We went from this when we first moved into the house - hubby and a small garden area. Then the tree died and the garden area became a huge mess.
So my children decided it was time to fix up the yard and give me a place to cool off when the temps hit those 110 - 120 days. Their idea included a small pool, storage area, raised garden beds and a small pond. All three children chipped in and made it happen. The boys got busy with tons of supplies and grunt labor and my daughter finished the pool off with a salt water filter and umbrella.
The whole idea came from a picture I showed them over a year ago of a fabulous little pool that was shared by Let's Add Sprinkles. I love her stock pond pool and it is the perfect size for my small area. My son remembered it and put his plan into action.
Fences went up to hide the potting benches and compost pile -
and the background for the pool started to take shape. -
Plumbing was done for the filter -
and the stock tank was painted with pool paint.
The pump was given a dry run and then painted to match the inside of the pool -
and the waterfall was tested.
The umbrella was set up on a weighted platform and covers the whole area.
There's still work to do and plants to plants, but I am ready for hot weather.
Stop by anytime and we'll have a glass of tea or wine and cool off in the pool.
It's been fun to see that several magazines have picked up on the pool - Here is the link to the feature by WOOHome DIY, Home Decor & Interior -
http://www.woohome.com/outdoor/diy-galvanized-stock-tank-pool-to-beat-the-summer-heat
You might also enjoy my 2016 Spring Home Tour.

It's been fun to see that several magazines have picked up on the pool - Here is the link to the feature by WOOHome DIY, Home Decor & Interior -
http://www.woohome.com/outdoor/diy-galvanized-stock-tank-pool-to-beat-the-summer-heat
You might also enjoy my 2016 Spring Home Tour.
If you like Thrifty & Chic on a Budget, I would love to have you follow me.
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How absolutely wonderful, Marty! Your kids gave a gift to remembered for a lifetime! It turned out great.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I will have to show my Hubby of course we will have to wait to have one our next house. We have a few more years here and than on to the new house.
ReplyDeleteWow. I remember that post and I think you did an amazing job with your own interpretation! I have a pool and I think it's awesome. You will enjoy every single dip! Bring on the hot! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift your kids have given you! That is so cool! ;)
ReplyDeleteWow...that's amazing, Marty and a gift that you can appreciate every day! Happy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteMarty, hermoso jardín y con esa piscina que más se le puede pedir a la vida..tus hijos te han obsequiado algo maravilloso,,,me fascina tu jardín. Bendiciones desde Costa Rica.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would give to have something like this! I wanted to put up a cheap gazebo, but my dogs health is costing me so much, doubt I'll be able to. I wish my kids would think to do something like this for me. I so miss the soung of a waterfall. It was good to mask city sounds, which with Aspergers are hard for me.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Could you take a pic of the back of the waterfall so I can see the mechanisms that make it work?
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Oh, how fun, Marty! What a charming idea for a cooling pool. I see many posts sent from this sweet little backyard oasis! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWarm hugs,
Carol
That is the cutest pool ever!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!!! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I absolutely love this idea.
ReplyDeleteyou are just missing the fire underneath...for a hot tub...Grins...this is so much fun! We have a stock trough as a pond in the back yard, which has been upside down for the last three years because of the grand. I'm looking forward to turning it over and filling it up this year. Thanks for sharing, Sandi
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect Summer oasis, Marty! Your kids are amazing and so very thoughtful! I know you'll be enjoying many afternoons out here ... lucky you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely spot! I love the way it looks, and the fountain.........ahhhhhh! Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I've never seen anything like it.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I just love it! I have never wanted a pool because they usualy take up the whole backyard, but this is such a great option!
ReplyDeleteI'd LOVE to take a dip. It looks fab. xo
ReplyDeleteWow, Marty, aren't kids wonderful?! This idea is perfect for an Arizona summer. It's so terribly hot here, that you could literally live in this all summer long! I love the options this idea gives to you. Thanks for sharing your new gift with us. Enjoy your summer for a change!
ReplyDeleteWow, Marty, aren't kids wonderful?! This idea is perfect for an Arizona summer. It's so terribly hot here, that you could literally live in this all summer long! I love the options this idea gives to you. Thanks for sharing your new gift with us. Enjoy your summer for a change!
