{"id":6504,"date":"2024-07-16T04:52:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T08:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.luxuryhomemagazine.com\/thepalmbeaches\/blog\/?p=6504"},"modified":"2024-07-16T16:52:19","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T20:52:19","slug":"poolside-edit-this-summer-we-take-a-deep-dive-into-palm-beachs-pool-and-perimeter-passions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.luxuryhomemagazine.com\/thepalmbeaches\/blog\/2024\/07\/16\/poolside-edit-this-summer-we-take-a-deep-dive-into-palm-beachs-pool-and-perimeter-passions\/","title":{"rendered":"POOLSIDE EDIT-This Summer, We Take a Deep Dive into Palm Beach\u2019s Pool and Perimeter Passions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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by Carolina Buia <\/em><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1717589447544{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]A looking glass? A glistening, multi-gallon water sculpture? Or a fast- lane for one of mankind\u2019s oldest workouts? Swimming pools are to South Florida what basements are to the Northeast. Essential. Whether private or public, almost every home or community has one. Take in the aerial view on your next descent to PBI airport and you\u2019ll notice many shapes\u2013and shades\u2013of blue.<\/p>\n

From laps of luxury to serene, cooling-off retreats, today\u2019s pools and backyard environs combine lush elegance and technological savvy for the ultimate in modern living.<\/p>\n

Pools are ingrained in both our landscape and imagination. The earliest swimming pool was allegedly built 5000 years ago in the city of Mohenjo-daro, in present day Pakistan. It was rectangular and believed to have been used for religious rituals. In Egypt, cave drawings depict swimmers from 2000 BC. And then, there were the Greek palaestra, open air gymnasiums, where pools were made for fitness and fraternizing.<\/p>\n

\u201cPools have become a mandatory landscape element,\u201d says Palm Beach\u2019s acclaimed interior designer Scott Snyder. \u201cToday, I prefer a round shape that makes you think of Walden pond or an elongated 10 by 50 lap pool, preferably done in long-lasting tile with small coping so that the lawn comes close to it. The 20 by 40 foot shape with light-blue finish is out. And if you\u2019re fortunate to live on the water, build an infinity pool.\u201d<\/p>\n

To wit, new pools\u2013infinity or not\u2013 have been experiencing a push back. \u201cIn the past you built close to the house,\u201d says Fred Guerra, co-owner of Ocean Pools. \u201cSince Covid, the trend has been to push pools further out from the house so that there is more entertaining space and better sun exposure.\u201d According to Guerra, the hottest request is a sun shelf. It\u2019s the perfect spot for tots to cool off and moms to sip Aperol spritzes from chaise lounges. \u201cOther popular requests include color-changing LED lights that can be switched on with an app and high-tech water features,\u201d adds Dale Bottcher, owner of Dale\u2019s Decking and Pools. \u201cWaterfalls and spillways not only add a meditative quality, but can dampen the din of neighbors, boats and trains.\u201d Bottcher is currently building out many \u201cchampagne spas,\u201d round or square hot tubs with 360-degrees of cascading water.
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_single_image image=”6507″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1717589457913{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_separator type=”normal”][vc_single_image image=”6629″ img_size=”728×90″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” qode_css_animation=”” link=”https:\/\/replacemysink.com\/”][vc_separator type=”normal”][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_column_text]Beneath the surface, mid- to deep blue hues (and even dramatic black finishes) are all the rage. As a counterpoint, pavers in leathered white marble, sealed creamy travertine and limestone are popular deck materials. \u201cSome customers go ultra modern and extend their inside porcelain floors out,\u201d says Bottcher. \u201cWhen sliding glass doors open it\u2019s one continuous space.\u201d But since porcelain is mud-set, Guerra says that labor costs will likely be higher.<\/p>\n

Accenting the pool area, Palm Beachers are adding decorative pots filled with white and cream annuals and the occasional colorful bloom. Socrates Gemitizoylou, owner of The Willows Landscape, says that living walls redolent of bromeliads, orchids, anthuriums are also en vogue.<\/p>\n

