Backyard Bliss: How the Abners Turned Neglect into a Tropical Paradise
The Abner family settled down in Orlando, Florida, to soak in the year-round rays. The house they purchased, built in 1975, retained much of its original design, featuring an antiquated sunken living room, saxony carpets, and yellowish flowered wallpaper. While they appreciated the vintage charm, the neglected backyard clashed with the warm and inviting atmosphere they wanted.
Overrun with weeds, a broken fence, and an algae-filled pool, the backyard was a constant source of frustration despite their efforts to improve it. With two kids to raise, they needed a safe, functional outdoor space. The turning point came when one of their children got a splinter from the deteriorating wooden patio.
Adam Abner, the father, spent countless hours researching companies online. Nothing seemed to catch his eye until he came across American Pools & Spas. With experience building over 32,000 pools under the umbrella of the Cody Pools family, Adam knew he had found the perfect company to recreate and transform his backyard. He wanted a complete transformation that would erase the outdated history his backyard held onto and replace it with something his kids would remember for the rest of their lives. But he didn’t want just any pool; he wanted fountains and water features that would turn their summer backyard parties into memorable experiences.
Adam had another thought: why stop at a pool and not add an outdoor kitchen? This was their forever home, after all, and the thought of hosting barbecues in the summer months while his kids splashed around in the pool next to him was enough for him to pick up the phone and set up an initial appointment with a consultant at American Pools & Spas. After receiving the initial free estimate, Adam knew there was no turning back. His vision was coming to life.
Truthfully, finances were one of Adam’s biggest concerns, fearing hidden fees and unwarranted expenses that might pop up throughout the process. American Pools & Spas strategically helped the Abners create a financial plan they felt comfortable with. They took their communication and transparency a step further by providing the Abner family with a personalized design using an advanced 3D design tool. Not only did the Abners know how much the project would cost them, but they could also see the design before it was even built.
The renovation process began with securing permits and a pre-site review to finalize the design. The team stripped the sod, removed the old pool, and reshaped the area with heavy equipment, installing steel reinforcements to support the new structure. Plumbing and electrical work were completed to accommodate fountains, water features, and a saltwater system, followed by inspections to ensure compliance with county codes. Once the pool’s concrete shell was poured and treated with termite spray, finishing touches like tiles, rock formations, and a waterfall created a tropical ambiance. Meanwhile, the outdoor kitchen took shape with a brick patio, kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, and a pizza oven. Safety features, including a child safety fence and alarms, were installed before filling the pool and testing the systems. Adam was impressed with how the team stuck to their agreed-upon time frame. When the team set a time and day for construction, they were efficient and always showed up on time.
Today, the Abners’ backyard is unrecognizable from its previous state. The once-abandoned space is now a modern, functional oasis featuring a sparkling saltwater pool, a cascading waterfall, and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. It’s the heart of their home, where their kids make lasting memories, and Adam hosts the summer barbecues he always dreamed of.
American Pools & Spas helped transform the Abner family’s backyard from a 1970s relic into a space that’s as beautiful as it is practical. With innovative designs, clear communication, and attention to detail, they turned the Abners’ vision into reality—a backyard they will cherish for years to come.
