Grotto interior design feedback needed

[NorCalX]

We are in the final stages of our grotto. Our PB is not an expert with grottos so we have lots of conversations back and forth before we do things.

We are NOT his first grotto so don't freak out.

We have reached INTERIOR design stage and my pre research never showed this level of detail so I am totally unprepared.

This is the interior of the grotto above the waterline tile (walls and ceiling basically).

Our grotto is a gunite shell (see attached image)

We were given a few options
-Tile it all
-Ledger stone
-Smooth stucco

My wife and I agree definitely no tile

We are meh on the stone

We are currently leaning smooth stucco because simple is better

Any feedback or advice from people who have gone through this already?

Are we making a 100% disaster move that needs to be avoided?

Thanks in advance

 

[bdavis466]

Is the outside of the grotto going to stay that shape or its getting covered in rock? I don't recall what your plan was

 

[NorCalX]

Is the outside of the grotto going to stay that shape or its getting covered in rock? I don't recall what your plan was

Will have rock

Here are the sample images we used as our final target

 

[bdavis466]

Why not have rock like the exterior? Anything else will look odd

 

[NorCalX]

Why not have rock like the exterior? Anything else will look odd

My wife is kinda freaking out about the idea of rock coming off and hitting people if they are inside

 

[bdavis466]

Carved concrete then?

The lid doesn't really need anything but you have to put rock on the walls

 

[bdavis466]

Like this but with your real rock on the walls

20190713_083205.jpg

• bdavis466
• Jul 13, 2019

 

[imrodee]

Well here is a close up of ours. Maybe you can see the inside.. There are shelves i side to hold beverages. Good luck!