Five tips to a magazine worthy pool — In conversation with Mia from Mia Lake Interiors.
By far the very best part of my job is understanding why it is you want a pool. For us, it’s about being close to water. It makes us happy. And having a pool in our backyard makes our life at home easy.
For you, it might simply be a place to cool down and relax. It could be to keep the kids at home (that little bit longer) as they get older and want a place to hang out with their friends. Or it could be to spruce up an old backyard and give you that water view you’ve always dreamed of.
I don’t want you to discount the statement a pool will make in your backyard. Take advantage of it and treat it as an extension of your home - another room to decorate perhaps. Because for all the value that pool will provide (and let me tell you, they’re a real game changer), there will be days when you’re not taking a dip. And on those days you want to be able to stare out at that pool of yours and think, wow - aren’t you stunning!
I’m not expecting you to know how to design such a pool, and I'm not going to claim how to either. But Mia sure does. In my latest blog I sat down with Mia from Mia Lake Interiors to get her hot tips on how to design a magazine worthy pool. Enjoy!
TIP ONE // If you want a luxe pool, you should definitely tile it. Although it increases the budget, it also increases the status of your pool. To make pool design more appealing, look beyond the standard 20x20mm mosaic tiles. Take inspiration from the exotic Balinese & Moroccan pool. Try larger scaled tiles, shaped or patterned tiles or even the layout format in which you lay them e.g., herringbone.
TIP TWO // Even if you choose to heat your pool, it is unlikely that you will use your pool every single day of the year (unless you have been watching The Goop Lap, and trying out the Wim Hof Method). Pool's are also an opportunity to be a visual feast, a water feature in your backyard. It is like validating the cost of an outfit; cost per wear. If you visually enjoy the pool every day, it's worth spending the extra money on it... right? By raising the pool semi or entirely out of the ground, you can give it more of a presence, making it more of a feature. You could even add a glass window. Continue the pool's tiles on the outside of the pool to make a dramatic visual impact.
TIP THREE // Think outside the box. Organic shapes are hugely on-trend at the moment. Curved lounges, kidney-shaped coffee tables and even rounded free-formed pools are in fashion right now. Think about it, nothing in nature is a straight line, so why would you put a box within your outdoor landscape?
TIP FOUR // Enhance the body of water by surrounding it with more of Mother's Natures jewels - LANDSCAPING. It is a recipe for success when you mix natural stone, timber, botanicals and water. Garden beds, pots and vertical walls near the pool is a must in my eyes (as long as they’re compliant).
TIP FIVE // This tip isn't for everyone. I love pools that sit right next to the house, by a window so that you can see the sparkling pool next to your living room or kitchen or dining room. YES... I know, what if the water splashes on the window? Yes, you might have to clean the window a little more often, but if you are the type of person willing to have marble on your benchtops, then your tolerance of maintenance is high enough for this feature. With this, you must consider the colour of your pool and the impact it will have on your interior colour scheme.
Mia Lake has over 15 years experience in the industry, helping people design their new homes, renovations and multi-residential developments.
"I believe my three top strengths are: 1- Spatial layouts; making the most of your space & floor plans. 2- Joinery design & documentation; tailored bespoke cabinetry designs to suit your needs & enhance the design. 3-Colour schemes; whether it be indoor or outdoor, I can create harmony in your space through colour and materials."
Mia offers free consultations before you have to commit to the design process. She believes it is essential that the designer and client relationship is a good fit. Reach out to her today with your interior design project.
mia@mialakeinteriors.com | www.mialakeinteriors.com | 0414 48 77 76