The Pool

The pool was technically finished February 26, but I didn't want to post pictures until the landscaping was in place. It is now not only finished, but it's officially in use as well. 

Here is the BEFORE shot. This big backyard was just begging for a pool, so who were we to argue?!

The fun begins...The digging started January 27, 2012.


No turning back now...The hole looked REALLY big.


The next step was rebar and plumbing...



They did the gunite January 31, 2012.  This was a really interesting process to watch, and the pool was finally starting to look like a pool.


By February 9, the gunite had cured, flagstone coping was in place and the patio was formed.  Oh, and we'd had about a week of rain...


After many more days of rain delays, it was finally time for the plaster.  We chose to go with a darker blue Quartzscape and couldn't be happier.  This was another fun day to watch, as this was also blown in with hoses, then smoothed in place, like the gunite.


While the plaster cured, they pored the pea gravel decking around the pool.  All done (minus some much-needed landscaping) on February 26, 2012.


And here are some pictures I took today.  We added beds and lots of palm trees.  Our favorite palm varieties are the Canary Palms, and Robelini Palms.  We also added a couple lounge chairs and new umbrellas to the patio area.


Here is a shot of the equipment area.  We added a second gate for security.  The rocks around the equipment have been great, but the BEST addition has been the sidewalk that runs from patio to the driveway. There are so many great things about the pool so it's almost silly that the sidewalk is one of our favorite things (but it is!).


This is the view coming through the gate into the yard.


And the view from the lounge area. 

Night and Day

We've continued to work on the front yard... Dan worked nearly 3 days straight adding rocks around the flower beds...

...and lighting!

The Big Reveal

We closed October 17, and immediately started moving and unpacking. Nearly 3 weeks later, the house is finally ready to be seen! (Well, a few rooms anyway!)


We spent yesterday working in the yard. When we moved in there were quite a few dead bushes and some crepe myrtles that needed to come out. We planted some burford hollys by the house and left the row of boxwoods in front. We also added two italian cypress trees, two japanese blueberry shrubs and a sago palm. I plan to add some flowers around the sago palm soon!


The entry way...one of my favorite spaces. Just wished I knew how to decorate it.


Our new living room furniture looks beautiful in here with the rug. We are planning on adding built-ins on either side of the fireplace.


The dining room is furnished, but needs help. It's much larger than our previous dining room, and even with the table fully extended it still needs more (like a larger rug, for sure).


The kitchen! We are loving the wild granite and island!



Our favorite room happens to be the playroom/TV room upstairs. Hopefully, I'll have some more pictures soon!