Turn Your Pool Deck into a Cool and Stylish Oasis

Owning a swimming pool at home is the ultimate in luxury, especially on a hot summer’s day. Making it into a beautifully styled oasis is essential, especially in a climate like Western Australia, where it’s all about the light, the beaches and living life outdoors. The challenge is how to design and decorate your spaces to maximise style and usability.

For this home on Cottesloe Beach, an unorthodox coastal retreat with its concrete exterior, monolithic columns and geometrical lines, Henri Living's in-house designer, Lua Henri chose large-scale furnishings that make their weighty presence known. “I love Harbour Outdoor, the Australian family-run business, known for its contemporary design, high-quality materials, craftsmanship, and superior durability,” she says. "Instead of worn-out wood and flimsy metals, we’re talking timber, iron and fade-resistant fabrics that will stand up to whatever summer throws at it. Each piece is handcrafted in their Sydney workshop and seamlessly blends traditional and modern elements that pay homage to modern Australian beach houses."

Like any indoor room, an outdoor space or poolscape must be stylistically coherent, functional and be designed in a way that allows people to seamlessly move around it. "Similar colours, textures and shapes should be used to create a sense of cohesiveness, and it's important to have the set-out and scale just right," suggests Lua. "Ensure your exterior aesthetic complements your interior; your outdoor spaces should be an extension of them.”

Take a Seat

No matter how big or small your space, select design-led furnishings to create an area that matches your style. Lua was drawn to the Balmain Chair's sculptural curves and angles that soften and relate to the home's strict architectural lines. Crafted from powder-coated extruded aluminium, it boasts a sleek look that can withstand the harsh Western Australian climate. Its all-weather seat and back cushions in a shade of sand are supported by a slatted suspension that adds comfort and sophistication.

The Byron Bay Chair’s angular powder-coated aluminium frame means it’s sturdy enough to sit on and ready to tackle unexpected weather. Outdoor designs that incorporate unexpected design touches, like its low-slung seats made of French Batyline® mesh, keep things interesting. Being semi-transparent means it adds a touch of lightness to the chair’s robust form as well as effortless comfort.

Lean Back

Harbour Outdoor's Malabar Sun Lounge is handcrafted with a solid timber base and an all-weather woven wicker seat that is fully adjustable for the ultimate in relaxation. "The main distinction between a great outdoor chaise that lasts and one that simply looks good is the quality of materials used,” says Lua. “Less expensive options are often not as durable and may only last a season or two, whereas versions made from 100 per cent natural, sturdy materials are more long-lasting and can better endure outdoor conditions."

Gather Around

Have a big family or plenty of friends planning on sharing your pool this summer? Then you’d better be sure your dining table is roomy enough to fit a crowd. Lua selected the Pacific Extendable Dining Table as a foundation piece for its linear form and beachy aesthetic. “Its scale makes it appear substantial enough to complement the home’s bold architecture, and I love its contemporary, directional aesthetic,” she says.

Chill and Rosé

Inspired by island life, the Hayman Sofa and Armchairs feature bold lines, element-resistant outdoor fabrics and invite comfort. Minimalist yet bold lines make this cubic take on a club chair a future classic. The accompanying coffee table, the Macquarie, is inspired by Modernist design with its oblong negative space, that brings a sense of openness to the space. Comprising a powder-coated aluminium frame topped with black granite, it’s a glamourous and utilitarian take on an outdoor staple that makes a stylish landing spot for a bottle of chilled Rosé or a stack of summer reads.

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