Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast

In this episode we interview Jon Driscoll, founder of Backyard Butler (launched 2018), which provides recurring “white glove” cleaning and maintenance for luxury outdoor living spaces in Dallas–Fort Worth—filling a gap not covered by gardeners, pool cleaners, or housekeepers. Jon explains service frequency options, party-prep cleanings, and a detailed checklist covering patios, furniture, outdoor kitchens, grills, heaters, and more, aiming to deliver a “Four Seasons” experience at home. The episode covers materials and maintenance insights: Sunbrella fabrics clean best; porcelain paving is easiest while exposed aggregate and some stones are difficult; efflorescence can be treated but plant-pot mineral stains can be nearly impossible; turf is maintained via power-brooming and deodorizing; granite counters and non-porous backsplashes clean best; drains, hose bibs, outlets, sealed lighting, and easy-clean materials improve long-term upkeep. Jon discusses seasonality, common stains (notably crape myrtle), a sealing mishap that ended their sealing services, notable transformations, and Backyard Butler’s plans to franchise.
 
Discover more and connect:
https://www.backyardbutler.net/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:17 Meet the Hosts
01:37 Guest Intro Backyard Butler
02:05 Why Outdoor Cleaning Matters
03:52 Recurring vs Event Cleanings
05:55 White Glove Standard
06:37 Best Fabrics Sunbrella
08:22 Post Build Priorities
10:19 Pavers and Surface Choices
12:04 Efflorescence and Stains
14:58 Synthetic Turf Maintenance
18:38 Heaters and Outdoor Fixtures
20:02 Cleaning Without Damage
22:34 Stainless and Cabinet Care
26:05 Outdoor Countertop Materials
28:02 Granite vs Dekton
28:53 Backsplash Grease Fixes
30:32 Seasonal Demand Shifts
31:51 Decking and Wood Limits
34:23 Design for Easy Upkeep
36:55 Sealer Nightmare Story
40:46 Wild Backyard Features
44:55 Pollen and Storm Cleanup
46:42 Worst Stains and Trees
48:03 Contact and Wrap Up
 

Welcome to another episode of the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast. Today Mike and Trey Farley interview Ryan Walta of Southern Comfort Bed Swings, who describes starting the business 16 years ago after building a better-looking bed swing for his wife and then receiving orders from guests at their rented lake house. Ryan explains how early demand grew quickly through magazine ads, leading from basement production to a showroom and a high-end custom brand using teak, powder-coated aluminum, and handwoven resin wicker, with hidden hardware and stainless fasteners to improve durability and deter copying. They discuss sizing options, custom projects (including hotels and international work), rope vs chain (using synthetic polypropylene Manila rope), quick-dry Dry Fast foam with Sunbrella fabrics, replacement parts, installation guidance and safety, popular models like the Conroy and Emerson, new products like the backless Chloe, and expanding into matching sofas and lounge chairs.
 
Discover more and connect with us:
https://www.southernkomfortbedswings.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:17 Meet The Guest
01:41 How It All Started
03:23 From Basement To Showroom
05:59 Beating The Copycats
08:29 Why Bed Swings
12:38 Sizing And Space Planning
14:39 Rope Versus Chain
16:54 Outdoor Cushions That Dry
19:58 Custom Fabrics And Layouts
21:55 Repairs And Replacements
25:24 Custom Builds And Safety
29:54 Why People Love Swings
32:17 COVID Photo Challenges
33:22 Renderings Over Photos
33:43 Comfort Creates Memories
34:33 Quality Materials Choices
36:26 Designing For Wellness
40:33 Models And Best Sellers
41:24 Emerson Storm Ready Design
43:15 Handwoven Craft Process
45:03 Knockoffs And Safety Risks
47:55 Installation And Hardware Tips
50:44 New Designs And Furniture Line
54:26 Trade Program Workflow
56:22 Rapid Fire Favorites
01:00:17 Inspiration Travel Ideas
01:01:49 Closing And Contact Info
01:02:24 Show Mission Wrap Up
 

In this episode Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast Mike and Trey Farley welcome guests Feras Irikat (VP of Brand and Design) and David Futula (Director of Technical Services) from Island Stone, discussing how tile choices shape outdoor living spaces and how to specify products for pools. David explains his role co-authoring the TCNA P602 pool tile installation standard and outlines key performance factors for submerged/exterior use such as freeze/thaw, thermal shock, breaking strength, chemical resistance, and stone-specific issues like rust. Firas describes Island Stone’s origin in Bali creating mesh-mounted pebble sheets, ongoing innovation in dimensional/fractal patterns, and environmentally conscious pebble sourcing. They cover how homeowners should balance emotional goals with functional requirements, the importance of mockups and grout/sealer choices, details on Sukabumi stone behavior and sealing, mesh-backed glass manufacturing differences, V-cap trims, and saltwater pool compatibility.
 
