The new dining area. Reversing the peninsula allows a smoother transition from the foyer to the right in to the kitchen space, and still serves to create a nice separation between the dining area and main kitchen space. The built in banquette and bar area beyond tie the spaces together and the red touches throughout create a cohesive theme, adding a bright pop of color throughout the space.

Our custom gates are cut from steel or aluminum with a water jet machine (we don't use plasma or laser jet cutting as the water jet gives a much smoother detailed finish), dipped in an acid bath that contains a rust inhibitor, sandblasted, and then powder-coated. This gate is finished in a brown tone, and it will never need painting! Our exterior gates receive an extra primer layer of powder coating as well. Stunning designs created for any style or size. Let our artist/owner Rob Gerdin design a work of art in metal for you. Call us at 888-743-2325 or visit our website www.NatureRails.com and we will answer your questions promptly.

PHOTOS: Mountain Home Photo CONTRACTOR: 3C Construction Main level living: 1455 sq ft Upper level Living: 1015 sq ft Guest Wing / Office: 520 sq ft Total Living: 2990 sq ft Studio Space: 1520 sq ft 2 Car Garage : 575 sq ft ​ General Contractor: 3C Construction: Steve Lee The client, a sculpture artist, and his wife came to J.P.A. only wanting a studio next to their home. During the design process it grew to having a living space above the studio, which grew to having a small house attached to the studio forming a compound. At this point it became clear to the client; the project was outgrowing the neighborhood. After re-evaluating the project, the live / work compound is currently sited in a natural protected nest with post card views of Mount Sopris & the Roaring Fork Valley. The courtyard compound consist of the central south facing piece being the studio flanked by a simple 2500 sq ft 2 bedroom, 2 story house one the west side, and a multi purpose guest wing /studio on the east side. The evolution of this compound came to include the desire to have the building blend into the surrounding landscape, and at the same time become the backdrop to create and display his sculpture. “Jess has been our architect on several projects over the past ten years. He is easy to work with, and his designs are interesting and thoughtful. He always carefully listens to our ideas and is able to create a plan that meets our needs both as individuals and as a family. We highly recommend Jess Pedersen Architecture”. - Client “As a general contractor, I can highly recommend Jess. His designs are very pleasing with a lot of thought put in to how they are lived in. He is a real team player, adding greatly to collaborative efforts and making the process smoother for all involved. Further, he gets information out on or ahead of schedule. Really been a pleasure working with Jess and hope to do more together in the future!” Steve Lee - 3C Construction

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

These elevations are the backbone of a seamless renovation process. Here's why they matter: 1. For Trades: Every inch is accounted for—elevations give electricians, plumbers, tile setters, and millworkers exact placement, height, and alignment details. No guesswork means fewer mistakes, no back-and-forth, and smoother scheduling. 2. For Pricing Accuracy: Clear elevations eliminate the “it depends” from vendor bids. You get real, fixed quotes instead of vague estimates. Every finish, fixture, and feature is detailed upfront for smarter budgeting and better scope control. 3. For the Client Experience: It’s hard to envision a design from words or even moodboards alone. These elevations show your space—exactly how it will feel and function. Clients can confidently sign off on layout, storage, lighting, and flow because they can see it. TL;DR: Want peace of mind and precision at every phase? This is how we build intelligently. And don’t worry—you don’t have to know every detail. We got you.

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

Our clients were ready to say goodbye to their dated stained cabinets and all the frustrations that came with them—hinges that weren’t soft-close, doors that wouldn’t stay aligned, and drawers and rollouts that just didn’t glide like they should. We transformed their space by refacing the cabinets with the Tribute door style from our Kitchen Solvers Showcase Collection. The perimeter cabinets were finished in a soft Eggshell, while the island got a rich Nightfall stain for a striking two-tone look. To fix the functionality issues, we swapped in new full-extension, undermount, soft-close slides so every drawer opens and closes like a dream. And even though the island stayed close to its original color, we gave it a full reface and upgraded the back with beadboard craftsman wainscoting for a fresh, custom touch. A smoother, brighter, beautifully updated kitchen—inside and out.

