Quick Summary
Selah Pools built a naturalistic outdoor environment for the Isaac family in Anna featuring a 30,103-gallon freeform pool with custom spa, stone fire pit, negative edge, sheer descent, scupper, flat spillover, tanning ledge, EcoLuxe beach, and composite walkways.
Key Takeaways
- The Isaac family sought a naturalistic retreat that would feel like an extension of their Anna property's natural landscape.
- The 30,103-gallon freeform pool features negative edge, custom spa, stone fire pit, multiple water features, and EcoLuxe beach surfaces.
- Gunite construction, trim tile details, composite board surfaces, and stone elements create a refined yet organic material palette.
- In-floor cleaning system and concealed equipment screen maintain the naturalistic aesthetic without visible pool infrastructure.
The Isaac family envisioned their Anna property as an extension of the natural landscape, where organic curves and stone elements would create an outdoor sanctuary that felt discovered rather than constructed. Selah's design team responded with a freeform pool that follows the natural contours of the lot, complemented by water features that echo the sounds of nature. The negative edge creates the illusion that water spills into the horizon, while the custom stone fire pit anchors evening gatherings. Multiple water features—sheer descents, scuppers, and flat spillovers—layer sound and movement throughout the space, transforming the outdoor living space into a sensory retreat where every element feels purposeful yet unforced.
“They explained why building the pool a certain way was important, which made me feel way better about the investment.”
Materials & Finishes
Gunite construction allows the pool's organic shape to flow naturally across the 30,103-gallon capacity, while trim tile on the tanning ledge and steps provides refined detail without disrupting the naturalistic aesthetic. The custom freeform spa integrates seamlessly into the pool's edge, creating a heated retreat that feels carved from the landscape itself. EcoLuxe beach material extends the pool environment into walkable surfaces that complement the stone elements throughout.
Design & Features
The custom stone fire pit becomes the evening focal point, while two aerators add gentle water movement that catches light throughout the day. A 10-foot composite board bench and matching 4x8-foot walkway provide durable, low-maintenance surfaces that age gracefully alongside the plaster pool finish and stone steps.
Project Highlights
The Isaac family sought a naturalistic retreat that would feel like an extension of their Anna property's natural landscape.
The 30,103-gallon freeform pool features negative edge, custom spa, stone fire pit, multiple water features, and EcoLuxe beach surfaces.
Gunite construction, trim tile details, composite board surfaces, and stone elements create a refined yet organic material palette.
In-floor cleaning system and concealed equipment screen maintain the naturalistic aesthetic without visible pool infrastructure.
What Our Customers Say
4.8 stars from 154+ reviews
“My wife and I really enjoyed getting to work with Caleb on potential designs for our new pool.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pool look naturally formed rather than constructed?
Naturalistic pools require freeform gunite construction that follows organic curves rather than geometric lines, exactly as Selah created for the Isaac family in Anna. Their 30,103-gallon pool's negative edge and multiple water features—sheer descent, scupper, and flat spillover—layer natural sounds throughout the space while the custom stone fire pit anchors the design with elemental materials. The key is integrating features that echo nature's patterns while concealing all mechanical elements. Their in-floor cleaning system and 8-foot equipment screen maintain pristine function without disrupting the organic aesthetic.
What makes EcoLuxe beach different from regular pool decking?
EcoLuxe beach creates a naturally textured, slip-resistant surface that extends the pool environment beyond the water's edge, as installed throughout the Isaac project's walkways and beach areas. Unlike standard concrete or stone that absorbs and radiates heat, EcoLuxe complements stone elements while providing comfortable barefoot surfaces throughout the outdoor living space. The material also provides natural drainage and visual continuity with the naturalistic design. Combined with the 10-foot composite board bench and 4x8-foot walkway, the Isaac family enjoys durable surfaces that age gracefully alongside their stone and plaster finishes.
How do multiple water features work together in one pool?
Strategic layering creates symphony rather than chaos. The Betancourt design orchestrates three distinct water voices: the sheer descent provides a clean curtain of falling water, tiered spillovers add rhythmic cascading sounds, and the bubbler introduces playful counterpoint to the linear geometry. Each operates independently but contributes to a unified soundscape. The negative edge adds the subtle sound of water disappearing over the horizon, completing the sensory experience.
Can you integrate a spa that doesn't look like an add-on?
Custom freeform spa construction allows seamless integration into the pool's organic design, exactly as Selah built for the Isaac family's naturalistic retreat. Their custom spa flows directly from the pool's edge without visible separation, maintaining the illusion of a naturally formed water feature carved from the landscape. The gunite construction method enables sculpting spa walls and benches that follow the pool's freeform curves. Combined with matching plaster finishes and integrated lighting, the result feels like one continuous body of water with varying depths and temperatures—perfectly suited to their naturalistic aesthetic.
How do you hide pool equipment in a naturalistic design?
Equipment screens and strategic placement preserve naturalistic aesthetics while maintaining service access, as demonstrated by the 8-foot equipment screen installed for the Isaac project. The screen blends with their stone and composite materials while completely concealing pumps, filters, and mechanical components from view. In-floor cleaning systems eliminate the need for visible cleaning equipment or hoses stored near the pool. Combined with auto-fill plumbing and concealed lighting infrastructure, every mechanical component disappears behind natural-looking barriers, ensuring the Isaac family's outdoor living space maintains its organic character year-round.
Your Naturalistic Retreat Starts Here
Tell us how you imagine your outdoor sanctuary. We'll show you what's possible.
(817) 618-5731
