a steep slope, and a 26-foot elevation change. Our solution was a luxury swimming pool with multiple waterfalls pouring in and a natural vanishing edge flowing out. To accommodate the elevation change over a short distance, boulders on the vanishing edge pool were set vertically to mimic outcroppings overlooking the Hudson River. As the waterfalls drown the noise of a nearby highway, the homeowner can relax on the pool patio or entertain on the dining patio or outdoor kitchen.  Boulder rockeries retained the slope in the landscape and the lush plantings softened the massive stones to create the tranquil scenery.

Tips for Properties with Large Slopes: If you’re going for a natural look, rockeries can be used in lieu of retaining walls on steeply sloped properties. Rockeries not only blend into the landscape but they also cut your cost by up to 2/3rds. Planting in large masses also helps maintain the natural look over a large slope. Of course, you can add a couple of special, stand-out pieces, but by keeping it simple, you can create great transitions without breaking the bank.

Kinnelon, NJ: Luxury Pool with Every Amenity Requires Fine Skill and Detail

The goals of a Kinnelon, NJ pool were to accent views across a New Jersey valley, provide room to relax and take in the sights, and create a safe, well-lit pool at night. We chose a glass tile infinity edge pool to accent the view by offering an uninterrupted line of sight. A cool, formal Limestone patio provides plenty of space to relax by the pool and enjoy the benefits of a full outdoor kitchen and grill. Additionally, 200 fiber optic lights were carefully installed in the floor of the pool, and none were damaged during plastering and glass tile work.  Around the pool, a Tuscan style landscape included large masses of summer blooming shrubs and perennials. Ornamental statues were also scattered about the landscape in order to tie the entire classical scene together.

Tips for Budgeting Luxury Amenities in Your Landscape: Once you choose your focal point, be sure to spotlight that area first. If you have options all over the place you will definitely have a hard time maintaining a budget.   Remember it all starts with a great design. You can double the cost of a project with your material choices! Once you have great layout, it’s up to you to pick materials within your budget.  When you’re choosing a builder, try to find someone who has a lot of experience with high-end construction. One outdoor kitchen or fireplace doesn’t make someone an “Outdoor Living Expert”!

Our team’s preparation, ingenuity, and experience allowed us to meet the goals of our clients and the challenges of the properties in each of these back yards. Every luxury pool balances beautifully with the lifestyle of the homeowner and the overall surroundings of the outdoor living space. To read more about our swimming pool and landscape design approach, pick up a copy of the Spring 2011 issue of Luxury Pools magazine.

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New Jersey Swimming Pool Solar Heating, Solar Pool Heat Systems Save Big $$$

February 1st, 2011

New Jersey swimming pool company explains how heating your vinyl lined pool, fiberglass pool or gunite pool with a solar heating system can reduce  monthly heating costs by 95%.

Solar heating is one of the simplest and most cost-efficient methods for heating your pool. If lowering your carbon footprint is important to you, or you just want to greatly reduce your monthly heating bills, there is no better source of energy than the sun.

Solar heating works by installing solar collectors onto the roof of your house or cabana which connect through pipes to your pool’s existing pump system. The pool water is pumped through the existing filter. Then, depending on which solar heating system you choose, it is pumped through a heat exchanger or up through the solar panels on the roof. Once the pool reaches a desired temperature, the system automatically switches off and the pool water simply bypasses the solar heating system on its route back to the pool. The system automatically switches back on as needed to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature. On a sunny day, a solar heating system will raise the temperature of the pool about 1 to 2 degrees a day (under optimal conditions), which is significant when you remember that it’s free heat.

