AG Beautification

I'm wondering if anyone has any pictures/suggestions of how to "beautify" your above-ground without adding decking around the pool?

We have an oval pool and have a deck running the length of one side but when you walk into our back yard, it's the end of the oval you see. It's not very pretty. We've thought about adding deck boards vertically around the part you can see. My husband says it would look like an old tub but I'm not really sure that's what I'm going for. I've also thought about spray painting it espresso brown to match the deck that's stained espresso brown as well but again, spray painting? I'm not sure about that.

A landscaper suggested we could build up a flower bed around it but I'm VERY hesitant to put it around there because it would block me from walking around to vacuum AND if we ever had issues, I'm not sure how smart it is to put dirt right up against it. Then again, I've seen some pictures of pools right up against the yard where it's dug out. Anyway, does anyone have any pictures? Suggestions?

I could snap a picture of the pool to give you an idea if that would help.

You could make a walkway with flagstone or slate, or decorative pavers, right against perimeter of pool and then plant some clumping, non-spreading plants out a few feet from it. I've also seen people stagger potted plants around perimeter.

Oh I like the idea of the walkway around it.

I looked up a few pictures and saw some examples of the vertical decking boards around it and think it looks pretty good. Issue there is $$ but I think it's an option.