Pool Build - California Dreaming - 3 Years Closer

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Still Dreaming......

Just got back from Asia on a business trip. Actually was very happy to return to home. The backyard has become for me and the family a very relaxing place to recharge and recoup that sense of stability and sanity one loses when travelling half way round the world and back.

Over the last two days, as soon as I returned, we finished the pavers of the side courtyard and the raised planter. I did have to bring in a crew however to finish what I had started. They cut the remaining pavers with a gas powered hand held mason saw - never saw that before. They obviously were pretty skilled seeing how precise their cuts were. It actually reminded me of watching those guys who take a chainsaw and attack a block of ice, creating a swan or some statuesque figure. These guys made the circle cut-out's so true and simple. I actually cried when Augustin, the foreman, told me what took me 6 weeks, would have taken them only 4 days. Oh, the Horror ! Well, at least I have the satisfaction of gaining martyrdom in doing it myself. Next time, I am definitely going with these guys, now that I have nothing to prove I guess. LOL. PM if you need paver installation and I can give you their contact info.

With everything but the pool house (which will have to wait due to the O-conomy) basically all done, I am focusing my attention to finishing the grill area as well as the built-in deck cooler. I have already ran all the video and audio and now the TV lift is already installed and functioning as well. As I may have mentioned, I mounted a 51" Skyvue weatherproof LED TV to a motorized lift that moves the TV vertical about 36" inches and then rotates it 360 degress. It looks so cool when the TV suddenly appears from behind the swim up bar counter and revolves into view.

The picture of this really bright TV is very clear and the viewing angle is very wide. Should make for some very good parties on game day. I now have live SAT TV and home audio (SAT, internet radio, XM radio and music server) broadcast on the front-end over CAT5e Ethernet from my home media closet, with the sound then channelled to the pool speakers at the back end via an amplifier stored in a stainless cabinet in the swim up bar/grill area. Even though everything can be controlled through my iPhone, I do also plan to add an OLED control panel soon so my wife and kids can select their favorite music or video.

If you're wondering what I used to run the HD audio and video over CAT5e Ethernet cable, I used Audio Authority gear which is used at most TV stores like Best Buy to distribute HD content to the hundreds of sets. CAt5e Ethernet cable is much easier and less costly to pull then RCA/coaxial and provides near loss-less audio and the set-up allows you to run HD video up to 1000 ft. easy. THe system also allows IR remote controls to communicate back and forth so I can change channels or control stereo gear in the house from the pool area. Pretty cool, huh?

Lastly, we did add some fruit trees to the retained area behind the retaining wall. We added some mango, papaya, plum, apple, pomegranite and cherry trees. I hope these will take root.

Thanks again to the TFP community. I'll post some more pictures soon.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Still Dreaming......

Wow, I just realized, it has been almost two years exactly since my very first post !!!! To think, two years ago I had a big pile of dirt in my backyard. Thanks again TFP

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Still Dreaming......

Thanks MITS

We get a couple days of frost a year; there are alot of fruit orchards nearby however.
I guess we may have to cover some of the more delicate plants around winter.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Still Dreaming......

Thanks Brentr

If I can figure a way to post a video later today, I'll show the TV and lift in action. The wife was pretty supportive once I deferred to her to choose the size of the TV and the color of the cover . After years of marriage I know that not involving her is akin to Russian roulette with a full chamber.

All the best.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

Thanks Cold Air for the kind comments.

Sure, I'll try to post some pictures over the next day or two of the courtyard.

The first phase of the courtyard was grading and then building the retaining wall and columns. We then formed the raised patio using the same retaining wall block (Belgard Belair) sitting on a 8" deep poured concrete foundation. We made the highest raised portion of the raised patio circular for the fountain. Under the location where the fountain was to be placed, we built a round concrete block wall reinforced by rebar. This round support for the fountain was set on a 8" deep poured concrete foundation. Lastly, we laid down the pavers over compacted dirt/gravel mix to form the deck.

I think it came out pretty nice, but each person's tastes are different. All the best.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

Here a couple shots of the finished courtyard. Pardon the poor photos. The pavers still need some finishing, cleaning and sealing. All the best.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

Has anyone here ever installed a sail shade? I was thinking of putting up a temporary shade over the swim up bar - sunken grill area to help block the hot SoCal sun - and remove it when we build our pool house.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

I agree with MITS; I won't anchor to house due to strong winds. I know you can get a break away line though that would disconnect sail so it does't lift out anchored poles. At about $200 for a large sail shade, I'd rather lose the sail then lose a wall.

Anyway I need to think of something due to the heat.

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

Thanks for the input - good ideas all around. Now I have to remember what the heck is a clove hitch.

Yeggim, too funny :lol:

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

BTW - here is a so-so picture with the weatherproof 52" LED TV (Skyvue) raised and deployed between the columns of the swim up bar.

When the TV is not in use, a motorized stand rotates and drops the TV back into its home position out of sight behind the swim up bar. The other day we watched a baseball game while swimming with the kids. The picture is very bright - enough to see in sunlight.

Now if they could only move football to the summer.....

All the best to the TFP community. Cheers

Re: Pool Build - California Dreaming - Two Years Closer

Thanks Katera for the kind compliment.
We feel really good with what we have created. At the same time, with the weather getting hotter, we can't wait to be able to build the pool house and shade structure over the swim up bar/grill. That will have to wait for now.

All the best.