Dan Bowyer is Director of Fisher Tomlin, www.fishertomlin.com. Contact: dan@andrewfishertomlin.com.
Fiona Stephenson is a Member of the Society of Garden Designers. Contact: fionas@netcomuk.co.uk, www.fionastephensondesigns.com.
Jamie Smith is Director of London Swimming Pool Company Ltd. Contact: jamie@londonswimmingpools.com, www.londonswimmingpools.com.


A bright blue pool is fine for summer, but what do I do in the winter?
Dan says: “I saw a great pool in America, where a dark inky-blue tile lined the pool. This gave great reflections, particularly from lighting at night. It also offered an unusual lake-like quality when not in use. The colour was set off by the winter snow and looked good in summer too, so consider choosing a colour that adds a new dimension to the garden.”

Fiona says: “Many pools have a 'blue blend' mosaic interior as it is felt to be the most inviting colour, whatever the weather or time of year. I like a pale sand or stone-coloured interior – it makes the water look a natural aqua, similar to the slightly greener colour of clear shallow water on a sandy beach. It is effective in a country setting and works well with limestone paving.”

Jamie says: “Some people like to keep their pool open through the winter for some bracing home swimming, and some like it open to provide a pleasing water feature. To this end, clients are choosing to build their pools with less vivid colour interior tiles, eg green and black, which do not look out of place during the darker months. The pool still needs to be cleaned and the water balanced as required during the winter.”


Will an infinity edge work in my garden?
Dan says: “An infinity edge works best where there is a good level change that opens up onto a distant view. Many of the pools we design in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean have great coastal views that lend themselves naturally to this design. In the absence of distance I would opt for something that focuses on the space, and away from surrounding distractions such as other houses.”

Fiona says: “It is a wonderfully contemplative feeling to swim in a pool while drinking in a view of a distant landscape, or a sea and sky view. Stunning sunset colours can be reflected in the water if the pool is west-facing. One slightly surprising fact is that the water becomes still very quickly, because the waves caused when you dive flow over the edge rather than bounce back from the poolside.”

Jamie says: “Infinity edge design is very much in vogue and it gives the illusion that the pool extends endlessly, all the way to the horizon. The infinite edge of the pool will draw the eye of the observer so it is important that there is something beautiful beyond it. The design is best suited to a natural sweeping landscape and on a smaller site a pleasing backdrop could be created.”


How can I integrate the pool with my garden design?
Dan says: “In a large garden, create a separate space for the pool; structure the area around it with planted beds. A boundary wall will make it more secure and safe and allows for a different planting theme. If the garden is small and chic, make the pool the focus of the space, add some glamorous lights and exotic planting and invite some friends over.”

Fiona says: “Ideally, place the pool in the sunniest part of the garden without overhanging trees. It helps to include a warm south- or west-facing brick or stone wall, to reflect the sun's warmth, particularly when the evening air chills. I find one of the best ways to merge a pool into a view from the house is to create planting areas in between. You can see over them but they hide the ground plane (ie. pool cover). Or you can treat it as a separate space for summer use only.”

Jamie says: “A custom-built pool will best complement your style of garden since you can determine size and shape, and choose from the vast selection of new colours and materials, such as basalt and granite, to match any design whether traditional or modern. Different level coping stones and islands, water features and LED lighting can be incorporated for dramatic effects.”


Lap or infinity pool?
Dan says: “Lap pools are a good investment for serious swimmers and look great in a contemporary space, where they can double up as sleek reflective strips of water. But you need at least fifteen metres for a decent length. If you have limited space, consider a counter-current pool or infinity pool – great for city bachelor pads or roof gardens. Remember that only one person can use it at a time for swimming but they double up as spas for evening entertaining.”

Fiona says: “Narrow lap pools are great for a narrow or hillside site, but it still needs to be three metres wide, and ideally at least twenty metres long; if four metres can be carved out, then two people can comfortably swim side by side.”

Jamie says: “Virtually any outdoor ground-level space can accommodate what is often referred to as a swimmer's treadmill, and a survey by a reputable pool company will determine which solution will be most suitable for your garden. The pit size required for a one-piece design that incorporates the jet technology is approximately twelve feet by twenty feet, with a depth of five feet. A separate counter-current swimming unit can be also be fitted to a new or existing pool as small as fourteen feet by six feet, and can provide the same exercise benefits as a traditional, large pool used for lap swimming.”

Useful contacts

The Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association (SPATA), www.spata.co.uk

Swimming Pool installers/creators/designers

London Swimming Pool Company Ltd , www.londonswimmingpools.com

Endless Pools, www.endlessPools.co.uk

Natural swimming pool installers/creators/designers

Anglo Swimming Ponds, www.angloswimmingponds.co.uk

Woodhouse Natural Pools, www.naturalswimmingpools.com

Pool cleaning equipment, steps, boards etc

Astral UK Ltd, www.astralpool.com

Plastica, www.plasticapools.com

Tile suppliers and designers

Craig Bragdy Designs, www.cbdpools.com

Stonell Ltd, www.stonell.com