Chlorine (a reactive history)
Swimming pools and chlorine have been synonymous for more than a century. Even today as alternative sanitizers and technologies designed to reduce, or some say eliminate, the use of chlorine, gain market share, products based on this most familiar element remain the workhorse of recreational water treatment. ...
Old West, New West
The most beautiful bodies of man-made water aren’t worth much without the people who maintain them. The profound importance, and enduring nature, of the traditional independent pool service industry was on Eric Herman’s mind as he attended this year’s, forty fifth edition of the Western Pool & Spa Show. ...
Onboarding and Certification
Watershape University supports industry professionals across a spectrum of informational needs and topics. As the busy season approaches, with companies expanding their staff, WU online, on-demand programs are at the ready to ensure your staff is prepared to perform at the highest possible level. ...
A Living Tribute
The presence of water in the landscape can stir deep emotions, and sometimes even help soothe the pain of a lost loved one. That was case in the project described here, where a beautiful stream and waterfall installation serves as a centerpiece of a property that is devoted to love, remembrance and grieving. ...
Viva Versace!
The fabled Versace Mansion in Miami Beach is a place rich with history, luxury, style and even infamy. Now a boutique hotel, JC Escudero recently visited and photographed the historic property, taking a deep dive into the Versace legend, eclectic design tradition, and a rich taste of the good life. ...
Growth in Motion
Embracing change is not always easy, it can take courage, foresight, wisdom and sometimes luck. Veteran watershaper, Kevin Woodhurst has been through many such passages in his long career, but perhaps none more rewarding than a recent move to a new home and into a new chapter. ...
Water Wheels of Life
The water wheels of Hama, Syria, are among the oldest, and widely considered most beautiful, existing devices of their kind. For nearly two millennium, the massive wheels have provided water to a barren land, supporting settlements and ultimately giving rise to civilization and culture. ...
Construction software from RB Retail and Service Solutions
RB Retail and Service Solutions (Monroeville, PA) now offers a fully integrated construction software solution that is designed specifically for pool and outdoor living builders. This unique module tracks construction costs, inventory, and the actual progress of each job – with customizable notes, enabling builders to track the ongoing costs of construction work, and the physical progress of the project with job progress management. Learn more here.
Forever Bamboo Offers Sealant Product Line
Forever Bamboo (San Diego, CA) makes a family of bamboo sealants and stains to protect and add color to bamboo structures including fences, poles, slates and borders, It can contain oils and pigments, depending on the individual product's purpose. When you use a stain or sealant, you apply it to bamboo like you would paint. This application results in a more vibrant, glossy and durable structure. Sealant also adds waterproofing and extends the life of bamboo structures. Learn more here.
Spatial Emotions
Designing spaces for human use -- especially those of the recreational variety -- starts by understanding that the primary goal is to generate a positive emotional response, regardless of style, the size of the property or the client’s budget. That’s why Mike Farley considers the ways that different spatial configurations make his clients feel. ...