You mean the paint off the pool itself. If you are having it repainted and cracks fixed the pool will need to be emptied and whoever is painting the pool will do the prep. I though you said you were having the paint blasted off so I am confused . As for area around the pool the best is a patio type idea with proper prep and whatever kind of stone you would like and as for cost that you will need to get quotes for in your area.

If you are going to repaint the pool interior, why not paint a design or mural? I have done this in tile @

$ 250 psf but I'm sure painting would be considerably less. I have a couple of tiled pools in my HOUZZ profile. As to ideas for making the adjacent area more appealing - - that's what I do for a living & I will be happy discuss that with you

Try looking at some samples of dark pools, that look like a natural pond, would be very pretty it looks like you are in a woodsy setting.

We wanted our pool the blend in to the natural background so we choose light grey. Love the brick hard scrape and coping.

We don't paint pools anymore and I'd say the last one was about 20 years ago. Paints don't last quite as long as they did in the past.

With your pool, we would sandblast off all the paint, put down a coping stone, install a tile border around the perimeter under the tile and plaster the pool.

Before a patio goes in, I would address updating the plumbing and possibly add additional lines in key locations. Considerations for LED lighting as well. The LED's we have been using for about 15 years, have a small lens and are meant to be set in multiples for an even distribution of light. Traditional lights generally have "hot spot" and there is some shadows or darker sections in a pool.

The pool should also be addressed to conform to the current NEC (National Electric Code) requirements certainly prior to a patio installation. This is important.

Consider equipment upgrades for efficiency. Same for upgraded electric service to the equipment.

Doing this work does carry a price. Perhaps explore some quotes and maybe it can work within a budget.

Your pool is a good candidate in a nice setting.