A Quietly Moody Summer: Our Yard & Pool Progress

Melissa Cahoon
Aug 1
2 min read

There’s something about a summer yard transformation that feels both wildly exciting and deeply grounding. As we slowly shape the bones of our outdoor living space, I wanted to share a glimpse into where we are, where we’re headed—and the pieces that are helping create the layered, nostalgic mood we’re after.

The Pool: A Moody Take on a Classic Escape

We’ve officially broken ground on the pool, and while it’s still in the construction phase, one of the most defining design decisions is already locked in: black tile. This was such a deliberate choice—not just for the visual impact, but for the feeling it creates. Black tile gives the water that deep, reflective, almost inky quality that feels both transportive and grounded.

It conjures memories of European summer escapes—think French countryside estates, Italian villas, moody Provencal reflections—but it also harmonizes beautifully with our Pacific Northwest palette. The evergreen trees, the slate-toned skies, the soft light—all of it makes the dark tile feel like it belongs here. You can see the tile we selected here (we went with the Black Nero Matte Premium Tile by Soake Pools, and a slate grey grout one shade lighter than the tile).

The Vibe: French Garden Refinement Meets Lived-In Nancy Meyers Ease

To build on that European tone, we’re layering in black wrought iron lounge furniture—an intentional nod to classic French garden charm. It has that slightly ornate, timeless look I adore, especially when juxtaposed with aged stone, soft garden plantings, and natural textures. House of Leon has created an exceptional designer quality line with this exact look and feel.

We’re also pulling in weathered wicker furniture for the shaded areas—pieces that feel easy, relaxed, and storied. There’s a certain Nancy Meyers–esque quality to wicker: warm, unfussy, and perfectly imperfect. These are the kinds of pieces you want to curl into with a paperback and a lemon spritz.

To complete the look, we’re adding Ralph Lauren lanterns—the kind of element you don’t notice right away but that glows just right as dusk settles in. There’s something so comforting about the quiet flicker of a lantern, especially when it’s as timeless and tailored as these. For our project, we selected the classic black Carrington sconces by Ralph.

Next on the list: landscape planning, soft layers of planting, and final selections for the stone surround. We’re leaning into yellow pea gravel, overgrown garden borders, white hydrangeas, and maybe even a few climbing roses if I can help it.

Until then, here’s a peek at where we are now—progress photos of the pool entering the ground included below!