approaches

Pure Persuasion
Early on January 10 - within an hour of unveiling the third of John Cohen's trio of articles on his quest to deliver toxin-free pool and spa water to his clients - I heard from a reader who wanted us to repeat all of the articles as one document to make it easier to share with clients who might be interested. "I want to let them know what a challenge it is
Glass Tasks
A great many wonderful things can be said about all-tile pool finishes once they're done, but you can't lose sight of the fact that that such finishes require lots of planning, are difficult to apply and, as your clients will tell you, are far from inexpensive.  And by "far from inexpensive," I mean that the price tag will usually give pause even to people of great means. This is all especially true with glass tile, which is applied using different (and generally more complicated) techniques than is ceramic tile and costs proportionately more.  But that cost brings with it a great and stunning beauty that
The Power in Partnering
Construction can be a tough business:  Even minor conflicts or disputes often lead to courtroom battles, and you can hardly blame people in the trades for thinking 'potential lawsuit' every time they sign a contract.  One way to avoid these lose/lose scenarios, says aquatic consultant Curt Straub, is to implement a simple, up-front agreement designed to foster cooperation among  designers, engineers, contractors and clients.
A Passion for Ponds
Waterfeatures may well be the hottest thing in landscaping today, and the reason is simple:  No other landscape detail captures all the senses the way moving water does.  I don't get the impression that people sit around for hours watching their tulips grow, for example, but I know for a fact that people who have ponds in their yards will sit for hours, with others or in solitude, drinking in the scene and communing with the koi and the water lilies. In that sense, ponds have more to offer than the average waterfeature:  A pond's live component adds interest and touches of tranquility that work in countless settings, from backyards and corporate offices to dining terraces and the common areas in apartment complexes.  The possibilities are