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Summertime and the Livin' is Good
By
Rebecca Newsome, MIRM and photos by Ray Strawbridge
It's summertime, and the livin' is good in the backyard of Baldwin Manor, the New Homes & Ideas Dream Home in Wakefield Plantation. If you've been there, you understand the meaning of "excellence with a splash of style." As a very appropriate slogan for pool builder Backyard Oasis Pools, both excellence and style are overwhelmingly evident from the moment your eyes longingly rest on this backyard oasis!
Calling this masterpiece merely a "pool" seems a little misleading? It actually consists of three pools - An 8' x 8' spa with a reverse vanishing edge, an upper pool complete with a tanning shelf, bubblers, and another reverse vanishing edge, and a lower arced pool, with built-in stone columns. The result? An exceptionally tranquil, resort-like setting, where cares and concerns are but a distant memory.
Sean Cabot and Vance Willis, co-owners of Backyard Oasis Pools, call the pre-cast stone surrounding the pool "coping." It harmonizes well with the stone, brick, and wrought iron accents of the Dream Home as it creates a mesmerizing environment. According to Sean, an exposed aggregate quartz finish gives the plaster inside the pool its inviting hue. The upper pool, at 20' x 40', is great for lap swimming, water aerobics, games, and of course, reclining on the tanning shelf. "Who wouldn?t love the ability to relax in a chair in ankle-deep water?" asks Sean.
"A feature frequently complimented is the reverse vanishing edge you see here from the spa to the upper pool, and from the upper to the lower pool," Sean continues. "When you're in the spa or upper pool, these give the illusion that water just disappears from view. They create a great effect." With heaters, pools like this can be enjoyed not just in summer but year round, says Sean. "That's one of the big reasons backyard pools are so popular today."
Another is the fact that the area surrounding pools provide great settings for creating outdoor living space. "Bringing indoor luxuries outside is what it's all about," says Carmen Squadrito, manager of Raleigh's Summer Classics, a leading manufacturer of fine outdoor furniture and accessories.
"Take outdoor rugs and lamps," Carmen says. "We offer rugs in numerous sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns, and we can hardly keep them in stock. They're ultra-durable and stay outside all the time" Even during storms. The same goes for our table and floor lamps. These items can be safely plugged in and "on," rain or shine. As with interior accoutrements, low maintenance outdoor furnishings are very appealing.?
Other "hot" items in outdoor furnishings this summer include comfortable, fully-cushioned seating in durable, easy to clean fabrics; fringed throw pillows and curtains (aka "sun panels"), giving a finished, custom look to outdoor living; wall hangings and fountains; and outdoor fans. Particularly in fashion, says Carmen, is the combination of red and white fabrics in a multitude of fun patterns. Cast and wrought aluminum are increasingly popular in furniture, along with wicker and wrought iron, and table tops of marble, slate, granite, and faux finishes are sharing the limelight with glass.
"Furniture and accessories create rooms, whether you're indoors or out," says Carmen. "Why not take advantage of additional living space?" Excellence and style can be a part of your backyard with a little planning and assistance from professionals like these. Get busy today to enjoy some good livin? while the summertime is upon us!
Three Pool Rules
Owning a pool is wonderful but please don't forget they can be dangerous! Towns define strict requirements regarding residential pool barriers, gates, and so forth.
Below are important guidelines every pool owner should take to heart:
- Never leave children unsupervised near a pool.
- Don't consider children drown-proof because they?ve had swimming lessons.
- If a child is missing, check the pool first! Seconds count!
- Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
- Keep rescue equipment, including a telephone and emergency numbers, by the pool.
- Designate a "water watcher," especially during social gatherings.
- Remove toys from in and around the pool when not in use; they attract children.
- When not in use, secure the pool so it can't be accessed.
Enjoy your pool! Just remember to follow the rules!
Rebecca R. Newsome, MIRM is a freelance writer
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