It is important to know that there are two main types of solar collectors, simply referred to as glazed and unglazed. An unglazed solar collector does not include a glass cover (glazing) and is generally made of heavy-duty rubber or plastic treated with an ultraviolet (UV) light inhibitor to extend the life of the panels. With the unglazed collectors, water is physically pumped through the solar collectors, warmed by the sun, and then pumped back into your pool. Due to their inexpensive parts, unglazed systems are usually 20 to 30% less expensive than glazed panels and more common than the glazed. The unglazed panels, which come in many different designs, require a substantial amount of area; usually 65% of the total pool area if you’re facing due south, and an additional 5% for more easterly or westerly exposures. Glazed solar collectors are generally made of copper tubing on an aluminum plate with an iron-tempered glass covering. Glazed systems, which utilize a heat exchanger, capture heat more efficiently than unglazed systems and thus require less roof space, usually between 15 and 20% of the total pool area to be effective. However, the glazed system is quite noticeable due to the high reflective qualities of the panels, and it does not blend in with the roofing as well as the non glazed systems. If you are planning on building a cabana in conjunction with the pool, the glazed system will also allow you to heat your domestic water on the solar system because it runs on a heat exchange and the water does not pass directly through the solar panels like an unglazed system. Both systems have been weather tested against snow, wind and hail and have proven to last for up to 20 years. There is also little to no maintenance required as long as your pool’s filtration system is checked and maintained on an annual basis.

Either type of solar collector will serve you well by significantly reducing your operating costs; depending on your roof size, aesthetic concerns, and budget, you can determine which system better suits your needs. On a 900 sq. ft. pool with spa and waterfall, a natural gas heater has an operating cost ranging from $800 to $1200 a month depending on the usage habits and weather conditions. Given this same pool, to operate a solar system would have negligible operating costs. Add in the operating cost of the backup gas heater which would be $100 to $300 per month (depending on ambient temperature and usage habits). The average consumer could expect a $700 to $1100 per month savings. Depending on the solar model and usage habits a consumer could recoup the cost of the solar system in just 2 to 4 years. After that, you can find comfort knowing that you’ll be in the green every year you spend enjoying your beautiful custom inground pool!

It is our recommendation that a solar heating system should always be supplemented with a natural gas system. Solar heating is great for maintaining a constant temperature but is not intended to quickly raise the temperature of your pool. A solar heating system will also typically struggle to produce heat in extended periods of cool, shady or rainy days. For pool designs with spas, a natural gas system is essential to quickly heat up the spa and maintain a temperature over 100 degrees.

Solar heating will not be the best solution for everyone. The benefits should certainly be evaluated by a trusted contractor and then compared to the costs of other options. Having a trusted contractor with years of experience in custom swimming pool design and build can aid you in the process of figuring out what system will work best for your particular property. It is always important to know the real facts behind all of your options so that you can make the best decision when it comes to making such an important investment.

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Swimming Pool New Jersey, NJ Pool Builder Wins Swimming Pool Masonry Design and Construction Award

January 28th, 2011

On January 17, 2011 at the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, the Mason Contractors Association of America hosted the TEAM awards, which stand for a Tribute to Exemplary Achievements in Masonry. These awards recognized masonry and hardscape achievements.

Our team won the Landscape, Hardscape category for the work we did on a swimming pool project in Saddle River, New Jersey.  One of the judges was quoted in the award brochure, “It looks like something God might have done!”  and we thank him for inspiring us with his beautiful creations.

Bill Moore, our landscape architect, designed the pool on the project with two waterfalls; one flows into the pool and one flows out over the vanishing edge, creating three tiers. The waterfalls tie in the back yard’s twenty-six foot elevation change as it transitions to the house. The stone used for the waterfall is Palisades stone and Pennsylvania chunk sandstone, set vertically to mimic the natural outcroppings of the Palisades overlooking the Hudson River.  All across the hardscape, textured plantings of the pool landscaping soften the stone masonry and create a natural setting fit for the massive waterfalls.

The comfortable pool patio area is grey Tennessee Crab Orchard. The outdoor living space includes an outdoor fireplace, a full-service kitchen and bar, a koi pond, and plenty of seating on the dining patio, which is finished with bluestone set in a random, regular pattern.

The whole team contributed to earning this TEAM award! Bill took the projects biggest challenge, the 26 foot elevation change, and made it the greatest asset by creating a two-tiered waterfall hardscape cascading down towards the stone patio. The masonry division gets kudos for their tireless efforts and creativity. Keith Steinhoff also deserves kudos for his amazing job designing all the hydraulics and for his instrumental work in tying all the different facets together.

In the end, each of these unique components of the hardscape combines to form a stone masterpiece.  Congratulations to the entire team!

