Dive On In!

Gliding through the sun-warmed waters of your own private sanctuary on a bright summer’s day is one of life’s most blissful pleasures. Few things are more soothing than a day by the pool. For good health and happiness, this sort of rest and relaxation is essential, so, treat yourself to a new swimsuit and head out to the water – doctor’s orders!

PARTY OF ONE

We all need time to pamper ourselves, and where better to indulge than in our own personal oasis? For perfect solitude, introduce the natural beauty of plants like star jasmine and thornless bougainvillea around the pool area. They not only provide a lovely private screen, they also soften the hard lines of pool equipment, as well as helping the area blend more naturally with its surroundings. For best results, choose broadleaf evergreens that don’t drop leaves, fruit or needles and look lush all year round.

INTIMATE GATHERINGS

Poolside entertaining has its own special ambience, be it sliding through the aqua depths with that special someone on a beautiful afternoon, or sipping cocktails with close friends by the water’s edge in the warm summer air. For a wonderful atmosphere in the evening, try floating pool candles or a glowing candle centrepiece.

FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS

Who doesn’t love a pool party? Littlies adore to splash, teens are more than happy to kick back on an oversize towel with their mp3 and every parent should slip off their shoes and let their hair down once in a while. But always remember: safety first. Fences are a must for families with young children, as are non-slip tiles. Or, if your pool area has brick pavers, make sure to keep them free of moss to prevent a nasty fall spoiling a perfect poolside day.

THE BIG BASH

Be it an elegant twilight gathering or a swinging ‘luau’, why not make the pool the theme for your next big bash? Perfect for cooling down on hot summer days and pure magic on balmy nights, the pool party is a popular favourite. So set the barbecue sizzling, grab some plastic cups and plates in bold funky colours, and turn the music up: this will be a summer ‘do’ you’ll want to last all year long!

NIGHT SWIMMING

Swimming at night is an enchanting experience. Whether you choose to illuminate your pool area with professional lightscaping, brighten its surroundings with a selection of lamp oil torches or simply set a floating light adrift on its waters, there’s nothing quite like bathing under the stars in the shimmering glow of your own private oasis.

EXPERT TIPS

Expert Richard Rose of Gardens at Night shares some of his spectacular lighting secrets.

  • If you are going to light a pool on one side only, it is important to choose the one you usually view it from. This ensures that you minimise glare.
  • When choosing a coloured light, take the colour of the tiles or paint into account as it reflects off this surface and this is what you see.
  • Also, any coloured filter reduces the light output so you should compensate for it either with stronger bulbs or more light fittings.

Page printed from Home Ideas online: 8th September 2010
http://www.simplyhomeideas.com/p/decorating/dive_on_in
Please visit the website for more fantastic articles.