Home | Lifestyle | Enhance Your Poolside Experience With Sound & Video
When looking at the most elegantly appointed backyards, sound and video definitely create a premium poolside experience. Given the fact that Americans spend 87% of their time indoors, it makes sense that in order to feel a certain level of comfort we want to bring elements from inside the home into the backyard.
A/V plays a huge role in outdoor living environment. It certainly explains why the digital home entertainment industry represents a $30 billion dollar industry in the U.S. alone. That’s roughly 12 times what we spent only a decade ago.
Consequently, two things are for certain; for one the market for home audio & video has grown. Secondly, a good portion of that growth has been in the outdoor living sector.
As we have grown our appetite for all things digital, our capacity for being without certain creature comforts has diminished over the last decade.
In our parent’s era, we were content with bringing a transistor radio into the backyard to catch the ballgame poolside. These days, you’re likely to find a fully equipped outdoor pavilion with a complete entertainment area in high-end custom backyards.
To get a better understanding of what a vital role entertainment plays in the backyard, we spoke with Keith Perry. Perry is one of the leading installers of outdoor audio & video in Houston, TX. His firm, Peridon Entertainment, has been servicing his local market for many years. Today, Perry consults with pool builders and general contractors all over the state of Texas. His day to day is spent collaborating on the planning, design, and installation of home audio in an outdoor setting. We asked Perry how he works with builders to devise solutions areas that add entertainment value to the backyard.
“When pool builders and contractors have a plan in mind for how they want to incorporate A/V into the pool and patio area,” said Perry, “in those cases, we are happy to provide them with an entire design schematic. We can even make a CAD plan for audio and video systems with a flowchart showing integration with other systems.”
“We also collaborate with those without a clear vision on how A/V will best be utilized,” said Perry. “If the builder or designer really is leaning on us for a plan that truly incorporates entertainment zones in the backyard that’s where we deliver the most value,” said Perry, “it’s why I get such fulfillment out of what we do. We come in the backyard and quite often there is zero entertainment planned. It’s like seeing a movie before it’s scored without the soundtrack. There’s a disconnect without those elements there. Adding an entertainment center gives the outdoor living environment an entirely new dimension that makes it feel complete.”
We asked about some of the high-end components homeowners are looking to install in the backyard in terms of adding a full-on entertainment center in their backyard. Ultimately, we wanted to know what’s hot and trending right now for A/V in outdoor living.
“One of the biggest requests we get is for the complete buildout of entertainment pavilions,” said Perry. “Folks really find great value when they’re able to enjoy those same indoor amenities outdoors.”
“In years past, it’s been all about increasing the quality of components to really create an immersive outdoor entertainment experience and the industry has come a long way” explained Perry, “Many of the major drawbacks that came with building sophisticated outdoor audio and video systems for outdoor applications are a thing of the past. The technology just gets better and better with each passing year.”
“There are certain brands that perform better poolside than others. Manufacturers like Bose, Klipsch, MartinLogan, and Sonos have also really upped their game in terms of providing a wide spectrum of high-quality systems and controllers that work perfectly in the backyard.”
Klipsch Indoor/Outdoor Speaker – Granite
These speakers blend seamlessly into your outdoor living area and provide superb quality sound around the entire backyard.
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Bose FreeSpace 360-P II In-Ground Loudspeaker
The Bose FreeSpace 360-P II In-Ground loudspeaker provides high-quality pitch-perfect sound in the backyard. This passive Loudspeaker is ideal for Indoor and Outdoor applications. Bose makes a complete line of highly-rated outdoor speaker systems and the FreeSpace 360-P remains a favorite with consumers.
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MartinLogan ML-65r Stereo Outdoor All-Weather Landscape Rock speaker (Gray Stone)
Another great line of speaker manufacturers, MartinLogan’s outdoor-all weather landscape rock speakers are a popular poolside outdoor audio solution.
