AMAZING Pools and Water Features
As the long summer days stretch into warm summer nights, one thought keeps returning: How wonderful it is to have access to cool running water. Showing off your beautiful water feature is part of a properly landscaped home, and if you can really WOW people, you should. Here are a few of my favorites, just for fun!
Indoor Pool That Continues Outdoors
![An unusual pool that begins indoors and extends outdoors, right through a wall! A pair of red French doors with one open inward show at the left, bounded by an aged, painted curved wall and ceiling that immediately becomes a huge folding glass wall, open at the center, then rejoining the solid wall. The tiled bottom of the pool invites you to try swimming between the indoors and out! The hot sun beckons, beating down on lush plantings and a large rock wall, with lounge chairs along the pool edge and pathway to the right.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Indoor-Outdoor-Pool-580x385.jpg)
Photo courtesy Homedit.com
If you can’t decide whether to have an indoor or an outdoor pool, why not have both? This pool begins inside, where it’s covered and heated, passes through a transitional patio space, then into the outdoor sun. The indoor pool-end can even be closed off with glass panels, revealing the beautiful view while holding in the heat on chilly days.
Lagoons, Waterfalls and a Zen Wading Pool
![Night view of a Florida tropical backyard oasis of Zen calm, featuring a large curvy bright blue swimming pool, edged with light colored large flagstones, surrounded by multi-level rock walls, palm trees and lush plants. The Zen wading pool peeks out the left, just behind a fire pit and tree by the emerald blue rock waterfall, grotto, and hanging gardens. Uplit plants and trees throw interesting shadows.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Lucas-Lagoons-Florida-Zen-580x240.jpg)
Photo courtesy LucasLagoons.com
Not only does this custom pool installation in Parrish, Florida feature a Zen wading pool and relaxation area, but there are two rock waterfalls, a fire pit, a hanging garden and large grotto, and a beach pebble champagne spa with a rock bridge, all lit with custom-LEDs for nighttime enjoyment! Peaceful contemplation has its charms….
![](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Lucas-Lagoons-Zen-and-the-Art-of-Custom-Pools-580x252.jpg)
Photo courtesy LucasLagoons.com
Infinity Pool – With an Underwater Sofa!
![Pale flagstone surrounds steps into an infinity pool, with a hot tub accessible to the left. The infinity pool's edge is highlighted by two low columns topped with fire bowls. A planter and a palm tree show the right edges of our view, along a pebbled retaining wall. The darkening deep blue Florida sky with a just a brush of clouds shows above the line of the ocean for this exquisite backyard oasis originally designed by Bradenton Golf & Custom Pools, restored by Lucas Lagoons.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Bradenton-Infinity-Pool-Night-View-580x342.jpg)
Photo courtesy LucasLagoons.com
Check out the view over this Florida infinity pool! Originally designed by Bradenton Golf & Custom Pools, it was restored and re-designed for a feature on the TV series Insane Pools, where it certainly upholds its namesake.
Have you ever seen an underwater sofa before? I bet it feels as amazing as it looks!
![This infinity pool with a pebbled underwater sofa was originally designed by Bradenton Golf & Custom Pools for a famous family and restored by Lucas Lagoons.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Bradenton-Infinity-Pool-Sofa-View-580x360.jpg)
Photo courtesy LucasLagoons.com
Koi Ponds… to the Extreme
When you think of a backyard koi pond, you probably think of something like this:
![A traditional Japanese koi pond and backyard landscape design, surrounded by greenery, featuring a red bridge with a stone pathway leading to a gazebo with seating.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Japanese-Landscaped-Koi-Pond-580x435.jpg)
Photo courtesy TheBedBar.com
Of course it’s peaceful and serene, with multiple pathways and seating areas. But what if you wanted something with a little more pizzazz, what would you ask for? An elegant surprise, like this glass-sided koi pond!
![](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Glass-Sided-Koi-Pond-580x398.jpg)
Photo courtesy TheBedBar.com
Maybe that still wasn’t fancy enough for your fishbowl. Have you considered turning a glass table into a water feature – while being able to eat over the running water?
![Amazing water feature is a table where water runs THROUGH the middle of it, underneath the glass, and then comes out the side of the table. It starts from a stark white modern waterwall, passes through a dark-edged table with a glass top, and pours out the table, through a break in the decking, and into the water below. A light-colored brick wall and green plants form the back of the space. Modern white barstools complete the wow factor.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Glass-Table-Koi-Waterfall-580x840.jpg)
Photo courtesy TheBedBar.com
A River Runs Through – This House!
![This architect's home features a lazy river connecting the three pavilions, so you could swim between bedroom, living room, and dining room, or just take the footbridge if you want to stay dry.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Lazy-River-Indoor-Decking-1-580x387.jpg)
Image courtesy DailyMail.co.uk
If you’ve ever wanted to hang out in a lazy river, but still be close to all the party action in the kitchen, this home has got you covered! Featuring a jacuzzi, waterfall, lagoon and sauna, the owners can paddle to each room via the 90-foot stream that runs between the home’s three buildings, or keep their feet dry using the footbridge.
![Ipe wood is among the multiple wood species used as decking, to create a bridge, and composing the walls and ceiling surrounding this amazing indoor residential lazy river.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Lazy-River-Indoor-Jacuzzi-580x594.jpg)
Photo courtesy DailyMail.co.uk
This unique, 18,000 sq ft property was built by architect Alfred Browning Parker for himself in 1968, and wows the current owner’s guests every time they visit. The property listing boasts, ‘Each of the pavilions has distinctive views of lush gardens’, ensuring a cool environment, to use both meanings of the phrase. This home certainly would inspire repeat visits!
![An indoor lazy river runs through this architect's home, featuring lush garden views.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Pools-and-Water-Features_Lazy-River-Indoor-Plantings-580x389.jpg)
Photo courtesy DailyMail.co.uk
Obviously these are very extreme designs, but I encourage you to think creatively about what you’d like to enjoy in your garden – after all, daydreams are free!
If you have an idea – big or small – that you want to create in your own backyard oasis, contact Kimball Starr today for a consultation! Water you waiting for?!