february 2026 pool of the month: a backyard transformation that’s pure fire

When the homeowners purchased their Louisville, Kentucky home, the backyard was essentially a blank slate. It was just a sloped lawn complemented by a wooden deck. But they had a vision: no grass, no wasted space, just a fully realized outdoor living experience. They were introduced to Broc Hutchison, owner of Sunset Fiberglass Pools in Louisville, Kentucky, through their realtor (who happened to be the proud owner of a previous Imagine Pools Pool of the Year winner) and from that first visit, it was clear this project was going to be something special.

“They said, ‘We don’t want any grass back here,'” Hutchison recalled. “And I said, ‘I love it. Let me show you what we can do.'”

What they could do turned out to be extraordinary.

The backyard presented a real challenge right from the start. The property sloped three to four feet from the back of the house to the rear of the lot, and it backed directly up to a beautiful golf course. Before a single paver could be placed or a pool shell dropped in the ground, Hutchison’s team needed to construct a three-to-three-and-a-half foot retaining wall encasing the entire backyard perimeter.

But rather than treating that as a problem, Hutchison just naturally turned it into a feature.

“I told them it would give them almost an elevated, infinity-project vibe off the back of the house,” he emphasized. “When you’re standing on the pool deck, you’re looking right out over that golf course.”

To preserve those gorgeous fairway views without sacrificing privacy or style, the team installed a glass fence along the perimeter, creating a completely transparent and completely stunning backdrop to the yard.

At the heart of it all sits Imagine Pools’ Illusion 30, finished in the dramatic Volcanic Black color. And dramatic is the right word. During the day, the deep, rich shell creates a sleek, modern focal point against the lighter pavers and lush surroundings. But at night? That’s when the magic really happens.

With fire features reflecting across the water’s surface, the pool takes on a glowing, almost otherworldly quality. The Volcanic Black finish absorbs and reflects the firelight in a way that makes the pool look alive after dark. Simply put, it’s magic.

This project didn’t stop at the pool, however. The homeowners wanted fire, and they got it in abundance. The feature list includes:

• dramatic fire bowls flanking the pool area
• a waterfall wall with fire coming out the top, sending sheer descents of water cascading into the pool below
• a full outdoor fireplace anchoring one of two covered pavilion areas
• natural gas throughout, powering so many fire features that the home required the largest gas meter Hutchison noted he’s ever seen on a residential property.

The waterfall wall itself is a showpiece: a block wall faced with pavers that match the four-inch black accent border running behind the coping, tying the whole design together visually. Large-format Belgard pavers in a custom angled random pattern (think French pattern, but more artistic) cover the entire deck area and extend up the wall for a completely cohesive look.

On either side of the pool, the homeowners enjoy two covered louvered pavilion areas, the kind where you can hit a switch and open the roof panels to let sunlight stream through or close them up tight when the weather turns. One side houses a top-of-the-line outdoor kitchen with a bar and TV, complete with RGB LED lighting in the ceiling. The other shelters the fireplace sitting area, perfect for evenings when the fire is going and the pool is glowing.

Add in saltwater treatment, a gas heater, a Wi-Fi-connected system, LED lighting throughout, and an S.R. Smith artisan handrail for a polished finishing touch, and you have a backyard that functions as beautifully as it looks.

A pool cover was included in the build, but when it came time to install the deck anchors, the homeowners took one look at those gorgeous Belgard pavers and said, “Don’t drill.” The Illusion 30 in Volcanic Black looks equally stunning through a dusting of winter snow, creating yet another enchanting visual appeal to the space.

The home also features an upper-level walkout balcony, and it’s no secret that the homeowner has been known to step out there with a cigar just to admire what the backyard has become.

Hutchison and his team at Sunset Fiberglass Pools are one of Louisville’s premier fiberglass pool builders, known for tackling complex, high-design projects with creativity, craftsmanship and a hands-on approach that comes from doing every part of the job themselves before building a team around that experience. Family-owned and family-driven, they bring the same passion to every backyard they transform. And that clearly shows in this beautiful installation.

Ready to ignite your own backyard transformation? Contact an Imagine Pools dealer near you and let’s get started.