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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

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The affordable alternative to having a pool

The affordable alternative to having a pool

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Living the dream: pools to drool over

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Outdoor inspiration: Beautiful backyard pools

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Why you need to start now if you want a pool by summer

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This pool is on top of a 55-storey skyscraper in London

This pool is on top of a 55-storey skyscraper in London

House Rules reveal: Tim & Mat's Melbourne cottage is completely transformed

House Rules reveal: Tim & Mat's Melbourne cottage is completely transformed

House Rules reveal: the first backyard challenge

House Rules reveal: the first backyard challenge

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House Rules reveal: Shock elimination and a magnificently renovated family home

House Rules reveal: Shock elimination and a magnificently renovated family home

House Rules reveal: Katie & Alex’s crumbling cottage transformation

House Rules reveal: Katie & Alex’s crumbling cottage transformation

House Rules reveal: Mikaela & Eliza's stunning coastal dream home

House Rules reveal: Mikaela & Eliza's stunning coastal dream home

House Rules reveal: Tim & Mat's Victorian cottage renovation

House Rules reveal: Tim & Mat's Victorian cottage renovation

House Rules reveal: Shayn & Carly's brick bunker transformed into a dream home

House Rules reveal: Shayn & Carly's brick bunker transformed into a dream home

Pete & Courtney are blown away by their incredible kitchen

Pete & Courtney are blown away by their incredible kitchen

Style Rules Episode 2: Pete and Courtney's reno reveal

Style Rules Episode 2: Pete and Courtney's reno reveal

  1. Home
  2. House Rules

Before and after pool transformation

From dated and unsafe to an architectural dream - by Diana Moore
  • 17 Jul 2018
Before and after pool transformation

Kim and Michelle’s pool was tired, messy, unsafe and in serious need of a makeover. It took contestants Mel and Dave just four days to transform into a stunning outdoor zone for the whole family to share.

Taking up the middle section of their three-level backyard in the property they share in Tweed Heads, House Rules mother and daughter team Kim and Michelle’s pool area served as an essential relaxation space for the whole family, including Michelle and her sister’s children.

Before and after pool transformation | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

Before

Before and after pool transformation | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

Before

The pool itself was in good condition and its position on the side of a hill allowed them to take in incredible views of the surrounding Tweed Valley. The landscaping had become outdated however, with one side dominated by an enormous retaining wall of giant boulders and the other open to the edge of a dangerously steep drop down to the next level of their backyard.

This presented a huge challenge to makeover but competitive couple Mel and Dave were up to the task with some clever solutions in their design.

Enclose the retaining wall with streamlined timber panelling

The boulder wall was sound, just unsightly and had overgrown with plants (and the odd snake!). Rather than tackle a complete renovation of the structure, a timber feature wall was created to cover it and reflect the new “Balinese” decorating scheme. The rake of the wall sloped back into the hill at the top and Mel and Dave included a recessed area where they positioned an over-sized mandala artwork for added impact.

Before and after pool transformation | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

After: architectural wonder

Pour concrete to surround the pool

Mel and Dave opted to replace the sandy coloured pavers with poured concrete to surround the entire pool area, embedding a stylish row of railway sleepers into the concrete for added detail and texture.

Before and after pool transformation | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

After: cozy spots to chat

Replace the tradition pool fence with a modern glass panelled fence

The existing pool fence boxed in the whole area away from the boulder wall and was in need of an update. Key to the whole design was for Mel and Dave to replace it with a panelled glass pool fence along the outside boundary, which disappeared from view and opened up the entire pool area.

Before and after pool transformation | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

Glass pool fence was added

Create relaxation zones with luxurious seating groups

A pair of oversized woven tub chairs were positioned at the entrance for form a lovely place to chat and observe swimming children in comfort. At the other end of the pool, a more substantial outdoor suite and a pair of colourful loungers created a chill out zone.

Before and after pool transformation | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

Lounging zones and extra space

Create a welcoming entrance to the zone with potted plants

A dramatic collection of potted plants at the entrance to the pool area brought the whole space to life without compromising space or safety inside the pool fence.

You might also like:

House Rules reveal: Kim and Michelle's Tweed Heads home makeover

Before & After: Goodbye backyard shed, hello pool cabana!

10 Things Your Landscaper Won’t Tell You

  • Outdoor
  • Renovate
  • Landscaping
  • Backyard Ideas
  • Garden Design
  • Outdoor Furniture
  • Pools
  • House Rules
Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
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{headline}

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The affordable alternative to having a pool

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Living the dream: pools to drool over

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This pool is on top of a 55-storey skyscraper in London

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House Rules reveal: Shock elimination and a magnificently renovated family home

House Rules reveal: Shock elimination and a magnificently renovated family home

House Rules reveal: Katie & Alex’s crumbling cottage transformation

House Rules reveal: Katie & Alex’s crumbling cottage transformation

House Rules reveal: Mikaela & Eliza's stunning coastal dream home

House Rules reveal: Mikaela & Eliza's stunning coastal dream home

House Rules reveal: Tim & Mat's Victorian cottage renovation

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House Rules reveal: Shayn & Carly's brick bunker transformed into a dream home

House Rules reveal: Shayn & Carly's brick bunker transformed into a dream home

Pete & Courtney are blown away by their incredible kitchen

Pete & Courtney are blown away by their incredible kitchen

Style Rules Episode 2: Pete and Courtney's reno reveal

Style Rules Episode 2: Pete and Courtney's reno reveal

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