It’s summertime and the living is easy in this enchanted oasis.
Story by Jody Goppert / Photography by Matt Kocourek
A desire to bring a vacation feeling to their home was the impetus for Lauren Browne, owner of Grace & Nell Homes, and her husband Peter’s decision to build their own watery dream space. Nothing compares to the relaxation of sitting poolside and enjoying outdoor planned havens, especially when you tailor them to your exact preferences and include your favorite muse items.
These two have a love story! “We met in high school through my brother. Peter was one of his best friends,” Lauren shared. “Then we both went to the same university and formed a close friendship. We started dating just before we graduated. Because he was like a member of our family, we already knew each other really well, so we didn’t date long before Peter proposed.”
“I’m a third-generation home builder and worked closely with my dad in the family business. When our son was born, I stayed home full time to care for him. After Naomi came along, I was ready to reenter the workforce and missed the creativity that comes with being a home builder. My parents had been retired for a while at that point, so it was a natural next step to start my own company.”
Lauren designed and built their home, a modern adaptation of English Arts and Crafts architecture. The landscaping followed the style. A favorite of Lauren’s, the grounds are filled with hydrangeas, their showy flower heads giving a nod of approval to the place of enchantment.
It was only natural for the backyard to become an outdoor haven, reminiscent of a resort. “We chose to add the pool because we love being poolside whenever we vacation, so it just made sense to build a space we could enjoy most of the year,” Lauren shared. “Plus, our kids are teens, and we wanted a space for them to be able to enjoy with their friends.”
Their vision encompassed unifying the outside with the inside. The great room, overlooking the covered patio, houses the tv area and cozy furniture, allowing the exterior design story to complement the interior of the home. “We have a lot of blues and whites inside,” she explained, “so the wood tone of the wicker furniture really helps to add warmth and dimension.”
When it came to furniture, they chose items that make their pool feel like a resort setting. The wicker-based lounge chairs with their refreshing white cushions and accompanying umbrellas were key elements. Finding them early in the process allowed her to design the decking width to accommodate the loungers and a walkway space. These statement pieces are made of rust-proof aluminum with high-performance outdoor fabric on the cushions, making them ultra durable and low maintenance.
Their strategically placed outdoor kitchen was specifically designed by her husband. “Our prep kitchen is just inside that patio door with a full sink and a long open countertop for him. We often host large gatherings of our family and friends, and he enjoys grilling. He loves this space!” she smiled.
The fireplace is the perfect mood-setter through the seasons and has created one of their family’s favorite spaces in their home. The frameless screens on the porch allow for an uninterrupted view of the pool while making leisure time bug-free!
Another important feature that raises the bar in their space is the lighting. An essential element in design, Lauren shared that Prairieside Concepts did an amazing job layering in lighting for the landscaping and walls, enhancing the evening atmosphere year-round.
The entry from the pool area to their home was specifically curated. “We have two entries to the backyard from our house, one at the outdoor kitchen and the other from the patio,” she noted. “We had fun collaborating on how to tie both spaces together to make it feel intentional and established.”
When they were taking photos to showcase their new pool, an unexpected surprise happened! A hot air balloon floated above on its colorful, festive journey, bringing along a cherished memory.
“The fun story is that my husband proposed to me on a hot air balloon ride. The balloon looked a lot like that one too!” Lauren reflected. “You’d have thought we had planned it, but it just happened to be flying over at the same time as our photoshoot.”
Just another memory added to this magical place.
Resources
- Backyard Builder/Contractor: Prairieside Concepts
- Project Designer: Lauren Browne / Prairieside Concepts
- Landscaping /Hardscaping / Landscape Lighting / Pool / Spa: Prairieside Concepts
- Pool Decking: Prairieside Concepts – Unilock
- Stone Company: KC Stone
- Sprinkler System: Prairieside Concepts
- Outdoor Furniture: Pottery Barn
- Outdoor Grill: BBQGuys
- Fencing: Denton Enterprises
- Outdoor Audio: Mavi
