Tommy and Beth Sharon’s nearly 1.5-acre property in Gwinnett County offered plenty of space for outdoor entertaining. But the couple waited about 10 years to add the pool and pool house, which had enough space for a kitchenette, guest room, bathroom, living area and exercise room.
Now, the spaces are used often by their teenage kids and their friends, as well as for events such as seafood boils and guest space for overnight visitors.
Snapshot
Residents: Tommy and Beth Sharon and their children, Will and Holland
Location: Duluth
Size: Main house, about 4,000 square feet, four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths; pool house, about 1,200 square feet, one bedroom, one bath
Year built: Main house, 1977; pool house, 2012
Year bought: 2001
Architectural style: Open plan design with traditional details. Oval and arch-shaped windows in the pool house emphasize the connection to the outdoors. The doors in the pool house also can open up completely to the covered porch, outdoor kitchen and pool.
Architect: Cynthia M. Karegeannes, based in Norcross
Builder: Clark Harris of Innovative Construction, based in Roswell
Interior designer: Beth Weltlich of the House Dressing, based in Alpharetta
Additional design consultants: Danny Franke of Custom Pools of Atlanta; Mark Allgood of Atlanta-based Allgood Construction Services (stonework)
Interior design style: Traditional. The brick pool house matches the brick main house, but using stone between the two buildings and surrounding the pool creates a more casual, relaxed feel, Beth Sharon said.
Interior design inspiration: The style for the fireplace inside the pool house was inspired by a magazine feature of a lake house decorated by Tracery Interiors, which has locations in Rosemary Beach, Fla., and Birmingham, Ala.
Favorite interior design features: Benches slipcovered in fabric are among Beth's favorite pieces in the pool house; the benches are from Wesley Hall, based in Hickory, N.C. Honed granite countertops add a soft look to the kitchen and bathroom. Glass mosaic backsplash from Alpharetta-based Traditions in Tile is paired with off-white cabinets in the kitchen. Ceramic tile used in the pool house has the appearance of hardwood floors, but is easier to maintain with family and guests entering after swimming.
Favorite outdoor feature: A classic Roman-style saltwater pool with waterfall sounds (the property also has an outdoor shower). Another popular spot is the covered porch, which has an outdoor TV over the stone fireplace, ceiling fans and seating from Summer Classics.
Resources: Solaria Lighting (based in Decatur); Alpharetta-based Traditions in Tile (countertops); Designer Carpet and Rug Source; and furniture and accessories from Pottery Barn, Summer Classics, Wesley Hall, Gabby, Lee Industries, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, Pottery Barn and Scott Antique Market. Artwork around the pool table includes two acrylics by California artist Linda Donohue.
