Leisure Pools’ September 2025 Pool of the Month Winner: Loy’s Pools & Patios

When Thomas Loy, President of Loy’s Pools & Patios, set out to design the ultimate backyard retreat with a swimming pool from the Leisure Pools collection, he had a clear vision: maximize every square foot of space while creating distinct functional areas that flow seamlessly together. The result? A breathtaking outdoor living space in Maryville, Tennessee, that perfectly showcases what’s possible when creative design meets expert craftsmanship. A deserving winner of the Leisure Pools September 2025 Pool of the Month.

What immediately sets this project apart is the perpendicular orientation of the pool. Rather than running parallel to the house as most traditional installations do, Loy positioned the pool at a 90-degree angle, creating a striking visual impact and solving multiple design challenges at once.

“I love doing that for the way it views from inside the house, you just see more,” Loy explained. “You can see the pool better. It just makes it look like a larger body of water, and you get a better visual of the waterfall overflowing from the spa.”

This unconventional approach wasn’t just about aesthetics. The lot had a significant slope from one end to the other, requiring Loy to raise the backyard by about seven feet at the lowest point to create a completely flat, usable space. Further, by turning the pool perpendicular, he was able to divide the backyard into three distinct sections while maintaining the flow and functionality of the entire area.

At the heart of this design is the Leisure Pools’ Wave 40 in a sophisticated Graphite Grey color, paired with an Amalfi Spa. The striking pool features color-changing laminar deck jets that add movement and visual interest, especially in the evening hours. The saltwater system keeps maintenance simple, while an automatic pool cover from Integra provides convenience and energy efficiency.

For Loy, this isn’t just a showpiece; it’s a year-round retreat. “The owners kept it heated all winter last year and swam in it almost every day,” he shared. “That’s kind of their routine.”

Loy divided the backyard into three distinct zones, each serving a specific purpose:

The Pool Area: The centerpiece featuring the swimming pool with its elegant waterfall flowing from the contiguous spa, surrounded by large-format pavers that create a clean, modern aesthetic.

The Putting Green: A creative use of space that adds a playful element to the design. Originally planned as a simple artificial turf area for low maintenance, Loy decided to incorporate a putting green when he realized he had the perfect spot for it. “I was like, well, we have this big space…why not throw a little putting green in it?” he laughed.

The Pool House: A true outdoor living space featuring a bathroom and covered hangout area, along with a built-in grill and kitchen setup. This separate living space extends the home’s footprint and provides everything needed for outdoor entertaining.

With a background in landscape and hardscape, Loy brought his expertise to every detail of the project. The large-format pavers create a clean, contemporary foundation, while creative inlays define the transitions between different areas. Under the pool house, a herringbone flooring pattern adds visual interest and clearly delineates the covered space.

One particularly thoughtful touch: the pool equipment enclosure. Rather than leaving mechanical equipment exposed, Loy built a custom enclosure using Trex composite decking boards, keeping the space looking polished from every angle.

Completing the retreat atmosphere are approximately 160 Green Emerald Arborvitae trees planted around the perimeter. These elegant, fast-growing evergreens provide privacy while maintaining a graceful appearance.

“They’re about seven to eight feet tall now,” Loy noted. “They really give it that secluded feel. They’re super low maintenance and don’t encroach on your space.”

Set on a generous one-third acre lot, this backyard offers complete privacy from every angle. The thoughtful positioning of mature plantings and strategic landscaping creates an intimate retreat where relaxation comes naturally. It’s a space where the outside world fades away, leaving only the gentle sounds of water features and the warmth of Canadian hospitality.

Loy’s journey to becoming an award-winning pool builder started early. He began mowing lawns at just 15 years old. That entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality has grown into Loy’s Pools & Patios, a company known throughout the Maryville area for exceptional design and craftsmanship.

“Our in-house design process is just second to none,” Loy emphasized. “We have an incredible team of creative designers that, whatever the budget allows, we can design you something that will be absolutely gorgeous. We maximize the balance between the pool components, your softscape landscape plant components, the hardscape elements and the lighting elements.”

But great design is only part of the equation. “The skill of our craftsmen that actually build sets us apart. We’ve got a great core value culture at our company that starts at the top and transcends all the way down to the boots-on-the-ground laborers, and even spreads to our subcontractors,” he added. “The experience that we give is really top tier.”

From the three windows next to the covered porch, the sight lines are perfection. The perpendicular pool orientation creates a stunning focal point that draws the eye and makes the entire space feel larger and more open. It’s a view that these homeowners enjoy every day, and one that perfectly demonstrates what’s possible when innovative thinking meets expert execution.

“The homeowners absolutely love it,” Loy said simply, and looking at the results, it’s easy to see why.

Congratulations to Thomas Loy and the entire team at Loy’s Pools & Patios on winning our September 2025 Pool of the Month.

Interested in creating your own backyard paradise with a Leisure Pool? Visit our dealer locator to find an authorized Leisure Pools dealer in your area, or contact Loy’s Pools & Patios directly if you’re in the Maryville, Tennessee region.