Earl Martin is a curator of several thousand ordinary but extraordinary things. A snuffbox with a tiny portrait of Louis XIV. A Russian drinking bowl made of gilded silver. A Fabergé sugar bowl covered in botanical garlands.

Specifically, Martin is the Deborah and Philip English Curator of Decorative Arts, Design, and Material Culture at The Walters Art Museum, a new position created with a $2.5-million endowment from its namesake local art collectors and tasked with caring for the Mt. Vernon institution’s collection of 18th- and 19th-century artifacts.

But the job requires more than just preserving pretty things from the past, ranging from ceramics and textiles to glass: Martin is looking at how these pieces—both functional and ornamental—had an impact on the world around them.

Like paintings and sculpture, “[These objects] reflect the cultures and histories of the world,” says Martin, pictured above. “They can range from everyday objects that you might actually have all around you at home to [those that] the royalty and elite of Europe and the Americas would own,” from small simple mugs by Baltimore silversmith Samuel Kirk & Son to ornate rococo clocks made with French and German techniques.

This will soon include more than 400 pieces of majolica pottery to be donated by the Englishes and overseen by Martin, who first arrived at the museum as a collaborator on Majolica Mania. Launched last March, the building-wide exhibition in the newly renovated Hackerman House was part of the museum’s newfound emphasis on creating a world-class venue for the study of decorative arts in Baltimore.

Majolica, a style of ceramics first introduced at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, was a favorite of the Victorians, who celebrated its colorful glazes and natural themes. Given its high quality and comprehensive selection, the acquisition means that the Walters, “without hyperbole. . .will probably have the greatest collection of this material in the world,” says Martin.

The Wisconsin native came to the Walters after 15 years as a curator at the Bard Graduate Center in New York City. Before that, he interned with the Center in New York City. Before that, he interned with the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, during which time he earned his M.A. in art history from the Parsons School of Design.

Particularly enchanted by material culture, Martin’s area of study includes an appreciation for the artistic techniques used to create these objects, but also an understanding of the artisans themselves, and perhaps the lives they led.

In curating the Walters’ collection into new displays, he wants viewers to understand these objects holistically—from their function to the industries that created them to their role in global trade. Through this intimate exploration of the past, we can connect these stories to present-day, says Martin, as well as, “convey histories that might otherwise not be told.”

That includes his interest in highlighting little-known Baltimore makers of the 18th- and 19th-centuries—especially ceramicists, of which the Walters has an extensive collection. One such object is a covered pitcher created in the mid-1880s by D. F. Haynes & Co. of Locust Point. Made of Maryland clay, its decorations were applied by Maryland Institute artisans, many of whom were female at a time when few jobs existed for women beyond domestic labor.

Says Martin, “Something as simple as a pitcher can be key to telling a wonderful story of the history of this city and its people.”

Located on 3.75 magnificently landscaped acres of the Caves Valley Golf Club and adjacent to the 12th green, 3137 Blendon Road features an incredible four-bedroom custom luxury home.

An estate drive leads through a barrel-vaulted archway to a beautiful motor court with surrounding gardens, water fountain, and walkway. The foyer leads to the adjoining study, as well as to the breathtaking living/dining room with oak architectural details, a fireplace, built-in bookcases and a wall of windows.

The adjacent gourmet kitchen features granite counters, an attached breakfast area, and flows to the family room with a fireplace and beamed ceiling. The main level also features a home office, laundry room, and two-story guest suite with sitting room, bath, and second- level bedroom.

The second level boasts a luxurious primary bedroom suite with a fireplace, two custom-fitted dressing rooms, and a spa bath. Two additional en-suite bedrooms, one with a loft, and a laundry room complete this level.

The expansive lower level features a recreation room with a wet bar, a media room, game room with fireplace, full bath, and bonus room.

Custom features throughout the home include quarter-sawn oak floors on main level and second-floor hall, custom built-ins, audio, and lighting. The large hardwood deck as well as a raised back stone terrace look out at the beautifully manicured grounds.

