was this home used as a set in Californication?

Great design, but I don't see how the (unfenced) pool just outside the sliding glass doors is kid-friendly! Seems a little dangerous?

my initial thought too

in AUS unfenced pools are a no-no even if your kids do know how to swim. i do like this home alot - being able to see and access the outdoors has always been on 'my home' wishlist.

The safety issue is so obvious.

Looking at that unfenced pool gives me the creeps. Are there not laws about that there?

Yeah, that made me shudder!

Love the natural tree stump border for the sand pit.

Lots of kids live near "safety" problems that are just outside their doors like roads, parking lots, creeks, balconies, etc.

If they think he's too young to be around the pool without supervision, it looks pretty easy to close and lock the glass wall and door so he can't get out. Not different really from locking the door to a balcony or double story porch.

The benefit to a design like this is leaving the door open to reduce the demarcation between indoors and outdoors. If you can't leave the door open without watching your kids like a hawk, then what's the point? Having a pool this close to the door would probably be a safety hazard for klutz-o me, let alone my curious toddler.

Beautiful

My child was able to unlock very sophisticated "child-proof" locks at the beach home we rented this summer. We were told no child who stayed there before had ever escaped the house, or tried to. And my kid was two years old at the time - it was such a headache. Security isn't guaranteed by locks or what's written on packaging. Lovely as this home is, I'd have to pass until my children were older. It IS beautiful - not really child friendly in my book though.

The "they live with danger everywhere" argument is such baloney. The point is they are at home - they run about. Do you really want to live with kids as though camped in a parking lot or in the middle of a road? Water is an attraction to kids - they associate it with fun. A swimming pool is as dangerous to unsupervised/escaped small children as a pool of acid and I know what would happen if you tried to put that next to your living room. The idea that an architect designed this with children in mind is appalling.

ELLE.DUBELLYOU - I was wondering the same thing.

Oy! Yet another of those "First: be a multimillionaire" posts of the new Apartment Therapy. I can read any old dwelling mag and find out what these rich-as-anything people are up to. From Apartment Therapy, I want to keep having a chance to see what fabulous things people with actual budget constraints are managing to do with their spaces >_<

Sorry, but that pool is just too worrisome – I know of too many tragic stories regarding private pools. Forget all the "safety" precautions I'm sure the parents insist they have taken. What happens when the child is having a nap – errr – at least that's what we thought until we discovered him/her at the bottom of the pool. Also, children drown silently; they do not yell HELP HELP I'M DROWNING! They just silently sink to the bottom (even in shallow pools). I'm such a wet blanket on this issue but, like I said, I have personal experience on this matter.

Beautiful house. It is well designed because it looks as if the pool is visible from most areas of the house, with all that glass. My worry is when pools are not visible - very stressful. I expect they have a cover when not in use, which would resist the weight of small children (I'm guessing).

@Bridgelady - well (and scarily) put!

I like it - except the pool. Our twins would have loved it - not only by accident

After reading the comment string, all I have to say is that it's a good thing that everyone who DOESN'T want a pool in their home can chose not to have one. Yay America!

Ditto, Bridgelady!- What happens when the visiting Grandma accidentally leaves the door open? This design just makes me cringe.

And another thing...who designs a pool that close to the door/opening of the house? When you get out of a pool, you are wet. You are going to go traipsing into the house soaking wet. It looks like you have about 18 inches of outdoor space to dry off or else you are slipping and sliding all over the living room floor. It's a stupid design for both adults and kids.

dangab33 -- the State of Massachusetts requires locked fencing around pools, and I suspect many other US States do, too. Other that strict earthquake codes, I always get the sense that anything goes in house construction in California. Many homes I've visited and lived in there had things that would not meet codes in the eastern states. Of course, that could be due to lack of inspectors, not lack of codes.

People seem to really hate the pool... I, on the other hand, love it! It's my favorite feature in this house.

Thank you for all of the comment and concern. I am the owner of the home, and the pool has a locked safety cover and is closed at all times unless in use by our family. It was open ONLY for the shoot, and closed immediately after. We spent much time debating on the safest way to protect our young ones and the automatic pool cover is absolutely inaccessible to our children, i.e. Lock and Key are out of reach. We also designed a locking system on the glass that they are unable to open. Safety was our first concern.....design second. Thanks!

I bought a house with a similar water element (for fish though, but similar in appearance and access. I put a KatchaKid cover on it. If not, i would have drained it. You are all correct that a pool is not something you can have children around, until they are teenagers really, and then I'd worry about friends, drinking, etc. But, if you want it, or it's there already, there are ways to make it safe with covers, locks and alarms that beep if doors are opened. Seems like these folks have all 3, and probably also a lot of rules about when the pool is "open." That said, seems like a big expense for something you have to keep under cover.

