Our Top 10 Pools, Patios, and Porches

During the scorching summer months, there’s nothing better than diving in the pool or lounging in the shade. Outdoor retreats such as these can make this sometimes brutal season downright delightful.

Pieter Estersohn, produced by Patricia Ann Weigel

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Calm in Kiawah

Why we love it:

Minimal landscaping and furnishings emphasize the view.
The combination of pool design and furniture placement are key in directing the eye outward.
A wood-planked deck keeps the look natural and the setting seemingly undisturbed.
The unexpected black-painted pillars and railing work harmoniously with the neutral landscape.
Even in such an open space, the feeling is still intimate, with a cluster of palms forming a natural privacy fence.

RESOURCES: Architecture by Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA, 203/254-2388; design by Amelia T. Handegan, Inc., 843/722-9373.