Larry Carnes
President, Reflections Water Gardens, West Dundee, Ill.
1. How did you get into building natural pools?
When my wife and I bought the house we’re in now, she wanted a pool. I was in landscaping and the green industry for years. I got into more design and construction. When we decided we wanted a pool, we decided we didn’t want the typical concrete box that has to be covered for six months out of the year — we live in Illinois, where everything gets winterized and shut down. We wanted something more natural in look, and unfiltered, because she hated the chlorine. We couldn’t find anyone to build it, so we went on this quest to figure it out. We did find a pond builder who said he could do it. I ended up going to work for him. Mine was built, and it blossomed from there. That was the end of 2004. I started Reflections Water Gardens at the end of 2010.
2. What are some trends you’re seeing in the pool industry?
Natural swimming pools and natural swimming ponds are really taking off. But what I’m finding in the States is that more people want them to look like ponds versus in Europe, where they want it to look like a pool with plants around it. Now we’re actually building them with sand on the bottom. If you’re in a warmer climate, it looks like you’re in the Caribbean.
3. What are some advancements you’ve seen, and are expecting, for your industry?
We do a lot of software work with 3D stuff. Everyone wants the outdoor experience, but one of the things we find is they say they want a natural pool, but they still don’t want algae. That’s a byproduct; you’re going to have it. You’re going to have biofilm growing on the rocks and all the surfaces. What we’re seeing is the introduction of new technology, using ultraviolet light and ozone, to clean the water even more.
4. Tell me about yourself … what do you and your family do for fun?
We live in Illinois, but we have acreage in Tennessee. I love going there; it’s a little farmhouse … one day I’ll retire there. I’ve always loved the mountains, that’s where we’d go when I was a kid. I also love snorkeling, going down to the Caribbean and seeing the white sand beaches. My kids and my step-kids are grown. They’re out of the house now. It’s just me, my wife and my pack of dogs. I have three German shepherds — two brothers and their mother, and a small mix.
5. That’s awesome! Let’s get back to business — how do you foresee the next several years for the industry?
I think the market is good. I think people are spending more on their own personal space versus taking big vacations. You know, it’s an election year. Everybody blames everything on the election, but we are still getting calls and work coming in.
