A Backyard Reimagined from the Ground Up
Some pools are installed. Others are orchestrated. The Aviva Pools April 2026 Pool of the Month is unmistakably the latter. Set in Mooresville, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte, this breathtaking outdoor retreat featuring The Vogue 35 in Exuma Silver was conceived on a completely empty lot and brought to life by David Barger and his team at The Pool & Patio Company with an impressive eye for detail and an uncompromising standard for craftsmanship.
What began as a blank canvas became one of the most complete backyard transformations we have had the pleasure of featuring, all delivered in just three months, despite a winter start date that brought snow, hard freezes and weather delays that would have tested any builder’s resolve.
AT A GLANCE
- Award Winner: The April 2026 Aviva Pools “Pool of the Month” was awarded to a complete backyard transformation in Mooresville, North Carolina, built in just three months by The Pool & Patio Company.
- Pool & Spa Design: The installation features an Aviva Pools Vogue 35 pool and a cascading Jewel Spa (both in Exuma Silver), enhanced with water blades, an automatic cover, full Hayward automation, and evening lighting.
- Natural Stone Craftsmanship: The project strictly utilizes genuine natural stone for the patio decks and structural retaining walls rather than manufactured materials, giving the sloped property a level, organic feel.
- Outdoor Amenities: The retreat is designed for year-round entertainment, incorporating a 12-foot aluminum pergola, an outdoor kitchen with a 42-inch gas grill, a custom storage shed, a putting green, and full landscaping that fixed pre-existing drainage issues.
- The Builder: The Pool & Patio Company is a family business led by David Barger, who uses his 15-year background in aerospace and defense composites manufacturing to evaluate and select high-quality fiberglass pools.
The Pool and Spa
At the heart of the project is the elegant Vogue 35, paired with The Jewel Spa finished in matching Exuma Silver. The spa cascades seamlessly into the pool, creating a stunning water connection that anchors the entire space. Two 24-inch water blades installed in the feature wall add drama and movement, while an integral automatic pool cover offers both safety and convenience.
The full Hayward automation package, which includes two pumps, a heat pump and a gas heater, ensures effortless year-round enjoyment. Lighting throughout completes the picture for evenings spent poolside.
Natural Stone Craftsmanship
Perhaps the most striking design choice is the commitment to all-natural stone throughout the hardscape. Rather than opting for manufactured pavers or cultured stone veneers, the team sourced genuine natural stone for every surface, from the expansive patio deck to the dry-stack retaining walls. The patio pavers are Castle Gray from USI Stone, providing a timeless, organic feel that complements the pool’s Exuma Silver finish beautifully.
A substantial structural retaining wall at the rear of the property made this transformation possible, clearing a sloped, wooded grade to create the level, open backyard that exists today. A second decorative wall frames the waterfall feature at the spa, constructed of solid block with dry-stack natural stone facing. Each wall serves a distinct structural and aesthetic purpose, and together they give the entire space a sense of permanence and intention that is rarely achieved in a project of this timeline.
Outdoor Living at Every Turn
Beyond the water, this backyard was designed for a full life outdoors. A custom pergola, finished in low-maintenance aluminum, provides generous shade over the entertaining area and was fitted with ceiling fans and lighting for comfort and ambiance. The homeowner opted for the pergola’s full height, letting the soaring 12-foot posts make a statement against the surrounding tree line.
The outdoor kitchen anchors one corner of the patio, complete with a 42-inch built-in gas grill perfect for entertaining family and friends. A custom-built storage shed, constructed to mirror the architectural details of the home itself, tucks neatly into the landscape and keeps the space clean and cohesive, a thoughtful finishing touch that elevates the project from impressive to exceptional.
For recreation beyond the water, a putting green was installed on the upper terrace near the spa, and the area is designed to accommodate cornhole and lawn games as well, making this a true four-season gathering place for the entire family.
A Complete Landscape Overhaul
No detail was overlooked in the surrounding landscape. Excavated soil from the pool installation was repurposed to regrade the entire yard, correcting drainage issues that had plagued the property since it was built. Fresh sod, approximately $5,000 in new plantings and a complete landscape redesign now frame the hardscape beautifully, giving the finished project a lush, established feel that belies its timeline.
About The Pool & Patio Company
Barger founded The Pool & Patio Company with a background that sets him apart from most pool builders. After a 15-year career in composites manufacturing, producing heat-shield fabrics for the space and defense industries, Barger brought a materials scientist’s eye to the fiberglass pool industry. When he researched pool construction methods before launching his business, he did what few do: he visited manufacturing facilities, walked production floors and evaluated quality firsthand. That research led him directly to Aviva Pools.
“When I went to the manufacturing facility, I knew what I was looking at,” David explained. “I spent 15 years in composites. I could see the quality going into these pools, and I knew this was the company I wanted to represent.”
This April 2026 Pool of the Month marks the fourth pool his team has installed in this single Mooresville neighborhood, with additional proposals already under discussion.
Barger’s son manages design and hardscape construction, making The Pool & Patio Company a true family business. Together, they offer clients a rare combination: the design sensibility to envision a complete outdoor living space, and the skill to build every element of it in-house.
Built Right from the Start
The Pool & Patio Company represents everything we admire in an Aviva Pools dealer: a relentless commitment to quality, transparency with clients and the kind of craftsmanship that turns neighbors into customers. We are proud to celebrate this extraordinary outdoor living space as our April 2026 Pool of the Month.
Interested in creating your own backyard retreat? Find an Aviva Pools dealer near you at avivapools.com.
