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Pools & Spas Other Design Dilemma

HELP! How do we decorate a commercial space? And we need to do it fast

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I am on the board of a small condominium complex in Florida. We are in the process of updating our outdoor clubhouse/pool area and we need a cohesive color palette.

Everything is tired faded and mismatched. I welcome any and all advice and suggestions. Let me draw a mental picture of the property...

The pool area is in the center of the property with the clubhouse on one side and 2 and 3 story buildings facing the pool in a big square. Buildings are Spanish Mediterranean theme tan buildings with the typical spanish tile red clay (reddish terra cotta) roofs. Our fencing is all black wrought iron. Unit doors are glossy black. At the pool area the exterior clubhouse furniture is not being replaced just yet, it's a black wicker with cushions that will need to be replaced in our new color scheme. The exterior awning at the clubhouse and pool umbrellas used to be the same color as our roofs. The awning was recently replaced in a black fabric. The black sets off all the black wrought iron around the pool area and looks crisp and modern.

So here's the dilemma... We are leaning towards chaise lounges, chairs and tables in a black kind of pebbly finish. The chairs and chaise lounges would have fabric slings (all commercial grade) So if the frames of all the furniture is black do our umbrellas have to be black because of the Awning at the clubhouse? Should the fabric slings be a tan like our buildings or a muted fabric maybe with tan, black and a bit of terra cotta? Do we need more color? Should the umbrellas be terra cotta? Or do we have too much black and should the pool side furniture be tan? Would tan look weird given all the black wrought iron fencing surrounding the pool area? Any suggestions?

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Comments (15)

suezbell
3 years ago
Anything/everything metal could be black and it will fit well with any other color you choose for your cushions. By keeping metal black, you can have free rein on choosing additional colors without worrying about the black clashing. White for metal would also work but show dirt more readily. Pool blue might be worth considering as well.

Too many colors could create a "clutter" vibe. If you're replacing cushions on current seating, consider selecting them first before any other consideration of colors (aside from black) -- If the cushions are not solid color, choose one or two colors from the cushions for your color scheme.

Plastic (pebbly) furnishing could create a "cheap" vibe you might not intend.

A WalMart (unpadded single layer) version of these (Target) chairs is comfortable and, unlike the padded version, they dry more quickly after a rain. Find some and sit in them. Then decide if they'd suit your space and consider: Would it be cheaper to buy these chairs than replacement cushions?

https://www.target.com/p/sling-stacking-patio-chair-blue-room-essentials-8482/-/A-76471001?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Patio%2BGarden%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Patio%2BGarden&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9011043&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&ds_rl=1247068&gclid=CjwKCAjwxev3BRBBEiwAiB_PWOWsiaIwAD8dtfflcl_LUpoxd5YCzbTJOMqXDuMDA34zsl9laDg-0BoCKSsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.google.com/search?q=walmart+patio+furniture&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk01Kt3kRMDeXT2movV0Wcr0i9O1Pqg:1593576465271&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjI5on5lqvqAhUJoXIEHQ4lAywQ_AUoAXoECAsQAw&biw=1366&bih=654#spd=2621793640586150169

https://www.wayfair.com/Red-Barrel-Studio--Coyle-ToolFree-Patio-Dining-Chair-SECB8884-L6157-K~RDBA7773.html?refid=GX419607637886-RDBA7773_27053987&device=c&ptid=439319732105&network=g&targetid=pla-439319732105&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=48905441&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=27053987&gclid=CjwKCAjwxev3BRBBEiwAiB_PWP63rIc5yEym4yOphhAjVXDivISvATZCueTFU-XCCTcxxcBai0EtAhoCkhkQAvD_BwE

You might also consider a metal table or two that you can repaint and have still look good .. unlike plastic. They come in blue and other colors as well.

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-2127BL/Outdoor-Furniture-and-Equipment/Metal-Picnic-Table-46-Round-Black?pricode=WA9338&gadtype=pla&id=H-2127BL&gclid=CjwKCAjwxev3BRBBEiwAiB_PWIdobEbVOO4KXJUlahJqyooQyyq_KgwkLe8E2igk-SRyWHWrBHV01BoCrdIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
freedomplace1
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I think a scheme along these lines could work.

and maybe add a few terra cotta accents.

