With summer approaching, it’s even easier to convince my clients to consider adding a water feature to their outdoor areas. Such features include fountains, pools and waterfalls as well as bubbling rocks. Just the sound of water trickling across stones invites the listener to relax and unwind after a busy day. The white noise created by falling water can cover a great deal of the stressful noises of traffic (or loud neighbors) in an urban setting.  Nor does a homeowner need a large yard to make a water feature work;  wall fountains are an excellent solution to add interest in small courtyards or rooftop spaces. But if a client does have a generous yard and wants a pool, I recommend making the pool as natural as possible by using dark finishes, stone surfaces and landscaping close to the pool’s edge for a country aesthetic. A European pool system called BIOTOP™ is one I often recommend. Thousands of Biotop pools have been built in Europe over the last 20 years and their systems and techniques are extremely well proven. More information on this unique type of pool can be found at www.naturalswimmingpools.com