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Sonos Outdoor Speakers- Pair Of Architectural Speakers By Sonance For Outdoor Listening – Wired
The architectural speakers by Sonance for outdoor listening. Get detailed sound in your backyard or on your patio with Sonos Outdoor by Sonance. Power these wired speakers with Amp to enjoy the full Sonos experience.
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“Sonance is a favorite with homeowners and manufactures a line of speakers specifically designed for outdoor settings. More to the point, they make great products for outdoor audio.” said Perry. “We’re talking about a versatile speaker system designed to deliver high range performance. From background listening levels to party levels. Homeowners enjoy the ability to easily adjust their sound system. It’s nice to be able to provide background music or be the entire focus of the party.”
As far as adding video components to the backyard, consumers, these days have their choice of high-end products. However, when it comes to watching TV poolside, Perry says that there are TVs better suited for the outdoors.
“Honestly, when it comes to which TV to put in your backyard, what consumers really need to be looking at is weatherized TVs that can withstand being outdoors indefinitely,” said Perry, “Anything that’s going to be in the pool area, you’re talking about water-resistant TVs that can handle getting wet. Most in that category will be fine with some heavy rain, but submerging them will cause irreparable damage.”
“Lighting is another big issue that comes up with watching TVs poolside. Direct sunlight can be hard on TV screens and a bright sunny day can make it almost impossible to see anything,” said Perry. “Full sun, full shade and partial-shade TVs are all made to the ideal environment specified, but there is one constant and that is hanging a TV in direct sun will result in difficult viewing.”
SunBriteTV Outdoor Television | 65-inch Veranda (2nd Gen) 4K UHD HDR LED TV
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Weatherized TVs Prestige Converted Samsung 7 Series 43 Inch 4K LED HDR Outdoor Smart UHDTV
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Outdoor Waterproof and Weatherproof TV Cover for 28 to 85 inch Outside Flat Screen TV
Protect your outdoor entertainment area with a waterproof and weatherproof TV cover. Sizes available from 28 inch to 85 inch flat screen TVs. Available in assorted colors, Beige, Grey and Black.
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Whether you are thinking of installing a home audio system in your backyard or upgrading your existing one, it’s always advisable to consult with a professional, said Perry. “It makes sense that if homeowners are investing that type of money into renovating their backyard that they want their entire experience to be first class. Bringing in an A/V consultant that can help achieve those goals is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Featured Photo Credit: New Wave Home & Audio
Romantic Pools You’ll Fall In Love With
Pool News coverage brought to you by Pool Magazine's own Marcus Packer. Marcus Packer is a 20 year pool industry veteran pool builder and pool service technician. In addition to being a swimming pool professional, Marcus has been a writer and long time contributor for Newsweek Magazine's home improvement section and more recently for Florida Travel + Life. Have a story idea or tip you'd like to share with Pool Magazine? Email mpacker@poolmagazine.com your story idea.
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With Valentine’s day right around the corner, we thought we would take a look at a few romantic pools that we absolutely fell in love with. These pools can be found at some of the most gorgeous boutique luxury hotels around the world and set the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening with the one you love.
When looking at the most romantic pools from around the world, we’re searching for a few key ingredients in how we make our selections. The first obviously is the pool itself. The privacy and ambiance that the pool environment offers in terms of setting that romantic vibe; that’s essential.
The second most important factor is location. Whether you’re traveling to a world-class destination, or simply enjoying a romantic evening in your own backyard; where you travel to in your mind when you make that connection is important. It’s probably the number one factor that homeowners choose to build their own resort-style pool in their backyard. Returning from a vacation to a beautiful resort hotel can make one yearn to reiterate that experience at home.
The Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia has one of the most gorgeous infinity pools you’ve ever seen. With iconic views of both the Piti and Gros Piton mountains floating upon the Caribbean Sea, the vibe you get while floating in the pool is magical. Romance being the key factor here, we can’t imagine a more romantic backdrop for creating lifelong memories with the one you love.