ReplyDeleteMarty, this is so awesome! I told Katie last year (or the year before) that our friends did this when our boys were little. Many. many hours of fun there. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking with Thoughts of Home on Thursday!
How nice of the kids to do all this...i know how much fun a stock tank like this can be because son had one for his kids when they lived in the country. They had a swing set with a long slide and, boy, did those kids have fun...the kids are all grown up now and enjoy their swimming pool.....have fun in your little shaded pool...it is very pretty
ReplyDeleteback to say....when i first saw your header, i thought it said THIRTY instead of Thrifty....lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out, Marty. You took it to a new level. I love the spray heads and the water fall! Congratulations. You will love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely lovely, Marty - and what a beautiful gift from your kids!!! Oh, by the way....wine for me! :)
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything like this before Marty. What a great idea and how wonderful for your children to help out with this project. It looks great and I'm sure you will enjoy it a lot.
ReplyDeleteLooking great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever and cute idea for a pool! You're going to have so much fun in there!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUNBELIEVABLE. Never have I seen anything like this. It is so perfect for you and your space. WHAT an idea! ENJOY, and yes, wine for me also! LOL
ReplyDeleteRamona
Burlington ON Canada
Oh Marty you must be THRILLED! Your kids did a fabulous job and it truly looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHow great is this! I love how it's turning out. They had a lot of vision and planned this out well. You are going to be so happy when the heat really cranks up!
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing piece of paradise in your own backyard, dear friend!
Kuddos to your children for not only listening to your idea, but making a "dream come true"!
Enjoy!
Fondly,
Pat
This is so clever! I love the waterfall! Perfect also when you don't have a whole backyard to give up to a pool!
ReplyDeleteWow! This looks beautiful! I love the idea of the small pool! I hope you really enjoy your little oasis this summer!
ReplyDeleteThis touching gift from your children proves that you are a wonderful mother and have raised some very special people. The pool and pretty decorative area around it are lovely and the perfect spot to cool off. I know you'll think of your wonderful kids with every dip and sip!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome, Marty, and I know that you will enjoy it during your hot spells. Now, can I come and visit for a few days?!! ;-D
ReplyDeleteJane
Your backyard is total bliss! What a cute little pool, perfect for cooling off! I'll be right over with some wine!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great pool idea. I know it took some time and lots of effort but I bet you will enjoy it in those hot days to come.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely! What an amazing gift.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a fun project! I love the fountain aspect. Can't wait to show this to my husband to see if he could add this to his honey do list!
ReplyDeleteWOW - wonderful gift - a lot of work with such a great result. Enjoy !
ReplyDeleteJoy
Oh, Marty, this is wonderful! How sweet of your children to do this for you! I know you'll love it. Love the umbrella too. We're looking at one like that to put on the deck! Everything looks so pretty and I'm happy for you.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I simply love this!!! As a child we had cattle and my Dad feared we'd drown so we were warned that was drinking water for the cattle. We must never ever go near it up at the barn. My seven year older sis made up a story I'm sure to scare us away 🙀 So I see your pool and the child in me says HURRAH!!! She can get in her very own cattle water tank!!!! I like the specialty treated inside for pools so you won't get too hot. No. We've never seen one!!! This is a former farmgirl's dream come true. Sophisticated chic and love the salt water feature too. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYou have the best kids in the world! This whole outdoor area is just amazing. Now you need some unbreakable drink-ware for adult beverages and you're all set. xoxo
ReplyDeleteMarty...your Tarter poll is made just up the road from where I live. The Tarters are cousins of ours! I am going to forward your post to a couple of them. I think they would enjoy seeing your creativity. Sheila
ReplyDeleteTarter pool.
DeleteWhat a great gift from the kiddos!!! It looks amazing and a perfect spot to relax!! Love the umbrella, great idea!! And the water fall and shower heads are another great idea........wish I could join you!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Marty. That is just fabulous. What a great effort from your kids!!! Enjoy your pool this summer - we are holding out for winter now as we've just had a terribly hot summer & lots of bushfires.
ReplyDeleteHave fun & please post a photo of you sitting there cooling off.
Suzy
THIs was done so well! It looks simply amazing. Have fun in your new pool this summer!
