Beach Home
How one family created a seaside resort in their own backyard By Alan Sanderfoot
S
ome do-it-yourself projects can be done by anyone who knows which end of a hammer to hold, but installing an in-ground pool isn’t one of them. So, you can imagine Matt and Danielle Meade’s relief when the folks at Indoors Out, the home improvement show on the DIY Network, offered to lend a hand.
Nantucket model pool, which was the largest size that wouldn’t interfere with the septic system beneath the barren yard. Tumbled stone pavers and lush plants frame the pool. To mimic the beach, a sandy retreat was created near the pool, complete with palm trees and accent boulders.
The Meades live in Newport, N.C., where they live busy lives. In addition to raising four children — ages 9 to 22 — Matt and Danielle have stressful careers as a commercial pilot and therapist, respectively. As a result, they like to make the most of their limited downtime together.
When the family isn’t swimming or lounging on the “beach,” they are hanging out in the covered pavilion, which boasts two kitchen islands with granite countertops, an all-weather television and an outdoor fireplace.
The family enjoys a beach home they share with relatives, but they wanted to bring a bit of the seashore to their own home and maximize use of their outdoor living space. Thanks to Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns, the hosts of Indoors Out, the Meades got their wish and much more — including a one-piece fiberglass pool from Composite Pools, stone patio, sandy beach, and open-air pavilion with colorful walls and graceful archways. The Meades chose a 12,000-gallon free from 74
“We created a kind of open-air cabana feel,” Danielle says. One side of the outdoor kitchen includes a grilling area, and other side features a built-in cooler and condiment station. “This is so convenient for entertaining, because the bar seats are located away from the grill but near the cooler for serving drinks,” Danielle explains. Matt’s favorite feature is the outdoor TV because he can watch sports and crank the volume without being asked to turn it down or to stop yelling at the officials. “This creates such harmony for all of us,” Danielle says with a smile.