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HOLIDAY AT HOME When you last went on a holiday, did you find yourself relaxed and happy lounging by the pool? Could you pinpoint the elements of the space that made you feel this way? Recreating a holiday moment is a design brief component our pool designers and builders hear regularly when putting together ideas and concepts for a new pool. Sometimes we are inspired by the style typical of a certain destination, say blue and white Santorini style or tropical Balinese, while other times the inspiration comes from a particular pool setting at a hotel or a home you may have visited. Our team have seen entire outdoor designs based on recreating a homeowner’s holiday experience. Often families choose one or two elements to remind them of their time…

Using your backyard effectively to create an enjoyable, private space can have a huge impact on your lifestyle. Crystal Pools knows what transforming backyards is all about. “We have been doing it for more than 65 years,” says Andrew Rothery, sales and marketing manager at Crystal Pools. “With a little planning, it’s possible to achieve transformations that will make you feel you’re on holiday from the moment you step foot in your backyard or courtyard.” Creating a holiday from home is possible for anyone with space for a pool, from Sydney’s narrow inner-city terrace houses to estate-style homes in the semi-rural suburbs. Inspiration starts with following a few tips, such as those in this article, and some important family discussions. Then, with a bit of planning, you can make that…

The pool industry has never been busier, with many pool builders fully booked for the next six to eight months. Over the last three years there has been huge demand for residential swimming pools, in addition to other investments in the home. A properly planned pool will bring years of enjoyment for your family and guests as well as increase the value of your property. Here are a few must-haves for your new pool that should be considered and included at the planning stages. THE RIGHT LOCATION What’s the access point from house to pool? This is important if you don’t want dripping kids and friends walking through your house. Also think about when and where the sun will be hitting your pool. You want some sunlight to keep the…

A Total Concept Landscape Architects was engaged by the owners of this Sydney property to design then manage their major home renovation, as well as pool and garden areas. The renovation of the residence included the complete refurbishment of the interiors and the inclusion of a new garage, roofing and sliding doors that open onto the new entertaining decks and take advantage of the magnificent westerly views over Pittwater. “We undertook the designs; obtained building approval; provided construction documentation; and recommended and organised the builder, pool builder and landscape contractor,” explains John Storch, director of A Total Concept Landscape Architects. “We then managed the construction of the project for our clients.” The water in the pool and spa beautifully reflects the surrounding trees and house lights at night. Meanwhile, during…

Located in a Bayside property of Melbourne, this beautiful backyard was recently completed with the sleek additions of a raised rectangular spa and family-size swimming pool. The picture-perfect project not only accommodates the whole family’s needs, but also their home and the slope of the land. “The homeowners, a family with kids and pets, wanted a pool and spa that not only looked amazing, but would be easy to maintain so they can be enjoyed and utilised all year round,” explain Tim Sprague and Stephen Lloyd, co-owners of Kiama Pools. The Kiama Pools & Landscapes team built the entire outdoor living space including the 8m-long fully automated pool, elevated spa, pool house, poolside gym, entertaining deck and garden landscaping. The spectacular elevated spa is a fabulous water feature, easily accessible…

With three children to keep happy, director of Mahony Group, Ben Mahony, certainly had his work cut out for him when it came to the renovation of his own home and outdoor space on Sydney’s glorious Northern Beaches. Outdoor living is a big focus for Northern Beaches’ homeowners, so this project needed to allow absolute enjoyment of numerous aspects of the backyard. “The original pool was built 10 years ago,” explains Ben. “During the current renovation of the house we cut out the rear of the pool and added the raised spa. The spa was a huge inclusion for our kids, aged 14, 12 and 11.” Placing the raised wet-edge spa up at the rear of the 10m-long rectangular-shaped pool allowed it to become a focus piece, while linking it…

Technology is all about making life simpler and easier, and that is exactly what the technology of the Davey ChloroMatic Lifeguard offers pool owners. The user-friendly app gives you full control over your pool system to view and modify filtration schedules and modes as well as allowing you to adjust set points as required. It can also be controlled locally if you do not want to connect through your home internet. It’s very simple to activate winter settings or prep the pool for a summer party, and for day-to-day maintenance, Lifeguard does all the work. Getting the chlorine balance right With ChloroMatic Lifeguard, acid dosing, chlorinating, and even pool temperature can all be automated. The clever app will even keep track of salt or minerals and let you know when…

