Gast Architects If there is high traffic around the pool, you may want to have a larger boarder of stone around the pool. A larger boarder would also relieve some worries about the pool getting contaminated when mowing the lawn. Otherwise, having grass so close to the pool shouldn't be a problem. A simple one over the pool with a net would get rid of any grass floating.

Gast Architects Arterra Landscape Architects were the landscape architects who worked on this project. These specific plants are Miscanthus sinensis.

Gast Architects They are approx. 1'-1"

Leeanne H. I just had a pool renovation myself and other then the center spa like in this picture, I had the same thing done with my steps. The steps are custom and really can be made what ever your taste is. before the renovation, I had the ugly white fiberglass steps, that jut out of the pool, they were old and horrible. what we did was built cement steps the full width of the pool, exactly like this picture. each riser is the same as what the fiberglass was, so its comfortable to step down, and of course to building code specs. what I decided to do for the second step is make a wider step, like a ledge. I think it's 23 inches.. it's beautiful. then the next 3 steps are the normal width, enough to place your complete foot. the important thing to keep in mind is because its a liner pool, when the returns and skimmers are placed in the pool, they should be put in as high as you can, so that the first step has enough water on it so it does not become to slippery. I don't have a problem because of that. good luck with your pool