With extraordinary attention to design, 3137 Blendon Road offers an exceptional luxury home in an ideal location.

For more information, and to view other listings, click here:

“You know why women love Claire McCardell?” says sculptor Sarah Hempel Irani. “Because she gave us pockets. And then she gave us flats.”

The only girl of Eleanor and Adrian McCardell’s four children, Claire McCardell was born into a well-to-do family in Frederick in 1905. She climbed trees, rode horses, skied, and acquired the nickname “Kick” for her skill in keeping roughhousing boys at bay. She also made outfits for her paper dolls from her mother’s magazine photos, kept an interested eye on local seamstress Annie Koogle when she sewed clothes for the family, and liked to tear apart her brothers’ less-restrictive clothes to see how they were pieced together.

The visionary behind ready-to-wear fashion for women on the move, she’d later create sporty cycling ensembles for women and incorporate menswear details in her signature designs.

“She wouldn’t have called herself a revolutionary,” Hempel Irani continues, “but what she did was revolutionary.”

McCardell tossed aside girdles, darts, shoulder pads, and unwieldy zippers that ran along the back of garments, as well as Paris fashion trends, and developed the distinctive, mid-century style known as The American Look that embodied both elegant simplicity and practical purpose.

“I like buttons that button and bows that tie,” she once said. More recently, McCardell’s designs served as the go-to fashion inspiration for the Emmy-winning Amazon Prime hit The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

As always, necessity was the mother of her inventions. When leather and rubber were in short supply during World War II, she turned to shoe manufacturer Capezio to help repurpose ballet slippers into functional footwear that fit her designs. To lighten her luggage on her European travels, McCardell created separates by designing dresses with interchangeable blouses and skirts.

Over a groundbreaking career as a designer and businesswoman, she became one of the 100 most important Americans of the 20th century, according to Life magazine, influencing designers from Diane von Furstenberg to Michael Kors and Donna Karan.

“She modernized the way women dress,” designer Anna Sui told The Washington Post. “Her clothes are timeless.”

Two years ago, the all-women’s Frederick Art Club, founded in 1897, decided the time was long overdue to honor McCardell, whose clothes are part of the collections at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and the Maryland Center for History and Culture.

Initial plans called for a relatively modest bas-relief sculpture. But as they delved into their subject, they realized they wanted to make a larger statement that would reflect the enormous impact of her democratizing designs for the women of her era, who were seeking freedom and new roles in the workplace and society.

“Newswomen, in particular, were crazy about her,” says Linda Moran, chair of the Art Club’s Claire McCardell Project. “They gave her two Coty Awards.”

Eventually, they commissioned Hempel Irani, an award-winning sculptor who had recently moved back to Frederick, to create a 7-foot-6-inch bronze sculpture to pay homage to the designer in her hometown. (McCardell, whose life and career were cut short by cancer in 1958, is buried in the family plot at Frederick’s Mount Olivet Cemetery.) The bronze statue, with accompanying signage that will share her story, is scheduled for a fall unveiling at the city’s Carroll Creek Linear Park, Fredrick’s popular downtown greenway.

With the endeavor, the Art Club joins a national “break the bronze ceiling” movement to lift more monumental women on pedestals. Currently, less than 7 percent of the more than 5,100 monuments in the U.S. honor women.

As a teenager, Claire McCardell had hoped to study in New York. But, in a sign of the times, her father initially persuaded her to enroll at nearby Hood College in the home economics program. After two years, the somewhat shy, yet unwavering, McCardell moved to the Big Apple and enrolled at the Parsons School of Design.

Single and working for a designer in Manhattan, her big break came at 33 when a buyer for a major retailer noticed the dress McCardell was wearing. It was not a part of the company’s line he’d been shown, but something she had designed. What became known as “the Monastic Dress” hung loosely, but with a versatile belt that could be gracefully tied to follow a woman’s curves. The initial order sold out in a day.

“I’ve always designed things I needed myself,” McCardell later said. “It just turns out that other people need them, too.”

