Another Pool Build in Cypress, TX

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Ascew said:
It could be drainage, it could also have something to do with not having a level landing coming out the door. I think I see a door there to the left of the troublesome area. What are your plans for that small area? My thought is instead of having the decking be a step up, maybe you could have a focal point step up, put a couple plants on either side of it. If you make the stair of visual interest, it will be less likely to be missed. Use a different color, texture, shape for the breezeway path from the door to the deck. Instead of a straight line, add a curve in there, so the breezeway path goes into the deck area a bit, not up to it.

This is my morning thought, before coffee. If you post pics of the area from different angles, it might trigger other ideas.
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I'm hiring you for all my design plans from now on!! Your skill with Excel is amazing (don't bother telling me again how easy it is; many more people would be doing that if so). I'm going to learn how to do that - I'll go back to your earlier post/explanation in the thread. If I had known how to do that, I could have done the pool design myself and all the landscaping. That's phenomenal!

I had not thought that the crew's step plan might have to do with the slope of the landing coming out the door. I will go out later this morning and take some measurements of the step height and width of the walkway. I don't thing the rise is more than 3-4 inches, so I'm still hoping the slope would be slight enough to do away with a step.

The path in the breezeway is simply for walking between the back door of the house and the 'little' door of the garage. The last few years, we've had a glider bench set against the fence near the house side and a small baker-type shelfcase along the fence near the garage. Now that we will have deck area to play with, I've been thinking about placing those elsewhere. I'll decide that after the deck, pool, and landscaping are finished.

If I must go with a step, your ideas are fabulous. You are sooooo creative and such an 'out-of-the-box' thinker. I think adding a curve to the step making it 'go into' the pool deck area is a lovely idea. I have so many swervy curves in the pool - that would tie in beautifully. And as you said, add distinction to make it more visually obvious. I also like Kim's idea of using some of the glass tile on the riser. I will have to think of something for the edge of the top of the tread to make it visible when walking from the other direction. I'd rather stay away from the red or yellow tape!! LOL!!

I'm not sure about switching from travertine to another texture on that pathway, but there's no reason the paver guy can't go get darker travertine for that area. I think it would look nice and that space is always in the shade and a high traffic area. The darker travertine wouldn't get as hot as out in the sun, and it would hide more dirt. Hmmmmmm I like that!

And your potted plants to define and announce an opening to the step is genius! I even love the pots you selected - they give a modern touch which I really like to the English garden theme. But.... I may have to use fake plants! Lol!! I'm terrible about remembering to water potted plants. I have to treat them like bouquets from the grocery store - enjoy them until I forget too often to water and they die! (poor plants....)

I am still flabbergasted over your excel skills! The travertine you selected looks exactly like what we're using! So wonderful to know before they lay it that I will LOVE it!

A tremendous thank you, Ascew, for helping me look at the step so differently! You know what's going to happen, don't you? I'm going to demand that step!!!

Appreciatively, Suz.
 
Funny: Regarding the picture Ascew used to superimpose ideas for the step: I never realized how badly our Tulip Tree had scoliosis!!! It's on the right side of the photo up against the back of the house. There's a large water fountain pot in front of it.

Poor tree! Behind it to the left of it used to be a large Redbud tree - taken down right before the dig. A tree doctor told me the tulip tree bent that way trying to get sun since the Redbud was blocking much of the sun. He said when we took down the Redbud, the Tulip tree would grow back away from the house. I'm afraid looking at it, that when it grows back to the north, it will simply create another curve rather than straightening up. Oh well, conversation piece, right?!!

Suz.
 
lol, your PB is going to hate me. Ever heard of a pram ramp? I hadn't, but I can't seem to stop contemplating your situation, I will keep thinking on this. This might be exactly what you need, measurements will be important, hard to say if it will work in your space.

 
How high is the step up? Take a paver and lay it on top of where the stepup will be and stretch a string from the top of it to the top of the driveway. That will show you what the finished slope would be if it didn't have a step. Any way we could get better pictures so we could see more details? Like standing further back on the driveway and maybe coming from the pool to the drive?
 
Wow!!! You guys are amazing! Thank you so much! I hope your fees aren't too high!

I have seen those ramps all over the place at street corners, shopping strips, etc. I hadn't even thought of that, and certainly had never heard the name Pram Ramp! In fact, now days when I'm out and about, I'm always looking where the closest one is.

I'm pretty sure this paver/landscaper guy isn't going to want to do something with that many cuts. During this whole build project, I'm finding most of the subcontractors just want to get their job done as quickly as possible. I can understand that, but they sure do argue when you want to do things differently.

