Crafting the Ultimate Limestone Swimming Pool Surround: A Collaborative Build with Joe Savage Garden Design

Back in late summer 2023, when the mercury climbed to a scorching 28°C on the Hampshire coast, we sat down by the poolside on one of our favorite collaboration projects to date. With the late summer sun beaming down and clear blue water shimmering against natural stone, you could easily have been forgiven for thinking you’d been transported straight to the Riviera.

When we published our deep-dive video tour with designer Joe Savage in late 2023, it generated a lot of love from landscapers and homeowners alike. It’s a project we’re incredibly proud of—and one that remains a masterclass in how to design and detail a luxury outdoor swimming pool surround.

Whether you’re catching up on the video for the first time or revisiting the project for layout inspiration, read on as we break down the design insights, ground preparation secrets, and material choices that make this build stand the test of time.

1. Defining the Vision: Traditional Pool Meets Modern Living

When Joe Savage first stepped onto the site, it looked entirely different. The area where the pool now sits was simply a sloping, sloped-down lawn with two mature apple trees nearing the end of their lifespan.

Initially, the homeowners explored the idea of a natural swimming pool. However, when considering practicalities—specifically long-term upkeep, ongoing maintenance, and the inability to heat natural water systems effectively—they opted for a traditional block-and-liner pool build.

The layout positioned the pool along the longer, sunny stretch of the garden to maximize natural light and connect seamlessly with distinct “garden rooms”:

• The Central Living Terrace: A vibrant middle terrace connecting the pool surround directly to the outdoor kitchen and dining area.

• The Productive Kitchen Garden: A dedicated greenhouse and vegetable plot retained in the sunny lower corner, taking full advantage of the sun without encroaching on the main living space.

• Elevated Vantage Points: Upper terraces and a croquet lawn area created higher-tier seating to take in views across St Catherine’s Hill.

2. Unlocking Complex Groundwork: Why 3D Design Matters

A significant challenge on sloping sites is helping homeowners visualize level transitions long before ground is broken. As Joe explained during our chat:

“Trying to understand this design in 2D alone is very difficult with the height changes and level changes. Going through the process with the clients in 3D… makes the build a lot easier for them to swallow in that they’ve already seen it and understand where that budget goes.”

— Joe Savage, Joe Savage Garden Design

Behind every beautiful paved terrace is serious engineering. Correct sub-bases, structural depths, thorough compaction, and concrete foundations are essential. As Craig highlighted, you can spend all the money in the world on a stunning finished surface, but if the ground sub-base isn’t built right, seasonal frost, winter rain, and ground movement will inevitably cause problems down the line.

3. Selecting the Right Paving: Character vs. Contemporary

Selecting paving for a pool surround requires striking a delicate balance between style, durability, and context.

The property’s old upper terrace near the house featured heavy sandstone paving, but because the area was deeply shaded, the stone suffered from ongoing moisture, green algae, and dark weathering. Joe’s team carefully lifted the original sandstone and repurposed it on another project in a far more appropriate sunny setting.

For the pool, the clients wanted to stay with authentic natural stone over porcelain to complement the classic style of their Victorian brickwork. Traditional tumbled amber limestone felt a touch too rustic and close to what they had before.

The winner was Lymington Beige Limestone. With its softly tumbled edges, gentle texture, and subtle character marks, it provides a sleek, contemporary finish while maintaining the warmth and tactile feel of genuine natural stone.

 

4. Addressing Pool Safety & Slip Resistance

A standard concern for homeowners choosing natural stone around swimming pools is slip safety—especially when the surface looks smooth.

Before laying a single slab, Joe conducted an on-site wet-foot slip test with the clients using stone samples. After testing the material bare-foot with water, they gladly signed off on the material.

As Craig noted, whether you’re stepping off a tiled bathroom floor or walking across a wet pool deck, wet bare feet always warrant standard care. However, in standard footwear, trainers, or flip-flops, the lymington beige limestone offers reliable, comfortable grip year-round—even through freezing winter weather. For more on the suitability of our paving and coping options for pools check out our dedicated swimming pools information.

5. Design Details: On-Site Adaptations That Make a Space

Even the most comprehensive design drawings leave room for clever on-site evolution. One of the most striking details in this project is the custom double-band paving detail surrounding the water.

To bridge the visual transition between the 40mm bullnose pool copings and the main paving slabs, Joe’s team introduced two bands of Lymington Beige paver setts on-site during the laying process.

This detail offered three key advantages:

1. Breaks the Joint Line: It elegantly solves joint alignment challenges between the coping stones and the main patio layout.

2. Frames the Water: It creates a subtle, decorative border that visually defines the pool edge in your peripheral vision.

3. Unifies the Landscape: The exact same paver sett detail was mirrored around nearby tree pits and pathway edges, tying the entire garden layout together cohesively.

 

 

Technical Project Summary

Planning a Pool Surround or Landscape Renovation?

At Forest Stone, we partner with landscape architects, garden designers, contractors, and homeowners across the UK to supply premium natural stone and porcelain paving for luxury outdoor builds. Whether you’re sourcing custom bullnose pool copings, step treads, or full patio palettes, our team is here to support your vision with expert technical advice.

 

• Browse Our Range: Explore our natural limestone collection and pool coping options online at foreststone.uk.

• Visit Our Showroom: Stop by our yard in Nursling, Southampton, to explore stone samples in person and discuss your build with our team.

• Get Technical Advice: Have questions about sub-base preparation, stone sealers, or slip ratings? Give us a call today on 023 8111 2350.