I learned about the concept of ‘nesting’ in our birth classes, and I heard that a really intense desire to clean or decorate can be a sign of impending labor. But I never really believed it until I was nine months pregnant and absolutely panicking—not because of anything serious, but because the shelves in the nursery weren’t hung yet. Sure enough, my husband got them up and I went into labor the next day.

The room was carefully crafted to blend with the rest of our home: lots of neutrals and layered textures with a bohemian feel. When picking out some of the new pieces for the nursery, my goal was to choose items we loved so much that they could be placed in any space down the road. The rug, the dresser, the rocking chair—they could all work elsewhere if we ever wanted to switch things up.

Reworking old favorites is a recurrent theme. The rest of Rosie’s room is filled with family heirlooms and antique accents that once belonged to me or my husband, Danny.

When I look around Rosie’s nursery, I am always overwhelmed with nostalgia and gratitude. Almost every special item was either a childhood memento, or gifted by someone special to us. I hope Rosie feels all the love in here—because I certainly do.

Cactus + Dried Flowers

I love the feel that florals and greenery bring into a room—but after *many* dead plants and wilted blooms, I’ve learned that I’m better off faking it. The cactus is faux (because I even managed to kill a succulent once), and the florals were pulled and dried from a bouquet I was sent after Rosie’s birth. Decorating with dried flowers adds precious detail and a feminine feel—and it’s also a sweet way to preserve a few pieces of a meaningful bouquet.

Cactus and vase: Target. Amethyst crystal: SoBotanical Apothecary (on Light Street). Wooden stacking stones: Grimm’s Spiel & Holz.

Dreamcatcher + Chair

This is the coziest nook, which is important since I spend so much time rocking Rosie in it. The chair checked all my boxes: cozy yet stylish, wide enough to curl up in, and enough neck support for naps. The wall hanging is a piece I’ve owned for years, but it never really had the right home until it found this special spot in Rosie’s room. It’s really meaningful to me, and it ties the style of the space together nicely. I hope it brings Rosie lots of sweet dreams!

Rocking chair: Nursery Works. Wall hanging: Indego Africa. Custom birth stat poster: Still Novel.

Rug

The warm, dusty tones of this Southwestern-inspired rug remind me of a sunrise, and it really gives the space a textured, lived-in vibe. I’m also in love with the poster on the wall. It says, “I’ll keep you safe, you keep me wild,” and I think it’s such a perfect way to sum up my relationship with Rosie. Motherhood has felt so incredibly primal—it really is wild.

Rug: West Elm. Poster: Urban Outfitters.

Pouf

When mama needs to kick her feet up (ahem, all the time), this pouf is perfect. It’s also a great second seat when Danny and our Frenchie pup, Sonny, join us for a bedtime story.

Pouf: Wayfair.

First Year Hanging

I know I’m not the only one who feels that baby books are a lovely tradition and important to keep—but they’re also super hard to maintain, especially when you’re a crazed parent with a newborn. My best friend gifted me this poster as a no-pressure way to jot down milestones on the fly, and encouraged me to scribble on it, cross things out, and generally not stress about making it too perfect. When Rosie ticks off a milestone, I can easily jot it down while I’m holding her—and then I’ll transfer things to her baby book when I—eventually—have more time on my hands.

Wall hanging: Nestnotes.

Photo Shelves

Remember when I said everything in Rosie’s room was either an heirloom or a gift? The pieces on these shelves are no exception. That fabric floral frame is straight out of my own nursery circa 1987. The dried blooms on the bottom shelf? From my wedding bouquet. The silver cup, the matchbox mouse, the precious little air plant…all gifts from some of Rosie’s biggest admirers. I love that every little thing has meaning behind it.

Shelves: Target.

Window Bookshelves

These classic books belonged to my husband and me as kids. Bless our mothers for keeping them in such good shape! At our baby shower, Danny’s mom gifted us a box of all his favorites: Go, Dog, Go! and his Dr. Seuss collection. There were a lot of tears—it’s so sweet to see treasured possessions come full circle.

Shelves: Amazon.

