SFGate

Darzy If your budget is low, how about installing a patio cover and invest in beautiful furniture? With a cover, can enjoy the patio even when it's raining. Then, your beautiful space/furniture will be an extension of your home and you won't have to worry about cushions in the weather. Outdoor area rugs, large ceramic pots of flowers and a portable fireplace. I'd also recommend outdoor lighting to uplight your new landscaping/trees. I'd put palms/flowers behind your "wall" with ground level lights shining up. Hidden lighting always looks more appealing and professional. If there is budget left, then I'd check into the cost of changing your pool.

I say this because it is no easy task (and very expensive) to modify a current pool to add a water feature/plumbing/pump system.

Brenda Salter Thanks for your input, here are a few updated pics. As yo can see we really have to do something with the pool.

Brenda Salter A few more pics.

Darzy When we had our pool resurfaced and new tile, the least expensive water feature available was the "spicket" kind shooting from the ground (ours actually is embedded in the concrete). We also stamped/stain concrete the entire area, including the coping. Here is the water feature we did and we love it. You can adjust high/low the arc of the water. BTW..you've done a LOT a work since your first photo. Nicely done! Instead of fire bowls at the pool area. How about a portable gel fireplace?

mmilos The cheapest thing to do would be to add some portable fire bowls and have them sit on the tiled ledge on the back of your pool. Restoration Hardware has some:
http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1677181&categoryId=cat1696071

You could use gel fuel or perhaps drill a hole in the base and have a plumber install natural gas lines to them.


I'm getting my pool and concrete done as we speak...expensive even without adding fountains. :-)

If you do add fountains, you need to monitor your pool pH levels more carefully...fountains add aeration and aeration increases pH levels.

Brenda Salter Thanks for your comments. Great job and ideas. I will post pics as we progress. We already stamped our concrete but the guy that did it did a horrible job and the color he used looks like dirt and did a horrible job. Looks likemwemmay have to redo it. Ugh...... Looking forward to enjoying our pool and backyard.