Pool

Chris Loves Julia · The Pool
Our Backyard Pool

From a mud pit
to the deep end

We turned an outdated courtyard into the backyard we’d promised the girls — a 20×36 pool, a built-in spa, lounge areas, and a whole lot of entertaining spaces. Here’s the entire story, start to finish, plus straight answers to everything you’ve been asking.

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The build, in order

Four years from the first plan to the last lounge chair. Follow it straight through, or skip ahead to whatever you’re in the middle of.

Nov 2021

Our Revised Backyard Landscape Plans

Where it all started — finalizing the whole-yard plan with the pool, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen all in one design.

Feb 2022

Pool Progress + The Pool Mood Board

Choosing the finishes: the slate-pewter waterline tile, bluestone coping, and the palette that ties the yard together.

May 2022

An Overdue Backyard Update

Cinderblock, brick, retaining walls, drainage, and the gas line — the unglamorous structure that makes the rest possible.

Jun 2022

All About Our Diamond Pavers & Artificial Grass

Breaking up all that hardscape with bluestone diamond pavers and turf — and why we went synthetic.

Jul 2022

The Backyard Pool Installation

The big one. The full dig-to-fill walkthrough answering every question we got about the process.

Oct 2022

All About the Automatic Pool Cover We Used

The walkable, 2,000-lb-rated Coverstar cover — and how it disappears beneath the pavers.

May 2024

The Final Reveal & Cost Breakdown

The whole exterior renovation, pulled together — with the numbers people keep asking for.

2026

The Pool Furniture in Our Backyard Oasis

The finishing layer: white cushions, black-and-white striped umbrellas, and the moment it all became a resort.

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Asked & Answered

Your most-asked questions

The pool got more questions than anything we’ve ever shared. Here are the quick answers — tap through for the full story.

What tile did you use on the pool?
It’s a slate tile in the color pewter, run along the waterline. I wanted something raw and natural enough to hold its own against the bluestone — the undertones do a lot of quiet work tying the palette together. See all the finishes →
What type of pool is it, and what’s the plaster color?
It’s a gunite pool with a hybrid quartz/mini-pebble plaster finish in “Sharkskin” by Quality Pools Group. Since we don’t live in Malibu, I never wanted a bright, light-blue pool; I wanted something more classic and traditional, an extension of the house. Dry, the finish reads almost too dark and gray, but full of water it turns the exact deep blue-green I was after. We also went saltwater on the experts’ recommendation: gentler on eyes and skin, no chemical smell, and less upkeep year to year. No regrets. The full installation walkthrough →
How big is the pool, and how deep does it get?
The pool is 20×36, with a one-foot tanning ledge at the shallow end that slopes down to seven feet. The built-in spa is 8×8 inside and fits six adults comfortably. The full installation walkthrough →
What did the whole thing cost?
Our pool cost about $148,000 back in 2021. That’s never a small line item, so the more useful part of the story is how we budgeted and made room for it — holding off on other projects to prioritize this one. See the full budget breakdown →
How does the spa heat to a different temperature than the pool?
One heat pump paired with an automated valve system. In “spa mode,” the valves close the return to the pool so the spa alone climbs past 100°F; in “pool mode,” water circulates through both and spills over to keep the spa filtered. More on the build →
What’s the decking, and doesn’t bluestone get hot?
The decking and coping are bluestone — and yes, it can get warm, so on your advice we ran irrigation to keep it cool underfoot, and poured concrete beneath so weeds can’t push through. All about the pavers →
Do you legally have to have a fence around the pool?
In North Carolina, yes — a fence is required by law if you have a pool. With the girls, I genuinely love the extra safety of it. 5 things to consider first →

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