Let’s Chappool
My favorite time of year is officially upon us… pool season! Or as we lovingly call it around here, Chappool season. For the past five years, our little backyard oasis has been our go-to summer sanctuary, and it recently occurred to me…I’ve never given it a proper blog moment! So let’s change that, shall we?
I’ve rounded up the most commonly asked questions I get from friends, followers, and fellow pool dreamers so you have a one-stop resource if you’re ever in the market for a little summer sanctuary of your own.
SHOP MY BACKYARD
Why fiberglass? A few reasons:
+ It requires minimal maintenance (a win in my book),
+ It’s non-porous, which means easier chemical management,
+ It never needs recoating, and according to Johnny, it has superior structural integrity. (His words, not mine—but I thoroughly trust his researching skills)
One thing to note: you can’t fully customize the shape or size since they’re pre-cast in a factory. But since we were set on a timeless rectangular shape, it worked perfectly for us. And rest assured, this is not your grandparent’s 1983 fiberglass pool.
SHOP MY BACKYARD
The Bells & Whistles
Since we kept the pool itself simple, we had a little fun with the extras:
+ Italian porcelain pavers with a non-skid texture for both form and function
+ A custom porcelain slab swim-up bar and fire pit by Italy Marble & Granite (be mindful of how dark you go as it can get hot in the warmest months)
+ A Sonance sound system complete with 3 buried subwoofers (because Johnny is a loon with this stuff)
+ Pentair MicroBrite LED lighting for those magical twilight swims
+ An outdoor shower for rinsing off muddy piggies
+ Decking by TimberTech that’s as durable as it is beautiful
+ A dreamy daybed swing and succulent planters made from repurposed horse fencing (also featured in our wine wall—yay for reusing!)
+ Outdoor furniture sourced by our pool and landscape designer, PJE….primarily RH. And if I may take a moment to gush about PJE….goodness talk about bringing a vision to life and then some. What you can’t see in these pics is the impossible grade our back yard presented….but after seeing PJE design the Indy Dream Home’s Pool, we knew we were in the best hands and that Phil and his team (Hi, Blair) were indeed the crew for this complex job. To say they delivered would be a massive understatement…..truly, this is the backyard of our dreams! If you want to see some of Phil’s other stunning projects, sneak a peek at their INSTAGRAM….inspo for days!
+ Plus, all the extras—umbrellas, fabrics, fans—linked HERE for easy reference
The Basics
Our pool is a 16’ x 35’ rectangle—simple, clean, and just the way we wanted it. After lots (and I mean L O T S) of research, Johnny landed on an Aspen Fiberglass pool by Thursday Pools, and we’ve been absolutely thrilled with our decision.
SHOP MY BACKYARD
Our Favorite Escape
This space has truly become our happy place. There’s just something about it that makes summer feel sweeter. So much so, I find myself skipping travel plans just to soak it all in right here at home.
If you’re dreaming up your own backyard retreat, I hope this post gives you a little inspiration!
And just in case you’re more of a visual person (hi, me too!), here’s a little peek at our Chappool setup in all its sunny, serene glory. From the swim-up bar to the striped towels and those layered planters—this space is a labor of love, and every detail has a story. Whether it’s poolside lounging, cannonball contests, or sipping something chilled under the umbrella, this spot is summer magic come to life.
SHOP MY BACKYARD