Architect owner Nick Troubetzkoy has created a mesmerizingly beautiful world-class experience that sits in perfect harmony against a 600-acre lush tropical resort property. The price tag for a stay doesn’t come cheap though. At $2,000 a night for one of the rooms with an infinity pool, it’s definitely a premium experience you’re paying for. If you have the time and means to try this romantic pool destination, we highly recommend the trip to St. Lucia.
TerraVerde designs luxury pools and knows what it takes to create a romantic outdoor experience for its clientele. With scintillating poolscapes like this one, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic pool experience in your backyard. We have to say, this pool has some absolutely gorgeous lighting features going on. From the LED lighting to the star-lit pool floor, to the beautiful flame features, this pool has it all.
Maybe most impressive in the design scheme of this pool is how it creates the destinations for a truly romantic evening. The seating areas outside the pool allow you to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings and encapsulate those moments privately with the one you love. Truly an incredibly romantic poolscape if ever we’ve seen one and definitely one of the best lighting examples we’ve seen.
You don’t have to travel to Fiji anymore to have an over-the-water bungalow experience. Sandals Resorts International have brought the experience much closer to home in the Caribbean. With villas in Whitehouse and Montego Bay Jamaica as well as Gros Islet in Saint Lucia, you have your choice for romantic pool destinations. Featuring glass floors, private butler service and personal infinity plunge pools, these highly sought luxury suites offer ocean front views that are truly breathtaking.
While the mini-infinity pools are a world-class touch, perhaps one of the most thoughtful components is how the seating areas were approached. The step-down conversation area separated from the pool and deck provided a secluded love nest to capture the view and take in the entire experience. Another great feature of these over the water suites was underlighting the entire bungalow which allows guests to enjoy the sea day or night.
One of the primary reasons we travel is to experience the romance and mystery of far-off locations. Places like Bali have always drawn travelers and have become world-class destinations for good reason. The charm and romance of Bali boutique hotels along with their ability to create over-the-top luxury resort experiences have been something that the most high-end luxury pool builders try to reiterate in their own designs.
The floating breakfast has become a romantic and popular Instagram worthy shot to take while on vacation. Kaamala Resort Ubud in Bali provides that experience. Guests can enjoy a light tropical breakfast in the pool while enjoying the ambiance and the natural surroundings.
No one said a pool had to be huge in order to be really romantic. The villas at the Waldforf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal are sumptuous and well-appointed with a romantic infinity pool looking out on the ocean. We can’t think of a more beautiful locale to reconnect and enjoy a romantic getaway. Soaking in the in-room pool would be our number one priority.
The Pedregal sits nestled between the cliffside and the Pacific ocean. Views from the room are a sight to behold. The opportunity for creating lasting memories is definitely the type of once-in-a-lifetime experience that travelers are looking for. It could be why we’ve seen such an increase in people looking to create a similar experience at home.
Make Zihuantanejo part of your escape plan. The private pool at your ocean-front suite at La Casa Que Canta provides the ideal backdrop for the perfect romantic getaway. Mexico is fast becoming the travel destination of choice for Americans and world travelers alike. With well-appointed ocean view rooms like this one, you can definitely see why this hotel is on plenty of folks’ travel logs.
Who wouldn’t want to just get away from it all and slip into their own private pool to watch the sun go down? When we think about romantic pool destinations, La Casa Que Canta is most definitely on the list.
We take you back to Bali once again for another world-class romantic pool destination. The COMO Shambhala Estate has exquisite villas with their own personal pools that have made the location a must-stop for travelers looking for a romantic getaway. The resort is actually a residential health retreat with luxury villa-style accommodations that cater to those looking for an atmosphere of romance and sophistication.
This is definitely something we see luxury homeowners trying to recreate in their own backyards. The pool you see here probably offers one of the most ‘Gram-worthy selfies you can imagine taking. The luxury 5-star resort is surrounded by lush tropical greenery and provides a private and tranquil ambiance seldom found anywhere else on Earth.