Designed by Cat Neitzey of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Fredericksburg VA in collaboration with Craig Schafer of ACS Contracting, this kitchen sunroom design features Merillat Classic Tolani cabinets with a Cotton finish on the perimeter and Boardwalk finish on the kitchen island. The kitchen also features a perimeter countertop and full height backsplash in Spectrum Sterling quartz with Caesarstone Turbine on the island and a Kohler Whitehaven Hayridge Farmhouse Cast Iron kitchen sink. “I really enjoyed doing my research to help the client bring their vision to life. They were so open to ideas and my suggestions. The design inspiration was pulled from the client’s love of McGee & Co.'s elegant simplicity and eye for organization detail. I used my favorite floor tile, Grespania Trivoli Blanco, which was so perfect with the Boardwalk maple island. We do not often get to drill into so much detail with cabinet inserts and the functionality of every inch the way this homeowner wanted to. I learned so much from their input,” said Cat. “The choice of the Kohler Whitehaven Hayridge sink is an amazing modern touch. We installed a drip ledge detail below the sink that adds another layer to this focal point. Our biggest challenge was envisioning a new island where a previous peninsula and knee wall were.” “Cat was thorough with timelines and updates,” said the client. “She put us first and what was best for our plan. The kitchen renovation moved quickly and Cat would make spontaneous visits to monitor the project. Cat was definitely a key player and we could not have had a smoother renovation without her!” “Our favorite part of the new kitchen is the island. We choose a different color for the cabinets and countertop. She encouraged working with different colors and elements throughout. Our favorite accessory is the pull out pantry shelves. Makes a big difference seeing what is in the back of the pantry.” Photos courtesy of Tim Snyder Photography.

You'll Love the Smoother, Wider, Deeper Current More power for training, with a gentler touch for therapy. Faster for advanced swimmers, and more comfortable for every level. Step up to our Performance pool, offering all the advantages of our Original model, with more oomph & utility for the whole family. Ask about our Pool Packages for a Performance pool with faster ordering and guaranteed savings.

Designed by Cat Neitzey of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Fredericksburg VA in collaboration with Craig Schafer of ACS Contracting, this kitchen sunroom design features Merillat Classic Tolani cabinets with a Cotton finish on the perimeter and Boardwalk finish on the kitchen island. The kitchen also features a perimeter countertop and full height backsplash in Spectrum Sterling quartz with Caesarstone Turbine on the island and a Kohler Whitehaven Hayridge Farmhouse Cast Iron kitchen sink. “I really enjoyed doing my research to help the client bring their vision to life. They were so open to ideas and my suggestions. The design inspiration was pulled from the client’s love of McGee & Co.'s elegant simplicity and eye for organization detail. I used my favorite floor tile, Grespania Trivoli Blanco, which was so perfect with the Boardwalk maple island. We do not often get to drill into so much detail with cabinet inserts and the functionality of every inch the way this homeowner wanted to. I learned so much from their input,” said Cat. “The choice of the Kohler Whitehaven Hayridge sink is an amazing modern touch. We installed a drip ledge detail below the sink that adds another layer to this focal point. Our biggest challenge was envisioning a new island where a previous peninsula and knee wall were.” “Cat was thorough with timelines and updates,” said the client. “She put us first and what was best for our plan. The kitchen renovation moved quickly and Cat would make spontaneous visits to monitor the project. Cat was definitely a key player and we could not have had a smoother renovation without her!” “Our favorite part of the new kitchen is the island. We choose a different color for the cabinets and countertop. She encouraged working with different colors and elements throughout. Our favorite accessory is the pull out pantry shelves. Makes a big difference seeing what is in the back of the pantry.” Photos courtesy of Tim Snyder Photography.

This Grayslake homeowner was ready for a kitchen update that felt fresh, functional, and timeless—without the need for a full tear-out. Using a hybrid approach that combined cabinet refacing with new cabinetry, we transformed the space into a beautiful transitional kitchen that blends modern simplicity with classic appeal. The kitchen features a clean Shaker door style in a stunning Nordic SuperMatte finish, paired with Sparkling White quartz countertops for a bright, sophisticated look. To improve both the layout and functionality, we removed an existing pantry cabinet and added new upper and lower cabinets, creating valuable countertop workspace near the range. Functionality was just as important as style. We installed all-new solid wood, dovetail drawers with heavy-duty undermount glides, providing smoother operation, better organization, and long-lasting durability. The result is a kitchen that looks completely transformed, functions better every day, and reflects the homeowner's style—all without the cost and disruption of a full remodel.