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NJ Swimming Pool Builder, Bankrupt Pool Contractor Abandons Pool Construction in Mahwah New Jersey

January 26th, 2011

Deceitful and Inexperienced Pool Contractors Can Turn Residential and Commercial Swimming Pool Projects into Expensive, Time-Consuming Construction Nightmares

Last week, we inherited an abandoned swimming pool project at the Marriott Hotel in Mahwah, NJ. The defunct indoor pool and spa was in complete disrepair and not even close to meeting standards required by the board of health. While we were grateful to consult with engineers, the Mahwah health department, and the property owner regarding repair options, and equally grateful we were eventually awarded the bid, we feel that a valuable lesson can be learned from the abandoned Marriott Hotel project.

What was wrong with the pool? It was all-around poorly constructed. The engineering plan and the actual pool construction had serious inconsistencies. (Whether this was intentionally done to cut corners or unintentionally done out of simple ineptness, we do not know. Both issues of honesty and experience seem serious enough to question either way.) First of all, the swimming pool slope into the deep end was too drastic and didn’t match the plans. The spa plumbing and construction was not up to code and condemned. It was so hopeless that the safest and cheapest solution would be to demolish it and start from scratch. The equipment room included three pumps, but instead of the pumps specified in the plans, the previous contractor used smaller substitutions. The two heaters on the project also failed to meet code and had to be removed and replaced. Lastly, the saltwater chlorination system was  removed because it can’t be the sole chlorination system for a commercial grade pool. Imagine, for a second, that the project was not abandoned. Since the pool and spa were not up to code, the spa and the swimming pool would have required complete demolition after the final health department inspection.

What are the odds that the dishonest contractor who cut corners is going to have enough integrity to go back and responsibly fix everything? More often than not, it is easier for a contractor to claim bankruptcy than to fix a non-compliant swimming pool. Abandoned or not, the inexperienced pool contractor dug a very deep hole for the property owner, literally and financially.

But how might homeowners and property owners see these major shortcomings before awarding a bid to a pool contractor? It does seem slightly unreasonable to think that these disreputable pool companies would represent themselves honestly from the start. The same company that started the Marriot project also abandoned a residential swimming pool in Haworth, New Jersey this past year. This pool company was infamous for taking pictures off association websites and posting them on his own. Believe it or not the owner went as far as to take a photograph of a pool built by a Long Island company, mirror it in Photoshop, and use it in a full page advertisement in 201 Magazine.  This is by no means an isolated incident. Another local pool contractor currently advertises as “The Leading Swimming Pool Design & Construction Company” and claims to be a full-service pool and landscape company; not surprisingly, this firm just removed another company’s landscaping pictures from their website. The problem is that these companies often pay big money to marketing firms in order to create an aura of expertise with bogus testimonials and quotes taken out of context and other dishonest tactics. Unfortunately it’s so easy for an unsuspecting consumer to fall into these traps!

What can you do to assure yourself of a company’s credibility? On our website: PlantNJ.com, we offer a contractor disclosure form that homeowners and property owners can use to review pool contractors based on ethical advertising practices, general business standing, professional licensing, and overall experience. The contractor disclosure will hopefully weed out fraudulent and inexperienced bidders on your job. The disclosure agreement also leaves a place for the contractor to sign off on the information provided in the checklist, acknowledging that any misrepresentations are in violation of the NJ Consumer Fraud Act. In general, the Marriott Hotel project demonstrates that contractor credibility, experience, and dedication are invaluable. A contractor disclosure checklist may be a good way to find out which NJ inground pool builders really possess all those qualities in order to keep this nightmare from happening to you.

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Pool Heat Pump VS Gas Heater, New Jersey Pool Company Says Pool Heat Pumps Save Thousands

January 15th, 2011

New Jersey pool company explains how pool heat pumps reduce the monthly heating costs of inground swimming pools by up to75%. So if you are an inground swimming pool owner who is looking for an efficient way to heat your vinyl lined pool, fiberglass pool or gunite pool a heat pump may be the best heating option for you!

Heat pumps are a very popular and cost efficient way to heat your  pool and reduce heating costs. Heat pumps are installed just as effortlessly as any other pool heater and the new advanced controls make operating the heat pump easier than ever. The heat pump is a great benefit because it allows you to significantly reduce your operating cost and extend your pool season without breaking the bank. NJ pool design ideas that move towards energy efficiency prove to be a worthwhile investment.

