In the swim for summer

just to add a little bit of fun to the space.’’

Retro comeback

While most pool designs seem to be about maintaining simplicity, Hatcher says it’s worth keeping an open mind for all things 1970s.

‘‘It might not suit everyone but the once-maligned kidneyshaped pool is having a resurgence, and its retro 1970s design is definitely cool again!’’

Colour matching

Hatcher has a simple system for working out what colours might best suit your future pool.

‘‘If you live near the coast and have a largely coastal palette of colours surrounding your home then blue tiles or render for the pool works well. For a pool in a bushland setting with grey, brown and green surrounds, consider a contemporary green look for your pool to flow on from and blend well with the rest of the exterior of your property.’’

‘‘Clients no longer want the backyard to be ‘all pool’, realising that it becomes a dead space in winter.’’

Vanessa Hedges

Smart pools

Finally, no one wants to give themselves more work or spend more money when it comes to installing and taking care of a backyard pool. Hedges knows that the one thing all of her clients can agree on when it comes to a new pool is that it must be cost effective and easy to maintain.

‘‘It is all about the selfcleaning pool nowadays and if there is one thing that everyone looks for it is a ‘lowmaintenance’ installation, as pools can be tricky to care for.’’

– domain-com-au