Discover more and connect:
https://islandstone.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:12 Meet Island Stone Experts
02:36 Pool Tile Standards
04:47 Firas Tile Journey
06:27 Dave Trade Background
08:38 Indoor Outdoor Design Shift
10:35 Biophilic Home Healing
12:32 Island Stone Origin Story
20:28 Ethical Pebble Sourcing
22:45 Designing for Feeling
25:37 Choosing Tile Basics
30:25 Pool Suitability Testing
36:33 Sukabumi Stone Deep Dive
43:10 Natural Stone Variation
44:05 Patina and Biophilic Color
46:34 Slip Resistance and Formats
49:04 Sealants Grout and Mockups
51:12 Fractal Design Philosophy
55:10 Water Walls and Spec Limits
59:47 Mesh Backed Glass Explained
01:04:14 V Cap Trim and Salt Systems
01:07:58 Ceramic Kits and Coverings
01:11:54 Designing for Client Feelings
01:14:07 Wrap Up and Contact Info
01:16:47 Favorites Travel and Closing
 

Mike and Trey Farley host Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast and interview Robert, owner of The Pool Enclosure Guys, who has 24 years specializing in designing and building luxury aluminum and stainless-steel pool screen enclosures across 9–10 states. Robert explains what pool enclosures are, how they extend outdoor living while keeping out leaves, mosquitoes, snakes, and other animals, and why his engineered, higher-vaulted designs feel open and clear rather than claustrophobic. They discuss retrofit vs. new construction, permitting, setbacks, footings, drainage considerations, maintenance recommendations (Dawn and water; avoid harsh chemicals and high PSI), screen types, lifespan expectations, storm performance (noting Hurricane Ida), lighting options, HOA approval challenges, and how enclosures can replace fences for safety codes. Robert also shares unusual use cases (birds, koi ponds, butterflies) and advises homeowners to research contractors, reviews, and long-term referrals.
 
Discover more:
https://thepoolenclosureguys.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:17 Meet The Guest
02:05 What Is A Pool Enclosure
04:05 Why Enclosures Matter
05:15 How He Got Started
08:36 Design And Engineering
12:17 Year Round Enclosures
15:20 Screen Types And UV
19:07 Wildlife And Pest Stories
23:49 Attaching To The House
25:54 Colors And Powder Coat
29:04 Permits Setbacks Footings
33:03 Cleaning And Maintenance
34:56 Retrofits Drainage Access
37:07 Weather Durability Lifespan
44:14 Lighting And Climate Control
47:08 More Problems Enclosures Solve
48:36 Safety Codes And Fencing
49:17 Why Enclosures Exist
50:39 Self Closing Doors
52:05 Storm Proof Strength
55:47 Costly Weather Risks
56:23 Maintenance Mistakes
58:08 Choosing The Right Builder
01:02:11 Where They Build
01:03:25 Custom Glass And Tint
01:04:15 Resale Value Reality
01:06:26 Biggest Builds And Design
01:08:05 HOA Approval Battles
01:09:25 Plants And Contractor Issues
01:12:24 Dream Projects And Privacy
01:13:59 Keeping Pets And Wildlife Out
01:18:18 Personal Favorites And Wrap Up
 

In this episode Mike and Trey Farley of Farley Pool Designs interview Bill Phillips, owner of Clark Synthesis in Colorado, a major manufacturer of underwater swimming pool speakers. Bill shares his path from Kentucky to high-end audio and eventually buying Clark Synthesis, and explains how their underwater speakers work by radiating sound more like a cello, producing full-frequency audio with strong bass rather than the tinny sound typical underwater. They discuss design help (plan markup in about 24 hours), installation in standard light niches, custom powder-coated finishes, and considerations like waterfalls, swim jets, and volume safety. Bill describes broader uses of their vibration/transducer technology in massage tables, drummers’ hearing protection, decks as subwoofers via bone conduction, resorts and yachts, float tanks, therapy applications, and VR/theme parks, plus key tips: mix audio to mono, use proper amplifiers, and test speakers in water.
 