A heat pump is a device that uses a small amount of energy to move heat from one location to another; usually by pulling heat out of the air or ground to heat a home or pool. It works much like a refrigerator in reverse by extracting the heat from the air, intensifying it with a compressor, and delivering the heat to the water as it passes through the system. The process is clean, efficient and most importantly cost effective. On average the heat pump operates at about ¼ the cost of your typical natural gas heater.

The heat pump is designed to maintain a constant higher temperature for the pool at a lower cost, but it is not intended for quick heating. Heat pumps are greatly affected by ambient temperature so if there are successive days of  bad weather the heat pump will take significantly more time to heat the pool. A standard gas heater normally raises the pool temperature 1 degree per hour. A heat pump may take 3 to 5 times longer depending on the ambient temperature. It is our recommendation that the heat pump be installed as the primary heat source with a natural gas heater as a backup. If you have a spa attached to the pool a natural gas heater is essential to raise the spa to a desired temperature in a short amount of time. What the heat pump effectively does is demote the expensive natural gas heater to secondary usage. With the dual system you can run the much more cost efficient heat pump constantly and only use the natural gas system when you want to raise the temperature to use the spa, when you’re planning for company that night or after extended bad weather.

What is the real life costs associated with this product? Let’s look at the additional costs involved with the heat pump and determine the time it will take to get a return on the investment. A +120,000 BTU heat pump, the minimal plumbing and wiring associated with installation could range from $4500 to $6500 depending on the manufacturer. A 900 sq. ft. pool with spa and waterfall on a natural gas system has an operating cost that ranges from $800 to $1200 a month depending on the usage habits and weather conditions. Operating the same pool on an electric heat pump system would cost about $250 to $450 per month. Now add in the operating cost of the back up gas heater which would be $100 to $300 per month (depending on ambient temperature and usage habits). The average consumer could expect a $400 to $450 per month savings and could recoup the cost of the heat pump in 2.5 to 4.5 years. Pool owners can find comfort knowing that going green will save them green!

By: Cipriano Custom Swimming Pools & Landscaping

A 5X International Design Winning Pool Company

Mahwah, New Jersey

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New Pool Renovations Page NJ, NY and CT Swimming Pool Renovations & Repairs

January 15th, 2011

Is your outdated concrete, fiberglass or gunite  swimming pool in need of a restoration? Are the pavers in your pool patio settling or fading? Is your coping and tile falling off? Visit our NJ Pool Renovation page and  see the latest upgrades available for your swimming pool.

Mahwah, New Jersey – Cipriano Custom Swimming Pools and Landscaping offers state of the art gunite, concrete and fiberglass swimming pool renovations for homeowners looking to upgrade their swimming pool to a custom outdoor living space with today’s most luxurious swimming pool amenities. With infinitely growing ideas in swimming pool and landscape design, the possibilities for your swimming pool renovations are endless. Archaic pools can be remodeled into highly-acclaimed, modern masterpieces. Waterfalls, infinity edges, fiber optic lighting, fire pits, relaxing water features, natural stone patios, and glass tile finishes can each do their part in transforming your back yard into the luxury living space you’ve always wanted.

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Antiques in Landscape Design Add Old World Charm

December 31st, 2010

Landscape Design can be elevated with the proper use of antiques, Cipriano Landscape Design shares techniques utilized in a New Jersey landscape design project

Over a decade ago, the old Hotel Dorset on 54th Street in New York City was sold to the Museum of Modern Art, who intended to use the building as an addition. The MOMA demolished the exterior of the building in order to transform it into art galleries and offices. In 2000, when the walls came down and demolition began, an antique medallion was salvaged from the original structure built in 1927 by architect Emery Ross. (Emery Ross and his sons played significant roles in the construction of many major NY buildings, including the World Trade Center.) For ten years, the salvaged antique medallion had a life of its own, until 2010, when it found its new home above an Old World swimming pool in New Jersey. Above the swimming pool, the antique was transformed into a working water feature with an additional custom sculpture set in the center of the piece.