ReplyDeleteMarty, you are going to love having a little pool! We love having a pool and are itching to get in it! Lovely job! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome! I've never seen anything like it before- it's so perfect and cozy.
ReplyDeleteMarty, this is so fabulous! I love this pool! I may need to steal this idea. What a great job your kids did for you. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - this is SUCH a cool project! Well done my friend! Thank you for linking up to our Pretty Project Party this week!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome spot Marty! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteLovely!I've never seen anything like it before-.Kiss from Serbia,
ReplyDeleteCale
What thoughtful kids and hubby you have, Marty. The pool turned out fabulous. Happy Easter....Christine
ReplyDeleteWe're kindred spirits, Marty! In the heat of summer hubby and I fill a cattle trough with cool well water and jump in after hours of yardwork! It's so refreshing! Your setup is lovely and was so sweet of your kiddos to treat you to a beautiful oasis. So happy for you!!!
ReplyDeleteGiving you a thank you for the shout out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying your back yard oasis.
http://katietreasures.blogspot.com/2016/03/watering-hole-update.html
I just came here from Katie's blog and I'm glad I did. Your pool is fantastic! What a great gift of love from your kids.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and happy spring ~ FlowerLady
My wheels are spinning! Fantastic project!
ReplyDeleteMarty, welcome to the garden party! How long before you'll be able to dive in and enjoy your pool?
ReplyDeleteHow great is that??? I know you'll just love it, that is such a special gift! Enjoy every dip!
ReplyDeleteHappy week!
Nancy
How sweet of your children to do that for you!
ReplyDeleteI love the haven you now have.
I am so glad you shared this at our Garden Party!
Laura
White Spray Paint
Well, that pool is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteThis is so creative and cool! Love, LOVE this idea.
ReplyDeleteJulie
LiveFromJuliesHouse.com
Well Marty, you are going to be so 'cool' in your new 'pool'. Love the waterfall and that big umbrella! Thanks for sharing with the Garden Party.
Deletehugs,
Jann
Marty,
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing project to begin with and just look at how wonderfully it turned out.
Your children are so thoughtful and caring.
Just know you are going to enjoy cooling off in it!
Great to have you share this treasure and story with us at the Garden Party.
Jemma
Marty, it looks so wonderful back there. I love that tub and waterfall!
ReplyDeleteHi Marty, what a wonderful gift! Cooling off in there will be wonderful.....so...will we still see you entertaining us with your blog? Cause I think I know where you will be spending most of your time lol happy Mothers day and enjoy your backyard gift! Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' salty Air
ReplyDeleteI ADORE this, Marty! SO original, and unique and spunky. It's great.
ReplyDeleteMarty, just wondering how the pool is working out. If you get time, could you give us an update on the pros & any suggestions of what you might do differently? It's so lovely though I bet there's nothing you'd change!
ReplyDeletewhere did you get the stock tank at?
ReplyDeleteYour cute little water pool is adorable and perfect for small backyards. I thoroughly loved this pool.
ReplyDeleteCool.
ReplyDeleteI'm sixty seven years old and as a kid back in the great State of Texas I was approximately four years of age me and my three older brother's used our water trough as our swimming pool,we had so much fun as kids, and then my older sisters would have their turn as the boys were too rough,so if your looking for a load of fun and relaxation, give it a try , but don't forget to invite your siblings,as I have lost four of mine , enjoy .
ReplyDeleteThis is a BEAUTIFUL thing that your family has done! I had a quick question about the setup that you have. Does the pump stay in the water even when you are in the pool? TIA Joyce
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. Could you please tell me what kind of a pump you used, size? Where did you purchase it? I am going to do this by next summer. Could you please update with any issues now that you have had it for awhile? Would you change anything? Could you please show us a picture of back side of the waterfall?
ReplyDeleteDid you paint the inside of the stock tank
ReplyDeletePool looks great! What pool paint did you use? Did you have to prep the interior of the tank in any way prior to painting? I would love to do this but am worried about the pool paint adhering well to the galvanized metal.
ReplyDeleteWe cleaned the inside of the pool really well then used pool paint designed for pools. It worked perfectly.
DeleteMay I ask how you keep it clean? Is it like cleaning a pool? It looks really awesome and I would love to do something like this.
ReplyDelete