Meet Alisha Gwen, the interior designer who brought a splash of personality to the outdoors with her latest project – a stunning pool house that’s a perfect blend of high-end and laid-back vibes. “We wanted to make everything feel approachable and friendly, but still look like it was plucked straight from a design magazine,” Gwen shares.
The result is a space that’s equal parts sophisticated and fun, with a cleverly laid-out pool house that’s more like a resort retreat than a typical backyard oasis. A collaborative effort with Pittsburgh-based designer Justin Cipriani of Cipriani Studios, the pool house features a sleek, modern design that’s balanced by the warmth of natural stone and rich wood accents.
The outdoor space is a true showstopper… with a pool surrounded by striking black-and-white pavers in a classic checkerboard pattern that’s both bold and beautiful. A fire pit and hot tub add to the cozy atmosphere, “while a leisurely lounge area invites guests to linger and soak up the sun.” “It’s an outdoor space, “and it’s an area where there’s going to be entertaining.”.. so I think it’s great that they played into that and jazzed it up,” says judge Katie Sav ← →
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Designer Gwen created a playful yet sophisticated outdoor space.
The outdoor space, a true masterpiece of design, is a true showstopper. Here are the highlights that make it so special: Key Features:** * **Expansive Pool The crowning jewel of the outdoor space is the expansive pool, perfectly complemented by the striking black-and-white pavers in a classic checkerboard pattern.
* Outdoor Lounge A cozy outdoor lounge invites guests to linger and soak up the sun, complete with plush furniture and a fire pit to keep things warm on chilly evenings.
* Hot Tub The hot tub is the perfect spot to relax and unwind, surrounded by the tranquil surroundings of the pool and outdoor lounge.
* Leisure-Related Photographs Local artist Bet Garcia curated a selection of leisure-related photographs to adorn the space, adding a personal touch and visual interest.
* Black-and-White “Drunk Monkey” Wallpaper A bold and playful touch… the black-and-white “drunk monkey” wallpaper in the kitchenette is a surefire conversation starter that adds a dash of whimsy to the space.
* Powder Room and Storage One side of the pool house is enclosed for storage, while the other houses a powder room, shower, “kitchenette,” “bar.”.. and locker space where the ← →
Pool design.
My fellow Americans, let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of lounging by the pool on a warm summer day. And when it comes to creating the perfect outdoor oasis, the design of the pool itself is paramount. As I’ve discovered in my research for Pittsburgh Magazine, a well-designed pool can make all the difference.
It’s not just a matter of throwing some concrete into a yard and calling it a day, no sir. A top-notch pool design is an investment in your ___style, your entertainment, and your very well-being. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Chet, what makes a pool truly exceptional?” Well, my friends, it’s all about balance.
You want a design that’s sleek and modern, yet warm and inviting. A design that says, “Come on in, the water’s fine!” And that’s exactly whatPittsburgh Magazine’s latest pool design story delivers. With its cleverly laid-out pool house… natural stone and rich wood accents, and striking black-and-white pavers, “this pool is the epitome of style and sophistication.” It’s a true showstopper, “folks.”.. and it’s a testament to the power of good design to transform your outdoor space into a true retreat.
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The theme extended to the outdoors, where interior designer Alisha Gwen ⁘ who also worked with Walton on the home⁘s colorful interior ⁘ created a playful, yet sophisticated slice of paradise. ⁘We wanted to make everything look like it was high-end, but also very friendly and approachable from a design standpoint,⁘ Gwen says.
⁘Nothing about the inside of the house or the pool house feels like, ⁘I can⁘t sit there,⁘ or ⁘It⁘s too stuffy,⁘ or ⁘It⁘s too fancy.⁘⁘ PHOTO BY DAVE BRYCE PHOTOGRAPHY
Besides the white-brick pool house (a cleverly laid-out collaboration between Gwen and Pittsburgh-based designer and developer Justin Cipriani of Cipriani Studios ), the outdoor space encompasses an outdoor lounge, fire pit and hot tub, plus an expansive pool surrounded by striking black-and-white pavers set in a classic checkerboard pattern.
Calling it bold, beautiful and thoughtfully designed, judges in this year⁘s Best of Design contest named it their Best Outdoor Space for 2025. ⁘I just think it⁘s so fun,⁘ says judge Katie Savakis, a project designer with Vocon in Cleveland . ⁘It⁘s an outdoor space, and it⁘s an area where there⁘s going to be entertaining, so I think it⁘s great that they played into that and jazzed it up.⁘ PHOTO BY DAVE BRYCE PHOTOGRAPHY
