Book inspires ‘Picture Perfect’ pool designs
If you enjoy admiring images of unique aquatic designs, Schiffer Publishing Ltd. has just released its latest publication, “Picture Perfect Pools,” a 127-page, soft-cover edition.
Editors Tina Skinner and Dinah Roseberry searched the country for high-quality photographs of unique designs, recruiting images from America’s top pool builders, home builders, landscapers and interior designers to present a 200-plus photo retrospect of intriguing and inspiring aquatic features. The 145 pools and spas featured depict a variety of styles, shapes and themes from across the country, including Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California and New Mexico.
The publication is an excellent resource for residential aqueous design ideas. And while not all the elements are “perfect” for every environment, variations of the concepts can be substituted to create the same effect wherever you live.
Chapters of the book are divided into eight specific categories: spas, shapes and edges, elegance, entertaining, lap pools, kid friendly, meandering, waterfalls and water features. Homeowners looking to build a pool will find an endless resource of inspirations.
As you peruse the pages keep a stack of sticky notes handy and mark the images that catch your interest, making notations of what specifically you admire about the design: the fountain feature, raised spa, decking, planter areas, tile, color, shape, mosaics or anything that stands out as a “must have.” Present these notes to the pool designer on your initial visit. This will be helpful in providing the designer with a focus for your personal style and desires.
Skinner and Roseberry state in their introduction, “This book has been created to help homeowners explore a wealth of beautiful backyards from the comfort of their lounge chairs.”
Additionally, the editors acknowledge the many talents who work to create the entire pool environment including designers, engineers, artisans, landscapers and architects, as well as “the photographers who marry everyone’s visions including nature’s design as the perfect cloud passes or the sun angles, just so.”
The publishing house offers more than 3,100 titles and produces about 200 titles every year on a variety of subjects in its four catalogs: antiques and collectibles, military history, lifestyle, and arts and crafts. Other water-themed titles from the company’s lifestyle category are “Creating Ponds, Brooks and Pools” and “Natural Swimming Pools — Inspiration for Harmony With Nature,” both in hardcover.
Schiffer books are distributed internationally through major book stores, specialty shops and on the Web at www.schifferbooks.com as well as other popular book sites.
Joe Vassallo is the president of Paragon Pools, a certified building professional and on the boards of the local, regional and national Association of Pool and Spa Professionals organizations. Send questions or suggestions for column ideas regarding pools and spas to him at jvassallo@paragonpools.net or 251-0500.