One pool that has all the elements for romance is a bit off the map and hard to reach. Perhaps that is why it remains one of the best-kept secrets with luxury travelers. To get to this romantic pool destination you’ll have to take a 25-minute speed boat trip from Maldives International Airport to Baros Maldives.
With romance and intimacy being the key ingredients here, there is perhaps no better locale we can imagine than Baros Maldives. With over-the-water bungalows complete with their own star-lit infinity pools, we can definitely see why Baros remains a favorite destination with the most discerning world travelers.
Staying at the illustrious Ty Warner Mansion at the Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos, Mexico provides you the ultimate backdrop for the romantic getaway of a lifetime. The private sanctuary created by renowned architect Jorge Torres, offers panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez from the 328-foot beachfront infinity pool which comes complete with dual spas and a sunken in-pool firepit/conversation area.
A post shared by Las Ventanas Al Paraíso (@lasventanasalparaiso)
True craftsmanship and artistry is on display here. Every single component and aspect pertaining to creating an unforgettable and romantic outdoor experience has been carefully considered. No minute detail was overlooked in designing what is widely considered by travelers to be one of the most romantic pool destinations on Earth.
Situated near Payangan a town village North of Ubud this enchanting five-star luxury resort has 44 individual suites and private villas, each featuring their own infinity pools. With no shortage of private enclaves to relax and enjoy a romantic evening, it is definitely the dual-infinity pools at the Hanging Gardens of Bali which have made the location so iconic.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable split-level pools in the world, the vessels sit suspended over the surrounding jungle canopy and provide swimmers the illusion that they’re floating. Guests describe a sensation of swimming above the treetops and the valley. Truly the Hanging Gardens of Bali is one of the most romantic pool destinations you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Floating candles add the perfect element for creating a romantic backdrop in the pool and outside of the pool. This generous pack of 48-LED flickering tea lights is more than enough to decorate your pool & patio area for a romantic candlelit dinner at home.
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To offset some of the smaller tea lights in the pool, consider adding a few larger rose-shaped LED tea lights. They last for 24 hours and they are set to turn on automatically when they make contact with water. Completely safe for pools, ponds, spas and hot tubs; they also make ideal decorations for pool parties.
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Adding rose petals to your pool can be romantic. That is, provided they float and can easily scooped up and removed after a romantic evening or party is thrown. This 1200 piece rose petals are made from high-quality nonwoven fabrics that float in water. They won’t sink to the bottom of your pool and can be reused again and again.
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Feature Photo Credit: Hanging Gardens of Bali
Decorate your pool and patio area for the holiday season with these great Christmas pool party ideas…
This holiday season, I’ll be slammed as usual. While the pool industry may have had a busy year, nobody has it tougher than me, let me tell you. If you think your schedule is hectic, try hitting 396 million homes in a single night.
When I’m not racking up frequent flyer miles on my sled, I enjoy getting a chance to check out some truly beautifully decorated homes. It always makes me smile how folks get into the spirit by going all out to make their homes a warm and festive place for the holidays. Mrs. Kringle and I sure know a thing or two about that.
This season we thought we’d share some of our favorite decorations and some great Christmas pool party ideas to help you throw the ultimate holiday-themed pool party.
One of the best ideas for turning your pool and patio into a holiday wonderland is incorporating lights, giant ornaments, and Christmas trees into the backdrop. Adding a few accents like signs, LED votive candles, and getting the firepit going will set the tone for a beautiful holiday-themed pool party.
Creating a gorgeous holiday light show in your backyard is a snap with the right equipment. A beautiful and sophisticated Christmas light display in your pool and patio area creates the ambiance and atmosphere that just put you in the holiday spirit.
When considering which lighting to add, LED lights are always a popular and energy-efficient option. RGB lighting gives you vibrant and colorful displays that make your landscaping pop and add festive accents around the pool area.
