24 | May/June 2017
DIY
Affordable Pools installed the pool,
but Larry did everything else. In
choosing the stone, materials, lighting
scheme and accompanying features,
the omases sought no input from
outside sources. Samantha enjoys the
process of seeking inspiration for their
home improvements, and when she
finds it, she simply hands a picture to
Larry, who makes it a reality.
As a testament to their
methodology, sturdy but whimsical
red oak swings provide seating at the
cabana – an idea Samantha found on
Pinterest.
"If there's a stone out here, I laid
it," said Larry as he walked across the
pool deck highlighting areas that still
need work and projects that were more
challenging than anticipated.
e pool features fountains, an
adjoining spillover spa and a swim-up
tiki-straw umbrella table.
Adjacent to the pool is a custom-
built gas fire pit alight with smoldering
auburn fire beads and encircled by a
deep stone seating area to maximize
warmth. "is was a challenge,"
laughed Larry. "I had to learn to
make a round wall out of rectangular
bricks."
At night, the pool and hot tub are
illuminated by colored pool lights...
and the stars. "is is why we moved
here," said Samantha, motioning
around. "We wanted to be in the
country, but not isolated."
Animal Farm
eir quiet oasis is a perfect fit for
the omases—and their menagerie
of rescued animal family. Fittingly,
Samantha is on the Fayetteville
Animal Protection Society (FAPS)
board of directors.
Overlooking the lake is a multi-
level spacious deck, the most common
