The Legendary Rockstar Pool Build — A Backyard Concert Venue and Custom Swimming Pool The Rockstar Pool is one of the most ambitious, imaginative, and large-scale residential pool builds ever completed by Legendary Escapes. Designed and built by Al Curtis, this project was created for a homeowner whose entire life revolves around performance, music, and living boldly. This is far more than a swimming pool. It is a backyard concert venue, a sculpted grotto, a hot tub, a swim-up bar, a VIP lounge, a performance platform, and a fully engineered artistic environment built as a single cohesive experience. A Client With a True Rockstar Life The homeowner’s request was simple in spirit but extraordinary in scale: create a pool environment that matched a life centered on creativity and performance. His background includes jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, on-stage theatrical work, a home rebuilt around music and entertainment, and longstanding connections within the rock world. With a 16-acre horse farm and a passion for bold design, he needed a pool that reflected his personality. His project requirements included a grotto, waterfall, hot tub, swim-up bar, performance area, and multiple lounging zones. Every feature had to feel original, dramatic, and purposeful. The Design Vision Designer and builder Al Curtis immediately recognized that this build needed to be expansive, theatrical, and seamlessly integrated into the landscape. The pool needed to make a statement without obstructing panoramic views of the surrounding farm and open sky. The spark for the design came from an unexpected source: steel grates salvaged from an old carnival tilt-a-whirl ride. This inspired the concept of a floating performance stage built over the pool. What began as a small idea quickly grew into a large-scale platform complete with a concrete stage, integrated lighting, waterfalls, backstage areas, and custom metalwork. As the stage expanded, so did the pool, the patio, and the entire environment—ultimately transforming the backyard into a private amphitheater. Repurposed Materials Used as Art Legendary Escapes is known for incorporating reclaimed materials into artistic, sculptural pool environments. This project includes an extraordinary collection of repurposed components: Tilt-a-whirl steel used as the main stage structure Carnival flooring panels transformed into large fire-feature guitars Trumpet and trombone bells refitted as lighting fixtures Reclaimed street lamps custom-painted for poolside lighting 3D-printed album covers used as illuminated wall panels Concrete replicas of Marshall speakers integrated under the stage Every material was selected to bring character, history, and energy to the space. Artistic Features and Highlights The Rockstar Pool includes numerous custom artistic elements, such as: A ten-foot mosaic “album cover” inset into the pool floor Eight-foot sculpted guitars along the fence line Guitar-shaped fire features Backlit album panels positioned just above the water A “Rockstar” sign paired with sculpted concrete amplifier towers A VIP seating area built from restored tilt-a-whirl ride cars Every corner of the environment contains layered artistic details. Engineering Challenges and Solutions Creating a fully functional concert stage over the deep end of the pool required extensive planning and engineering. Key complexities included: Designing a safe, weight-bearing steel and concrete stage structure Adjusting stage elevation mid-build to achieve optimal height Installing three complete filtration systems concealed beneath the stage Applying ecoFinish throughout the pool, spa, and grotto Rebuilding existing decking and integrating a three-story observation tower Ensuring the massive pool structure preserved the property’s sightlines The technical demands of this project were matched only by the creative vision behind it. The Legendary Team This build was completed by a multi-generational team of craftsmen and artists, including: Al Curtis – Designer and builder Jesse Curtis – Project manager and construction artist Mark Curtis – Filtration systems and plumbing Annie Curtis – Stonework and water features Karen Olson – Tile, stonework, and patio murals Frank DiPiazza – Structural construction and decking Brendan Schafer – On-site support and maintenance dbaker designs – Custom mosaic creation Daren Baker – Custom metal guitars and lighting elements Each contributor played a critical role in shaping the final environment. A Client Who Trusted the Process As with many Legendary Escapes projects, this build evolved organically. The homeowner provided inspiration and trust, allowing the team to respond to the evolving environment. Several features—including the guitar fence, fire elements, and VIP seating area—were conceived and built during the process as the design revealed new opportunities. The Final Result The Rockstar Pool is now a fully functional concert venue, swimming pool, artistic installation, and outdoor living space. It is dramatic, expressive, engineered with care, and truly one-of-a-kind. This project reflects the homeowner’s personality and passion, and stands as one of the most ambitious designs ever produced by Legendary Escapes.

