12 Jun 2013 A pool paradise
by RaeLynn Callaway
Stephen and Rachel Deal outdid themselves when designing their outdoor oasis.
With the help of Shane and Jeremy Lawson of Luxury Pools and Spas, they have inspired a magnificent space for outdoor living. “We didn’t want to walk out the back door into the pool,” Rachel said. “We wanted to have an outdoor retreat away from the house, keeping green space for the boys to play.”
The way the lot was naturally sloped toward the house with woods behind gave them a great beginning for the design to come. “Shane and Jeremy spent hours with me laying out the freeform shape. We would set out cones and flowerpots, and then they would come spray-paint it on the ground. I would go out the next day and tweak it until it was just right!” And that it is. From the freeform shape with terraced surroundings to each rock in the water bowl fountain, no detail was left to chance.
When getting started, Rachel found several pictures and looked at many pools and outdoor living areas. “After talking with Salter Construction we decided coming off the back of our detached garage with the outdoor kitchen and bar area would work out the best.”
Because of the sloping land, the outdoor living space feels sunken. The way the pool runs into the kitchen wall, it allows the Deals to have a bar overhang into the pool. “Stephen was very specific about where the rock stools needed to be in the water and their height,” Rachel said. “We had so much fun watching them build it.”
The Deals have many custom features in their heated Shotcrete pool with a Hydrozzo finish, including the swim up bar with rock stools, LED and indirect lighting that is controlled remotely, surround sound throughout the living and pool area, the water bowl fountain and fountains on the sunning deck.
“We love being outdoors and we love being out here,” Rachel said. “The only thing we wish is that we had done it sooner.”
A board certified interior designer, RaeLynn Callaway owns CYInteriors (raelynncallaway.com). She and her husband, Bart, have three children and live in Conway.
