Any Mediterranean style is popular for the pool. Many homeowners opt for some version of a Greek or Roman pool. However, a gorgeous update on this idea is to create a Spanish-style swimming pool retreat.
Many cultures have influenced Spanish style, including Persian, Moorish, and Moroccan cultures. Spain itself stood as the influence for a lot of Mexican architecture, so you find elements of the new-world style in old-world Spanish design. The following five ideas would create beautiful versions of a Spanish-style pool.
A quatrefoil is a shape that looks like four overlapping circles. However, when it comes to swimming pools, this custom shape typically consists of a rectangle with a half-circle on either end. Sometimes the entrance pulls out the shape on one of the long sides, or sometimes designers plan the steps in one of the half-circles.
The quatrefoil resembles a Moorish arabesque, which is why this pool shape works so well with a Spanish design style. To show off the shape of the pool, consider a brilliant liner, such as an exposed aggregate of glass beads.
Tile work is very common in Spanish architecture. For the coping, or the cap of the pool shell wall, consider using tile. You have two ways to go for the coloration. One is the warm terra cotta you expect to find in Spanish markets. This look is ideal if you want a more casual look for your pool.
The other option is glazed tile. Again, this style of tile has its roots in the Moorish influence on Spain. The tiles are often brightly colored and glazed to a high gloss. However, if that's too much color for your pool coping, consider a two-tone tile, such as blue and white.
Many swimming pools feature decorative water features, such as waterfalls or fountains. A classic style for any Mediterranean pool is the statue fountain. However, a Moroccan-style fountain gives your pool a decidedly Spanish feel.
Moroccan-style fountains are usually on the wall, so this style would be suitable if one end of your pool abuts a wall. Moroccan-style fountains feature a keyhole shape and are usually tiled. When combined with a swimming pool, designers typically have the water spill from the face into a reservoir. Spouts from the wall of the reservoir spill the water into the swimming pool.
Pottery is another mainstay of Spanish style. In fact, the Landscaping Network describes a Spanish-style swimming pool that features terra cotta urns on platforms making inlets into the pool. The urns serve as planters.
You don't have to build special platforms in your pool just for your urns. You could locate them around the perimeter, especially any place you want to landscape for privacy. If you're not having a Moroccan-style water fountain installed, the urns could become your fountain. For this effect, they're usually lying on the side as though the water is spilling out.
Many homeowners include a cabana as part of their backyard pool retreat. Arches and symmetry characterize Spanish design, so this is an ideal style for your cabana. The cabana can be simple or rise to the level of pool house, but try to incorporate symmetrical arches in the design no matter the scale.
Plaster, stone, and tiles are common materials in Spanish architecture. One option is a white plaster structure that shows off colorful tile work. Another option is to use warm-hued stone finished with Talavera tiles, which is a colorfully glazed tile. For the roof of your cabana, consider traditional barrel tiles, or a composite that resembles the traditional clay.
Channel a beautiful Spanish getaway as the influence for your backyard swimming pool retreat. Visit Sequoyah Pools for even more innovative design inspiration.
