The idea behind the pared-down structure of this pool house was to create a compact weekend getaway with all the functionality of a stand-alone house, which this served as for a decade. Working with Richard Beard Architects, we created a symmetrical, 1,000-square-foot house with an open plan. Six pairs of French doors with transoms open the house to the garden year round and 12-foot ceilings of white-painted redwood paneling enhance the airy feel. The one main room accommodates a king bed, a living room, and a full kitchen. A generous bath anchors one end of the structure, and a laundry and storage room anchors the other. A wisteria-covered pergola creates a grand outdoor dining room overlooking a pool virtually the same size as the house. Shaded gardens at the rear, under a grove of oak trees, offer cool spots for summer dining and afternoon reading.

From the shell-encrusted torchères beckoning swimmers into the pool and the formally arranged garden furniture to the unexpectedly dressy interior, the simplicity of the architecture proves the perfect foil for more elaborate decorations. With fabrics in fresh, vibrant colors and patterns, the light-filled house has a delightfully sophisticated style.