Storage Boxes

These sturdy storage boxes can be switched up and stacked to hold whatever—from books to toys to blankets and beyond. We have them scattered across the house to stash baby things in—super helpful for staying organized and keeping clutter under control.

Boxes: Target.

Wooden Toys

Especially in a small space, I really appreciate functional decor—pretty things that have a purpose. When Rosie isn’t playing with this wooden stacking set, it looks chic just sitting on the shelf. We also utilized a wooden bowl and marble bookends to stylishly stash other favorite items we use often: rattles, books, and binkies

Bookends, bowl: Target. Organic rattle: Apple Park. Stacking set: Crate + Barrel Kids.

Trinket Box

This is another piece that originated in my own nursery. As Rosie gets older, it’ll be sweet to see what sort of special treasures she wants to stash inside. The silver rattle belonged to Danny as a baby, and his mom gifted it to us for Rosie’s baptism. It was meant to be an heirloom that we thought we’d keep safely tucked away on a shelf—but we handed it to Rosie once and it immediately became her favorite thing, so now it’s a star player in her toy rotation. We always take it with us when going to a restaurant because we know it’ll keep her entertained!

Trinket box: Vintage.

From his former steampunk dive bar Fork & Wrench in Canton (which is closed and up for auction) to his eye-catching mixed-used space Modern Cook Shop in Fells Point, restaurateur Andy Gruver is known not only for owning cool spaces but designing them, too.

In fact, these days the talented artist-restaurateur is spending more and more time in the basement of his studio at Natty Boh Tower, where he builds up business for Gruver Design, his eponymous company. “I’m pretty handy,” Gruver says. “It doesn’t take much for me to pick something up.”

How did you become interested in design?

Growing up, I was always interested in art and design. I was born in Holland, and my uncle over there is an artist. Growing up, we’d travel back there a lot and it spiked my interest.

What kind of inspiration did Holland provide?

Holland was a second home. We’d visit Heerlen, which was a five-minute walk from Germany, every few months. That’s where I picked up a lot of the feeling of what I do. Living over there is so different than the U.S. If you go to a coffee shop, chances are, the mug was handmade. I’d visit family there and all the paintings on the walls were ones they did themselves. My uncle also did a lot of woodwork and sculpture.

Did you ever study art more formally?
I was accepted to the Corcoran College of Art and Design in D.C. and went for a brief period, but I left to be in a rock and roll band, so it didn’t work exactly out. But it’s a lifelong endeavor. With everything I do, I try to have some design sense or some artistic aspect around it.

What mediums do you work in?
I’ve done all kinds of things since I got into the restaurant business, whether doing interior design for my restaurants or making actual furniture. I paint and sculpt. At Modern Cook Shop, I made all of the tables and chairs. At Fork & Wrench, I came up with the interior design and built everything from scratch. I work in metal and wood and glass. I’m going to get into making custom lighting. If I had a kiln, I’d make pottery.

I know you’ve talked about doing design work for other clients. How’s that going?
It seems like there’s really a need for it—and I’m putting my name out there. I have a number of residential and commercial projects including one with [Clavel’s] Lane Harlan. I built an Art Deco-style speakeasy bar for Westminster American insurance company in Owings Mills. Now the owner wants me to build a bar in the basement of his new home. I also did a custom-etched mirror with his logo. I want to pursue this as a more serious aspect of what we do and am working on a website.

With fewer patrons visiting city restaurants, what has it been like for you to try to run Modern Cook Shop?
We bootstrapped Modern Cook Shop using Fork & Wrench money and that was pretty difficult. It’s a sign of the times. Baltimore is more difficult right now, but it won’t be long before things are back to normal. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I definitely want to focus on the design work.

You opened one of Baltimore’s first gastopubs with Fork & Wrench and then gave us Modern Cook Shop, an entirely new concept for the city with a marketplace inside the restaurant. What else do you wish Baltimore had that it doesn’t?
We’re on the water and we don’t have a lot of great seafood. You don’t find these really authentic restaurants and that doesn’t make sense to me. I’d like to see more of those.

