Philip Lokey describes himself as “an old hippie who loves to watch college football while simultaneously floating in the pool and listening to all kinds of music, from James Taylor to the Rolling Stones.” Only now, instead of using a simple grill for burgers and a boom box for music, Philip, his wife Shannon and daughter Summer, have the ultimate backyard pool complete with speakers in the surrounding landscaping and a three-sided cabana with air conditioning that lowers the temperature under-roof by 15 degrees.
To create this relaxing lifestyle, the Lokeys hired a team of local professionals to help them bring their ideas to life. “It was definitely a team effort,” says Pat O’Connell, owner of Landmark Pools. In addition to the homeowners and O’Connell, the primary team consisted of interior designer Diane Carter Simon of Design Concepts and Solutions, landscape architect Mike Mulligan of MJM Design Group, Inc., and architect Scott Geresy. The project itself, cabana and pool, took about two years from concept to splashing and fun.
Landmark Pools, whose motto is “If you can imagine it, we can build it,” was established by O’Connell in 1978, meaning that he and his staff are highly experienced in building all sizes and shapes of pools using different kinds of materials with a wide variety of water features. For the Lokeys’ installation, O’Connell began with a challenge—the back yard already had a patio that rose uphill 24-inches from the level of the house. Working with Mulligan, he tore out existing planters and a retaining wall, designed four 6-inch risers for access from the back and created a sun shelf that goes right into the wrap-around cabana built by Geresey. The pool itself is edged by pre-cast white coping with Leonardo travertine leading up to it. Green antique water tiles rim the water.
Brass scuppers are side features of the spa. Pre-cast white flowerpot bowls carry out the coping theme and a retaining wall of red brick, which also doubles as a bench, surrounds the pool and ties into the cabana.
Deck chairs are scattered around the pool deck, and serve as a perfect place to soak up some sun. They’re located close enough to the pool to catch a bit of the coolness coming off of it, but also near enough to the cabana, which features a kitchen area, a workout room and a lot of nifty electronics, like a radio, that can be enjoyed by those lounging around the pool.
A quaint matching table and chairs set sits a little ways away from the pool, and is the perfect spot to sit around with friends or family while keeping an eye on those in the pool.
It may not look like somewhere capable of hosting a large party, but the Lokeys put it to good use. Following their daughter Summer’s Arts in Motion production of Lil’ Abner, they threw a cast party for 120 people. At Christmas, the family didn’t forget to include the outdoor space. Decorations were everywhere with a big tree, reindeer around the pool and colored lights on the hearth.