Jeanne Collins’ design philosophy is simple: Living your best life starts at home. “I believe that one’s home should be a sanctuary and provide energy in your daily life to inspire, comfort, motivate and grow,” says Collins, founder of New Canaan, CT-based interior design firm JerMar Designs. And it was this philosophy that she called on when a New Canaan, CT, family asked her to create a pool house that would be the perfect space to decompress, entertain and inspire. While the main house is more traditional, Collins wanted to create a playful, artistic and modern feel in this space. “The homeowners use the pool house for entertaining and holiday gatherings, which requires plenty of seating and dining space,” she says. “It also serves as a daily spa getaway so the design needed to feel fresh and inspiring.”
Since the open-concept structure is not symmetrical with respect to the ceiling, she was innovative in her approach to furnishings. “I resolved this challenge by balancing the size and scale, along with seating function, so that the space didn’t feel too heavy on the dining side,” says Collins. “In the end, the layout of the furnishings balances the symmetry in the space for an overall cohesive look.” She chose gray, orange, blue and a bright white to give the space a vibrant feel and encourage guests to relax and have fun. “You can feel your shoulders drop and your breathing slow down,” says Collins of walking into the main room. Her team outfitted the building with a steam shower, TV, kitchen, guest room, full bath, laundry and dining areas to give the homeowners— and visitors—the full staycation experience. As Collins explains, “This pool house is a nurturing space designed around health, rejuvenation, creativity and celebrating with friends and family.”
Photography Credit: Andrew Frasz