Discover more:
https://clarksynthesis.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
01:17 Meet the Guest Bill Phillips
02:04 Bill’s Audio Journey
03:04 HGTV Lazy River Story
04:52 How Underwater Sound Works
07:05 Full Frequency Bass Explained
08:04 Underwater Movie Nights
09:06 Speaker Placement and Install
10:19 Design and Color Customization
11:23 Feeling Music Underwater
12:31 Beyond Pools Massage Tech
15:00 Where to Try Them Out
16:00 Marine and Portable Options
17:28 Float Tanks and Wellness
19:14 Wildest Backyard Use Case
20:17 Planning for Water Noise
22:05 Volume Safety and Control
23:02 Deck Transducers for Bass
24:18 Decks as Speakers
24:48 Why Wood Resonates
25:09 Bone Conduction Explained
25:58 Car Gravel Road Demo
27:50 Barefoot vs Shoes
29:32 Marriage Saved by Sound
31:13 Company Evolution Story
33:22 Ordering and Dealer Support
35:17 Therapy and Deaf Dance Floors
36:42 Biggest Unexpected Use Cases
38:26 VR and Future Healthcare
40:04 Setup Mistakes to Avoid
41:32 Hearing Safety Questions
42:46 Contact and Rapid Fire Qs
44:32 Papua New Guinea Memories
46:16 Wrap Up and Show Mission
 

Mike and Trey Farley host the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast and interview Mikel Tupe from Belgium, who handcrafts luxury wooden diving boards he calls “functional art.” Tupe explains he began after building a board for his own pool, then left a banking/insurance career as international demand grew, especially in the U.S. He describes two construction types—floating boards (more flexible, cheaper, require storing in winter and checking screws) and tension boards (more solid, less bounce, adjustable tension bars). He discusses materials (ipe and a shift toward afrormosia), oiling to prevent graying and cracking, optional UV-protective covers, anti-slip features, and U.S.-based safety standards, bracket heights, and stainless-steel bases. He highlights the Ocean One as the most popular model, notes 5–7 week high-season lead times, typical longevity and weight guidance, unusual installations, and emphasizes customer communication and trust.
 
Discover more:
https://woodendivingboards.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:12 Meet the Guest
02:01 Wooden Boards Origin
04:24 Choosing the Right Wood
06:00 Handcrafted Production
07:30 Floating vs Tension
11:04 Oiling and Winter Care
15:27 Covers and UV Protection
18:38 Splinters and Grip
22:05 Safety Rules and Brackets
27:30 Bracket Designs and Ocean One
28:48 Ocean One Bestseller
29:06 Board Sizes And Profiles
30:09 Why Wood Boards
31:09 Wild Install Locations
32:46 Maintenance And Hardware
35:41 Ordering And Shipping
37:55 Longevity And Weight Limits
41:37 Wood Vs Fiberglass Bounce
47:10 Design Inspiration And Safety
50:31 Trust Customer Care Wrap
52:37 Rapid Fire Favorites
55:02 Final Thanks And Contact
 

Mike and Trey Farley interview Kurt Kraisinger, landscape architect, owner of Lorax Design Group in Overland Park, Kansas, and co-founder of Tributary Revelation. Kurt recounts his path from aspiring architect to landscape architecture at Kansas State University, building his practice across 25 states, and explains his client-first design philosophy focused on context, lifestyle, and architectural fit rather than a single signature style. He describes how clients often fixate on Pinterest features, why trust is built by showing what clients ask for alongside better alternatives, and why circulation plus grading/drainage are foundational, especially in Kansas City’s freeze-thaw and rainfall conditions. Kurt outlines his “prescribed process” from concept to master plan, early contractor estimates to prevent budget surprises, phasing strategies, and stepwise 3D visualization. He explains the Lorax name origin, Tributary’s tours-based networking model, discusses trendy pool features and value engineering, and shares influences (Simon Sinek, Blue Ocean Strategy), plus personal favorites and travel inspiration.
 
Discover more:
https://loraxdesigngroup.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesignshttps://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:23 Meet Kurt Kraisinger
02:54 Path to Landscape Architecture
04:39 K State Training and Early Work
07:51 Design Philosophy and Style Range
11:01 Guiding Clients Past Pinterest
15:48 Why Lorax Design Group
19:55 Outdoor Living After COVID
21:44 Site Walkthrough and Flow Basics
25:43 Master Plans and Phasing
27:24 Budget Reality and Cost Process
31:57 Luxury Features and Tradeoffs
35:21 Learning Negative Edge Details
37:51 How Tributary Started
39:48 Building Tributary Tours
42:17 Vendors Behind Scenes
43:47 Membership Rules Evolve
44:59 Midwest Build Challenges
49:56 When to Hire Designers
52:51 Hand Drawing Value
56:04 3D Workflow Funnel
01:01:22 Timeless Pool Design
01:05:36 Saying No to Clients
01:11:26 Books Food Movies
01:17:41 Wrap Up Contact Info
01:18:22 Show Mission Closing

