Elevating the outdoor lifestyle of Kelly and Kevin Peck’s family is a new, in-ground pool constructed for their nearly 100-year-old home in Clayton’s Hillcrest community. "We feel extremely fortunate to have found a home with a level back yard and enough room for a full-size pool,” says Kelly. “We kept the pool design simple to match the historic nature of our house and neighborhood.” She adds the pool has plenty of shallow space for entertaining and games with their two children. 

What the Pecks relish most about the pool, Kevin says, is hosting friends and neighbors. “It provides nice ambience even when we're not swimming. We open it early to enjoy it for as many months as possible."

Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design founder and principal architect, says the pool was part of the Pecks’ backyard renovation, replacing a leaking 1990s pool. 

Working with the house’s European Eclectic style, Susan says the backyard design was asymmetrically balanced to be as orderly and calm as possible. “Special precautions were taken to protect their large tree during construction.” “This project was across from a school, so great care was taken to secure the job site every night,” says Keith Kozlen, registered architect for pool builder and maintenance service provider Pool Tron, Inc. 

"The pool is deep enough to dive into, and has discrete ledges built into the deep end to ensure our kids are safe, but doesn’t disrupt the overall design." —Kelly, homeowner