IMO you already have too many finishes I also have no idea why the off set but stacked stone anywhere where a body can touch it is bad idea Copper patinas it is what people love about it often.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the way the pool looks at all. If you were in a more urban area and didn't want to play up the natural look, I might put in some colorful Mexican or Spanish style tiles, but that's not what you want. I wouldn't spend a penny on it, but would enjoy it just like it is. Maybe put your $ into a few very large, cool pots with desert plants in them?

What a lovely view. Not everything is symmetrical, nor need be. It's more about balance. I'd put potted plants in terracotta pots (or if you want color, glazed pots). I could see a row of the (barrel cactus?) in individual pots on the left hand side of the wall, and leave the right side plain.

Is the fence going down a hill? Or is it just the photo making it look that way? For me that is the noteable discordant note. If it is slanting downhill, I would have someone adjust it to be level at the top in that section, or make it step-down sections. There are more colors in nature than anywhere- but maybe nature just arranges them better than humans do :) . Congrats on your home--- I didn't love the desert southwest when I visited, but wondering if I should try it out again after seeing this photo!

mimimomy: The Sonoran Desert is beautiful! The fence is actually straight but my camera angle was not. Thank you for the feedback. Potted plants are certainly an easy solution.

Olychick: I appreciate the feedback on the fountain (but your need to make a snide punctuation comment says more about you than it does about me).

Patricia: Thank you for your feedback. I understand what you mean about how stacked stone would feel on skin - yikes! Nevertheless, people here use it a lot.

Marcia, the punctuation comment wasn’t directed at you; at least I don’t think it was. There is a frequent poster here who spews a bunch of negative comments about work that has already been completed and it just gets old. It seems as though it’s more important for her to be the first to comment rather than to comment coherently. Personally, I would love to take a dip in that pool. Brighten up the space with some colorful pots of flowers as suggested above.

Here are some ideas:

I would play up the backdrop, drawing the eye, using natural elements to off set all the stone, low enough not to interfere with view, and random placement/sizes to help with off centeted wall. Adding solar lights could be stunning in the evening.

lkloes: Thank you for your perspective on that. :-)

Maureen: Thank you. I actually have solar lights back there and spotlights on the columns and it looks super cool at night. I currently have lady slipper plants behind the wall, which have bright orange flowers at certain times of the year and which will eventually grow more, but perhaps I should consider other plants.

Dig Doug: That's amazing how you did that and I love the result. I really like the stone veneer on each side of the center while leaving the center painted. I would have never thought of that. Sadly, I have killed a number of Sago Palms so it would have to be something else in the side pots. I don't know why they don't like me! I love the blue agave behind the wall. They would tie into several I already have behind that iron view fence. Thank you!

Marcia, it wasn't your post/punctuation I was referring to - it was the one above mine, where someone couldn't be bothered to punctuate.

What style is your home? Is it a Spanish style or is it a desert modern look? If the former, I might consider re-doing the fountain wall with traditional Spanish tiles to give it more of a resort feeling.

Stairs · More Info

If it's more modern, I'd consider a stacked stone, like this:

Modernizing a Historical Masterpiece · More Info

Sabrina: I wish my house was Spanish style but it isn't. It's more desert modern (but 2007, not THAT modern - lol). I like the stacked stone approach, as I mentioned in my post. I have seen some with a combination of stone colors that would tie the two patio colors together, and could include the house colors, which are desert colors. It could/would look intentional and cohesive. Yep, that's not the cheapest solution but I think it may be the best one. Thank you for your input.

Can someone recommend a website or book that has a fairly comprehensive list of design approaches to a fountain?