Heather Fritz

Notion LLC Designer: Natalia Dragunova Photographer: Bradd Celidonia

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

This luxurious inground swimming pool design & installation in Upper Saddle River, Bergen County NJ, presented many unique challenges. A grotto, tucked beneath an 8 foot stone waterfall, was built on top of a flat natural landscape. The stone forms a staircase leading to an enclosed waterslide. Inground swimming pool & grotto surrounded by a landscape concept designed and built by one team.

Massive faux rock grotto with multiple waterfalls that lead you into a swim-up bar inside the grotto. A dry entrance on the side of the grotto leads to the kitchen and restroom area, as well as to a private outdoor shower on the other side, accessible from the pool by swimming under a hidden entrance. The grotto kitchen includes a wine refrigerator, outdoor refrigerator, outdoor dishwasher, a farmhouse apron sink and custom distressed doors for the entry. The grotto restroom includes a custom faux rock sink base with copper bowl and faucet. Photo credit: Cameron Caviness

The 'hidden' entrance to the swimming pool. Tom Warry Photography and CCD

This home, featured in ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST in the November 2013 Before and After issue, is set prominently on Lake Skaneateles in New York, reflects a period when stately mansions graced the waterfront. Few houses demonstrate the skill of modern-day craftsmen with such charm and grace. The investment of quality materials such as limestone, carved timbers, copper, and slate, combined with stone foundations and triple-pane windows, provide the new owners with worry-free maintenance and peace of mind for years to come. The property boasts formal English gardens complete with a rope swing, pergola, and gazebo as well as an underground tunnel with a wine grotto. Elegant terraces offer multiple views of the grounds.

This home, set prominently on Lake Skaneateles in New York, reflects a period when stately mansions graced the waterfront. Few houses demonstrate the skill of modern-day craftsmen with such charm and grace. The investment of quality materials such as limestone, carved timbers, copper, and slate, combined with stone foundations and triple-pane windows, provide the new owners with worry-free maintenance and peace of mind for years to come. The property boasts formal English gardens complete with a rope swing, pergola, and gazebo as well as an underground tunnel with a wine grotto. Elegant terraces offer multiple views of the grounds.

For the active family! This is an international award winning pool from the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals and has been on the cover of several national publications, including "Luxury Pools". Design and Installation by Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photography by KO Rinearson

10 person hot water spa hidden inside this rock grotto.

Jeff Garland Photography