We are having a hard time deciding between tropics blue, Caribbean blue, and Tahoe blue. We could sure use some help with the decision. We are also trying to decide if we should add glass beads. Does adding glass beads change the color? Does the pool look better with the glass beads? If so, how many bags should we add?
Stonescape: Tahoe blue vs Carribean Blue vs Tropics Blue
- Thread starter Jferreir
- Start date
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I don't know the other two colors, but I sure like Tahoe Blue. I had them darken it a bit for my pool. Not blue, not green. A deep aqua color that I just love. Do glass bead sparkle? Is that there purpose? I asked for none of that in my pool, but got a few anyway. They were probably left over in the mixer from a previous job. They're OK, just not my cup of tea. I like muted colors and organic themes. Not much into bling.
What I've shared with others here: don't pick your colors by a name, or from a swatch. Pick a color based on how it makes you feel. Look at some pictures of pools, or scenery. Find an image, maybe that reminds you of a trip, some special memory, one that makes you feel like you want to feel when you're at your pool. Then show that image to the plaster guy and tell him: match that. You might have a guy that's not into helping you in that way, some just want a color name, so they can get on with it. But if you have someone that wants to work with you to create something special, special to you, he'll help you match your vision, not just pick a swatch.
What I've shared with others here: don't pick your colors by a name, or from a swatch. Pick a color based on how it makes you feel. Look at some pictures of pools, or scenery. Find an image, maybe that reminds you of a trip, some special memory, one that makes you feel like you want to feel when you're at your pool. Then show that image to the plaster guy and tell him: match that. You might have a guy that's not into helping you in that way, some just want a color name, so they can get on with it. But if you have someone that wants to work with you to create something special, special to you, he'll help you match your vision, not just pick a swatch.
This is the before picture with the old plaster color. I still can't decide on the pebble finish color. I will also post the after picture when completed. I am also seeking advice on tile color.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Beautiful color. Love it. Just a tad bluer than mine, and about the same shade (level of dark). Do you have plans for the yard, beyond the pool? The pool will be the focal point. It's color will dominate your yard (unless your yard is so much bigger), so the pool, and its color, will set the theme, and the mood. What are you going for? Fun and festive? Bright and shiny? Tropical? Subdued? Tranquil? Dark and dramatic? How dark?
I have the glass added to my tanning ledge...cannot really tell at all. If you are looking for sparkle/bling you have got to go with the added abalone shells FOR SURE!!! I have them scattered about the pool and really concentrated on my tanning ledge. It is so awesome!!! Just to let you know, I was in the same boat as you as far as deciding on color. I was stuck more between Tropics Blue and Midnight Blue. I went with Midnight and a Sand colored tanning ledge. Couldn't be happier. Whatever you do... I suggest you go with the Stonescapes over the Quartzscapes finish. Stonescapes is so pretty and natural looking and the Quartzscapes (IMO) shows much more streaking in the finish especially if you go with a darker color. I love my pool and would even think that I'd like and entire pool in the Sand colored Stonescapes with tons of abalone. When the time comes to replaster...I may try that.
Here is the before picture of my pool. It is surrounded by large redwoods, as well as rock around the outside of the pool. I hope this helps with the feedback. I would like a serene look. Decided not to go with the glass, but I will go with the abalone shell (Thanks to your advice and feedback). I am still trying to decide on the finish color..... Stonescape Tahoe blue, Caribbean blue, tropics blue, and now even midnight blue .
Those are my top picks and I wonder about which way to go too. I hope you keep us updated with photos!
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I missed the line you wrote that the pic was of your pool, of your old color. I thought you were showing a pic of the color you wanted. Do you not like that color? It's awesome!
What I actually did about my color choice, contrary to what I was suggesting about the images, was just match my previous plaster. I already new I liked it, and how it would look in my pool, in my yard. The plasterer first came out to my pool, and I told her I loved the color of my pool, but wouldn't mind if it was a bit darker. She determined I had Tahoe Blue plaster. We discussed a bit that possibility that my pool had evolved over time, lighter or darker, and my concern was if I just said "Yes" to Tahoe Blue, would new Tahoe Blue pebble match the color my pool old Tahoe Blue plaster.
So then I went to the showroom, to feel what pebble felt like on my feet, and started fooling around with swatches. And she even brought out plastic boxes with pebble, with various additives (dry, no plaster). She'd throw in a little of this color pebble, a little of that. I got frustrated, because how was I supposed to know if a swatch I saw on the wall inside, or one I laid in 6" of water on a step in their demo pool, or a box of beads, would translate to the color I wanted when it was applied to my pool, at depth, in my yard, surrounded by all the stuff that affects pool color!!??!! I don't think that's possible!!
She sensed my frustration, and I sensed hers. She finally gathered up all the samples and declared "I know what you want." And that was it. She determined the color, she claimed she darkened Tahoe Blue a bit, and she was dead on. My pool color is exactly what I wanted.
