A desire to hear the joyous sounds of children

splashing and playing in the backyard prompted a

Texas family to add a pool to their two-acre estate.

   Charlie and Cecilee Taylor of Aledo, Texas, decided

on an inground, concrete pool because they desired

a unique, freeform design in a permanent, durable pool

that will last a lifetime and that will enhance the value

of their home.

Sports and Aquatic Recreation
  
 When the youngest of the Taylor's three children 

reached school age, the family decided that it was time

for some backyard aquatic recreation. They devoted

more than six months to research, contacting the 

Better Business Bureau and seeking competitive bids

before hiring Pulliam Pools, an Aquatech builder in

Fort Worth, Texas.

   "Pulliam wasn't the cheapest bidder," says Charlie

Taylor, "but we were comfortable with them and how

[designer] Mike Clark set it up for us. The company

had been in business for so long, and we had already

heard good things about Pulliam and its work."

   The Taylors' sloping backyard, graced with an 

abundance of trees and a babbling creek, presented a

few design and construction challenges. The couple 

wanted a big pool without sacrificing any of the mighty

oaks and pecan trees located on their property. The

crew at Pulliam ended up sculpting an opening in the 

deck to accomodate one of the saplings. 

   "The mountain-like shape is popular, and everyone

wants one that is a little different," says Clark. "I plotted the 

objects in the yard that the family wanted to remain

there, and I made a shape to fit the space."

   The Taylors' backyard retreat includes upper and 

lower decks connected by a lighted, rock staircase and

retaining wall. Cecilee Taylor selected Arizona pink

rock coping, a blue exposed aggregate surface and a

rainbow aggregate deck.

   The Taylors added an attached spa, and at Clark's 

suggestion, decided to face the spa toward the house,

providing an unobstructed view of the pool from the 

upper deck, as well as a view of the breakfast room 

and of the den windows. In this way, the Taylors

could keep an eye on their youngsters' activities. With

safety in mind, the family opted for a large, shallow 

sports area, where the children could play and where

they could still easily stand with their heads above

water. As an added bonus, four swimouts for easy

egress from anywhere in the pool were included.
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