I will go take some photos and get measurements. Thanks so much for everything. Wow, when he comes back tomorrow, he's going to be shocked at all these options!
Suz.
 
SuzfromTexas said:
Thanks for the reminder that smaller gardens have their own magic. There have been times over the years I wished ours was much smaller so I could focus on fewer beds. But I get on this site and see all those gorgeous pools with almost acreage surrounding, and I get greedy.

A tortoise area.... how precious! I would love to see pictures of your garden and especially your tortoises and their area! They must be so happy.
Suz.

I will take some photos when the sun's out and try & post them here for you :cool:
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Sandissimos: That's wonderful! Look at that gorgeous pool color, and I love your deck. You have made great use of your space! And that turtle - he's terrific! Thanks for posting. Looking forward to your tortoises!
Suz.
 
Suz,
So, I was thinking.... ( my husband braces himself every time he hears those 4 words). I can see where the pram ramp has a lot of cuts, but....one option would be that the 2 side slopes could actually be vertical, with only the walking part being an actual slope. I think that would dramatically reduce the number of cuts. Also, the vertical sides could be concrete with tile on them, not the travertine.

However, if he really balks at a ramp, you could have a seating wall installed. That would really frame the step, and would in fact increase your usable deck space. You would effectively be adding seating to the entire back side of your deck! Another bonus being, I think you could do that at a later time, if budget doesn't allow it now. No excel stuff this am, but a little chicken scratch to show you what I mean. My PB told me 18" is perfect height for seating, and I just realized on my drawing that I have the 18" on the breezeway side, not the deck side, oops. Depending on your measurements, you might even be able to add taller sections (not sure what they are called) like you have on your spillway. That would really tie the look together.



As an FYI, I will keep thinking on this until resolution upon us, or you tell me to stop because I am driving you crazy. Just the way my brain works, keeps trying to find solutions to problems.
 

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Ascew: There is no way I will ask you to stop brainstorming. I adore you for all the effort you're putting into MY pool. (I can't imagine how your own landscaping is going to look!) You could NEVER drive me crazy by trying to help.

I am concerned about the time you're spending - what if I go with none of your options? But hopefully you're like me and that simply doesn't matter to you. My son and I belong to a group where I'm often faced with helping others brainstorm options. And I sincerely enjoy that - doing what you do - continuing on with options until resolved. It doesn't bother me in the least if they don't use any of my options. I know they appreciate my efforts. I hope you know how much I appreciate you and your brainstorming - tremendously so!!!

Why don't I brainstorm this issue for myself since I enjoy brainstorming? Because I have NO, NONE, ZILCH vision for hardscape-type design work. I freeze when it comes to this type of thinking! (that includes furniture and arrangements - what's your fee for that?).

From your options.... Right now, my favorite is the Seating Wall. OMG - that's so beautifully and simply ingenious! Mostly, it really would add seating for our pool and deck area. I love that! I realize compared to most, we have minimal seating space, and that concerns me just a little. I bought my son for his birthday one of those hammock type chairs to lie on while smoking his beloved cigar each evening (Yuck and gross - but I love my son more than I detest cigars). Saturday night, he moved the chair temporarily to the back seating area of the deck to better see the neighborhood fireworks, and it took up the ENTIRE area. That highlighted how little space we have. Now.... we aren't social by any means, but who knows! With a pool, old friends might start showing up! LOL!!! Even if we never have more than a few people over at a time, I like the idea of options where to sit. I think the Seating Wall would be so attractive. But I will have to consider how much it gives a closed off feeling to the area. Usually with smaller areas, I prefer a more free flowing and open look. (my regret in my pool design is that I didn't remember that on the pool - I focused too much on the features we wanted). I can see so many uses for the Seating Wall besides people sitting!! Setting down the shopping bags as we're delivering them from car to kitchen; using it as a buffet 'table' for party snacks and beverages; and MOST IMPORTANTLY.... and new lounging perch for Killer, our outdoor kitty. Sadly, I can also see my son leaving every yard tool imaginable on the wall. LOL!!!! I also have to think about where our glider bench would be placed if we do the Seating Wall. I'm fairly certain the wall would make the area too tight with the bench where we usually set it. (I'll take a photo of it) The design possibilities are endless with the surface materials. And I do need to decide fairly quickly, because we have two pool options for using the leftover glass tile. One is to add a 3" row under the waterline tile which would use up every single tile we have left. The other is to cover the deep end water bench with the tile giving us quite a bit left.

My thinking on the available options so far in order of preference:
1. Gradual Slope: from that imaginary line the paver guys marked to the driveway. This isn't the prettiest or most interesting option. I'm hoping with regular water therapy, my mobility issues will dissolve. But if they don't, and I should get to the point needing a scooter or even worse a wheel chair, the slope makes the most sense.