Building a beautiful inground pool with the right features for a fabulous pool party is always a good call. Decorating your backyard with simple elegant white Christmas lights on the trees, and uplighting in your landscaping creates a joyous holiday atmosphere. Sitting with my friends and loved ones by the firepit and enjoying a cup of egg nog is one of my popular pass times up in the North Pole.
If you’re throwing a pool party outdoors, there are lots of options for creating atmosphere in the backyard. Putting up a Christmas tree and adding decor like boxed presents, lighting, and decorations help bring the indoors outdoors. Turning on the water features like deck jets creates a harmonious back setting, especially if they are LED lit. Adding rope lighting to your pergola, pavilion or outdoor kitchen area adds the perfect accent lighting.
Now when discussing adding holiday decor to your pool and spa area, one thing I’ve found is that artificial Christmas trees tend to be the best call around the pool. For one thing, if you heat your pool and are actively using it during the winter months, splashing pool chemicals and real Christmas trees aren’t always the best mix. Aside from a tendency for pine needles to migrate into the pool, water can also be splashed about by swimmers. This fact makes using artificial trees for outdoor Christmas decor the better call when decorating for the holidays.
Now if you’ve followed these holiday decorating tips to the letter, you’re sure to attract a few elves. A tastefully decorated backyard is the perfect oasis for your family and friends. Consequently, once you’ve added your holiday decor don’t be surprised if guests drop in. Finding an elf or two lounging pool side is always a good sign. It means that you’ve checked all the right boxes and your backyard is ready for the holidays.
We’re all for crazy holiday traditions but you’ll have to file this one under “that’s so Florida” – one Clearwater native says it’s become a yearly routine to thaw their thanksgiving turkey in the pool. While plenty of folks have their own way of preparing turkey, Mark O’Donnell says thawing his bird in the pool has been a Thanksgiving tradition for a generation.
“One Thanksgiving we realized we forgot to take the turkey out of the freezer, and our uncle was here from up north. And we just said, ‘hey let’s throw it in the pool,’”, O’Donnell told reporters.
Each year, a different cousin in the family is chosen to hurl the turkey into the pool in order to defrost it.
“Honors to chuck it in the pool are kind of the ridiculousness of it,” O’Donnell said.
Uncle Chuck received the award last year in 2020.
Bullock stated, “I threw it in the water and let it fly.”
The previous year, Aunt Mary Frances had the honor in 2019.
“And that ladies and gentlemen is how you thaw a turkey,” you can hear in one of their videos.
This is obviously an uncommon practice and one you’re bound to only find going on when searching for this type of content. Don’t judge us, we’re into weird holiday traditions. Whether or not thawing your turkey in the pool is completely safe, O’Donnell seems to think it’s legit and it doesn’t seem to have harmed his family in the 18 years they’ve been doing it.
O’Donnell said that folks have a lot of questions about the practice. “The turkeys are sealed and we always check for any leaks. So far in 18 years, we’ve only had one that we’ve had to double bag, so there’s no blood in the pool or chlorine in the turkey.”
While we don’t know if we’ll be thawing our bird quite the same way as Mark, we can certainly say that we were quite amused by their holiday tradition.
“If we made somebody smile, good for us. Hopefully they’ll smile Thanksgiving, too,” said O’Donnell. Their family dinner is bound to create lasting memories. His plans to create his ultimate thanksgiving feast will commence after the turkey has a chance to towel off.
Is this method of thawing your holiday bird FDA approved? Absolutely not! Is it hilarious to watch, it absolutely is. If you’re thinking about making this one your holiday tradition let us remind you that the safest approach to thaw your frozen turkey is to put it in the refrigerator and leave it there for one full day for every five pounds of bird (per the U.S. Department of Agriculture).
Whether O’Donnell and his family will be holding their annual tradition this year, time will tell. Their thanksgiving ritual went viral last year. Guess we’ll all just have to wait for Mark O’Donnell to go live again and find out.
Photo Credits: Mark O’Donnell
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