Examples:

https://www.allmodern.com/--Irene-Armchair-WBSL7453-L54-K~A001033877.html?refid=GX434063623645-A001033877_863041737_863041750&device=m&ptid=901992712542&targetid=pla-901992712542&network=g&ireid=84388439&mktdc=GXPLA&mktcm=739105833&mktst=100860368637&mktcr=434063623645&mkts=%7Bsk%3A%7D&PiID%5B%5D=863041750&PiID%5B%5D=863041737&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm-uq08ir6gIVLwiICR1g8whGEAQYASABEgLjdfD_BwE#ofhgldjjx69-1

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/elevated-urban-planter-with-stand-30-x-10-terra-cotta-rts-home-accents

https://www.westelm.com/m/products/rounded-terracotta-floor-vases-d5983/?sku=16104&cm_ven=PLA&cm_ite=16104&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Local&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIutiIx82r6gIVzdSzCh0JwwVVEAQYASABEgJNpPD_BwE

https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/three-posts-poteet-large-terracotta-table-vase-w002584951.html

https://www.scenariohome.com/products/tall-indoor-outdoor-planter-red-silver?variant=16640978387059#fo_c=3232&fo_k=f48d7552918b8dc1663e1449df9d11da&fo_s=gplaus
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Anna (6B/7A in MD)
3 years ago
Not an expert, but I have a question: pebbly as in textured or as in a mottled paint finish?
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
It’s a textured finish. The color is still black
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
@suzebell Thank you! So much info to look at. Can’t wait to check it all out. Oh, the pool furniture that I mentioned that would be black is commercial grade aluminum with that textured finish. So you think the textured finish would look cheap? I’ll re-think the regular black.
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you @freedomplace1 Love all those accessories. The light colored cushions scare me a bit. Afraid they might get dirty too quickly.
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
3 years ago
As long as the furniture has a Spanish revival vibe to it, you really could go with any Mediterranean colors for the cushions and umbrellas: teal, orange, mustard yellow, etc. I'd recommend solid colors for the umbrellas and a stripe or floral for the lounge cushions.

Pasadena Showcase House of Design · More Info
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
What do you recommend for the pool chaise lounges? And the chairs for the tables? These will all be framed in the black aluminum with a traditional sling fabric… Your thoughts? I’m loving all these comments they are more helpful than you can imagine. I can’t wait to meet with my partner on the board to show her what everybody has come up with.You all are going in the direction she wanted to go all along
freedomplace1
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I just wanted to show the general concept. Cushions could be in the darker beige/tan, etc.
reitz02
3 years ago
Not an expert, but I think it would be more hygienic to have lounge chairs that don’t need cushions. Sunscreen, viruses, etc....people can bring their own beach towels for comfort.

Have you thought about checking out neighboring complexes to get ideas?
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
@reitz02. We definitely agree with you. In my original comment I mentioned that the furniture requiring cushions were on the patio outside the clubhouse... the pool furniture we’ve selected is commercial aluminum with slings instead of the plastic straps. We won’t be putting cushions on our chaise lounges.
freedomplace1
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Btw, in my second comment pics above - just was showing the darker tan cushion color - a couple of examples. Was not necessarily suggesting lime green pillows, etc. Although you do have a range of colors you could incorporate/with various possibilities

I would go with your core colors, the tan and black - and use mostly tan on cushions in seating areas, with some white/off white on cushions where it might be possible -

as well as some throw cushions with white, black or both + terra Cotta accents, as I showed in my initial comment.

Just to again show general idea and some black and white accenting.

and lots of terra-cotta ideas above.

And I think a shade of blue on umbrellas could be nice.
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
@freedomplace1 I love that blue! Thanks so much for the advice. These ideas are very helpful.
freedomplace1
3 years ago
My pleasure. : )
Linda H
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you all for the advice.. here's the color palette we are thinking about taking your advice and including a pop of color...Sadly, my picture isn't completely color correct. The two fabrics marked with the arrows actually do match. The Kiwi Green swatch does blend with the stripe fabric. First, all the furniture around the pool will be black aluminum frames. the Sunbrella stripe is for 3 - 9ft umbrellas for our tables. The Kiwi green swatch is for the chaise lounges and dining chairs under the umbrellas. Then all the black wicker furniture on the patio of the clubhouse (under the long black awning) will have cushions made out of the same stripe fabric as the umbrellas. How does that sound?

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