Hi! We're throwing it back to when our new pool house was the apple of our eye! Hope you enjoy the stroll down memory lane! And, PS...we have free framing & shipping going on, right now!

Hi Everyone,

Summer is ALMOST upon us, but this post has been in the works since last winter. As most of you know, I've been doing lots of updates to our home, including redesigning the kitchen, guest bedroom, and master. Well, this new reveal was a project all in itself! I'm so excited to show you all my new backyard, which includes an all new swimmingpooland a completely renovated pool house! That's right, I transformedthe garage into a fully functioning pool house, as well as new spare bedroom. For this big job, I turned to the talented team at Decorist, who brought on their friends at Wayfair to round out the much needed help on making my vision a reality.

With that in mind, I thought the best way to help you envision it all is take you all from start to finish.I've got a lot of before, during,and best of all, AFTER photos to share!

BEFORE

We had long been using our garage more as a storage space than an actual garage. Living in Southern California certainly has its perks, which in this case includes not necessarily needing the garage to put the cars in. Therefore, we created a new storage area behind the garage and began to plot out how we could best use the space.

THE VISION

Traveling to so many wonderful places I became inspired to create a vacation in my backyard.However, before getting carried away with the design,I needed thepool houseto play a dual role:providing a lounge area and easy access bar & refrigerator for our guests, as well as offering a second guest bedroom option for our overnight guests.Pinningsome picturesof interiors I've enjoyed during my travels, along with a million other ideas,I landed on two design directions. For the interior I wanted to create a "Palm Beach Bungalow" style and for the exterior I envisioned an "East Coast Teak Hamptons" style with lush green grass and tall green hedges.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

We broke ground for the pool and got to work with Decorist simultaneously. It was our goal to have it all ready in time for summer and I'm happy to report, it was a success!

THE DESIGNPROCESS

Having a pretty hectic scheduleI don't always have time for a lot of face-to-face meetings, so I was very excited to try the online interior design approach offered by Decorist. During my initial conversation with designer, Ashley Redmond, I conveyed to her that I wanted a sophisticated yet playful space for the newmixed-use pool house. We talked about the furniture I currently had, the pieces that I wouldneed to get, as well as the artwork and overall vibe I wanted to achieve. Within the week of our first talk, I received mood boards with her proposed decor direction. After reviewing it all with a tweak here and there, Ashley and I opted to work exclusively online with Wayfair. We wereconfident their vast product selection would blend perfectly with the vision, which included playful prints and eye-catching fabrics to create a vibrant whimsical retreat for our guests to enjoy.We set a budget and just like that, we were moving!

AFTER

Ta Dah! Naturally, the outdoor reveal wouldn't have been complete without the Rivazzurra umbrella from theGray Malin x Santa Barbara Designs capsule collection.Won't you come in...

Immediately upon entering, the whole room opens upand invites you to make yourself comfortable. For artwork,I honed in on a few of my favorite poolside pieces from the Aqua Glam series, as well ascomplementing coastal images. Framed in white, totaling in size at 43" x 61",Summertime Splash hangs prominentlyabove the loveseat, then the long legs of Beach Ball Glam will help you whip up a cocktail or two above the bar.

Do you love it? I absolutely do! To set this space apart from the main house,Ashley and I focused on giving itmore of a POP! Thisentailedincorporating a fabulous banana leaf wall paper on an accent wall,lime green seat cushions for the Chippendale chairs, an area rugand colorful accessories. I love the idea of lounging inside when it's a bit too hot outside along withbeing able to offer that next level of privacy for our overnight guests.

Turning our attention to the sleeping quarters, I decided on_Viareggio Pool_ from the first release of my Italian series, La Dolce Vitato hang above the bed. Also framed in white in our largest size, itplays nicely with the pool hues from the Aqua Glam selections.Together,they show off the glamour and the sport of taking a dip in a pool... hopefully encouraging our guests to jump in!

The Reef tray is readily available to enjoy some breakfast in bed...with a view, course. Straight ahead, we round out the Aqua Glam selects with its namesake image, Aqua Glam, framed in black. Opting to display the printwithout nails, I really like how nicely it pairs withDay at the Beach, Italy from my new Italian Geometric series, sized in medium with a white frame.

During the day, we'll fold up the room divider, and reveal the garage door that opens up to our outdoor dining area.That's right, the garage door still opens up.I wasn't kidding when I said multi-use!When it's time for bed, thoughit goes back down, the divider goes back upand it's time to make yourself athome,unpack yourclothes then hop inbed for a relaxing night's sleep.

I could not be more thrilled with the way the entire project turned out! Not to be left out, for those getting comfy in the loveseat and are keeping their eyes towards the pool, they'll have a chance to transport themselves to_Sydney Beach, Vertical_.

WOW! I can't believe I'm finally getting to share this all with you! Thank you to Decorist and Wayfair for helping every stepalong the way... couldn't have done it without you.

Cheers to summer and remember to always make every day a getaway! Lets DIVE IN!

Cheers

xx

GM

For more on the rest of of the Wayfair items used: Clint Coffee Table,Easmor Sideboard | White,Poinciana Handmade Pacific Area Rug | 7'9" x 10'10",Night Stand,Garden Stool,Palm Pillow,Rug,Loveseat,White End TablesandPalm Pillow