I mentioned a few weeks back about our plans to move forward with the pool. Talk about a stressful planning process – so many decisions that I feel are so permanent! If budgeting permits, we’d like to start installation in the spring so that we can enjoy the space by summer next year but I’m still struggling with some serious indecision.
I met with another pool/landscaping team last night and the ideas are flowing again. I’m really excited to see what they come up with. You may recall last year I talked about our original plans and how that included a more organic shaped pool. Well, I never mentioned it, but we had actually switched to thinking we wanted a more basic rectangular shape with clean lines. Now, after last night, I’m back to wanting an organic shape. I think the angles (or lack thereof) will just work better in our backyard, which is an awkward triangular shape.
You know I’ve been a big fan of this pool area from Kelly Nutt Design. I love the stone and pavers, as well as the decor (obviously) and I think it could be a great inspiration piece to share with the team I met with.
Regardless of the pool shape we go with, our back hill is going to need some pretty serious walls and/or rock tiers to contain the landscaping and keep it clear of the pool space. With that, I want to ensure that it all coordinates with the look of our house. Here is the hill to give you an idea of what we have to work with. It’s hard to capture the grade of the hill, but it is rather steep, hence the need for some serious tiers and walls.
Now comes the crazy part of my thought process.
When I look at the exterior of our house, I obviously love it. I just don’t love the colors. It’s a bit dark and warm-toned for me. However, after scouring Pinterest for ages, I think I’ve found a really great solution for the next time our house needs to get painted (which realistically is probably only about two years out). I was originally leaning towards a gray house with whitewashed stones, but I was worried the brown window trims and metal roof lines wouldn’t look right with the gray. Here is the best shot of our house that I can find without the trees completely blocking your view, so you can see more of the structure itself:
And a recent shot of our backyard before we added a few trees:
Here are some exterior looks I’m loving. You’ll notice most include metal roofs (since we have two) and most have dark window frames (which we do, as well, and I think it’s easiest not to mess with painting those). I’m loving white base, dark window trims, possible wood accents and gray trim. Throw in some iron and glass folding doors and I’m a goner! I’m thinking it’s a coastal/beachy modern farmhouse vibe.
I really think it could be so amazing if I could actually manage to pull it off! The only down side to all of these dreams? That little tiny thing called a budget. Or reality.
So ends my thought process. At least on the blog – you know by the time this post goes live, I’ll already have 100 new ideas 😉 Can you envision the look I’m going for? Any favorite looks you saw in this collection? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I think having this vision for the house in mind will really help me tailor the look for the pool structure.
I hope you have a great weekend!
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OMG these homes make me want to buy ASAP!
Oh how I enjoy seeing Kelly Nutt designs as well!!! I like the 2nd to last image best and think it will work on your home too. Enjoy the pool building process & don’t stress over it too much. You have great taste so you know it will look amazing when complete
Darlene
http://www.BundleMeBaby.etsy.com
I agree, I love the stone with grey side painting. I like the last two idea photos. The others are too white and cold. If you can white wash your stacked stone and paint the house body a warm white it would look great! Especially since you already have the dark window frames. I love the warm walnut door on the second photo too. You could paint a light grey in an alcove of your home along with the white body. Good luck deciding on this one! Would love to see when done!!
Fun following your posts.
So many beautiful homes! You’re giving me serious house lust!
I like the Kelly Nutt designs too and what it says to me is to make the painted areas a light color that will contrast with your brick/stone, which is also very nice, and a darker trim. It looks to me, from your blog header (not sure that’s what it’s called), that you may like green. So I can see your house In a cream or very light yellow or off-white with whatever shade of green is your favorite. If this is going to be a permanent home ( or so), I’d go with what makes me happy when I come home each night. Worry about trend when it matters for re-sale. Lots of luck. Will keep watching for updates.
I like the way you’re thinking! And I can’t wait to see which color scheme and pool shape wins out! 🙂
I love your home exterior, but can understanding moving away from the tan a bit. What about a slightly lighter warm gray which will complement your current brick nicely & show off the dark window frames. Your house feels very warm & inviting, and this makes it a bit more modern, while still playing to the clean lines. White seems far to bright & harsh for your home. It is going to show dirt much more easily & feels too farmhouse to me. I also am concerned about the fit of a white house with the surrounding houses, which from the picture, seem to be in a more neutral, earthy palette.
Just a quick comment with no intention of raining on your parade. We own a swimmng pool company in Kansas and have for 34 years. We do only high end custom in ground pools. That being said I need to tell you that the best pool builder in Omaha is Continental Pools, owned by Mike Pulawski. Mike understands the climate conditions we deal with in the midwest, such as over 75 freeze/thaw cycles during a winter. The gorgeous pools seen in Austin, Phoenix, and LA are simply not pratical in our area. That also goes for the types of materials used for the patio area surrounding the pool. I would dearly love to have 24″ travertine around my pool. Unfortunately it won’t stand up to freezing and will crumble in a matter of 3-5 years. When we originally built our 25′ x 60′ pool we used “frost proof” brick as the coping (the edging around the pool). We actually purchased it out of Omaha and had every intention of it lasting forever as this is our forever home. After 10 years it too started disintegrating. We had to cut it all out and we ended up pouring colored concrete coping. Not the most glamorous of products but one we knew would hold up. It has now been 18 years since we did that and the concrete looks as good as the day we poured it.
I just like to make people aware of the limitations we face building pools in this part of the country. If you have an unrestricted budget and can afford to redo the materials every ten years that is one thing but otherwise you should research your materials choices carefully. And I can assure you that you will never be sorry you chose Continental to build your pool.
I really appreciate your feedback! We are actually looking at concrete pavers that look like travertine (not the real deal) and they are made by a company in Minnesota. Do you have any feedback on products like that? I am hoping to not have poured concrete because I don’t like the look quite as much (but certainly understand their may be unintended consequences). Thanks again for your comment! Certainly gives us something to think about!
I am not familiar with these concrete pavers. Do you have a website where I could check them out? Once I see that I will visit with my wholesale suppliers for their feedback.
Here’s the link to the manufacturer:
http://rochestercp.com/index.htm
I believe it’s called the silver creek travertine (but like I said, it’s actually a concrete product). Don’t spend too much time on it. I’ve been in touch with the manufacturer but was curious if you had heard any feedback on how well they perform in the Midwest. Thanks again!