Springtime is the perfect opportunity to plan your aesthetic outdoor vision before summer. 068 magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Jamie Scott, the owner of Group Works LLC in Wilton, and Cristian Sanchez, the owner of Creative Minds Landscaping LLC in New Milford, on tips and trends for glamming up your yard and pool.
Don’t have a pool and are thinking about installing one? Scott says that there are important factors to consider. “Is there a slope on the land? What does that mean in terms of where it can be placed?” says Scott. “One vital part of the design process is for us to research the town criteria. There are setbacks from property lines that you need to adhere to and maintain.” Another natural factor that Scott and Sanchez both agree is important is sunlight. Too much sun can be mitigated with the use of shade structures.
Accessibility, which Scott describes as the flow, should also be a consideration. “How do you move around the pool? How do you go back to the house? Where are the walkways?” he says.
As for the long-term use of the area, Group Works Business Developer Bonnee Pecquex, says that it’s essential not to think of the pool as a separate entity. “You need to look at the whole property ,” she says.
All technical aspects aside, the beauty and design of the landscape are just as important. “You don’t want to build something that has no relationship to the existing surrounding landscape and with the house,” says Scott.
When choosing decor, keep in mind weather conditions. “The type of material that we use for the patio is made to be able to withstand the heat as well as winter seasons with the frost,” says Sanchez.
Scott and Sanchez also made their predictions of what will be trending this summer. “I think we’re going to see a lot more pool houses being built. They may want an area more with shade, so I think pool pavilions are becoming more of a thing in this area,” says Sanchez.
Scott predicts we will see more cold plunges as well as cocktail pools. “It’s a small pool with lots of benches and lots of social space,” he says. “We’re also seeing decorative tile instead of the interior of the pool
being plaster.”
Both owners are involved every step of the way. “If there’s ever an issue on the job, I’m always coming up with a solution,” says Sanchez. As for GroupWorks, Scott says that they not only look at the property from a technical aspect, but also from a beauty standpoint. “I really think of the pool in terms of the overall landscape,” he says.
Be sure to check out their websites at groupworksllc.com and creativemindslandscapingllc.com. •
