Custom Pool Project Ideas

Purington-Pool-surround

Hardscaping your outdoor living spaces requires as much style and quality as your interior rooms. That is why brick is growing in popularity — especially the unrivalled beauty of reclaimed vintage bricks. Explore the possibilities as our clients show off their projects, from pool decks to fire pits.

Pool Design Ideas

Pool design is an expansion of current modern building trends. Even larger houses are being constructed on a small piece of land with ever-increasing market value. Because of this, the space available to construct a pool is continually being compressed. With limited space, designers look for innovative solutions. The surrounding patio of your pool area is the transitional point for incorporating pool design ideas into your existing home layout. Below, we explore a couple of ways pool design can be used and how you may want to incorporate surrounding patio design in order to achieve your desired effect.


Pool Design Use: For Entertaining and Relaxing

Many people use their backyards for entertaining and relaxing. It is a place where families come together to watch television, relax and enjoy each other's company. When designing your pool, The patio area is an important consideration on how to make the most of your available space. Are you planning on having large backyard pool parties or do you want it to feel more like an intimate spa day. Obviously, by deciding on your pool’s primary use, you can design an environment that will meet your specific needs when it comes to entertainment or relaxation or, with enough room, both!

Pool Design Use: For Exercising

Small outdoor pool areas can be converted to relaxing outdoor workout areas. Small outdoor pool areas can be created by adding a small paving area around your pool. This type of transformation is especially useful for those who live in extremely small residential lots. By converting an outdated open-air patio area into an indoor/outdoor pool area, you will have all the space you need for a lap pool and/or spa. 

To create this type of transformation, consider these important factors. These factors are size, shape, and depth.

Pool Design: Size Considerations

Before you begin your pool design project, it's important to carefully measure the available area for your pool installation. With just a few inches of space to spare, your pool area can expand significantly. The last thing you want is to have a pool the size of your yard, but not large enough for your family and friends to comfortably swim and socialize in. Keep this in mind when planning your pool design and location. Is your pool area large enough to give you the features you want while also allowing enough room for out-of-pool experiences.  


Pool Design: Shape Considerations

The shape of your pool area will greatly affect the size and shape of your pool, as well as your pool lighting. Not all pools have to be symmetrical in shape. Matter of fact, having an asymmetrical shape provides focal points where you can have pool or patio features that contribute to the overall experience your pool design creates. 

Pool Design: Depth Considerations

The depth of your pool area will greatly affect the options you have for your swimming pool design and your lap pool lights. It is possible to have shallow swimming pools while at the same time maintaining the comfort of being in a deep pool. The type of pool design you select should be dependent on the comfort of your family and guests, as well as your personal preference. When considering the depth of the pool, also consider how family and guests will enter and exit your pool. Do you want them to feel the bottom when they get in? Are ladders the only way to get in and out or are you willing to give us a usable pool area for steps or zero-entry access. 

There are many different shapes and sizes of pools that you can incorporate into your pool design. Most homeowners prefer to have a pool that flows into a patio area that offers relaxing poolside experiences for their family and friends. The best pool patio ideas include having a pool that is surrounded by unique patio features. A flowing pool and an attractive patio design provides an excellent opportunity to make your home a place for relaxation and entertainment. 

Contact us at Gavin Historical Bricks before you begin the design of your pool. With our experience, we’ll be able to provide you with more than just a pool but a backyard experience that will welcome you for years to come. 

Antique European Blend Cobblestone Pool - New Paltz, NY

Classic use of antique reclaimed cobblestone in this beautiful pool area in New York. 

Old Chicago Pool and Patio - Brentwood, CA

This expansive pool and patio area proves that you can use Old Chicagos in wide areas without them ever becoming boring. Their soft shades of buffs and pinks create a variegated effect that's endlessly interesting. Reclaimed from Chicago's demolished warehouses, many of them are stamped with the "union made" logo.

Old Chicago Fire Pit

Here we see Old Chicagos paving a patio and building an inviting fire pit. Their intriguing worn effects come from a century of duty in Chicago warehouses and depots. The "union made" stamp on many of them bears witness to their proud heritage of quality and durability. They're available in lighter hues of buff and pink.

Purington Paver Fire Pit

Made in Illinois at the renowned Purington Brickyards, these pavers were preferred throughout 19th century America for the exceptional durability. We reclaim them from demolished city streets so that they can find new life in new projects such as this in-ground fire pit. We think it's the perfect design to show off their weathered charm.

Purington-Paver-Fire-Pit-Gable-firepit

Purington Pool Project - Barrington, IL

You won't find anything like these weathered, variegated bricks in recently manufactured products. These are the genuine vintage article, produced in the famous Purington Brickyards for 19th century America's streets and other outdoor areas. The dark palette of maroon to dark purple makes a strong contrast with the pool's brilliant turquoise.

Purington-Pool-surround

Purington Pool Project - Philadelphia, PA

Thanks to their rich, red/purple medley, reclaimed Antique Puringtons are a favorite for pool decks where the designer wants a bold color contrast. They are also a practical choice for wet environments such as a pool surround, having withstood weather and traffic in the streets of historic American towns for 100 years or more.

old black and white image of a car and trolly resting above a cobblestone paved street

Historical Street Pavers

Made to withstand centuries of heavy traffic, these vintage street pavers for sale are reclaimed from quaint old streets throughout the Midwest. Choose from America’s largest selection to create your one-of-a-kind driveway, patio or walkway. After more than 100 years, these reclaimed street pavers are still in superb condition, with durability and charm unmatched today. And they will not fade as modern concrete pavers do. We will be delighted to help you find the perfect size, color and texture antique recycled brick pavers for your project, and ship nationwide direct to your job site. While you’re looking for antique brick pavers for sale, you can find inspiration for your next project in our gallery of street paver bricks. Be sure to also check out our sidewalk pavers.

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Stunning Projects & Satisfied Clients

We're In Love With Our Yard

“We have used pavers from Historical Bricks on several projects. The antique brick pavers and cobblestones contribute to the sense the pavers has been in place forever. Clients love this aspect of our work.”

Phil Liederbach, Liederbach & Graham Architects
Chicago, IL
newly finished antique brick patio project

The End Result is Beautiful

“It was such serendipity that I found you all. I desperately wanted to use antique cobblestones on our driveway and you were so great to find the perfect stone that fit our budget. Thank you!”

Private Homeowner
Charlotte, NC

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ABOUT US

Who We Are

To save the past by reclaiming highest quality brick and stone from America’s historic towns and cities. To beautify the present by making these authentic antiques available to build or restore unique and distinctive residential and commercial properties. To protect the future by upholding the “green” principles of reclaim and reuse.

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John C. Gavin, Founder

Started Historical Bricks after spending 25 years as a senior member of Leonhardt Sullivan and Associates, a management engineering consulting firm with experience in the US, Canada, South America and Europe.

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Mike Gavin, Partner

Joined the family business after graduating from Butler University with a degree in Marketing and receiving a JD from the University of Iowa College of Law. Mike and his wife Annie have a son, Danny, and two daughters, Elsie and Betsy.

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