july 2026 pool of the month: a fiberglass retreat built for wellness
a backyard built around movement and rest
Every so often a project comes along that shows just how much lifestyle can fit into one backyard. The EvoPools July 2026 Pool of the Month winner is a custom outdoor living space in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, built by LYFE Pools around a simple idea: swimming, recovery and relaxation should all live in the same place.
The centerpiece is a 35-foot by 15.5-foot fiberglass pool, The Sacred in Surge Grey paired with an inset spa, a private sauna, patterned hardscape and turf, natural stone and boulders, a fire pit and swing, and a full landscape lighting plan. The result feels less like a backyard pool and more like a private wellness retreat, designed for a family who wanted a place to move, recover and unwind together.
The project started on a blank slate, built alongside the rest of the home rather than added on later. According to Christopher Jones, owner of LYFE Pools and the builder behind this project, it was also one of the smoother builds his team has taken on.
“This is one of the few projects that didn’t really have any challenges,” Jones said. “The biggest one honestly was putting together the sauna. After that, it was just keeping the sod alive in the heat.”
the sacred fiberglass pool design, made for an active lifestyle
At roughly 35 feet long, The Sacred fiberglass pool gave the homeowners enough length to carve out a real swim lane while still leaving room for an inset spa and everyday recreation. That combination is what makes the pool so versatile. It works for morning laps and exercise, recovery in the spa afterward, family time in the afternoon and a beautifully lit evening retreat once the sun goes down.
The pool is saltwater chlorinated and heated, and the spa runs on its own dedicated jet and drain system, giving it noticeably stronger jet action than a standard setup.
an integrated spa that keeps the clean lines
Rather than tacking the spa on as a separate feature, the design sets it directly into the pool’s geometry. That keeps The Sacred’s contemporary lines intact while still giving the homeowners an easy, natural way to move between swimming and recovery.
“You really view it as a spa,” Jones said. “You’ve got the swim lane for laps, the hot tub and then a really functional pool layout on top of that. Then you add the fire pit and the sauna, and there’s not much more you could ask for.”
techo-bloc hardscape in a modern, neutral palette
The surrounding patio uses Techo-Bloc pavers in a Greyed Nickel palette, with Blu Grande slabs laid in a running bond pattern to echo the long horizontal lines of the pool. The neutral gray tone gives the space a clean, contemporary feel while letting the water, plantings and natural materials provide the contrast.
turf that becomes part of the design
Instead of using artificial turf as a simple stand-in for grass, the design weaves it directly into the hardscape. Clean turf inlays run between the paving in a deliberate pattern, adding texture and rhythm to the pool deck while tying the space back to the surrounding landscape.
natural stone and boulders add contrast
To balance out all that clean geometry, the project leans on natural stone, boulders, gravel beds and stepping stones. The irregular shapes soften the architecture and help the space ease gradually from the designed pool area into the natural yard beyond it.
a private sauna completes the wellness circle
A private infrared sauna, built from stone, rounds out the wellness lineup alongside the pool and spa. Together, the three create a natural progression from movement to heat to recovery, right in the backyard.
“It’s not really about any one feature,” Jones said. “You’ve got your hot tub, your swim lane, a sun ledge, the sauna, and a nice swing and fire pit area. You’ve kind of got everything you could want.”
The homeowners are already talking about adding a cold plunge down the road, something LYFE Pools is happy to help bring to life.
a fire pit and swing for slowing down
Away from the structured pool area, a gravel fire pit with a swing and seating creates a completely different kind of gathering spot. It gives the backyard a reason to get used well outside of swimming season, and it draws a clear line between the active side of the yard and the spot made for slowing down.
privacy and landscape lighting round it out
Wood privacy screens define the outdoor rooms without closing the yard off, and strategic plantings soften those structures while framing the best views of the property. A full landscape lighting plan, including uplighting on trees and plant material, extends the whole experience into the evening and adds depth to the yard after dark.
There is no pool cover on this installation, and while the pool can be heated and used year round, the family will likely lean on the spa most during the cooler months.
a wellness retreat, not just a backyard pool
What makes this project stand out is not any single feature. It is the way the swim lane, spa, sauna, fire pit and landscaping all work together to support one lifestyle. The homeowners did not come to the table with a long list of specific requests. They trusted LYFE Pools to build a space where they could exercise, recover and unwind, and that is exactly what they got.
“They were very happy,” Jones said of the finished project.
meet the builder: lyfe pools
LYFE Pools designs and builds custom fiberglass pools and complete outdoor living environments in Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area. The team handles everything from the pool itself to hardscape, landscaping, lighting, fire features, saunas and privacy elements, all built around how a family wants to live at home. Jones, a master pool builder and the company’s owner, is proud to be an EvoPools dealer and is ready to make your backyard dreams come true.
Ready to begin your backyard adventure? Find an EvoPools dealer near you today.
