East Hampton - Good design is the perfect synthesis between fashion and function. A successful design is one that fits seamlessly into our lifestyle while an unsuccessful one just never feels quite right. We may not be able to put our finger on the problem but instinctively we know that something is off. Corporations spend billions of dollars per year in attempts to create products that are both aesthetically pleasing and user friendly. It is universally accepted that an architect can bring valuable insight and experience into the design process of a house but many people stop there and choose not to consult a professional when making their plans for landscape, patio and swimming pool design.

Infinity edge pool on property in Montauk. (Gordon Grant)

For most people the installation of a swimming pool is a once in a lifetime experience that acts as a reward for their hard work or even the fulfillment of a dream. Last year, one of my clients, who had been particularly participatory and excited during each phase of the design and construction of his swimming pool, told me a wonderful story. After his swimming pool installation had been completed, his parents came to visit and his mother produced an envelope that contained a school project that my client had completed in the third grade. The assignment was to write a list of 10 life goals. Number two on his list was to have his own swimming pool. Fulfillment of life goal number two definitely deserves all the time and attention necessary to make it perfect and not just make it.

Pool in Amagansett featuring in water fountains. (Elizabeth Glasgow)

The smartest investment one can make when first considering the installation of a swimming pool and patio area is to contract a professional to provide a design. The design process should be a collaborative partnership between the homeowner and the designer. Meet with potential designers to make sure that not only your designer's aesthetic but also their personality is agreeable with yours. The process can be intimate so it's important that your personalities work well together. During early consultations give your designer as much information as possible about your family and lifestyle. Many of my clients are very surprised when we are discussing a swimming pool and I ask them where their kitchen is located. The location of the kitchen helps me figure out the best place for the barbecue, which will play a very important role in determining the size and location of the patio. A good designer will want to learn as much information as possible about the client, their family and future life plans such as children or grandchildren.

Pool in Southampton with elevated jacuzzi and overflowing waterfall. (Gordon Grant)

Spending money on a formal design might seem to be a waste to many people. I can assure you that it will show a substantial return on investment based solely on the savings that one can accrue when correcting mistakes on paper rather than in concrete. I also encourage clients to use their design as a road map that allows them to complete their project in stages. This can make the overall budget much more palatable and affordable. The days of creating cocktail napkin sketches to install swimming pools and patios have long since passed. Outdoor spaces are now as sophisticated as their interior counterparts and therefore require the same attention to detail and planning.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to have fun. Deadlines and budgets are very important but they are also very arbitrary and should be kept in prospective. It is much more important to have a beautifully designed space that was installed properly and completed on July 5 than to have anything less completed on July 3.

Pool in Amagansett featuring in water jacuzzi and a sun shelf. (Elizabeth Glasgow)