An Inspiring California Pool Remodel

When it came time for Michelle Theobald to take on a pool makeover, she knew that she wanted to source a special type of tiling for this area of her yard. “I was looking for a tile that was different from a traditional pool tile,” California-based mother of three says. However, locating the right design proved to be a bit challenging. “Almost all the pool tile options we found seemed to be dated and not my style. I really wanted something with texture and a modern, timeless look.”

After she began working alongside Ann Sacks design and sales consultant Chris Rector, Theobald began to explore offerings that better fit her desired aesthetic. She sourced tile samples from the Ann Sacks showroom to develop a sense of how they would appear in her outdoor space. When Theobald came upon the Savoy Ribbed tile, she was immediately sold. “The first time I looked at the tile in-person, I knew we had finally found our pool tile,” she reflects. She then focused on determining the best color and layout to use in her space.

Theobald had clear goals for her pool setup. “I really wanted to create an outdoor space and pool area that looked and felt like a resort when I walked into my backyard,” she explains. “I wanted it to feel modern, clean, and classic but also comfortable, peaceful, and welcoming.” Since the Theobalds love to entertain, they wanted to ensure that their yard was inviting yet also provided a clear view of the pool area in order to monitor children while socializing.

She also wanted to ensure that the backyard aptly reflected her home’s front entryway, which she describes as warm and welcoming. “We tried to create that same feeling when you walk into our backyard — we like to think of our back and front yard as a continuation of the inside of our home,” the homeowner says. In order to achieve this vision, Theobald kept her home’s modern farmhouse look top of mind when designing her backyard. “I love neutral colors and smooth lines, so we chose whites, grays, and wooden accents to invoke the same feeling as the inside creates,” she explains. “The pool’s shape and the beautiful texture on the tile has a modern feel, and the lighter greens and grays in our landscaping keep the yard natural and fresh.” To finish the look, purple and white flowers and fruit trees add pops of color to the space.

Theobald and her family couldn’t be happier with the final setup. “We enjoy many afternoons and evenings outside in our backyard barbequing, dining, swimming, playing lawn games, and entertaining,” she recounts. “Our family loves pool days, relaxing in the water, playing catch and basketball in the pool. My kids’ favorite is jumping off the spa’s raised edge into the pool.”