Cool Pools

Living in Texas and inching towards June means just one thing...it's getting freakin' HOT outside, people!

I'm very fortunate to have the ability to work from home, away from the confines of an office with fluorescent overhead lighting and not having to step foot inside of a 100 degree plus car rocks pretty hard as well. I am, however; faced with the challenging task of staying focused on work instead of staring out into the backyard daydreaming about where the pool will go one day and how cute it will be. To make matters worse, I get to hear the neighbors' kids across Shoal Creek enjoy their new pool and learn the rules are associated with each of their water games.

View from the dining room table at which I work. Look at that yard, just begging for a cool pool! Even my cat Boone is longing for one...

Since we're talking pools, which style of pool speaks to you?

Grandiose a la Hearst Castle?

Hearst Castle Neptune Pool

Hearst Castle Indoor Pool

Elevated?

Hemerescopium House

Poolside lounging at a hotel?

Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, Texas in the daytime...

...and at night. Bonus points for the neon sign!

Do you prefer a pool in an urban landscape?

Elle Decor

Round, private and wooded?

Dwell

Or a pool on lava from an active volcano?

Robert Trickey House, Big Island, Hawaii

How about chic and stylish?

Or are you like me and prefer simple and minimalist, like these babies?

Above, quite possibly my dream pool.

Elle Decor

No, wait! This one above. This is my dream pool.


Casa Kimball, Dominican Republic

Elle Decor

Austin Towers, Texas

Santa Ynez, California

Alila Ubud, Bali

So, which one will it be this summer?

Spring Cleaning Week

It's Friday which means I've saved the best for last. This final tasty treat come courtesy of...you guessed it - Elle Decor September 2007 (I really didn't mean to post this entire week's pics from one magazine, but these truly are some of my favorite spreads.)

In an ode to 1950's modernism, these photos are dear to my heart because not only is this house completely cozy and inviting, it has all of the elements which will eventually comprise my dream home: mid-century modern ranch house, high stone walls, an enormous fireplace (yes, in Texas) and breathtaking views. And a rectangular swimming pool!

As much as I would like to claim this rural Connecticut house as my own, it actually belongs to Bruce Glickman and Wilson Henley, owners of this Tribeca mid-century inspired store. Built in 1954, the couple renovated the home from straight-up country theme replete with brick floors and walls of barn siding, channeled Richard Neutra to see what he would do and...voila!

This post is actually a happy accident because as of Monday, in an effort to educate myself on the most inspiring and successful mid-century modern architects, House of Slappy will be beginning a new series of posts entitled none other than...'Mid-Century Modern Mondays' and 'Furniture Fridays' featuring some of the best and classic furniture MCM has to offer. I know, I'm so zany.

Just look at that Robert Longo lithograph taunting me from afar...

A view of the Litchfield Hills; the poolhouse, deck, and pool date from the 1960s. Ahhhh, serenity now.

Spring Cleaning Week

Moving right along, we have here another modest (yeah, right) Manhattan abode of Brazilian fashion designer Carlos Miele featured in the October 2007 edition of Elle Decor. And when I say modest, I mean ginormous triplex.

According to Miele, all he wanted was a place to admire his two favorite things in the world - sky and water. You and me both, brother. And the floor-to-ceiling windows aren't too shabby either, to which he adds, "I love the idea of sunset on three floors". As do I, Carlos, as do I...


I'm in love with this dining area. The chartreuse chairs, the 1970's mid-century modern Albrizzi table mixed with the aqua blue? Fuggedaboutit.

Miele's study... is that a freakin' Noguchi coffee table I see and if so, why does it seems everyone has one but me?!? It's just like that whole babies and car phenomena...

Okay, this is this photo out of the entire spread which made my heart go boom, boom, boom, boom! Arctic blue colored rug adorned with vintage arm chairs...and I'm not sure why, but I would totally love that large silver pillar in my house. On the back wall is a piece titled Dancers, a collaborative piece by Miele and architect Hani Rashid. If anyone happens to come across a close-up of this on-line, please let me know!

No. More. Zebra. Rugs. Period. Stop. The. Madness.

Spring Cleaning Week

Next up for Spring Cleaning week is the 1845 Greek Revival townhouse of one of my fashion heroes, Cynthia Rowley, featured in the October 2008 spread in Elle Decor. Back in the day when I had grand plans to take over the fashion world, I always looked up to Rowley for her beautiful, feminine and very fun designs. These photos of her home truly reflect the aesthetic of hers I fell in love with years ago - traditional yet modern, utilitarian yet artistic, solid yet whimsical.

The woman can do no wrong in my book, she even designed this beautiful metallic wallpaper.

Rowley and her husband's daughter Gigi...even her name is too cute.

I'm a serious sucker for swimming pools. Not only do I just love this picture, I'm drooling over those mid-century chaise lounges with pretty floral fabric.

How gorgeous is this room?! And that amazing bar cart?

Of course Rowley designed this wallpaper, too...

And what kid's bunk beds don't have a Takashi Murakami art piece hanging on the wall? Come on you slacker parents, step up your game.

A serious art collector, Rowley's collection includes pieces by artists such as Rachel Feinstein, Tom Sachs, Richard Prince, Will Cotton, Christopher Wool, and Elizabeth Peyton.

If I was resourceful right now I would totally Photoshop mine and my husbands heads onto this picture. I've also been contemplating which colors to decorate the bedroom with and right now rich deep purple and blue are lookin' really good right about now.