How have you seen the food scene change here?
I’ve been in Baltimore going on 15 years. There have always been a couple of gems like Peter’s Inn that inspired me to do Fork & Wrench. Baltimore is growing—it’s on the verge of exploding. But had we not had the unrest that we had a few years back, things would look different today.

As Baltimoreans become more sophisticated in their culinary tastes, does it make it harder to survive as a restaurant?
Restaurants have to try harder, and that’s a good thing.  

So, what’s the ultimate dream for you career-wise?

I will always open restaurants, but I’m really enjoying the design work, and this is where I’ll be focusing my attention. There’s a design firm in Brooklyn called AvroKO that inspires me. I like their philosophy. When I’m doing design work, I come in and get to know someone whether it’s a restaurant I’m designing or a residential project. They show me a few ideas and I come up with the design. I’m fond of antiques that have been done well, though something new is perfectly nice, too. In a perfect world, I would have time to build cool, heirloom furniture and then be known for design and install in great restaurants. That’s who I want to be. In a weird way, it’s all been leading up to this.

RARE FIND: We were living in the Mill No. 1 but we saw this house listed and we loved it and how unique it was, so we made an offer. 

THE REST IS HISTORY: We only know the history of the property by what we have been told by our neighbor so I am not sure if it is accurate, but the rumor is that our house and our neighbor’s house used to be one home and it was called The Farmhouse on Keswick. Our entry and hall are where a large wraparound porch used to be, which adds an extra 8 feet to the width of the house, making it very distinctive. 

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: We love Hampden. You are able to walk to a lot of places and there are very diverse groups of people in this area. It’s nice to not be downtown but to be an Uber ride away, and now that we have Dylan’s Oyster Cellar in the neighborhood we don’t have to go too far. Our other favorite restaurant is Arômes on Chestnut. 

MODERN MIX: Our design aesthetic is contemporary modern mixed with refurbished vintage pieces. We call it Tribeca meets Hampden. 

MOD SQUAD: A lot of our furniture and décor is from AllModern.com. James found AllModern while browsing online. There are many items to choose from that fit our more modern style and also that make us think outside the box. Plus, their app is pretty amazing—yet dangerous! 

FURNITURE FACTS: The sofa is from Value City and the coffee table was actually custom-made for us by my friend from high school who is with Free State Millworks. 

PILLOW TALK: I bought the cow pillows from Whitney J Decor on Etsy, the gold and silver sequins pillows from HomeGoods, the black and white sequin one from Amazon, and the colorful pillows from AllModern. I bought the cow pillows to tie in with the cow rug, but overall we love mixing different colors and textures to add perspective and depth. 

PAGE TURNER: We have Christopher Wolf’s screen-printing book, a book from Hartwood Restaurant, which is in Tulum, Mexico, and a book on modern British posters that we got at The Baltimore Museum of Art on the table for friends to flip through when visiting. 

HAVE THE FLOOR: We had the floors here redone because when the house was rehabbed they weren’t done properly and were a really dark mahogany color. So we hired Matt from Matt’s Professional Flooring to come in and redo them, and we decided to go with gray color so you could really see the grains in the flooring. 

QUITE A COMBO: I really love the combination of our chairs and the table together. That was James’ idea and I don’t think I would’ve thought of that combination. He has a really great eye for design, and I am actually quite jealous of that.

Whether it’s shelves of succulents at Forno or a living wall at Gunther & Co., plants have taken root as a prominent design detail in many area restaurants. Beyond prettying up a place, however, experts say that going green is good for your well-being. In many cases, plants act as renewable air sources that reduce pollutants while expelling clean oxygen.

“Having plants around us is healthy,” says Kate Blom, conservatory supervisor at the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens in Baltimore. “They smile back at you and make you feel good.” Here are some of our favorite spots that are tapping into the horticulture trend.

