2007 HC&G IDEA HOUSE TOUR

Kimberly Hall chose fabrics from Perennials and furniture from Sutherland for much of the area surrounding the pool house. The pergola features breezy sheer draperies from Perennials surrounding a dining table and chairs from Sutherland, which are upholstered in Perennials fabric. At the opposite side of the pool house, the outdoor shower has curtains also fashioned from Perennials fabric. At poolside, teak furnishings from Sutherland's Shadow Collection are upholstered in a combination of fabrics from Osborne & Little and Perennials, and showcase the new Galbraith & Paul collection of bold and graphic outdoor fabrics for Perennials. Both Sutherland, which produces sleek, contemporary furniture, and Perennials, a leading outdoor fabrics company founded in 1997, are represented at the David Sutherland showroom at the Decoration & Design Building in Manhattan.

Powered by solar energy, the pool house is one of the Idea House's signature green attributes. "Our idea was to provide enough power to operate the pool house and the pool equipment," says Marc Cléjan of Bridgehampton-based GreenLogic Energy, an alternative energy company specializing in solar, geothermal and wind-generated power. "We're using framed panels, the traditional solar photovoltaic panels. There are other alternatives—films, laminates, membranes—but one of the reasons we're using panels is because that's the mainstream product that most people choose. It's the lowest cost to install, has the best financial return and will offer the most output per square foot." With government incentives and utility rebates—including a 25 percent tax credit (up to $5,000) from New York State, a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 and a $3.75-per-watt rebate from LIPA—Cléjan says incentives pay for an average of 40 percent of the cost of a solar system. In sum, "The pool house will have no electric bill and generates no pollution or greenhouse gasses," Cléjan notes.

Located a short walk from the pool area, the dining terrace at the back of the house features the Vienna oval table and chairs by JANUS et Cie, appropriate for either indoor or outdoor use. The premium teak tabletop and seats atop powder-coated steel legs accented with marine brass hardware meld traditional and contemporary design for a look that's suitable for a casual lunch or a formal dinner party. Now in its 28th year, JANUS et Cie offers extensive collections of textiles and accessories in addition to its furniture, all ranging in style from classic to cutting-edge. The company also provided Elysee planters for the exterior of the house.