By moving one of the living room walls inward (only by 1 ft.), the space became a bit bigger, allowing a smoother transition to and from the kitchen.
Living room - huge modern formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Designed by Cat Neitzey of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Fredericksburg VA in collaboration with Craig Schafer of ACS Contracting, this kitchen sunroom design features Merillat Classic Tolani cabinets with a Cotton finish on the perimeter and Boardwalk finish on the kitchen island. The kitchen also features a perimeter countertop and full height backsplash in Spectrum Sterling quartz with Caesarstone Turbine on the island and a Kohler Whitehaven Hayridge Farmhouse Cast Iron kitchen sink. “I really enjoyed doing my research to help the client bring their vision to life. They were so open to ideas and my suggestions. The design inspiration was pulled from the client’s love of McGee & Co.'s elegant simplicity and eye for organization detail. I used my favorite floor tile, Grespania Trivoli Blanco, which was so perfect with the Boardwalk maple island. We do not often get to drill into so much detail with cabinet inserts and the functionality of every inch the way this homeowner wanted to. I learned so much from their input,” said Cat. “The choice of the Kohler Whitehaven Hayridge sink is an amazing modern touch. We installed a drip ledge detail below the sink that adds another layer to this focal point. Our biggest challenge was envisioning a new island where a previous peninsula and knee wall were.” “Cat was thorough with timelines and updates,” said the client. “She put us first and what was best for our plan. The kitchen renovation moved quickly and Cat would make spontaneous visits to monitor the project. Cat was definitely a key player and we could not have had a smoother renovation without her!” “Our favorite part of the new kitchen is the island. We choose a different color for the cabinets and countertop. She encouraged working with different colors and elements throughout. Our favorite accessory is the pull out pantry shelves. Makes a big difference seeing what is in the back of the pantry.” Photos courtesy of Tim Snyder Photography.

This Kitchen is given a Contemporary look centered around its amazing Glass Tile Backsplash. Stainless Steel appliances look incredible over the unique multi colored, slate tile floors. On top of the exquisite granite countertops sits a glass bar design that is the perfect contemporary centerpiece. www.remodelworks.com

This thoughtfully renovated flip was designed with both beauty and longevity in mind, featuring an ADA-accessible private suite tailored for aging in place. The layout was fully re-imagined to improve flow and daily functionality—most notably by opening up the main living areas and removing an outdated corner brick fireplace, allowing for smoother circulation and a brighter, more connected home. The primary suite was significantly expanded to create a spacious bedroom, an oversized walk-in closet, and a serene master bathroom, transforming it into a true retreat. A new patio door was added to enhance indoor-outdoor connection and bring in natural light. The kitchen was refreshed with a timeless black-and-white palette, elevated by champagne bronze hardware, updated lighting, and charming shiplap accents. A dedicated coffee bar adds both function and personality, making the space perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Bathrooms were finished with extra-large format porcelain tile on both floors and walls, creating a clean, seamless, and spa-like feel while ensuring durability and easy maintenance. Throughout the main living areas, we installed rustic waterproof wood-look flooring in a mid-tone oak, offering warmth, texture, and long-term performance—ideal for multi-generational living. This renovation balances accessibility, comfort, and modern elegance, proving that a well-designed home can be both future-ready and beautifully timeless.

