May 24, 2023

The GLDESIGN POOL REVEAL- PART 2

Although it felt like forever to get the pool in the ground and the plumbing all set up for the mason to get started, once the patio was set and the outdoor temps started to warm I was SO EXCITED to get the landscaping started. Way back when, I dabbled in landscape design. I knew when I started my project what I loved and what I didn’t like. I pencil sketched a not so professional drawing for my landscaper and I to follow, and it worked like magic!

I‘ve worked with many landscapers in the business and I can’t say enough amazing things about Dave and his team with D&M Landscaping out of Fairfield Connecticut. I chose a green and white design with soaring Annabelle hydrangea and flowy grasses to bring in texture and movement for the perimeter of the hardscape.

We brought in large natural boulders to use as steps to transition between the raised pool and the outdoor dining area and I’m so happy with how organic this turned out.

Instead of adding more hardscape to the outdoor dining area, I has envisioned creating a more European feel for this space so I chose Jersey Beach stone as the ground cover and added oversized colorful planters throughout the design. I have to admit I’m a total planter hoarder so if I see one I like I put it on display and actually enjoy watering it every day!! I could seriously write a whole post about how planters can make or break exterior design. I always say go big or go home! My favorite plant? Don’t get me started geeking out about that! Ok- I’ll add it to my next post about planters coming up.

In order to bring my vision altogether I reached out to my favorite coastal brand Serena & Lily early on in the process. I looooove their Pacifica Collection but had already used the driftwood palette at my previous pool and I was in need of something warmer so went with the dune colorway. I am obsessed. Since the pool water is a very light Caribbean blue I selected coastal blue pillows and towels to compliment the design.

I added additional seating at the head of the pool for morning coffee chats or sunset cocktails and it’s one of my preferred spots to sit and be in the present. The world is a fast pace and it’s important to stop and appreciate the hard work that goes into a project of this scale! It was so easy working with Serena & Lily products for each of these areas because their beachy vibes are so on point.

We can’t wait to host friends and family on repeat and my kids are loving every minute. As an added bonus (and very last minute) we decided to install a Nordic Hot Tub™ mostly because I want my kids to come visit me when they’re in college (kidding not kidding) but because in the Northeast it’s mostly cold here and we want to use the new exterior space all year round.

Thanks for following along and I’m happy to share all the deets so ping me with questions! And remember, a pool is an investment so take your time with the design, give your contractors lots of coffee and choose things that feel good to YOU not what is trending. If you don’t want to burn your feet? Don’t go with bluestone. If you want to create a flower cutting garden in the middle of your outdoor dining area because it makes you happy? Go for it. There are no rules or limitations (other than budget lol) so make that space dreamy and take it all in with a deep sigh of relief when it’s all done because you crushed it!