The Art of the Pool House

This article was originally published by DTF Design.

When a tech savvy couple from Northern California found and purchased a rare and tranquil 5-acre property in Redmond, WA, they knew they wanted to take advantage of the peaceful setting and build their dream home and accompanying pool house.

Seattle pool house exterior
Photography: John Granen Photography

With years of thought and planning going into their dream oasis, the family decided their future pool house needed to offer year around enjoyment and entertainment while also providing a calm, luxuriating space to unwind after work and school. The space needed to focus on sustainable design, bringing the light in, connecting to the outside while also integrating the architecture with the site. To accomplish their dreams, they partnered with Gelotte Hommas Drivdahl Architecture to create the architecture and DTF Design, Inc. to appoint the interiors and details. Hasenoehrl Construction was added to the team to accomplish the build out. Working together, each team collaborated with the couple and each other to deliver an integrated project, one phase at a time.

Seattle pool house interior
Photography: John Granen Photography

For the pool house, the couple requested the architect create a space that is open, expansive, light filled and sustainable. Together, the collective team decided to expose the truss system and make the structure part of the architectural beauty and further help create the expansive space the couple envisioned.

Seattle pool house furniture
Photography: John Granen Photography

For the interiors, Dana Foster, principal at DTF Design, was tasked with balancing the family’s need for highly functional amenities with a calm, spa-like design aesthetic. No stranger to the PNW lifestyle, Dana Foster tackled the desired wish list with a focus toward incorporating many PNW elements into the interiors, including natural materials, wood, steel and glass. The desired atmosphere was described to Dana as being one that is “child-friendly, tranquil and spa-like, more traditional than contemporary, and provide the feeling of being on a tropical vacation.” To achieve this DTF Design incorporated earth toned and durable materials such as stone masonry, porcelain tile, marine-grade finishes on the custom cabinetry and millwork, and tile baseboards.

Seattle pool house interior
Photography: John Granen Photography

The exposed truss system helps create the expansive and light-filled space desired by our clients. The 18-foot folding doors enhance the indoor/outdoor living space and provide flexibility. The pool itself takes center stage and beckons guests to take a refreshing dip, a vigorous swim in the wave lap, or a nice float endlessly looking up towards the sky through the 10 automated skylights. 

The stone wainscot and columns add texture and warmth while the custom bronze sconces highlight the stone and create a warm inviting atmosphere. Well edited furnishings and solution dyed textiles make the space functional, beautiful and well suited for the kids, the family dog and all the splashes from the pool water. The addition of tropical plantings and curated works of art help create a stylish vacation-like retreat. The selection of fine artwork, provided by Winston Wachter Fine Art, emphasizes a water theme with a spotlight on contemporary artists such as Etsuko Ichikawa, Kim Keever and Tracy Rocca.

Seattle pool house bathroom
Photography: John Granen Photography

A cozy dressing room fitted with individual custom lockers and built-in towel warmers provide the function the clients sought, while the decorative inset metal grills on the cabinetry, iron light fixtures and custom finishes provide the design aesthetic of a resort. Hanging Lanterns from Urban Electric light up the space while the perfectly shaped marble table round out this comfortable corner. 

A spa-like bathroom with a blue and off-white color palette finish out the pool house with a nod to the ocean.

Gelotte Hommas Drivdahl Architecture is pleased to partner with the region’s best home professionals to create exceptional spaces for every client. Explore more projects.