FAST-TRACK YOUR POOL PROJECTS For tile and stone installation, cold weather often means delays. For most installation materials, the colder it is, the longer it will take for adhesives, grout and other materials to set. When the temperature hits around 11°C, epoxy and cement-based materials are taking twice as long to cure. If the temperature reaches the low single digits, that’s twice as long again. So how do you ensure your installations are staying on track and avoiding the dreaded 4x longer wait times? LATICRETE has the perfect solution for cold-weather tile and stone work. The company’s RAPID Installation Materials range is designed to accelerate the installation process, allowing for a faster turnaround time on your project. The materials in this range have been specially formulated to set and cure…

When the chemicals in your pool are out of balance, the water will aggressively seek to balance itself by either attacking the pool surface, corroding pool equipment, or forming scale on various surfaces. This can be expensive and it can also inhibit the sanitising process, so it’s important to adequately balance the pool’s pH — its total alkalinity and the calcium hardness. MEASURING YOUR POOL’S PH The pH reading tells us whether the water is acidic or alkaline and incorrect levels may cause itchy skin and red eyes. The pH level ranges from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Values below 7.0 are acidic. The Australian Standard for pool water is 7.0 to 7.8, with 7.2 to 7.6 recommended. The Master Pool Builders Association recommends 7.2 to 7.4 for…

The SPASA National Awards of Excellence showcase achievements in construction, design, manufacturing, supply, products, retail and service. The annual awards acknowledge the best, boldest and most creative in the swimming pool and spa industry. On the following pages we have put together a snapshot of some of the gold-winning entries from the 2022 National Awards.…

Positioned on the Mount Eliza beachfront is this modern take on a traditional pool layout, built by Coastal Pools & Spas for a young and energetic family. The homeowners desired the ultimate residential pool and outdoor area, and the project has more than delivered, with Coastal Pools & Spas winning Gold for Best Pool and Landscape Combination at the 2022 Master Pool Builders Association of Australia’s Pool and Spa Awards. Plume Studio designed the concrete pool’s 10m-long rectangular shape with a seamless perimeter wet deck system. On the opposing side is a traditional “horizon edge”, with the tranquil sound of water cascading onto the bluestone river pebbles below another water feature. Custom-made stainless formwork, dreamt up by Coastal Pools & Spas, ensured the perfect finish for the vanishing border. “The…

From dirt, rock and weed to a luscious home resort, this project shows how a holistic plan and dedicated team of designers and tradesmen can completely transform a landscape. Every part of the project has been carefully considered to develop a sense of continuity and integration between the house and the landscape. The brickwork and stone from the pool and cabana tie into the materials on the exterior of this knockdown-rebuild home to create a unified look. The open cabana is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the serenity of the pool. It provides a space for the homeowners to relax and unwind with a drink in the evening or escape the sunshine during the heat of the day. A WC and shower have been built into the cabana…

Nothing says luxury like crystal-clear pool water sparkling in the sunlight. But achieving this look isn’t just about keeping the water clean with chemicals and cleaning systems — it starts with the pool interior. Blue Glass Pebble Company offers a selection of award-winning pool interiors that have a luxurious texture and create a mesmerising sparkle. A combination of glass pebbles and New Zealand pebbles is fully premixed to ensure batch consistency and to maintain the company’s famous high-quality control standards. “Builders and pool owners have been really happy with our product over the years; we’re really proud of the way it looks, feels and lasts over time,” says manager Michael Kettewell. The company’s pool interiors were originally created by former pool builders who wanted to fill a niche in the…

