This is about how you
At Salt + Stone, we design refined outdoor spaces that feel like home: peaceful, personal, and beautifully livable. Because you’re not just building a backyard, you’re creating the backdrop for your life.
More than a pool
live
Why Choose Salt + Stone
Choosing a builder is about more than skill, it’s about trust. You deserve a team that listens, communicates clearly, and treats your home like their own.
At Salt + Stone, we combine design-forward thinking with expert project management and a deeply personal approach. We guide each client through the journey with care, helping you feel seen, supported, and confident—every step of the way.
This isn’t just a pool. It’s your sanctuary, your gathering space, your favorite place to be.
explore our services
Elevated design. Grounded experience. Always
personal
meet the team behind salt + stone poolsacpes
Meet Ricardo Hinojosa
Ricardo’s journey in the pool industry started early. He was cleaning his family’s pool at age 12, apprenticing in the family business by 14, and managing his own cleaning route by 15. Over the years, he mastered every layer of the craft: repairing equipment, plumbing full systems, designing custom pools, and eventually managing sales and service alongside his father.
In 2017, he brought his expertise to Abilene, training in-house crews and overseeing the hands-on phases of construction from dig to rebar. Between 2019 and 2023, he specialized in plumbing systems for new builds before expanding into full project supervision, including remodels.
In 2025, Salt + Stone Poolscapes came to life as the culmination of decades of dedication, craftsmanship, and care.
Ricardo is a proud first-generation American, raised in Laredo, Texas. He’s a husband to Mayra, father to four, and deeply committed to building not just beautiful pools but lasting spaces where families can gather, connect, and thrive.
And he’ll tell you himself—he’s the son of the best mother ever.
owner | Project manager
Meet Eric Wilkins
Eric is the connector, the one who helps bring the vision to life before the first sketch is even drawn. With a background in entrepreneurship, real estate, and client relations, he ensures every client feels seen, understood, and supported from the very beginning.
Raised in Dallas and rooted in Granbury since his early twenties, Eric has spent his career helping people find not just homes but spaces that reflect how they truly want to live. As a successful realtor and founder of VYBE Marketing and Media, he brings a rare blend of business acumen, creative strategy, and heart-led service to every project.
At Salt + Stone, Eric guides clients through the design and build process with clarity and care. His natural warmth and deep listening make even the biggest decisions feel approachable. For him, it’s not just about creating beautiful backyards, it’s about building trust, connection, and spaces where life happens.
Eric is married to Autumn and together they have five incredible kids. Whether he’s meeting with a client or hosting friends by the water, he leads with presence, purpose, and a genuine love for helping others feel at home.
owner | Sales + Vision
Meet Kelsey Wallen
Kelsey is the steady force behind the scenes, the one making sure every detail runs smoothly so each client experience feels seamless and supported.
With a background in branding, systems, and creative strategy, Kelsey brings intention and structure to the heart of Salt + Stone. She oversees the internal operations, guiding everything from project flow to communication systems with clarity and care. Her behind-the-scenes work ensures that every touchpoint, timeline, and transition is handled with excellence.
Though she may not be front and center in client meetings, her fingerprints are everywhere in the thoughtfulness of the process, the ease of the experience, and the elevated feel of the brand.
Kelsey is married to Chad, and together they have four kids, though their home is almost always filled with more. Whether she’s managing schedules, systems, or spontaneous sleepovers, she leads with quiet strength and a heart for creating spaces where people feel at home.
OWner | Client Experience + Marketing
You’re not just hiring a contractor. You’re choosing a partner who sees your vision and brings it to life with care, creativity, and
calm
What's with the name?
A name rooted in nature, connection, and what truly lasts.
Salt is essential, life-giving, elemental, and grounding. Stone is strong, timeless, enduring, and beautifully imperfect. Together, they speak to the kind of spaces we create: natural yet refined, lasting yet livable. The name Salt + Stone is a reflection of our design philosophy where simplicity meets strength, and where every detail is chosen to support a life well-lived outdoors.
