At 12 by 16 feet, this model has a constant depth of 4 feet. Access to the pool is by corner steps, while places to relax or look out on the gulf are provided by benches on two sides of the rectangular pool.

Providing a refined frame for the pool is stamped concrete decking and a brick coping. The earthly tones provide a contrast with the white of the home, patio furniture and sandy beach while allowing a spacious and cool place for poolside lounging.

Fiber-optic lighting completes the scene.

This 12-by-16-foot pool was requested because the home owner wanted a pool that could be incorporated into an existing wood deck without interfering with the beautiful stamped concrete walkway surrounding the home.

This bay front home with an adjacent canal made the site access difficult, however. The pool is elevated about 3 feet to match the existing deck. The wrap-around wood deck, planter boxes and wooden planter waterfall are uniquely integrated with the lush vegetation to provide a tropical backyard setting.

But the 12-by-16-foot swim spa saw reality soon after. The extensive terraced planters with fiber-optic lighting offer a stunning effect at night, as does the waterfall from one of the planters. Decking and landscaping was halF the cost of the installation, but note how the extensive plantings help it blend into the surrounding woods like it was always meant to be there.