Quick Summary
Selah Pools built a naturalistic outdoor environment for the Colon family in Santa Rosa Beach featuring a 15,008-gallon freeform pool with custom rock grotto, GRS10 slide, Oklahoma Stone coping and waterfall, dark blue plaster, custom spa with spillover, LED lighting, and fire feature.
Key Takeaways
- The Colon family found Selah after other contractors refused their vision for organic shapes, slides, and custom rock work.
- The outdoor living space features a freeform pool with custom rock grotto, GRS10 slide, Oklahoma Stone waterfall, and custom spa spillover.
- Oklahoma Stone coping and waterfall paired with dark blue plaster create the rustic natural aesthetic the family envisioned.
- Movie nights with outdoor screen and projector, plus a fire feature for comfort, extend the space into evening entertainment.
Every contractor said no until Selah said yes. The Colon family envisioned a rustic natural retreat that would feel more like a hidden resort than a suburban pool. They wanted organic curves, a rock grotto with slide, and materials that would ground the space in earthy authenticity. Where other builders saw complications, Selah's design team saw opportunity. The 15,008-gallon freeform pool flows around natural contours, its dark blue interior reflecting the rich browns of specially imported Oklahoma Stone. A custom rock grotto anchors one end while a waterfall creates the soundtrack of a secluded lagoon.
“Every time we approached a company they said nope, we don't do slides, we don't do rock work, we don't do organic shapes and Selah said oh yeah, let's do it.”
Tile & Plaster
Oklahoma Stone traveled from the heartland to the Emerald Coast, its weathered texture forming both the coping and the centerpiece waterfall feature. Dark blue plaster and matching waterline tile create depth that mirrors evening skies, while concrete pavers in French pattern extend the palette across the deck. The custom round spa spills into the main pool through a flat spillover, its edges seamless with the natural stonework.
Spa & Lighting
"Every time we approached a company they said nope, we don't do slides, we don't do rock work, we don't do organic shapes and Selah said oh yeah, let's do it," the family recalls. The GRS10 slide emerges from the rock grotto like a natural formation, drawing adults and children alike. LED pool lights, spa lighting, and nicheless accents transform the space after dark, while the fire feature keeps movie nights comfortable.
Project Highlights
The Colon family found Selah after other contractors refused their vision for organic shapes, slides, and custom rock work.
The outdoor living space features a freeform pool with custom rock grotto, GRS10 slide, Oklahoma Stone waterfall, and custom spa spillover.
Oklahoma Stone coping and waterfall paired with dark blue plaster create the rustic natural aesthetic the family envisioned.
Movie nights with outdoor screen and projector, plus a fire feature for comfort, extend the space into evening entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you build rock grottos and slides in coastal Florida?
Absolutely. The Colon project in Santa Rosa Beach features a Custom Rock Grotto with integrated GRS10 Slide that looks completely natural in the coastal environment. Oklahoma Stone was specially imported to create authentic textures that complement the surroundings. The design challenge lies in creating rock work that feels indigenous rather than imported. Selah's team specializes in making dramatic features like grottos appear as if they've always been part of the terrain, pairing the stone with dark blue plaster and matching waterline tile for a cohesive, naturalistic composition.
What makes a freeform pool different from geometric designs?
Freeform pools follow natural contours rather than rigid geometry, creating spaces that feel more like discovered lagoons than constructed features. The Colon family's 15,008-gallon pool flows through the outdoor living space with organic curves that accommodate both their rock grotto and waterfall feature. This design approach requires different engineering — each curve must be structurally sound while appearing effortless. The result, paired with Oklahoma Stone coping and dark blue plaster, is a pool that feels as though it belongs in the landscape rather than sitting imposed upon it.
Can pool heating systems handle extreme temperature drops?
Yes, and the Colon family proves it dramatically. Their pool heater maintained comfortable temperatures even when snow fell in Santa Rosa Beach, allowing their children to use the GRS10 slide into warm water. Modern pool heating systems can sustain performance during unusual weather events when properly sized and efficiently placed. For the Colon family, this capability transforms their outdoor living space into a year-round investment rather than a seasonal amenity — extending the enjoyment of the rock grotto, waterfall, and custom spa well beyond the typical Florida pool season.
How do you integrate fire features with water features?
Fire and water elements require careful engineering to create drama without compromise. The Colon project includes both a waterfall feature built from Oklahoma Stone and a fire feature positioned for optimal ambiance and practical benefits like natural bug control during movie nights with the outdoor projector and screen. Proper separation distances, wind considerations, and fuel line routing ensure safety while maximizing sensory impact. The fire feature becomes both functional comfort and atmospheric lighting, extending the usable hours of the outdoor living space through cooler evenings.
What outdoor entertainment systems work best near pools?
The Colon family's setup pairs an outdoor screen with a weatherproof outdoor projector, transforming the pool area into an open-air theater. The key is equipment that can handle humidity, wind, and occasional splash without constant maintenance. Their system preserves the naturalistic aesthetic of Oklahoma Stone and the rock grotto during daytime hours, then comes alive at night alongside LED pool lights, spa lighting, and nicheless accents. Combined with comfortable seating near the fire feature and a pool heater for year-round use, they've created a complete outdoor environment built around the water.
Your Natural Oasis Starts with the Right Team
Tell us your vision. We'll show you how to make it feel like it's always been there.
(817) 618-5731