Alma Cocina Latina: Tall palms and tropical plants contribute to the Venezuelan vibe of this Canton Can Company restaurant, which is meant to evoke the spirit of Caracas-born owner Irena Stein’s home country. “Since Venezuela is near the equator, we always have pleasant temperatures that allow homes to be partly open to the outdoors year-round,” Stein explains. “The décor in the restaurant is meant to feel like our homes there and serves as an introduction to the food.”

Bar Vasquez: Designer Katie Destefano showcases small succulents, tropical plants, and 18-foot palm trees at this South American spot. “I wanted to incorporate the lushness of the rainforests,” she says. “Organic elements bring in whimsy and break up hard lines in a space.”

Encantada: The interior of this whimsical spot inside AVAM is supplemented by potted centerpieces, which range from ivy to ferns. “I’m a firm believer in having plants in restaurants,” says owner Robbin Haas. “They make the space feel more lively and real.”

Forno: Potted plants and three-tiered shelving units full of succulents add to the rusticity of this downtown cocina. “The plants complement the earthy tones and give the space an organic feel,” says general manager Ricky Johnson.

Gunther & Co.: In addition to herb gardens, this Brewers Hill spot boasts a 16-foot living green wall, which works as an air-filtration system and improves acoustics. Says co-owner Nancy Hart Mola, “There’s something about being around living things. It’s good for the soul.”

R. House: Retractable doors will soon open up to a wall of wisteria and a canopy cascading with flowers and vines. “Plants add to the feel that you’re coming into someone’s house,” says Seawall Development’s Jon Constable.

We can all relate to the scene in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where Clark Griswold gazes out his home’s frosted window, daydreaming about his family splashing and playing in the backyard pool that he plans to build with his generous end-of-year cash bonus—of course, he instead gets a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club. But, in reality, our similar watery daydreams are too often interrupted with cost worries, fear of maintenance headaches, and imagined safety concerns that come along with a new pool.

But fear not. The standard backyard pool is undergoing a rebirth. Thanks in part to smart technology, energy-efficient products, and innovative design trends, pools are easier to maintain than ever, and the functionality of an outdoor entertainment area can stretch far beyond the warm summer months.

“We use a ton of technology that makes our pools easy to take care of,” says Michael Shaffery, president of Baltimore-based Elite Pools. For example, a built-in cleaning system “that looks a lot like the irrigation system for a yard” systematically pushes dirt to the main drain. Plus, remote pool-management technology allows Shaffery to diagnose and fix any problems from afar—and allows you to switch on your hot tub from an app on your phone so it’s hot and bubbling when you arrive home.

Spending a bit more upfront can pay off in energy savings later, says Matthew Thompson of Phoenix-based Lothorian Pools. Energy-efficient equipment is increasingly popular with his clients, Thompson says, like incorporating “LED underwater lights, variable-speed pumps, and high-efficiency heaters or heat pumps.” A variable-speed pump can help reduce the energy costs of running a pool by up to 90 percent.

Combine these product advancements with fun new trends, like sun shelves (shallow areas for relaxing on the patio or playing with the children), built-in lounge chairs, and spillover or integrated spas (where an underwater dam separates the hot tub from the rest of the pool for a seamless look, with some slight mixing of the water), and it’s a better time than ever to create the backyard oasis you’ve been dreaming of while gazing out that frosted window.

The “Wow” Factor

The pool at Christopher and Deborah Englert’s newly constructed home in Lutherville-Timonium is more than a place to swim. Chris says the pool and patio space is mainly used for entertaining and offers a great place for guests in search of “a relaxing area with plenty of room to sit and sip a cool drink.” Completed in July 2016, the 10-week project features lush landscaping, a trickling water feature, and mood lighting to create the perfect environment for chilling out.

On cool fall nights, the Englerts and their guests gather around the sleek, stainless-steel gas fire pit (which doubles as a table when not in use) or soak in the 36-square-foot spa. Custom lighting around the pool and landscaping give the area an extra “wow” factor after dusk. The built-in bench seat running the length of the 750-square-foot pool offers relief to cocktail-sippers on a humid summer evening, while covered patio areas with ceiling fans shield the midday sun.

