Outdoor Terrace & Pool Deck

Tour Elaine Griffin’s outdoor terrace and pool deck to learn more about her inspiration and sources for these beautiful spaces. If you enjoy this feature, subscribe to FLOWER magazine for more inspiring homes, gardens, lifestyle content, and of course, florals!

“My goal was to bring softness and femininity to the order of a Regency-style garden. This wasn’t the moment for large banana-leaf prints or neon color.”

— Elaine Griffin

Sitting area in backyard between parterre garden and holly hedge. Sofa flanked by outdoor lamps and planters, four chairs, and four ottomans surround a round cocktail table set with flowers, fruit, and bottled sparkling water.

Photo by Brian Bieder

Elaine gave principles of indoor decorating a fresh-air spin by creating distinct zones, including living area (seen here), recreation area (poolside), and dining space (below).

Outdoor dining table set for anniversary dinner with huge floral centerpiece designed by Canaan Marhsall.

Photo by David Hillegas

She surrounded a large concrete dining table with metal chairs, all by Century Furniture, and collaborated with floral designer Canaan Marshall on a setting she envisioned for clients celebrating a fourth anniversary, often symbolized with flowers and fruit.

Poolside line of five oversized lounge chairs with brass lanterns and small tables topped with flower arrangements by Canaan Marshall between the chairs.

Photo by David Hillegas

The bouclé on the loungers is both comfortable and chic. “It’s like taking a nap on a Chanel suit.” Bevolo lanterns provide ambience for an after-sunset dip.

Arrangement designed by Canaan Marshall on table beside chaise longue.

Photo by David Hillegas

Elaine monogrammed scalloped bathmats by Matouk to use as shams on oversize pool loungers. “The personalization is unexpected outside, and the terry cloth makes the luxury practical.” Floral design by M. Delia Designs

Cushions on outdoor sofa beside planter filled with ornamental kale and flowers, and metal table with pot heuchera and small flowering plants.

Photo by Brian Bieder

“When working with a landscape ‘starchitect’ like John Howard, my role is to complement, not compete, with the environment.” Here, quiet greens, ivories, and apricots relate to nature; stripes repeat in different scales. Fabrics by Thibaut.

MORE ABOUT ELAINE GRIFFIN

FLORAL SPOTLIGHT

When Elaine Griffin told Canaan Marshall what she had in mind for the outdoor dining table centerpiece and sent him pictures, the first thing he said was, “Girl, that’s a lot of flowers!” And he delivered with with a riotous composition of citrus and sherbet colors, with pops of purple and varied textures.

See more from Canaan on his website, Instagram, and don’t miss his holiday centerpiece how-to.