Date:  June 5, 2013  |   Story: Izabella Simmons  |   Styling: Mandy Keener  |  

Gary Ingle wanted to give his wife, LeeAnn, the birthday wish she had always dreamed of—a backyard swimming pool. Soon after learning of her husband’s generous gift, the couple met with longtime friend and pool designer Larry Rogers. Working closely with Larry, the Ingles set out to create a backyard that reflected their vision, including a pool area for entertainment and a retreat to enjoy year-round.

The first step was to take stock of the unfinished backyard. A pre-project survey pleasantly surprised the couple. The property lines revealed a footprint larger than expected, which enabled them to accommodate multiple design elements—in both the pool and backyard itself.

After months of work, the newly installed curved pool features a spa, an inviting swim-up bar and a cook center covered by a cabana. Multiple waterfall elements surround the pool to create unending harmony. “The spa is for me and Gary is in charge of the cook center,” says LeeAnn, indicating who wears the chef’s hat among the two. The large stone fireplace is used during the cooler months and adds a warm element to social gatherings.

One of the most unique elements of the space is the custom swim-up tabletop. “I wanted to personalize our pool, so I decided to imprint my nickname, Lola, into a table, ” says LeeAnn. Her work assistant helped sketch the non-traditional font, which reflects her fun-loving personality. From there, an internet search led her to a tile maker in San Diego, California, who designed the mosaic and then shipped it in twelve different pieces. “Putting the mosaic together was great fun—it was a big jigsaw puzzle and it took us several hours to assemble,” reminisces LeeAnn.

While the tabletop element is visual, one of Gary’s favorite features is hidden—a pool chiller, which controls the water temperature. “With the push of a button I can instantly cool the pool water by fifteen degrees,” says Gary, who admits the feature comes in handy during the blazing Arkansas summer months.

Because of their passion for the space and their enthusiasm to see it completed, the Ingles stayed engaged throughout the planning and building phases. They hand-selected every plant in the manicured garden and placed the stones in the garden with a dedicated purpose, putting a truly personal touch on a birthday present they are both sure to enjoy for years to come.

Design Resources

Pool design and installation Larry Rogers, Parrot Bay Pools and Spas, (501) 664-6861, parrotbaypools.com 

Countertops and bar Custom Concrete Designs, Little Rock, (501) 912-8855, customconcretedesigns.net

Landscape, stonework and fireplace installation Robert Connell, Arkansas Tree & Landscape, Little Rock, (501) 912-1720