Our clients had just recently closed on their new house in Stapleton and were excited to transform it into their perfect forever home. They wanted to remodel the entire first floor to create a more open floor plan and develop a smoother flow through the house that better fit the needs of their family. The original layout consisted of several small rooms that just weren’t very functional, so we decided to remove the walls that were breaking up the space and restructure the first floor to create a wonderfully open feel. After removing the existing walls, we rearranged their spaces to give them an office at the front of the house, a large living room, and a large dining room that connects seamlessly with the kitchen. We also wanted to center the foyer in the home and allow more light to travel through the first floor, so we replaced their existing doors with beautiful custom sliding doors to the back yard and a gorgeous walnut door with side lights to greet guests at the front of their home. Living Room Our clients wanted a living room that could accommodate an inviting sectional, a baby grand piano, and plenty of space for family game nights. So, we transformed what had been a small office and sitting room into a large open living room with custom wood columns. We wanted to avoid making the home feel too vast and monumental, so we designed custom beams and columns to define spaces and to make the house feel like a home. Aesthetically we wanted their home to be soft and inviting, so we utilized a neutral color palette with occasional accents of muted blues and greens. Dining Room Our clients were also looking for a large dining room that was open to the rest of the home and perfect for big family gatherings. So, we removed what had been a small family room and eat-in dining area to create a spacious dining room with a fireplace and bar. We added custom cabinetry to the bar area with open shelving for displaying and designed a custom surround for their fireplace that ties in with the wood work we designed for their living room. We brought in the tones and materiality from the kitchen to unite the spaces and added a mixed metal light fixture to bring the space together Kitchen We wanted the kitchen to be a real show stopper and carry through the calm muted tones we were utilizing throughout their home. We reoriented the kitchen to allow for a big beautiful custom island and to give us the opportunity for a focal wall with cooktop and range hood. Their custom island was perfectly complimented with a dramatic quartz counter top and oversized pendants making it the real center of their home. Since they enter the kitchen first when coming from their detached garage, we included a small mud-room area right by the back door to catch everyone’s coats and shoes as they come in. We also created a new walk-in pantry with plenty of open storage and a fun chalkboard door for writing notes, recipes, and grocery lists. Office We transformed the original dining room into a handsome office at the front of the house. We designed custom walnut built-ins to house all of their books, and added glass french doors to give them a bit of privacy without making the space too closed off. We painted the room a deep muted blue to create a glimpse of rich color through the french doors Powder Room The powder room is a wonderful play on textures. We used a neutral palette with contrasting tones to create dramatic moments in this little space with accents of brushed gold. Master Bathroom The existing master bathroom had an awkward layout and outdated finishes, so we redesigned the space to create a clean layout with a dream worthy shower. We continued to use neutral tones that tie in with the rest of the home, but had fun playing with tile textures and patterns to create an eye-catching vanity. The wood-look tile planks along the floor provide a soft backdrop for their new free-standing bathtub and contrast beautifully with the deep ash finish on the cabinetry.

This homeowner had a design challenge for our team. They were looking for something completely unique and special for their back yard. In a neighborhood with "nice" pools they didn't want something ordinary. Our designer/builder, Al Curtis, proposed something completely new. He proposed a swimming pool, built freeform, gunite, with a raised waterfall spilling, finished with the same quartzite coping as the pool, over into the pool, with a swim in grotto and a boat as a seating area at the deep end of the pool. His original idea had him taking an actual boat, reclaiming and reusing it to create this custom feature. The homeowners had other ideas once they heard his crazy cool idea, and asked if he could build it out of concrete. Of course, Al and our entire team was thrilled with the challenge, and hand crafted the boat you see entirely out of concrete, hand shaped, sculpted and molded the cement to form with such attention to detail that you can't tell from a distance that it is not a real boat hovering at the deep end of this pool! The boat was finished with a few reclaimed details from the actual boat it was modeled after...since details are just a part of the surprise and delight in a Legendary Escape, they add just the right elements to make this a very real experience. The homeowner also asked for a different type of coping next to the raised spillover gunite spa, to create the illusion of a swim up bar on the edge of the pool. The pool guy took this idea, raised the pool wall, added a custom poured concrete bar, and added a swim up ledge and in-pool bar stools with seats created out of concrete and stainless steel stands. The perfect custom features, finished with the thermoplastic of ecoFinish, the newest and best trend for a smoother more comfortable swimming surface for gunite pools, spas, sun ledges and seats that we use on our Michigan custom swimming pools, whether hybrid (vinyl liner/gunite combo) or all gunite swimming pools and spas. With the boat in place, it only made sense to create the outside of the grotto as if it were the boat house, for this one of a kind speedboat. The waterfall coming over the face of the grotto has two speeds, fast and warp speed...so jumping off, swimming through the waterfall, or heading down the slide from the dock/wharf patio area adjacent to the boat is a terrific way for kids and adults to enjoy this pool! Swim into the grotto and you are immersed in a 3-dimensional cave, with carvings of fish in vibrant color hand sculpted and painted by Karen, one of our on the job artisans who is instrumental in helping bring our sculptures and always surprising elements to life. Karen has an artistic whimsy, though she is also precise and accurate as she specializes in placing the coping just right and always making sure the tile is just right on every project. To complete this project landscaping, the homeowners looked to Jodi Cook, of Naturally Jodi to create a landscape that blended with the pool area to create a unique feel for the space. She used a variety of plants, ornamental trees, and even created pillars like you would see at a marina to complete the look. Once her landscaping was in, Al added a surprise element at the end of the dock - a lifesize alligator with a fishing rod catching a fish - as just one more detail to this project. Al, and his entire team aim to create a magical environment, where around every corner is just one more surprise that completes the awe and inspiring joy when visiting on of our Legendary Escapes! To say the homeowners are delighted just may be an understatement. Their kick off party included visits from superheros and Disney characters - enjoying all the elements of this backyard retreat in Rochester, Michigan.

