Legend of the falls: a 13-foot waterfall and gazebo serve as the centerpiece of this Florida builder's backyard

Pool & Spa News, June 4, 2004

How would you characterize the style of your pool?

David Reed: It's a natural-looking, free-form pool with more than 1,000 square feet of surface area.

How often do you use it?

D.R.: The pool is heated, so we can use it all year if we want to. We use it four to five times a week, April through October.

What was it like for you

while it was being built? D.R.: It was exciting building a pool in my own backyard. I was hoping it would be special. All of our crews and vendors seemed to be excited about the project as well.

Who uses the pool?

D.R.: I have a wife and four kids, and we all use the pool. But it's primarily used by my kids and their friends. Homecoming and prom pictures always seem to have our pool in the background.

Do you participate in activities such as water volleyball or basketball?

D.R.: Basketball is something we have played a lot of in the pool, but kids and adults seem to enjoy jumping off the rock waterfall.

What are some of the pool's unique features?

D.R.: The primary focal point is the 13-foot waterfall that has two tube slides buried beneath the manmade rocks. We also have a 10-foot-wide, free-form spa with a flagstone spillway that overflows into the pool In addition, the project features a swim-up bar with four stainless steel and granite seats and bar top, and a pool level dry area for the bartender (my wife) to stand.

Does your company service your pool?

D.R.: Yes.

This column is part of a semiregular series featuring the aquascapes that builders construct for their own homes.