Photograph by Rustic White
Inspired by cabanas at beach hotels, Angela Blehm designed this custom shelter for her family’s Gainesville pool. “We wanted to create that resort feeling at home,” says the artist, who shares the retreat with her husband and three children. “We love to read, nap, and sketch in here, especially for a break from the sun.”
Woodsy inspo
Blehm’s carpenter, Chris Lund, kept the wooden structure simple to blend in with surrounding trees, then added a metal roof to keep rain away.
Comfort cushions
An outdoor mattress wears a king-sized fitted sheet that can be easily removed and washed. Black-and-white pillows (patterned ones from RH) are intentionally understated. “I wanted to let the blue of the sky and pool water be the star of the show,” says Blehm.
Lovely lanterns
Blehm purchased inexpensive paper lanterns in varying sizes to create an artistic cluster of twinkling lights.
Mirror, mirror
A wicker mirror from Target becomes a piece of art with changing pool reflections, plus the circular shape softens the shelter’s hard angles.
Pot art
Planters from Antiques and Beyond have a “drippy” finish—a nod to the contemporary pop art that Blehm creates.
Designer tip: Soften outdoor spaces with weather-resistant curtains, such as these Ballard Design draperies hung on a dowel rod. “I love the drama curtains add and their movement in the breeze,” says Blehm.
This article appears in our June 2021 issue.
