Fro several years I did landscape designs, so let me help you get started. First, get the survey of your property that you got when you bought it. Do your best to get it blown up to a size of 8' or 10' per inch, if you have an office copier that will adjust magnification or can do that online. Otherwise, carefully draw lines every 10' on a copy of the survey and hand draw a larger version to work on onto graph paper. You can work with the original survey but it is a pain to work that small, usually something like 20' or 30' to the inch.
On this working plan, lightly pencil in traffic patterns, utility areas, fences, hose bibs, electrical outlets, windows, doors, and where there are views you like or don't like, and sources of noise. Then, add in where the sun is in the summer and winter. Be sure to leave room for the dog to run along the fence, for the mower to get from here to there, for the grill and for storage of pool toys and tools. Best to just indicate vague circles for these areas and get specific later on.
One of the most important things to consider is "Water in, Water out" so mark on the base plan the direction that water flows from the property as well as how you water the grass and how you will water the beds. You do not want to build over the swales that may exist that carry water from the back yard to the front, they may be subtle and easy to overlook.
Also consider directions of prevaling winds in winter or summer. You may want to channel soft breezes that may come from the southeast and beware of deciduous trees that will blow leaves into the pool on winter winds.
You ought to have a firm plan in mind for all the hardscape at the start, even if it takes several years to get it all in place. The order that things should be done is, plan, electrical, water system, hardscape, trees, beds, shrubs, flowers. Trees and shrubs are best to put in in late fall if possible, selection of shrubs and flowers are best in spring however.
Be sure to work on the soil before putting in plants, you may need to add lots of ammendments and treat for weeds, all that is easier before the plants go in. It is actually best to put in watering system and beds, then mulch, then wait several weeks for it all to settle before adding plants.
I would stay away from loose rock (any sort) as I find that it does not actually stop weeds unless you are in an arid area. Weed mats are mostly useless as weeds still grow in the dirt/mulch on top and some weeds like nutgrass can push right through. Weed mat either deteriorates too soon or not at all and is a bear to get past once it is under tree roots if it is still intact. Pavestone pavers with sand dusted in between is nice, flagstone with crushed granite is nicer, concrete can be stamped or stained or pressed lightly with leaves for an interesting look.
As for exactly what to plant, that depends on what is successful in your area. Some parts of Texas have alkaline soil that is difficult. Tour some of the better neighborhoods and take photos of the plants you like, then go to the local nursery or Home Depot or Lowes. Even the hardware stores tend to have a specialist in the gardern area that knows the plants well.
In general, keep flowers well away from the pool, deciduous trees as well. If you have raised planters, be sure they do not allow mulch to run toward the pool and beware of where the water drains. Know where the pool overflow goes and where splash occurs, some plants will not tolerate the chlorine and salt so well.
On the plan, find out the mature height and width of each plant you like and draw a circle of that mature size on a sheet of tracing paper. Try to allow for 3 plants deep, but if the bed gets deeper than 5' you may need a path into it to do maintainence. Mix and match shrubs to fill the proposed beds, with some thought to what it will do in the winter, as well as mixing color and texture. Concentrate on shrubs, leave the flowers for last and in small doses of concentrated areas. Be very aware of what you will see from windows in the house and frame those views well while screening others as needed.
I may be able to direct you to some good books on plants, but the more important part is the hardscaping which will depend on how you will use this area. So, concentrate on that first, as you are getting the pool into shape.
