I'm trying to come up with a design idea for south and east sides of the pool. The other two sides have brown pavers. The yard slopes down on the east side. I was thinking about using 18 x 25 cement pavers on those two sides separated by rocks or gravel. What should I use? Should I use 3/8 gravel or 1" stones?
I would like some contrast from all the brown pavers. People won't be using these two sides very much because they can enter the pool from the two other sides. Grass would be nice, but I would like to avoid having to use water to maintain the grass in between the stepping stones. I will have a little patch of grass on the other side of the pool to soften up the yard from all the rock and pavers.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!!!