Which inspired me to share with others not to try and pick the color of your pool from a swatch, but rather find something to hand or show to the plasterer, and make them match it. That should be their job, not yours. Which, of course, depends on the cooperation and skill of your plasterer. I just happened to have one that was willing to do it that way, and did it well.
So here's an alternative: If you want the same color, or a slightly different color, you might try an onsite visit with your contractor (the guy that's actually going to mix the color). Discuss the color directly with him/her. You could say: this color, but slightly lighter (or darker). Or the shade is good, but a little bluer (or whatever). Or if you want something completely different, then bust out the images. Then let them translate your description into the color name. A color that will look the way you want, in your yard. That's what worked for me. If I had picked the swatch, I doubt I would have gotten the result I wanted, and conceivably it could have been wildly off...
What I actually did about my color choice, contrary to what I was suggesting about the images, was just match my previous plaster. I already new I liked it, and how it would look in my pool, in my yard. The plasterer first came out to my pool, and I told her I loved the color of my pool, but wouldn't mind if it was a bit darker. She determined I had Tahoe Blue plaster. We discussed a bit that possibility that my pool had evolved over time, lighter or darker, and my concern was if I just said "Yes" to Tahoe Blue, would new Tahoe Blue pebble match the color my pool old Tahoe Blue plaster.
So then I went to the showroom, to feel what pebble felt like on my feet, and started fooling around with swatches. And she even brought out plastic boxes with pebble, with various additives (dry, no plaster). She'd throw in a little of this color pebble, a little of that. I got frustrated, because how was I supposed to know if a swatch I saw on the wall inside, or one I laid in 6" of water on a step in their demo pool, or a box of beads, would translate to the color I wanted when it was applied to my pool, at depth, in my yard, surrounded by all the stuff that affects pool color!!??!! I don't think that's possible!!
She sensed my frustration, and I sensed hers. She finally gathered up all the samples and declared "I know what you want." And that was it. She determined the color, she claimed she darkened Tahoe Blue a bit, and she was dead on. My pool color is exactly what I wanted.
Which inspired me to share with others not to try and pick the color of your pool from a swatch, but rather find something to hand or show to the plasterer, and make them match it. That should be their job, not yours. Which, of course, depends on the cooperation and skill of your plasterer. I just happened to have one that was willing to do it that way, and did it well.
So here's an alternative: If you want the same color, or a slightly different color, you might try an onsite visit with your contractor (the guy that's actually going to mix the color). Discuss the color directly with him/her. You could say: this color, but slightly lighter (or darker). Or the shade is good, but a little bluer (or whatever). Or if you want something completely different, then bust out the images. Then let them translate your description into the color name. A color that will look the way you want, in your yard. That's what worked for me. If I had picked the swatch, I doubt I would have gotten the result I wanted, and conceivably it could have been wildly off...
Thank you for the great advice on color. We have narrowed it down to midnight blue or Tahoe blue. Our pool remodel guy stated that Caribbean blue has red in it and would not look natural and therefore would be a contrast to the rocks and redwoods in the yard. We are still trying to decide between midnight blue and Tahoe blue. I like your idea about adding black pebble to the Tahoe blue mix. How many more black pebbles did you add to the Tahoe blue? Could you post a picture of your pool. We would love to the a darkened Tahoe blue. I saw pictures of a revers Tahoe blue, but we don't want to go that dark.
Killer95Stang
Well-known member
This is a 4 year old picture of our pool with Tahoe Blue. Our builder calls it his special blend color, but all he does is add abalone shells... In 10 years I'll probably go with a tan based plaster.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,627
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Are you talkin' ta me? About the black pebbles? I just said I wanted it darker. Not how. I left her to figure it out.
I don't know how she darkened the color. But I think it was done with the plaster, not the pebble formula. That's why working with the little boxes of pebbles was a bust, because the end color is highly influenced by the plaster the pebbles are embedded in. The pebble mix is only a portion of how the color is formulated.
What's encouraging was the line from your guy that "Caribbean blue has red in it..." He's explaining how the chips affect the color, and how that color is going to work in your yard (or in this case, how it's not going to work). That's the guy you want working for you! It sounds like he might know his stuff, and has a genuine interest in working with you to find what will work for you and your setting. Excellent. Work that resource. Show him pic's. Explain what you're after. See if he'll step up to the challenge.
Here's pics of my pool, but remember: you're viewing it on a computer monitor, and it's a pool in my yard, with my surroundings, at particular times of the day/year. YMMV. None of these photos do the color justice. Ya gotta be here. Come on by!
Winter, late afternoon:
Summer, noon:
You can see the pebble mix a bit in this pic. That's my edge tile. Love that stuff. Get creative. Edge tile doesn't have to be 6" squares!
My pool is different colors throughout the day and seasons. The darker it gets, the more I like it. Check out the color of the water in this shot:
How I lucked out: no matter which shade'o'the'day I have going on, I like 'em all!