2. Seating Wall: my favorite design and most fun to me. I will have to look seriously at the measurements of getting out the back door and the room for making the turn through the opening if using something with wheels. I think you mentioned a Pram Ramp could also be used between the walls if I need 'wheels' someday. I think that could be built later.

3. Pram Ramp (alone): The idea tickles me that you thought of it! So obvious, especially considering my personal needs. On the other side of the coin, those really remind me of my issues which I'm working very hard to deny in my mind. Not sure I'm quite ready to give up that fight. It took me 18 months to give in on using a scooter at WalMart! Ahhhhhhh vanity..... (probably TMI here)

4. Pretty Pots Frame: Your picture of this is wonderful. It's probably the most pleasing to me aesthetically. It's graceful and keeps and open look from gate to pool area. For me the difficulty is in maintenance. I confessed I'm terribly lazy and forgetful about watering potted plants. (so sad for the plants) And I envision it being a small but needling issue with sweeping/cleaning around the pots - (moving them around; always checking your picture to see how they are to be placed - yes, I'm THAT challenged in such things!)

I promised more pictures and measurements yesterday, but life got in the way! So, it's time to get ready for the paver crew - move the car, set up the drink cooler. The humidity has gone down from 96% when I woke to a near pleasant 92% - NOT! So I might as well get started on that. I'll then work on my homework!

Thank you! A million and one! Suz.
 
SuzfromTexas said:
Ascew:

I am concerned about the time you're spending - what if I go with none of your options? Suz.
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Suz, You are so sweet, but nothing to fear on that front. When I look at your pool, I see amazing creativity. I would honestly be surprised if you used one of my ideas. What I am hoping for, is that one of these ideas gets your creative juices flowing and you come up with just the right solution for you. If I have an idea that inspires you, I will be thrilled to have contributed in a small way to that GORGEOUS space. And if not, it was fun anyway.
 
WOW just catching up! So much going on! I love all the ideas and SO glad I don't have to choose!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can not WAIT to see the final product here!!!!!
 
Thanks Wendy! I can't wait to see the final end, also. When oh when will it be???

I spent the free time I had this morning taking pictures and making a diagram for the measurements. When I got back home, the paver guys had been adding more crushed granite and using their gas powered machine to tramp and pack the granite. They have already done the walkway under the breezeway as a slope. That's fine with me, but it astounds me how they never consult or ask me about these things. I guess they go by the rule of "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission." That's also ok with me as long as they know I will ask them to change something I don't like!

So unless my design/structural consultants want the measurements out of curiosity, I won't bother with that now. (happy to do so, if you like) I will go ahead and post the pictures I took this morning.

Here is the overview from upstairs. It's hard to get a full shot including the right side of the yard, since there is a lower roof that hangs out under the windows along with the tulip tree blocking the view.




I can really see how busy the backyard is visually. It might have been a good idea to do the whole excel thing that Ascew does and have played with different pool, deck and landscape designs. Ascew: You really should turn this into an income earning business! The pool designers could learn a thing or two from you!!!



Looking towards the breezeway and driveway:




Looking from the driveway towards the breezeway. The other half of the fence will be re-installed and the gate usually kept closed. You might be able to tell the gate is swung open to the driveway side of the existing fence:




And last, the glider bench I mentioned earlier. I hadn't thought of it until I took the picture this morning, but it might be nice to have it right there, just centered better - cleaned up and without all the junk around it!!! The way our driveway juts over right there, it wouldn't be in the way of pulling into the garage. Hmmmmmm. Next to it is one of the chairs of our set of 4 that we put around one of those copper firepits with a round glass top for a table. We like the 'coffee table' height for conversation since we really don't have meals outside with friends. But I need to figure out how to clean the copper base. No pictures since it's buried deep in the garage with all the other outdoor stuff we had to store out of the way.

Thanks to everyone with support, ideas, encouragement, etc! I love it all! Suz.
 
Suz you are so sweet and Ascew! WOW! You have such wonderful ideas and to share them like this???? OH so sweet and kind!

Suz in the pic you show of the breezeway it still looks like a step up. A small one but.........still a step more than a slope.

Kim
 
Kim, I should have been more clear. That was taken this morning before the crew came. It does show the step they created on Friday.

I will try to take a picture this evening or in the morning that shows the current slope. Thanks for double checking me. I need watching over. Lol!!
 
Love the picture from the second floor!
Is the Tulip tree the crooked one I see in the last pic? Perhaps you could put something behind it to force it away from the house and get it to straighten. Having it lean against the house and roof isn't good for either.
 

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