deep with a bench all around for sitting while sipping; and a six-foot deep
circle at the other end for swimming or simply treading water.
Digging a hole six feet deep is generally not that big of a challenge
for most contractors, but excavating through the hard rock and crystal
that Hamilton Parish is well known for was no easy task. “The biggest
challenge we faced was the excavation,” the owners said. “Hamilton Par-
ish is known for its hard rock and we can certainly attest to that! Island
Construction had a big job getting through the rock and much, much
crystal. They actually said that a job this size should have taken them
Rather than sending the rather beautiful chunks of crystal to the
dump, the owners chose to make use of them in the waterfall and plant-
ers on the back wall of the main pool area where the limestone rock
they had cut into was also left exposed. “By leaving the natural elements
of stone and crystal, we have a reminder of the beauty that Bermuda is
built on,” they said.
Along with the natural stone unearthed in the excavation, the couple
also discovered a bit of local history to adorn the pool area. “One cool
feature of the pool is the mermaid (Ariel) and merman (Neptune)
statues,” said the owners. “These were purchased at an auction and we
were told they came from the original Castle Harbour Hotel. Love that
bit of history!”
With a desire for a neutral palette, the couple turned to Pembroke
Tile and Stone for the pool tile (“They had just what we had in mind.”),
but they needed something special for the stones that surround the
walls of the porch. “Our vision for the porch was a little different—we
wanted the stone and searched online until we found a supplier in
Wisconsin,” they explained. Set carefully into three arches containing
the outdoor covered dining area, the stone facing lends a dramatic, yet
homey feel to the space. “Our outdoor porch is a new living area for us.
It is cozy, but airy and very welcoming.”
Along with the pool and covered patio, the owners added on a bar-
Far left: Lounge chairs
overlook the generous pool area. Above:
The new open dinning
“room” comfortably
seats eight. Left: The
excavation for the pool
uncovered beautiful
crystal which the owners chose to include
in the design. Right,
above: A new fireplace
is perfect for entertaining. Right, below: A small
buttery houses all the
pool equipment.