I'm guessing that the owners can lock the sliding glass doors to "fence" in the pool; i love how indoor/outdoor it is! The natural wood and glass make it feel both cozy and light at the same time.

Now, how about one of these similarly indoor / outdoor / kid friendly home for cold climates?

this is one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen, I love it. Obviously the pool is a concern but these people are not idiots, of course they have multiple levels of security on the pool. I'm not sure how kid friendly it is otherwise, but who cares, this house is stunning and I'm sad it will never be mine. I hope they enjoy it!

@meganlouella, thanks for clarifying about the pool safety measures. It, as well as the rest of your house, is beautiful :)

I love the combination of modern and warm. Love the light and the landscaping. I think lush landscaping makes this kind of house work.

Don't hate because they have money. As long as AT doesn't become Elle Decor or Architectural Digest, the occasional "I am the 1%" post is fine by me. It's good inspiration/idea generation for the rest of us.

We have a young son and even if that awesome pool didn't have an elaborate locking system I would move in in a heartbeat. But one thing I wouldn't do is use a picture of my son alone on the edge of it to illustrate a story on "design with kids in mind".

this has disaster written all over it

@baines: Yes, I thought that was an odd choice of photo too. However, I think some people are overreacting with regards to safety. The owners have a clear view of the pool when dining, lounging and cooking, and also from the outside space on the other side of the house. How much safer and kid-friendly can it be (bar not having a pool at all, and that would be a real shame)? Also, if the alleged dexterity of some of your kids is to be believed, then a fence would only give a false sense of security. .

Actually, I think people would be happier if you got rid of the pool in favour of a padded room for the kids to play in!

@pearmelon - a really bad choice of topic to joke about.

Love the carpet in the living room. Are there any affordable similar versions existing anywhere? Or are flea markets the best bet?

hahahaha! pearlmelon, I fantasize about a padded room for my daughter to play in:)
Man, this thread is so depressing and..... true.

while i'm all for a good, rigorous debate, especially if it concerns issues of safety... knowing that the owner of the house and, more importantly, the parent of the child in question has read and commented on this thread, the tone of many of the (latter) comments could/should have been moderated.

This is an absolutely extraordinary house, and I am in love with it. I love so many things about this house -- the way it integrates the interior and exterior; the play yard; the court yard; the metal windows; the kitchen and efficient way it is organized; the office... it is one of my favourite houses, ever.

Too bad AT that this post was buried on your channels, and was subject to such criticism on "the family channel".

AT please moderate this board. Comments such as RMHCT's should not be allowed.

Why would anyone ever offer their house for a house tour on AT? This is not how to lure back commentators after your redesign.

mschatelaine, it was that comment in particular i was thinking of! however, i wasn't suggesting censorship so much as that commentors think about what they are saying before they say it!

oh, and thanks for removing the comment at!

@BRUINTOO -- I am well aware that it is an LA Times article. So what if I, or most of the posters on AT, can't afford it? Neither of those things give posters license to be rude and offensive. Making fun of a 3 year old is beyond the pale. There is NO excuse for such behaviour.

I appreciate that AT posted a story about this house, It is a great design.

This is an intelligently, creatively and thoughtfully designed home. Posters can take ideas from it and incorporate them into their own homes; I know that I will be using this home as a reference, whether or not we ever build a house. (the front play yard is awesome; love the kitchen nook, with both windows and shelving for cookbooks; the integration of landscaping and the interior is nothing short of inspired...). Last time I checked, this site was about good design.

I'm a pretty good designer, and we've done some interesting things in the different homes in which we have lived. But I would never consider offering up pictures of my homes to AT; posters are too uncivil. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.

As the author of this post, I take responsibility for the image chosen of the pool and regret that it engendered so much controversy as to detract from the central core of the article. Megan, thank you for taking the time address the safety concerns of the commenters and to explain how the pool is used in your home. It is truly lovely.

This house is gorgeous! and I have 2 very rambunctious preschool-aged boys and I would gladly move in :) why don't people understand STAGING? I recently had a friend whose home was featured in a magazine and the photographers spent HOURS arranging and rearranging her house for certain shots.

(Blah, blah blah, pool, safety, whatever. California uses the same building code as every other state in the union, the IBC, and the homeowners and architects would have to comply with the Pool Barrier provisions, alarms, locks, etc. What if we chose to assume the best of people, rather than the worst? Might we go through our days a little less judgemental and more happy?)

But seriously,can we talk about the swing set/sandbox/ climbing structure?! Amazing! I want more pictures of just that element! I have been looking and looking for examples of interesting and unique play structures made from natural materials - and I LOVE this one. I also love that when the kids have outgrown sand and swings, it could easily be converted to a round patio or dining nook or even a planter bed, and the structure covered with shade cloth or planted with vines. It's lovely, and makes me want to reconsider my current back yard lay out!

Beautiful house. The tipi-shaped swing set is about the best thing I've ever seen.