A Houston Pool Build Inside the Loop
- Thread starter Marlahoutex
- Start date
First let me give a disclaimer that I always gravitate towards dark blue. So my initial gut reaction is to go with the Peacock of the samples you have listed. Now I'll even go one step further since I dreamed of having these on my pool but it wasn't in the cards (Maybe when I get another pool built in my retirement home...) that my favorite tile from them is Steel Blue. - Lightstreams Glass Tile | Steel Blue Iridescent Glass Tile Pool Verdant SD
As far as the glimmer smurf finish I think it gives a nice light blue color in direct sunlight but in the shade it is a more of a medium/dark blue. The other thing is if you see the sides of the pool from a distance or the shelf it can look sandy because of all the tan pebbles (which is really why I like it because it almost looks beachy). I honestly wouldn't try to match the tile to the finish if it was me. If you spend that kind of money on the pretty glass you want it to make its own statement. For me I think the steel blue is nice and dark like I like blue AND the gold would kind of go well with the sandy properties of the blue surf.
On top of all my opinions I might even say that I really don't like the Shell Beach. I know Kim might never talk to me again but the engineer in me really dislikes the randomness of it with the colors and shapes. I really like how symmetric your pool is and if it was my pool I would want something really uniform for step markers if you were doing that. I would go with something square and make it very uniform. If the step markers are different from the left side of the pool because of the step differences I think I wouldn't even put markers on the steps at all because it would make the steps look non-symmetrical and draw the eye away from the other design elements of the pool.
Of course this is all my opinion and this is why I could never be a designer because I would design by tape measure.
Oh and of course you are always welcome to come see the finish if you want to make a drive to Austin.
Oh and I am starting to channel my inner Kim and think it would be awesome to tile the bond beam with the lightstreams between the two columns where the scuppers are. That would really pop and be amazing! I know your plan states to have it in stone tile but I like the glass better. I think everyone probably agrees with me and you should do it...
(Ok maybe I am pushing my agenda more than I should...)
(Ok maybe I am pushing my agenda more than I should...)
umm, what is shell beach? And I did lol about your comments regarding your love of symmetry -- I feel the same way! Its probably why I like Marla's design so much!
The Mastertile appears to have much softer edges. I think you said the others were laser cut. Corners and edges may be sharp. Something to be mindful of IMHO.
Here are those Shell Beach step markers.
I quoted the photo above
Lots of people on here have the laser cut tiles in their pool. Even Suz has them all over her spa steps and pool steps. I am sure if they were sharp it would have been mentioned.
Thanks all for your opinions. Hubby did not like the LightStreams tile at all (I hadn't even told him how much they cost!). Met with the designer this morning and his opinion was that of Umm's and hubby's about symmetry. In the end, we are doing silver travertine coping, silver travertine 3D (horizontal with random width, length and thickness) on the bond beam and 1"x 2" horizontal travertine on the columns and fire pit. Tile will be the subway non iridescent Master tile and the step markers will be a set of 4 of the iridescent spaced evenly across benches and steps. The designer also didn't think the Shell Beach fit with our pool geometrically.
I am fine with not having the LightStreams tile. I think I was like Kim and actually liked the one we chose better. However if we had a negative edge I'd definitely go with it! Also this will probably means we have more $$ for beads!
I am fine with not having the LightStreams tile. I think I was like Kim and actually liked the one we chose better. However if we had a negative edge I'd definitely go with it! Also this will probably means we have more $$ for beads!
Yay for decisions made!!! Your pool is going to be GORGEOUS!!!
i'm not a fan of the shell beach for myself but I thought they looked pretty in Suz's pool.
I DO really like the color of the tiles you chose.
Thanks Denise! And those LightStreams will look fabulous on your spiilover! i love the tiles, but they weren't the right ones for our pool. It is a relief to have those decisions made!
LOL I WILL still talk to you Ummmmmm as I (shhhhhhhhhh) think you are right! 
When you look at it from your way they would not work. Pretty? YES! Right for her pool? Nope!
Marla are you ready to be locked in?? LOL
Kim
When you look at it from your way they would not work. Pretty? YES! Right for her pool? Nope!Marla are you ready to be locked in?? LOL
Kim
ummmmmmmm it was called a ring lock but..........NOW I see the cross! LOL
Kim (Marla I can/will take it out)
Kim (Marla I can/will take it out)
Just a quick update. Tile, coping and pavers are ordered. We were supposed to have someone out this week, but due to the rains, it probably won't be til next week. In addition, our PM's FIL passed so he has been understandably unavailable. So hopefully next week they start regrading the yard and tile and coping. The pool will need to be pumped out, though if they plan on standing in it. I'll try and get a pic of it filled with muddy water. I may talk to the PM about getting rid of the standing water anyway- mosquito breeding ground.
Marla you might want to think about buying a cheap sub pump from Harbor Freight or you can rent one. It is nice to have when you have a pool.
Km
Km
Kim, I will look into that. I can get it at HD or Lowes, right? We don't have harbor freight here.
The pool was drained when I got home last night. Also, coping started today and they will be back tomorrow. It looks like they are doing some good work. One guy was constantly taking a tile out, brushing the area and then placing it back before setting it. Will try to get pics tomorrow.