Pool party
PHOTOGRAPHY DEVON PASTORIUS
STORY NANCY BELGUE
DESIGN & STYLING JODI MASON & PHILIP CHOUINARD
Whether family-friendly or sophisticated luxury, the pool house is having a moment. According to designer Jodi Mason of Urbanhome Windsor, the pandemic accelerated an already robust trend. “Creating a resort-feel in your backyard is a great way to feel like you’re on vacation without leaving home,” she says. Having recently helped with the design and décor of two very distinct spaces, Jodi has wise advice for creating a pool house that meets all your needs.
Chic & Family-Friendly
The homeowners behind this space considered moving – not once, but twice. When they first came to a crossroads with their home, they chose to renovate and enlisted Jodi Mason to transform their kitchen and great room into a stylish, contemporary living space to enjoy for the long term (Lived-In Luxury, OH Fall, 2019). But once COVID made travel impossible, they began to reconsider. An unfinished outdoor space fired their imagination. After looking around they decided to stay. They loved their location, the interior renovation (which had expanded to include the basement, primary bedroom, dining room and home office) and they couldn’t find a new home that suited their needs as much as their current one. Once again, Jodi was called in to help bring their ideas to life.
OUR HOMES: What did these homeowners want to accomplish with this backyard makeover?
JODI MASON: Family-friendly, yet chic. They craved a fun outdoor space they could enjoy with their children, where they could also entertain in style.
OH: How did you come up with a design to meet their desires?
JM: By balancing form and function. The homeowner and her landscape designer, Kari Renaud (lilydesign), planned seating and activity areas that appeal to both adults and children. These areas included a really fantastic firepit (Touchstone Architectural Products) and a putting green. The pool house (Gray Development Group) incorporates luxuries like a hot tub, covered family room with remote-controlled screens and a beautiful, open-flame fireplace. Furniture selection was key. The large harvest table (Urbanhome) with benches is casual and accommodates kids well. Hard-wearing flooring, fabrics and accessories make the upkeep worry-free and style forward.
OH: The tiles and backsplash are gorgeous. How did you decide on this look?
JM: The homeowner came across the old-world tile with a fresh feeling and fell in love with it. We created a Moroccan look working with a colour palette of soft cream, blue and beige. The floor looks like hardwood, but it’s tile, so it’s very functional (Marquis Tile). A big X pattern creates an interesting look. The backsplash is unexpectedly bold. We were originally only going to install it over the serving area, but the homeowner loved it so much we carried it around the entire perimeter of the kitchen, creating a huge impact.
OH: There are so many appealing design features in the pool house. Let’s talk about some of the choices.
JM: The large, industrial white drum pendants over the island worked out well. Then there’s shiplap on the front of the bar, the ceiling and in the powder room, which creates a pool-house vibe. One of the touches I really like is adding warm wood in some key (and surprising) places in the kitchen (Frank Cremasco Fine Cabinetry), such as the hood fan and the interior of a white display cabinet.
OH: Any last words?
JM: Get the professionals involved. When the landscaper, the builder and designer work together, the results are spectacular.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Certified Landscape Designer Kari Renaud of lilydesign was originally engaged by the homeowners to help design an extension to the original pool house location and provide an overall plan to accommodate a resort-style backyard to enhance the existing pool. “In working through the design process, the original pool house location with the proposed extension was not fitting the space,” Kari says. “So I proposed a new location and orientation to help anchor the yard as an entertainment hub and to house the new raised spa at a convenient and central location.”
“The other built elements include an outdoor kitchen area with a barbecue and smoker, a gas firepit lounge area, a stone feature wall with custom fire bowls, a putting green and a collection of large scale pots for anchoring the open dining space with annual plantings.
I love the fact that there is an entertainment space for everyone in the family, while having a clean and classic look that won’t date itself over time.”
The project, Kari says, was a fun one. “The client was open minded, a good listener, easy to work with and extremely good at making decisions. The team the homeowner put together worked very well together.”
ALL OUT GLAMOUR
Resort-Style Luxury
These homeowners created a pool house and outdoor living area that defines high-end, resort-style luxury. They live on the lake and wanted their outdoor living area to embrace and embellish the gorgeous setting. T. Fischer Design created and built their oasis, but when it came to the finishing touches, Jodi Mason of Urbanhome added the glitz to their glamour.
OUR HOMES: This is a stunning space. What were your design challenges?
JODI MASON: The existing pool is contemporary with imported limestone tiles and black granite. One of the biggest challenges was finding the right furniture. We needed something heavy because the wind can be quite strong off the water. These contemporary-style Muskoka chairs and pool loungers in a heavy black resin are the perfect solution. They will never be washed away!
OH: How did you create such a luxurious feel?
JM: It comes down to the details. The daybeds with white linen curtains are an unmistakeable nod to the glamour you see in places like the French Riviera.
OH: This must have been a really fun project to work on. What were some of the highlights?
JM: There are so many. Some of the most memorable features are the two dining areas in the pool house. There’s a conversation area on the lower level near the water and firepit, and a two-level bar with a swim-up area. The stools are built right into the pool. Gas lanterns and fire bowls flank the pool on two sides. Disco lighting and a sound system (FAS Group) make this the ultimate place for a sophisticated summer soirée.
OH: Final Words?
JM: Pool houses are more than an indulgence. They offer a staycation second to none and optimize the use of your home. They increase your home’s value and most importantly, they are an investment in the pleasure you derive from your home – and that is impossible to calculate. OH