Gregg Churchill of www.mrhomestaging.com
Family room - contemporary family room idea in Perth

This San Francisco home had beautifully restored interior details, including curved window walls, wood wainscoting, and an arched fireplace. We furnished it with a blend of modern and traditional pieces to express the minimal and laid-back feel desired by our clients.

This project was a tribute to the vision and optimism of the owners. This once-glorious home was so far gone that many people would have taken the easy path -tear it down and start over. Instead, the family hired Old Saratoga Restorations to save every original bit of material that could be salvaged and rebuild the home to its previous grandeur. OSR gutted the interior and reinvented it based on the archaeological evidence for this home restoration. They added a new kitchen and bathrooms with high-end fixtures, custom-cabinetry and top-of-the-line appliances. Outside, everything from the siding and trim to the dilapidated cupola on top needed to be replaced with duplicates.

Room with two of our Barcelona Chair and Ottoman Reproductions in our Premium Beige White Leather
Minimalist living room photo in Seattle

This busy mother of 4 was in need of a place to zone out at the end of her busy day. We created this lovely little reading nook to call her own. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman made of molded plywood and leather provides maximum comfort with its wide support for the head, an inclined back and of course a footrest.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept concrete floor family room remodel in Tampa with gray walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

Inspiration for a modern home office remodel in Charlotte

Gannon 6 Log Side Table – Crafted of solid trembesi wood, this side table features six solid logs cut and shaped to fit together so you can create a rustic, woodsy feeling in any informal room or patio. It has the random beauty of nature, with interesting grain, varied colors, knotholes and minor imperfections. Fully assembled, available in a Natural finish.

Our project in Arlington, TX was a new construction replication of President Andrew Jackson's house, "The Hermitage." Chadsworth's Architectural, fluted Roman Corinthian columns were utilized on the project. Architectural Columns Roman Corinthian Capitals & Cast Marble Attic Bases Fluted Tapered Wooden Shafts 30" x 26' 9" Colossal Order Front Entrance Night Scene Front of catalog Photography: Michael Lyon Residential, Exterior

An extraordinary, seven-layer faux finish with multiple rag rolls and color washes, topped with 3/4 life-sized cave painting replica of a bull. Chicago, IL - 2016

The main entry of the face-lifted commercial building, inspired by Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, using three-quarter scaled details matching Jefferson's home in Virginia. The repetitive entablature (top white band) trim was produced via CNC machine.

We rebuilt the new house to closely replicate the original house. We re-used the old brick paving that leads up to the front door. We re-installed as much of the old handrail spindles and exterior trim and where what we couldn't save we used the old material to make exact replicas to match the old house.

This home is a replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The homeowners have acquired many french antiques in their travels. The Homeowners’ Exquisite handmade rugs are the inspiration for the color schemes in each room.

Mindy Best Photography
Example of a 1960s living room design in Baltimore

The homeowners wish-list when searching for properties in the Geneva Lake area included: low-maintenance, incredible lake views, a pier but also a house that needed a lot of work because they were searching for a true project. After months of designing and planning, a bright and open design of the great room was created to maximize the room’s incredible view of Geneva Lake. Nautical touches can be found throughout the home, including the rope detailing on the overhead light fixture, in the coffee table accessories and the child-sized replica wooden boat. The crisp, clean kitchen has thoughtful design details, like the vintage look faucet and a mosaic outline of Geneva Lake in the back splash. This project was featured in the Summer 2019 issue of Lakeshore Living

Inspiration for a craftsman bathroom remodel in Nashville

This black Eames chair replica is perfect for a cozy reading area by a picture window and fireplace. A layered gallery wall with antique skis, art, windows and frames add to the warm yet modern aesthetic.

The homeowners wish-list when searching for properties in the Geneva Lake area included: low-maintenance, incredible lake views, a pier but also a house that needed a lot of work because they were searching for a true project. After months of designing and planning, a bright and open design of the great room was created to maximize the room’s incredible view of Geneva Lake. Nautical touches can be found throughout the home, including the rope detailing on the overhead light fixture, in the coffee table accessories and the child-sized replica wooden boat. The crisp, clean kitchen has thoughtful design details, like the vintage look faucet and a mosaic outline of Geneva Lake in the back splash. This project was featured in the Summer 2019 issue of Lakeshore Living