“We wanted the pool to be a progression of the house, another room to use,” says Matthew Thompson, CEO of Lothorian Pools, which designed and built the pool.

A dramatic, 20-foot grade drop across the backyard created an extra challenge during the design process, as rainwater rushed through the proposed pool location. “We solved the problem by incorporating the stone retaining wall,” Thompson explains. “This afforded us two big-ticket items: water collection and a powerful visual element that helped to create an intimate ‘courtyard.’”

The pool was raised 16 inches above the patio floor to further reconcile the grading issue, allowing storm water to be directed around the back of the pool. And to create the transitional feel of an additional living space, building materials were chosen that best complement the Englert home’s design. Ocean Blue Pebble Sheen, a plaster coating manufactured by Pebble Tec that incorporates tiny, vibrant blue and earth-toned stones, creates a natural, deep-blue water color in the pool and spa. Premium bluestone coping tiles cap the pool shell wall, while the spillway from the hot tub to the main pool is made from a custom designed and fabricated piece of bluestone. Technology is at work, too: At the press of a button, the Englerts can control—and even change the color—of their pool’s energy-efficient underwater LED lights.

A Pool With a View

The McReady family residence offers 180-degree views of Duvall Creek, a bay off the South River in Annapolis, from its connected kitchen, dining, and living room. “For that reason, it was a very intentional decision to put the pool off to the side, so as not to block the water view,” says Cathy Purple Cherry, principal of Purple Cherry Architects, who designed the home and its outdoor entertainment area with an assist from Campion Hruby Landscape Architects.

For Suzanne McReady, her husband, and three school-age children, the goal was to extend their living space into the outdoors in a 2,000-square-foot waterside entertainment area that includes a pool, covered cooking and dining pavilion, and patio.

The McReadys opted to build the covered pavilion behind the pool, with recessed lights, a ceiling fan, and two brick islands topped with bluestone slabs—one for eating and another with a built-in gas grill and refrigerator for cooking and serving food. “In the summer months, we can enjoy family dinners without having to leave the pool area,” says McReady.

A concern regarding offside pools that aren’t in view of the main living space is the safety of young children. In the McReadys’ case, windows off the side of the kitchen provide a direct line of sight.

Unlike some Annapolis residents who pack up for warmer weather in the winter, the McReadys reside here year-round, and wanted a patio space that didn’t lose its beauty or functionality in colder weather. “We designed our outdoor space with this in mind, and we are able to enjoy the space for many months of the year,” McReady says.

Feeling Blue

When Elite Pools works with a potential new client, they ask a variety of questions to get to know the client’s needs: Have you had a pool in the past? Where do you like to vacation? Are you attracted to warm earth tones, or do you want your backyard to transport you to the Caribbean?

“The color of the water is going to invoke some kind of emotional response,” Michael Shaffery, Elite Pools president, says. “If you’re the type of person who hikes the Colorado Rockies and likes the land upon a mountain lake, that’s a completely different color than Hawaii water or Caribbean water.” Once Shaffery’s team gets a feel for the customer’s aesthetic, they choose the appropriate color coating from pool finisher Pebble Tec.

The rest comes naturally, Shaffery says: “The color of the water dictates the color of the tile and the color of the patio.”

Over the summer of 2016, Elite Pools worked on an extra special project—Shaffery’s family pool. For the project, which Shaffery values at around $500,000, Elite pulled out all the stops. A natural feel pervades the space, from the water’s cool blue tone reminiscent of a clear lake, to the rugged boulders and landscaping that are incorporated into the pool’s surroundings.

The spillover spa, set above the pool, cascades down a rocky waterfall element before landing in the main body of water. Across from the spa, a curving infinity-edge element creates the illusion from the perspective of a swimmer that the water vanishes into the property’s rolling hills, while built-in ledges and a sun shelf provide plenty of options for rest and relaxation. And a 32-foot-long slide dumps adventuresome swimmers into the pool’s deepest end.

“I built it as a showroom,” Shaffery says, “making sure that my clients can see what the possibilities are.”