A Swimming Pool Designer’s Backyard: Doug Boston

Today we’re featuring a special interview with one of our amazing swimming pool designers, Doug Boston. Enjoy!

To get us started, can you tell us about the decking and pebble radiance color selections you made?

We decided on Kona Blue for our Pebble Radiance interior finish, and we doubled the amount of glass in the mix.

For the decking, we went with a Mexican Travertine from MSI called Classico Vein Cut. Mexican travertine is traditionally less porous than Turkish travertine.

You made some unique choices for the materials on the “City skyline” of your pool. Can you tell us what you used? Can you describe how you came to the design?

Along with glass tile, we actually used 36” x 8” flooring tile. The idea was to create these individual pillars that would stand out and give the back wall a contemporary feel but still blend with southwest theme. 

You also have an interesting seating and lounging area built into your pool. How should people think about incorporating these areas into their own designs?

Absolutely! It’s important to know how you are primarily going to use the pool. I like to cool off in the summer and enjoy a cocktail, so seating options were important to me.

How do you and your family use the pool?

We enjoy floating on rafts and sitting at our table with a beverage.

What design choices did you make to complement your lifestyle?

Our travertine decking is very similar to our flooring inside the house and we wanted a seamless transition. We love glass tile so we chose a 1”x2” glass tile for our waterline and 18” raised areas.

What common mistakes do people make when designing their first pools?

Everyone has champagne taste but a beer budget so they cut out beautiful features that make their pool unique to them.

What advice would you give to someone designing their first pool?

If you are out of budget, try eliminating features that can easily be added later. Maybe less decking in order to get that unique water feature. Or skip the spa and instead add a heat pump pool heating unit with some therapy jets on a bench in the pool.

What do you think people should look for in a Swimming pool company?

Integrity.

Understand that in construction, issues come up and delays are inevitable but if you are using a company with integrity, a company that will make it right, you can never go wrong.

What else can you tell us about your pool design?

For those interested in a similar design, its 120 perimeter, 555 Square Feet, 2 multi-color LED lights, a 36” Trazzocrete table and a 9’ x 9’ x 18” deep baja shelf. This pool and decking retails for approximately $55,000.

Interested in scheduling a complimentary design consultation with one of our amazing designers?

Call 480-967-9467, visit one of our showrooms, or click here to get started.