Splash Pad
An iconic hotel inspired the design for this pool house and patio, perfect for Slim Aarons-inspired summer living
INTERVIEW WITH LAURA TUTUN, LAURA TUTUN INTERIORS // PHOTOGRAPHER AMY VISCHIO
Tell us about the client.
Laura Tutun: I had worked on their main house, which is one of those beautiful old homes with a rolling backyard. It was such a huge project, so they weren’t ready to do the pool and pool house at that point. This is the third project I’ve worked on with this client, and they are the most lovely couple and family, so easy to work with. They were willing to take the dive on things they weren’t initially thinking they wanted to do. The trust was there.
Talk about the plan for the pool house.
The feel of the main house is very similar to the feel of the pool house. Their three kids are now young adults. We really wanted to build a pool house where both the parents and kids could entertain, in a worry-free environment. All of the fabrics are Perennials or outdoor fabrics. The wife also wanted a space that could be an overflow for when the kids have friends sleepover and the guest room is being used. One of the sofas is a pull-out. There’s a full bathroom with a shower, as well as a full kitchen. There’s a great bar. For the size of the space, it covers everything that you would want in a pool house. It’s almost a cottage, really. Our vibe really syncs. We were going for a Hotel Bel-Air feel; old world, but a little more modern. She also really loves Slim Aarons photographs. So we pulled the pinks and blues that you see a lot in his photography. That’s where the colors launched.
Tell us about some of the design details.
One thing that’s super special about the architecture of the space is the shiplap. You’ll notice it’s vertical, and I designed it so the planks are not the same size. I think it’s so interesting, and it draws you eye up to this beautiful cathedral tray ceiling that they have. That’s one detail that we both fell in love with, even if the contractor didn’t (laughs). They did a beautiful job. And then we mixed it with that really pretty cerused wood. We carried the bluestone patio into the pool house, which is really great, because it can get wet, and it has great texture. When that Marvin accordion door is fully open, the flow is really beautiful. There’s a beautiful limestone on the mantel called Seagrass, which actually has chunks of shells in it, which was another fun element. It really did become an extension of their beautiful outdoor space. They also wanted something that could be used year-round. In the winter, they have the fireplace, or the TV for watching movies. It’s another area to entertain in.
And the architecture is great. I love that sloped roofline. It just flows so nicely with the main house, with the symmetry of the two rooflines and the cupola above. We also have the same shutters and sconces from the main house.
Was color always part of the design plan?
Yes. We used some beautiful blues in the main house, but we didn’t use these shades. These are two of her favorite colors. We spent a lot of time talking about the feel, and she said, “Let’s bring in hot pink.”
What is your favorite part of the finished project?
I love standing up on that main patio with the white umbrellas and looking down into the image of the pool and the pool house now, with the black and white striped umbrellas. The flow of the house is so gorgeous. The upper patio has a lot of vintage wrought iron chairs, the stone wall. I love that transition.
And I think the vertical shiplap is special. I think it’s just a nice modern twist to a very beautiful architectural detail that’s been around forever. We didn’t want it to be so predictable.
What colors are you currently drawn to?
Right now, I am really loving yellow and green together. Maybe even with a little orange and pink. I’m loving all of these citrusy, bright colors together. My own house doesn’t have a lot of color, but it’s because I’m dealing with so much color and pattern, every day. I need to be in an environment where it’s not so stimulating.
Professionals:
Interior Design: Laura Tutun Interiors, Rye, NY, 914-772-3614; lauratutuninteriors.com
Architect: Frank Marsella, Marsella Architects, Mamaroneck, 914-630-0800; marsella-architects.com
Contractor, Pool House: Paul Fontana, Cum Laude Group Inc., White Plains, 914-946-2488; cumlaudegroup.com
Contractor, Pool Design and Landscaping: Tom Alfredo, Alfredo LDC, 914-666-3950; alfredoldc.com