When safety is paramount but aesthetics are also important, a glass fence is a winning solution. Tough Glass Worx designs and installs modern, safe and durable glass fencing and other glass products. Led by twin brothers Doug and Tom Graham, the award-winning company specialises in durable glazing solutions and offers a range of toughened glass products for new builds and multi-residential developments including pool fencing, pool windows, structural balustrades, glass floors and overhead glazing. “We work with a lot of architects, builders, landscapers, designers and also directly with homeowners throughout Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and other areas in Victoria,” says co-director Tom Graham. Established in 2004 as primarily a glass pool fence and balustrade company, the team have built a reputation for professionalism, quality and attention to detail. “We’re always…

Most people think of a pool cover as an afterthought when the pool project has been completed or is nearing completion. If this happens, they will most likely end up with an aboveground pool roller. There is nothing wrong with this, but it will limit their options. There are many types of pool covers available, including fully automatic systems, semi-automatic systems, standard above-ground rollers, aluminium and timber bench seat rollers. The final choice will depend on when the pool cover choice is made and, of course, the budget. Deciding you want an in-ground pool cover after the landscaping has been completed is definitely possible, and has been done many times, but a retrofit installation generally incurs additional costs in removing or changing the existing area. It is always best to…

After many seasons renovating and flipping homes and apartments in the inner suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney, The Block went country last season where contestants had plenty of land to work with. Gisborne, Victoria, provided undulating terrain, picturesque views, and acres of ground to landscape. While copious amounts of land is coveted and looks beautiful when established, a lot of money and effort are required to make this transformation when starting with a piece of dirt. Some of the contestants found this challenge overwhelming, with some not completing their intended projects. The designs all incorporated swimming pools to take the homes to the next level and aim for a high sales price, as we all know a pool is an integral component of a luxury country home. TOM AND SARAH…

On Sydney’s beautiful and relaxed Northern Beaches, an expansive integrated swimming pool acts as the central focus point of this stunning Avalon home, wrapping around the entire dwelling. It’s the result of a two-part request to Crystal Pools by the homeowners, who wanted their new pool not only for entertaining and leisure, but also as a contemporary design feature that enhances the look of their overall property. To bring their vision to fruition, Crystal Pools designed two separate pools with very different purposes. One is the 18.5m-long main pool that the family enjoys for leisure and entertaining, while the secondary 8.5m-long feature pool offers a raised in-pool lounging area for relaxation, three water features and its own independent filtration system. Both pools are adorned with Crystal Resort White Pebble with…

Kangaroo Point, a peaceful, prestigious suburb in Sydney’s beautiful Sutherland Shire, is home to some of the most luxurious waterfront properties in the area, and this stunning property was no exception. However, the existing pool and spa required extensive renovations to ensure that they too were deserving of their prime position overlooking the Georges River. “When these homeowners purchased their house, they wanted to update the pool as it looked dated and in need of a makeover,” explains Zeb Rodrigues, director of Artesian Pools. Their block slopes down gently to the water below, and the location of the pool and position of the spa above the pool give uninterrupted views of the Georges River. “Their pool has been renovated using natural colours and tones that blend in with the surroundings,…

A self-cleaning pool allows you to spend more time enjoying life while your pool cleans itself. Your pool will also be more efficient to operate and more enjoyable to swim in because of the increased circulation benefits. Owning a pool has never been this easy. Not all self-cleaning pools are the same. The QuikClean range of in-floor cleaning systems feature advanced technology, have been developed for Australian conditions and are proven in even the most demanding circumstances. The focus of a QuikClean system is you. Three superior systems, all with unique features and advantages, are designed to suit your unique pool and lifestyle requirements. Whether you have a heavy debris site, want the latest look or value genuine energy efficiency, QuikClean has a system for you. Carefully consider what features…

KHD Landscape Engineering Solutions loves working with designers and clients who challenge themselves to bring out the best in their homes. Case in point is this major renovation to a 1930s Malvern bungalow, which presented myriad interesting challenges, including a rear garden and pool area that required a completely different look and feel to the front garden. In addition, a multi-car garage was to be housed under a concrete slab beneath the front garden. The client also insisted Australian bluestone pavers be installed over a waterproof membrane. Finally, a car lift platform required a low-profile tile with enough strength to handle vehicular traffic. For the front garden, 40mm-thick Australian bluestone in an ashlar pattern was laid on paver supports to ensure the membrane was protected. This allows the tiles to…