Getting intimate: consumers are more interested than ever in creating cozy, intimate backyard settings. Savvy retailers not only carry the products that help them do it, but also show them how

Pool & Spa News, April 5, 2002 by Pamela Mills-Senn

What you want to avoid is any sort of harsh lighting, such as white spotlights, says Broussard. (Spotlighting certain features in the yard, such as statuary or a fountain, is a different matter, but even here, consider colored lighting or fiberoptic lighting.) Stay away from bright, overhead lighting, which tends to make people feel as if they are being interrogated--not to mention attracting insects and often being unflattering, to boot.

* Waterfeatures

Few sounds are more relaxing than running water. The sound of fountains, waterfalls, or pebbled streams can create a wonderful sense of isolation from the world. And visually, running water has an almost mesmerizing quality to it.

However, Broussard cautions, one common mistake people make when it comes to waterfeatures is making them too loud, overwhelming both the conversation and the environment.

"The look can dominate and be a visual focal point, such as a wonderful tiled fountain," he says, "but waterfeatures should not be an aural focal point. The sound should soothe and remain in the background."

Rowlen agrees: "I think you have to be very careful with waterfeatures. These can be extremely restful, but it's entirely possible to get too much noise, which can be very intrusive. I would stick with something gentle that you can play up with fiberoptic color wheels or lighting to increase the effect."

* Portable Spas

When it comes to intimacy, spas are a natural. But it is what's around the spas that can really create the feeling consumers are looking for. Paddock calls it the spaspace, an aboveground acrylic spa with a deck and landscaping built up around it. This setup offers the best of both: the blending-in capabilities of an inground spa, along with the comfort of acrylic, says Duckett

"This landscaping is highly customizable," she says. "There is a variety of decking materials that customers can choose from, and different seating arrangements, lighting and other features," she says. "For example, we can build a beehive fireplace in the corner of the deck, or incorporate a built-in barbecue, plant shelves and flagstone seating. The spascape allows people to create a very cozy and private environment."

Also suggest to customers that they add remote controls. That way, the stage can be set in advance, so the minute they exit their car and walk through their door, the backyard is ready and welcoming.

* Accessories

Accessories can make or break an intimate setting, says Broussard. "What you want to do is create texture and depth by adding little surprises everywhere. You want to have garden ornamentation, such as beautiful urns, statuary, garden globes and mirrors. Old photos or pictures, an antique gate or other old pieces, fabric swagged through an overhead structure, anything that is unexpected. It all goes back to the concept of creating different rooms, delineating space and adding interest."

As for furniture, think overstuffed, says Rowlen. "Intimate furniture isn't rigid and hard--it's soft and inviting," she says. "What encourages conversation is comfort, furniture that people can sink into so when they sit down, they want to stay down."