This thoughtfully renovated flip was designed with both beauty and longevity in mind, featuring an ADA-accessible private suite tailored for aging in place. The layout was fully re-imagined to improve flow and daily functionality—most notably by opening up the main living areas and removing an outdated corner brick fireplace, allowing for smoother circulation and a brighter, more connected home. The primary suite was significantly expanded to create a spacious bedroom, an oversized walk-in closet, and a serene master bathroom, transforming it into a true retreat. A new patio door was added to enhance indoor-outdoor connection and bring in natural light. The kitchen was refreshed with a timeless black-and-white palette, elevated by champagne bronze hardware, updated lighting, and charming shiplap accents. A dedicated coffee bar adds both function and personality, making the space perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Bathrooms were finished with extra-large format porcelain tile on both floors and walls, creating a clean, seamless, and spa-like feel while ensuring durability and easy maintenance. Throughout the main living areas, we installed rustic waterproof wood-look flooring in a mid-tone oak, offering warmth, texture, and long-term performance—ideal for multi-generational living. This renovation balances accessibility, comfort, and modern elegance, proving that a well-designed home can be both future-ready and beautifully timeless.

This homeowner had a design challenge for our team. They were looking for something completely unique and special for their back yard. In a neighborhood with "nice" pools they didn't want something ordinary. Our designer/builder, Al Curtis, proposed something completely new. He proposed a swimming pool, built freeform, gunite, with a raised waterfall spilling, finished with the same quartzite coping as the pool, over into the pool, with a swim in grotto and a boat as a seating area at the deep end of the pool. His original idea had him taking an actual boat, reclaiming and reusing it to create this custom feature. The homeowners had other ideas once they heard his crazy cool idea, and asked if he could build it out of concrete. Of course, Al and our entire team was thrilled with the challenge, and hand crafted the boat you see entirely out of concrete, hand shaped, sculpted and molded the cement to form with such attention to detail that you can't tell from a distance that it is not a real boat hovering at the deep end of this pool! The boat was finished with a few reclaimed details from the actual boat it was modeled after...since details are just a part of the surprise and delight in a Legendary Escape, they add just the right elements to make this a very real experience. The homeowner also asked for a different type of coping next to the raised spillover gunite spa, to create the illusion of a swim up bar on the edge of the pool. The pool guy took this idea, raised the pool wall, added a custom poured concrete bar, and added a swim up ledge and in-pool bar stools with seats created out of concrete and stainless steel stands. The perfect custom features, finished with the thermoplastic of ecoFinish, the newest and best trend for a smoother more comfortable swimming surface for gunite pools, spas, sun ledges and seats that we use on our Michigan custom swimming pools, whether hybrid (vinyl liner/gunite combo) or all gunite swimming pools and spas. With the boat in place, it only made sense to create the outside of the grotto as if it were the boat house, for this one of a kind speedboat. The waterfall coming over the face of the grotto has two speeds, fast and warp speed...so jumping off, swimming through the waterfall, or heading down the slide from the dock/wharf patio area adjacent to the boat is a terrific way for kids and adults to enjoy this pool! Swim into the grotto and you are immersed in a 3-dimensional cave, with carvings of fish in vibrant color hand sculpted and painted by Karen, one of our on the job artisans who is instrumental in helping bring our sculptures and always surprising elements to life. Karen has an artistic whimsy, though she is also precise and accurate as she specializes in placing the coping just right and always making sure the tile is just right on every project. To complete this project landscaping, the homeowners looked to Jodi Cook, of Naturally Jodi to create a landscape that blended with the pool area to create a unique feel for the space. She used a variety of plants, ornamental trees, and even created pillars like you would see at a marina to complete the look. Once her landscaping was in, Al added a surprise element at the end of the dock - a lifesize alligator with a fishing rod catching a fish - as just one more detail to this project. Al, and his entire team aim to create a magical environment, where around every corner is just one more surprise that completes the awe and inspiring joy when visiting on of our Legendary Escapes! To say the homeowners are delighted just may be an understatement. Their kick off party included visits from superheros and Disney characters - enjoying all the elements of this backyard retreat in Rochester, Michigan.