imagine pools november 2025 pool of the month

When homeowners in Wilmington, North Carolina, reached out to Riverside Pools & Hardscapes about adding a simple patio and fire pit to their home, they had no idea their backyard was about to become a destination that would rival Caribbean resorts. Thanks to expert design guidance and a willingness to embrace a bold vision, what started as a modest project evolved into a stunning Italian garden-inspired retreat and worthy winner of the november 2025 pool of the month.

Eric Persic and his team at Riverside Pools & Hardscapes worked closely with the homeowners to refurbish the property and reimagine the outdoor space. The result is a complete backyard transformation that exemplifies the power of expert guidance paired with homeowner trust.

The design centers on an Italian garden aesthetic, featuring formal elements, strategic columnar plantings and a sophisticated black-and-white color palette accented with splashes of vibrant green from artificial turf. Every detail was carefully considered to create a cohesive, resort-worthy environment.

The centerpiece is The Freedom with Splash Pad 38 from Imagine Pools in Volcanic Black, a dramatic 38-foot pool that commands attention with its bold, sophisticated color. The striking volcanic black finish creates a stunning contrast against the lighter hardscaping and brings a modern, elegant edge to the Italian garden design.

Paired with The Mystique spillover spa, the pool creates a seamless water feature that serves as the focal point of this resort-inspired backyard. The spa was added to the project on the recommendation of the homeowners’ accountant—advice they’re surely grateful for today.

Riverside Pools & Hardscapes tackled a challenging starting point: an older, wood deck, approximately 15 trees requiring removal and significant overgrowth that needed clearing. The team addressed grade changes and created smooth transitions from the formal pool area to the wooded perimeter buffer.

The result is a turnkey outdoor living space that includes:

• Custom-built fireplace with Greco-Roman architectural elements
• Permeable paver deck in a distinctive grid pattern allowing water infiltration
• Artificial turf and custom putting green
• Aluminum fencing
• Masonry landings extending from the back door
• Expanded driveway with additional parking

Every element was handled by Riverside Pools & Hardscapes, exemplifying their comprehensive approach to outdoor living design.

The Freedom with Splash Pad 38 includes impressive amenities for year-round enjoyment:

• Saltwater system with gas heater
• Jandy automation for complete system control
• Four LED lights in the pool, one in the spa (separately controlled for different color options)
• The Mystique spillover spa with custom tile work
• Deck jet fountains on either side of the spa spillover

The separate lighting controls allow homeowners to create different ambiances in the pool and spa, adding versatility to evening entertainment.

Beyond the pool lighting, Riverside Pools & Hardscapes installed approximately 30 landscape lights throughout the backyard, creating a comprehensive lighting design that includes:

• Pathway illumination
• Uplighting in trees
• Lights in step risers
• Integrated control through the pool automation system

The result is a backyard that transforms at night, with layers of light creating depth and ambiance throughout the space.

The design philosophy centered on creating a formal, ritzy Italian garden feel. Columnar plants provide vertical interest and structure, while the permeable grid-pattern pavers create a distinctive European look. The custom-built fireplace, with its classical architectural details, serves as a dramatic focal point that reinforces the Mediterranean-inspired design.

The black-and-white color scheme of the volcanic black pool, light-colored pavers and white painted surfaces creates a sophisticated canvas punctuated by the vibrant green of carefully selected artificial turf areas.

Like all installations by Riverside Pools & Hardscapes, this pool was set by crane, a necessity in their coastal market. Operating in Wilmington, North Carolina, and surrounding beach communities often requires creative solutions for equipment access. With many properties requiring excavators to traverse beaches and dunes, the team relies on smaller RX excavators that can’t safely lift pool shells. Crane installation ensures safe, damage-free placement regardless of site access challenges.

The outdoor living space was designed for hosting and relaxation, complete with a full outdoor surround sound system. The combination of the heated pool and spa, ambient lighting, music and the custom fireplace creates a true resort experience at home.

The homeowners are already discussing phase two: adding an outdoor kitchen and replacing the remaining driveway with pavers to match the parking area, clear evidence of their satisfaction with the initial transformation.

Riverside Pools & Hardscapes used comprehensive 3D design renderings throughout the planning process, allowing homeowners to visualize the transformation before breaking ground. The company even produced a commercial at this property with innovative split-screen transitions from 3D rendering to completed reality.

This visualization capability proved invaluable for a project of this scope, helping homeowners understand how each element would work together to create the cohesive Italian garden aesthetic.

The homeowners recently traveled to the Grand Caymans and stayed at a luxury resort. While sitting poolside at the resort, the wife remarked that she’d rather be back at her own pool, as it was nicer. For a backyard transformation, there’s no higher praise than being preferred over a Caribbean resort.

Riverside Pools & Hardscapes, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, specializes in complete outdoor living transformations. The company handles every aspect of backyard design and construction, from pool installation and hardscaping to landscaping, lighting, fencing, and custom masonry work.

Eric Persic and his team serve the coastal North Carolina market, where unique site challenges require creative solutions and specialized equipment. Their comprehensive approach, anchored by what they call “design to dig to done,” ensures seamless project execution and cohesive design.

Riverside Pools & Hardscapes works primarily with Imagine Pools, appreciating the quality and design versatility of the fiberglass pool line. This November installation marks their second Pool of the Month honor in 2025, having also won in July.

This project exemplifies the evolution of the pool industry from simple installations to complete outdoor living design. Eric Persic was a speaker at the Imagine Pools conference, discussing exactly this topic: how to sell the entire package rather than just putting pools in the ground.

The Freedom with Splash Pad 38 installation demonstrates that philosophy in action. By handling everything from excavation and pool installation to custom masonry, lighting design and landscape architecture, Riverside Pools & Hardscapes created a cohesive outdoor environment that feels professionally designed from every angle.

The Italian garden aesthetic, dramatic volcanic black pool, sophisticated lighting and custom architectural elements combine to create a backyard that rivals (and, according to its owners, surpasses) luxury resort destinations. It’s a powerful reminder that with the right vision, expertise and comprehensive approach, a backyard can become so much more than just a place with a pool. It can become a personal sanctuary that owners prefer to vacation destinations. Translation? This is the ultimate measure of outdoor living success.

Whether you’re envisioning an Italian garden sanctuary or a coastal oasis, Imagine Pools offers the perfect foundation for your outdoor living dreams. Find an authorized dealer near you and start planning your transformation today.