Thanks SantaCruzPool, Dirk and Jim. I think I need to study up on the pool equipment some more. Fortunately (unfortunately?) I will have some time to do that, because a combination of permit review and rain has halted progress. The permit thing hasn't bothered me this week because the rain would have shut me down anyway, but next week is supposed to be perfect construction weather, no rain, sunny and not hot. Plus I have my pool builder's attention - he has been getting a lot of work done when weather allows. I am going to hate not making progress next week.
Meanwhile, I know that I have to keep feeding you guys photos, so here is one of the tile, plaster, and travertine samples together. You can ignore the gray aggregate tile hearth these are sitting on, it is going to get replaced with travertine. I can't ignore the brick outdoor fireplace and chimney - it's not going anywhere!
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMn_qoktQ5hZPBEF06THG95oNlDtT501o4ZBzzG
The tile is Casablanca Rust from NPT. I plan to alternate the deco and field tiles every other one (DW thinks we should use one deco for every two or three field, but I think she will see the light prior to install). One pool builder told me that deco tiles were "so ten years ago" and that it would make the pool look dated. I am not too concerned about that - my house is close to 100 years old. I want the tile to look like it could be old. Not going for a modern look at all. Things I like about this tile: to me, it is reminiscent of Spanish tile, Mission architecture and old California, all things I like. The "rust" colors pick up the colors in the red brick chimney nicely. I like a strong, cobalt blue, color on waterline. It just says classic pool to me. There are some tiles that mix classic blue or cobalt colors with golds and terra cotta in kind of a random pattern, like stone, and I guess that look is more up to date. To me it just comes off as false - there is not much natural stone that is cobalt blue, whereas colorful deco tiles have a long history in North Africa, Southern Europe and Spanish California.
On the NPT website, they show this tile with white grout:
http://www.nptpool.com/tile/casablanca
I think I am going with a darker grout instead, probably a blue gray color. I think the vertical white grout lines detract from the quatrefoil pattern of the tile itself, while a darker color will blend better.
The plaster is a non-branded mix the pool builder puts together. It has aggregate that is polished after installation, which gives it a feel like Pebbletec Pebble Sheen. It has two shades of blue glass beads mixed in which we like it a lot. The pool builder said he would prefer to polish for sheen finish rather than power wash for a pebble finish because the power washing creates a lot of slurry he has to pump out and dispose of, so he is giving me a good price on it. My whole family likes the smoother finish better.
The travertine is going on the deck and coping. It is supplied by MS International and they call the color "Tuscany Riviera." It has a pretty strong gold tint. I know this is somewhat contrary to current trends for more neutral colors. We like having some color in it and feel the neutrals will look too washed out in bright sunlight. I also feel the gold will go well with the red used brick fireplace and chimney. One of the best things about travertine is that the voids in the stone and tumbled edges give it a weathered look as soon as it is laid down, like it has been there a long time - perfect for an old house, in my view.
The travertine is already ordered and would be difficult to change now. Everything else can be changed easily at this point. Love to hear everyone's opinions, especially on the tile and grout color for the tile. Let me know if you think I am crazy.
Thanks for any input!
but it at least let me see it.