A growing trend in swimming pool and landscape design is to incorporate antiques into projects. The story of this antique medallion represents the unbelievable journey of antiques as they travel for many years from their original sites to modern day landscape and swimming pool design. Skilled swimming pool and landscape designers have a keen-eye for one-of-a-kind pieces that can accent back yards in beautiful ways.

The key to the successful incorporation of antiques into a landscape design is establishing a style or theme and applying the antique treasure in a unique, practical, and appropriate way. Let’s use the antique medallion as a way of exemplifying these skills. The treasured medallion fits nicely above the swimming pool as a result of the Old World theme and elegant style. The swimming pool itself is small and designed for quiet relaxation, rather than recreation. As a result, the pool is able to reach a very high level of delicate intricacy. Along the back of the pool, there is a large barrier wall in need of decoration and a centerpiece. With concrete sculptures of lion heads and satyrs, as well as detailed precast concrete coping made to look like aged stone, this pool hosts the antique medallion quite fittingly. An antique medallion matches the Old World design and ornate style. The storied medallion also contributes to the mystical qualities provided by the sculptures.

Next, the seamless integration of the antique requires that it be a practical addition to the overall swimming pool and landscape design. In this case, the antique was transformed into a fountain. Six other fountains line the barrier wall, so naturally the centerpiece should provide the largest stream of water. A small trough was designed for the center of the medallion. The fountain in the medallion represents the antique’s usefulness to the swimming pool. Many antiques seem randomly thrown into swimming pools and landscapes so that designers can say there’s an antique in their design. This antique is the highlight of the entire yard, and it actively demonstrates this by serving as the swimming pool’s largest water feature.

Finally, an antique has to fit seamlessly within the swimming pool and landscape design. While most antiques are unique, some shine as one-of-a-kind treasures. In the medallion’s case, a hand-crafted concrete sculpture of a seahorse was placed in the center, bending around the fountain spigot. The seahorse has the head of a real horse and the fin of a mermaid. The intricate sculpture at the center of the antique medallion provides character to the antique just as it benefits the look of the elegantly mystical pool as a whole.

In conclusion, an antique addition to a swimming pool or landscape must be appropriate to the design, practical towards the goals of the design, and unique in its contribution to the overall project. Expand your landscape and pool design ideas with useful antiques. You can successfully incorporate antiques such as terra cotta medallions, columns from India, fire bowls from Turkey, and extravagant neoclassical rotundas into a swimming pool or landscape design. All you have to do is decide on a style and theme. Use your imagination. Search for that one-of-a-kind treasure that will set your yard apart from anything anyone has ever seen before. If you head in the right direction, keeping in mind appropriateness, practicality, and uniqueness, you could stumble across the perfect accent to your custom swimming pool and landscape.

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Pool Design- Incorporating a Grotto in Pool Designs

December 28th, 2010

Grottos, defined simply as caves, can be found all over the world. Some famous natural grottos date back to the Roman Empire. One of these notable grottos even served as Emperor Tiberius’ private swimming pool, lined with statues of Roman gods which have been discovered in recent years. In continuation of this long history, luxurious modern swimming pool design began to include a wide variety of grottos. A certain mansion, which will remain nameless, features probably the most well-known swimming pool design with a grotto, which has probably become synonymous with the very word. Many hotel pools are also designed with swimming pool grottos. Here are a couple of pool design ideas that are guaranteed to transform your swimming pool and landscape into a resort-like backyard attraction.

Grottos can be designed to be small and secluded or spacious and open. They can be dark and mysterious or well-lit and animated. Colored LED and fiber optic lights can be designed within the swimming pool grotto with exhilarating effects. A colorful body of water can produce a glow across the entire inside surface of the stone. Swim-in grottos can be filled with water and act as a cavernous extension of the pool. Other grottos can rest above the water level and serve as a peaceful place for swimmers to dry-off or maybe have a bite to eat. For a supremely natural feel, waterfalls may even cascade over the face of the grotto to create a peaceful, rugged retreat. Whatever the design, swimming pool grottos provide a resort-like feel to any outdoor living space. Custom-fit to meet your needs, a swimming pool grotto made with faux stone or natural stone will draw friends and family into the pool to find out what’s inside the captivating cave.

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