Ep 122 2026 Modern pool trends: Inside the hottest Vegas outdoor designs with Tanr Ross

Mike Farley of Farley Pool Designs hosts Tanr Ross of Pool Scapes (Las Vegas) to discuss pool and outdoor living design, with an emphasis on when 3D modeling is necessary and how it improves client understanding. Additional topics include challenges and benefits of LED strip lighting and uplights (installation complexity, costs, and preference for PAL lighting support), the value of reviewing recent, verifiable work and visiting active job sites when selecting a designer/builder, and functional design principles such as sightlines from open-glass interiors, communal layouts over paper “balance,” and frequent use of fire pits with ergonomic, cushioned sunken seating.   Discover More: https://www.poolscapes.com/ https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/poolzila/   00:00 Welcome to the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast (What to Expect) 01:12 Meet Tanr Ross + Do You Really Need 3D Renderings? 03:40 Tanr’s Origin Story: AutoCAD, Pool Studio & Early 3D Experiments 07:29 Renderings That Feel Real: Scale, Furniture & Adding People 09:39 Pool Scapes Business & Career Path: Vegas → Texas → Back Home 12:48 Why Modern Design Wins (and When Curves Get Tricky) 16:43 Nevada’s 600 Sq Ft Pool Rule: Workarounds, Zero-Edge Math & Remodels 24:27 Signature Project Breakdown: The “Cube” Water Feature & Build Challenges 27:08 Where Inspiration Comes From + How Tanr Actually Designs in 3D 29:48 Getting Better Without “School”: Reps, Pressure, Freelance & Speed 31:29 Why He Doesn’t Travel Anymore (Motion Sickness, Anxiety & Work Mode) 32:11 Vegas Trade Shows, Networking & Staying ‘Nose Down’ Busy 33:47 LED Strip Lighting in Pools: Nightclub Vibes, Install Headaches & Real Costs 37:58 How Homeowners Should Vet a Pool Designer (Recent Work, Site Visits & References) 39:33 Custom Design Philosophy vs. Copy-Paste Software (And AI Concerns) 42:41 Designing for Real Life: Communal Spaces, Sight Lines & Pool Orientation 45:48 Favorite Part of the Process + Managing Long, Stressful Builds 48:29 Must-Have Feature: Fire Pits, Sunken Seating & Cushion Ergonomics 54:52 One Tip to Avoid Regret: Due Diligence, Similar-Scale Projects & In-Progress Tours 57:23 Rapid-Fire Personal Questions + Monaco/F1 + Vegas Growth (Wrap-Up) 01:01:07 Show Mission & Final Sign-Off