Inspired by cosmopolitan hotels and the interior palette of this Fayetteville residence, designer Tobi Fairley adds vitality and comfort to an often-used outdoor area

Five years after the completion of the interior design work in a sophisticated Northwest Arkansas home, Tobi Fairley returned to a former project to bring her signature bold and tailored style to the outdoor spaces. “The homeowners wanted an area to use for large family gatherings, as well as smaller groups, like their children and grandchildren,” she explains.

To achieve harmony in the space, the family asked Fairley to work with Carolyn Lindsey of Yeary Lindsey Architects to make better use of the structures around the home’s existing pool. A trellis was replaced with a cabana and additional usable square footage was added to the existing pool house. She didn’t skimp on convenience on either, including a full-scale outdoor kitchen as well as multiple seating and lounge areas in the design. 

Not only did the pool and patio area need to be fuctional, but the homeowners desired an outdoor space that reflected their interior décor. Known for her vivid patterns and bright punches of color, Fairley dove into the project with a clear vision for a refreshing outdoor escape. Inspired by the chic, boutique hotel pools the homeowners have visited around the world, she envisioned classic black-and-white stripes alongside more subdued elements that complement the interior of the home. “We took color cues from inside the home, which is done in layers of aqua, light blue and steel gray and accented with orange tones from pumpkin to cinnamon,” says Fairley. “Outside, we ramped up the volume on that palette.” The combination of aqua, orange, black and white is  “edgy and fun,” says Fairley, who describes the homeowners as sophisticated and chic. “Their style—and mine—unites very clean furniture lines and tailoring with dynamic and bold uses of texture, pattern and color,” she adds.

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