\u201cBare walls are a thing of the past,\u201d adds Barbara Lewis, owner of The Lewis Design Group in Palm Beach and New York. The trend is lavish, layered greenery.\u201d Lewis agrees that Covid was the catalyst for today\u2019s explosion in outdoor design. \u201cAs we stay-cationed, we created outside living spaces through loggias, gazebos, fabulous tents, beautiful fans and outdoor kitchens.\u201d Lewis says furniture and fabric companies followed suit, expanding their outdoor product ranges. \u201cEvery fabric house today has a performance line of textiles in all scale ranges and colors.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the pandemic in the rearview mirror, Palm Beach is now left with shiny new pools, bubbly spas and hanging gardens. Whether or not we care for a swim is beside the point, because it\u2019s one heck of a glorious view![\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#050505″][vc_empty_space height=”30″]

<\/i>
Splendor in the Grass
\nExpert Notes From: MATT GAUDET, President of Ground F\/X Environmental Services<\/p>\n

Hedges: Clusia hedges are in, while ficus hedges are out. Clusia is hardier, needs less fertilizer and chemicals. It also attracts less pests. They can also be trimmed quarterly versus monthly.<\/p>\n

Lawn: Artificial turf, once relegated to roadside mini-golf, has become so high-tech and realistic that many Palm Beachers are opting for it. There\u2019s virtually no maintenance or need for chemicals or fertilizers. Aesthetically, it looks perfect all year round.<\/p>\n

Trees: Grey wood palms do best in Palm Beach, including Foxtails, Christmas, and Montgomery palms. Make sure not to plant trees too close to the pool area where they can damage pavers and pool, along with posing a safety concern.<\/h5><\/blockquote>[vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_separator type=”normal”][vc_single_image image=”6628″ img_size=”728×90″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” qode_css_animation=”” link=”https:\/\/www.bungalowpalmbeach.com\/”][vc_separator type=”normal”][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_single_image image=”6505″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”30″][vc_column_text]Outdoor Style with Bungalow Palm Beach<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In 2020, partners Steven Wilburn and Shawn Fitzgerald decided to professionally join forces. Steven, a former Saks 5th Avenue Creative Director and Shawn, a former marketing executive in the spirits world, had just relocated to Palm Beach County. Identifying a niche for a curated furniture and accessories store, the duo created Bungalow Palm Beach, a spirited boutique that has become a favorite among Palm Beach County\u2019s chicest residents. Bungalow Palm Beach specializes in high-end indoor and outdoor furniture, along with art, sculpture, and home decor. The concept has been such a hit that a second location just opened this year in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, near Steven\u2019s hometown.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s new in outdoor living?
\nSteven: Companies have been pushing the envelope with technological advances. Many high-end lines are producing sofas that look and feel like they belong inside, and in fact it\u2019s often hard to tell the difference. Furniture lines are using high-tech memory foam that is designed to drain water within minutes from sofas.<\/p>\n

Shawn: Tables are being manufactured with aluminum legs that have been stamped to look and feel like actual wood grain. And porcelain table tops now mimic the look of marble, but without the headache. Chairs with organic shapes are made with what appears to be natural fibers and woven material. In fact, it\u2019s high-tech PVC that can withstand the sun, salt and rain.<\/p>\n

Q: What about trending colors and patterns, specifically in Palm Beach?
\nShawn: Steven always says you marry the furniture but date the pillows. The color scheme for outdoor sofas and chairs is a neutral palette: Lots of whites, taupes, creams and tans. Dark colors are not popular in Florida, as they attract heat and can be uncomfortable to sit on. Blue used to be the statement color, but now we\u2019re shifting to shades of green\u2013be it sea glass, blue-greens, aquas and even dark greens.<\/p>\n

Steven: Palm prints have given way to more subtle, sophisticated patterns and textures. Our Bungalow staff designers know just how to layer color and patterns through pillows, rugs, throws and sculptural accessories. The look is a sophisticated, Northern California coastal aesthetic.<\/p>\n

Q: What makes Bungalow\u2019s approach to design unique?
\nShawn: We have a philosophy of informed selling. We forge and maintain personal relationships with the company owners of our highly curated furniture lines. We attend trade shows to stay current and offer different levels of design services. For example, many of our customers appreciate how we scale their outdoor space through house visits and floor plans. Steven\u2019s experience at Saks, working with leading architects and creatives, brings an uncanny skill set. With just a few key pieces, he knows how to create a mood.<\/p>\n

Q: That outdoor furniture piece that you absolutely cannot live without \u2026
\nSteven: My comfy sofa for breezy, afternoon naps.
\nShawn: My Anacara swivel glider relaxing with cocktail on hand.
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Visit Luxury Home Magazine of The Palm Beaches<\/a><\/strong> to read more outdoor inspiration.<\/p>\n

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