Aquatic Artists designed and built this award-winning natural water feature into a hill in Churchville, MD. We crafted a large pool grotto that is 7’ high with multiple natural stone waterfalls that cascade into this gunite pool. One of the waterfalls splits into two streams and one of the streams cascades over the pool grotto. We built the other stream of this waterfall to cascade into the spa and designed it so the spa is a waterfall that cascades into the pool. We also installed an ultimate custom pool slide manufactured by Dolphin into this water feature and built natural stone steps that lead up to the slide. In addition, another waterfall on the other side of the pool slide has a stream that also cascades into the pool. Lastly, we placed veneer stone around the face of the spa and installed planting beds throughout this water feature to tie the natural look all together.

Hand sculpted on location. This grotto rivals the playboy mansion.
Inspiration for a huge coastal backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped natural hot tub remodel

Hand sculpted on location. This grotto rivals the playboy mansion.
Hot tub - huge coastal backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped natural hot tub idea in Vancouver

Imagery Intelligence, LLC
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard custom-shaped and stone natural water slide remodel in Dallas

Gary McDonald
Tuscan home design photo in San Francisco

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

Pool - pool idea in Orlando

Thunder Blue interior winner of Pebble Tec's Worlds Greatest Pools 2014
Inspiration for a large coastal backyard stone and custom-shaped natural water slide remodel in Phoenix

Example of a mid-sized backyard stone shade pool design for spring in Baltimore

pool grotto pool waterfall giant birds of paradise tropical pool theme tropical landscapes
Example of an island style pool design in San Diego

Pool - pool idea in Orlando

Mid-sized transitional custom-shaped pool fountain photo

Grotto jump
Example of a mountain style pool design in Los Angeles

Waterfalls, Grotto and Water Slide
Example of a huge island style backyard stone and custom-shaped natural water slide design in San Diego

Rock work inside the grotto
Example of a huge farmhouse custom-shaped pool design in Sacramento

The RicoRock Boulder Cave forms a snug sitting area on a dry deck or as part of the pool.
Pool fountain - rustic backyard pool fountain idea in Orlando

Aquatic Artists designed and built this award-winning natural water feature into a hill in Churchville, MD. We crafted a large pool grotto that is 7’ high with multiple natural stone waterfalls that cascade into this gunite pool. One of the waterfalls splits into two streams and one of the streams cascades over the pool grotto. We built the other stream of this waterfall to cascade into the spa and designed it so the spa is a waterfall that cascades into the pool. We also installed an ultimate custom pool slide manufactured by Dolphin into this water feature and built natural stone steps that lead up to the slide. In addition, another waterfall on the other side of the pool slide has a stream that also cascades into the pool. Lastly, we placed veneer stone around the face of the spa and installed planting beds throughout this water feature to tie the natural look all together.