It can be tough for a busy stay-at-home mom with two kids and five cats to claim a place of her own. So as interior designer Laura Suglia-Isgro’s clients were installing a pool at their Independence home, the couple envisioned a pool house that was functional as well as feminine. It needed to be a place where teenagers could go to towel off or hang out with friends, but also a cozy, backyard sanctuary for mom to curl up with a book or check her emails. “It had to be durable, yet casually elegant,” says Suglia-Isgro, owner of KAS Interior Design, who oversaw the project. With citrusy, honeydew-colored walls, durable swivel chairs and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, the 20-by-18-foot “she shed” is a sunny, meditative retreat. “The soft luxurious textures make it comfortable, while the bright colors portray the feel of a pool house,” Suglia-Isgro says. Here’s how she created the double-duty space.
Painting- Suglia-Isgro based the interior color scheme and tone around an oil painting by Leslie Rock that her client purchased in California. Suglia-Isgro liked the warm, airy vibe depicted in the sun-drenched plant on a windowsill. “In Ohio, the traditional color palette tends to be darker and more muted,” she says, noting the tranquility of the subject helped set the mood for the room. “It’s a really calming piece of artwork.”
Couches- Suglia-Isgro wanted to find durable outdoor furniture that would also look at home in a living room. Comfy couches by Woodard are cozy enough to sink into for hours, but also super functional. “They’re antimicrobial, so they’re not going to mildew if someone sits in them with a wet swimsuit,” she says. But the sturdy cushions and rolled arms on the couch ensure that the room still keeps a dignified air.
Glass Sliding Door- Although the cathedral ceilings and long windows make the space look big, it’s actually smaller than many master bedrooms. To open up the shed, Suglia-Isgro suggested Pella glass sliding doors that glide open onto a patio and outdoor kitchen area overlooking the pool. Even when the doors are closed, you still get the feeling of being outside. “It’s like adding a whole new room,” Suglia-Isgro says.
