I received a request from
one of my reader and follower to review “on line” his project. The Client lives
in Italy and the project is in Italy also. My Client’s desire is to add a bar
around the swimming pool area. He wants to make it convenient for his guests to
get drinks and snacks in place, instead of taking a long trip to the kitchen
inside the house, up and down the stairs, cross the grass and thus bringing
dirt and water on the kitchen floor. Client wants to add a small refrigerator,
a small sink and w cabinets to store glasses and dishes for the bar.
After studying the
existing conditions, I deducted that there are too many straight lines in the
rails, the pool is very geometric, the house around is straight and covered
with dark stones, flower pots all have the same dimensions and shapes the
lounge chairs also have long lines and colorful flowers are missing.
The pool is immerse in
the dark green of the surrounding nature, but the flooring and pool walls are
too white. The feeling is cold and sterile. I imagine in the Summer time that
stark white color will blind people and the painted blue bottom of the pool is
too blue and artificial. I don’t see any balance between colors, nor rhythm
between lines. My intention is to soften the lines giving some curves here and
there and some texture. Here I am showing the existing conditions, followed by
my concept drawings of each area
1. Let’s talk about my
concept drawings for the bar area. The terrace area seams to be the most
appropriate area for sitting at the bar away from the edges of the pool.
2. The bar is softly
curved under a wrought iron round gazebo. Its volutes and round shape will
soften the view.
3. I see the counter of
the bar made in a soap stone, or sand stone, or honed granite in a golden cream
coloration.
4. I have placed a small
stainless steel sink and a small refrigerator as requested by the Client. I see
the cabinet doors made also in stainless steel, perfect for outdoor use.
5. The exterior façade of the bar will be
covered with the same kind of stones circling the tree on the opposite corner,
or as alternative covered with the same stones surrounding the edges of the
pool (picture below).
6. The bar stools are
made of beech wood and manufactured in Italy.
I would like to see more natural swimming pool edges, covered with irregular Arizona flag stones in
a golden cream coloration. The application is very easy and they don’t cost
very much, but they will improve the look and add texture to the pool. I suggested to add a colorful mosaic
design at the bottom of the pool, perhaps with images of the ancient Roman mythology. The project is in
Italy after all, the Client lives around Rome and it is most appropriate to use
such mosaic design.
One of the pool side wall
now empty, can be filled with the existing lounge chairs that can be placed
casually. I also see a few hanging hammocks and a wall fountain with a lion
head. Water is considered a “white noise” thus easy to relaxed with the sound
of slowly running water. I would
add urn containers for plants with long and sweeping foliage. These items will
add a new dimension to the straight pool and their foliage will add that rhythm
I was looking for. Colorful potted flower will be places along the walls of the
swimming pool.
The Clients has expressed
the desire for a shower near buy the pool. Here I am showing a fabulous and
sexy example of solar shower. It will need a drain somewhere to prevent the
shower water to get into the pool. I will send to him to Italy some of these pool furnishing I am proposing.
I have called this future
bar: “Qui ci godiamo la vita”
(translation: We enjoy life here).
A bar area around the
swimming pool will be beautiful and innovative. My Client’s friends and family
will enjoy the hot Italian Summers for a long time. Sipping a glass of fine
wine, or enjoying a tasty Italian gelato will seem the most natural thing to do
every day.
I had fun designing it
for a Client I have not met yet. All our communications happened through emails
and Skype. It worked out really well. I would like to thank him for the
opportunity to work for him on a such long distance project. Before I was
contacted, he was frustrated and did not like any ideas being thrown at him. He
said they looked like a patchwork business. Now his dream will come true. He promised to
send me photos of the completed projects in a few months.
My goal and my success is
to build people’s dreams. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com
Copyright © 2009 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved
Valentina Cirasola is a trained designer and the owner of her company since 1990. She works on consultation and produces design concepts for remodeling, upgrading, new home designs for interiors and exteriors, décor restyling and home fashion. Valentina was featured in Italy on: “Vogue” magazine and many prominent publications in California. She also has made two appearances on T.V. Comcast Channel 15. Visit her Design Site