Mike and Trey Farley host the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast with guests Chip Unnerstall and Nicole Newkirk of Oasis Pools, a St. Louis design-build firm focused on high-end residential pools and outdoor living. Chip shares starting his company at 17 after a client loaned him $50,000, leading to rapid early growth, while Nicole describes her design background, their collaboration, and her “Not Your Average Life” mindset brand. They discuss evolving from liners to custom concrete work through continuing education (Genesis and WaterShape University), bringing shotcrete and plaster operations in-house for quality and scheduling control, and lessons from COVID contract escalation. Topics include Midwest weather strategies using tents and heat for year-round building, winterization vs keeping some pools open, indoor pool costs and dehumidification, sanitation options like UV/ozone, material and design “true crimes,” and standout award-winning projects featuring rain curtains, hidden auto covers, entryway water, and perimeter-overflow/tiled pools.
 
Discover and connect:
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:17 Meet Chip And Nicole
02:42 How They Got Started
05:40 Growing Into High End
07:24 Training And Genesis
09:44 Going Fully In House
13:17 Weatherproof Building Tents
16:58 Full Backyard Packages
20:38 Service Area And Winterizing
23:25 Spas Hot Tubs And Shell Types
27:02 Indoor Pools And Humidity
30:37 Sanitation UV And Ozone
34:31 Indoor Design And Covers
43:03 Award Winning Projects
44:49 Limestone House Details
45:33 Who Builds Pool Houses
46:48 Modern Rain Curtain Pool
49:28 Cantilever Swings Feature
50:43 Mosaic Tile Reflection Pool
52:58 Lazy River Memories
55:30 Women In Pool Design
57:46 Social Media And Vetting Builders
01:00:28 Design Limits And Timelines
01:02:18 3D Modeling Versus Hand Sketching
01:07:41 Poolside True Crime Lessons
01:13:49 Rapid Fire Favorites
01:16:16 Travel Inspiration And Craftsmanship
01:20:01 Contact Info And Wrap Up
01:22:40 Show Mission Closing
 

The Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast hosts Mike and Trey Farley interview Sozan and Ryan Hughes of Ryan Hughes Design and Solana Outdoor Living about expanding from a second-generation Florida landscape and pool firm into a holistic luxury outdoor living platform that includes furnishings, lighting, kitchens, and specialty products. Ryan explains how the business evolved after 2009 and how furniture became a critical element despite early rejection from manufacturers and consumer credibility hurdles, eventually won through marketing, media exposure, and social proof. Sozan describes joining the company around 2008–2012, negotiating dealer pricing, and launching their first major furniture success. They detail Solana’s 12,000-square-foot showroom in Tampa with vignette displays, customization options, trade support, warehousing/QC/logistics, and plans to scale locations and serve residential, hospitality, and nationwide clients.
 
Discover more:
https://www.solanaoutdoor.com/
https://ryanhughesdesign.com
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Meet Sozan Hughes
00:57 Podcast Intro and Mission
02:09 Guests Welcome and Origins
02:54 Ryan Hughes Design Evolution
05:36 Sozan Joins the Business
08:52 Breaking Into Furniture
12:39 Selling the Vibe
15:09 Inside the Solana Showroom
18:45 Curating Luxury Brands
22:34 Trade Program and Logistics
26:49 Bespoke Customization and AI
29:53 Signature Products and Video Wall
36:04 Lighting Innovations Spotlight
38:53 How to Explore Solana
40:27 Showroom Visits Explained
41:29 Designing for Trends
44:11 Expanding the Showroom
45:04 New Brands from Italy
46:14 When to Start Planning
48:33 Guiding Clients in Store
50:42 AI and 3D Visuals
52:32 Scaling Solana Nationwide
54:33 Outdoor Kitchen Standouts
57:53 More Niche Product Lines
01:02:36 Advice and Rapid Fire
01:05:54 Travel Inspiration and Wrap
01:08:14 Podcast Mission Closing
 

Mike and Trey Farley host the Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast and interview Rhonda Sheeran of Fiber Creations about Pool Stars, a patented fiber-optic “stars in the pool floor” product with a 3D twinkling effect that appears on the pool bottom and reflects off the water surface. Rhonda describes her background in pool tile, renovation, plastering, and early fiber-optic lighting, and explains how Pool Stars use high-quality Mitsubishi fibers bundled from an LED RGBW/DMX-capable illuminator (no electricity in the water) through minimal piping, then distributed as single/double/triple fibers for varied brightness. She details installation steps, plaster/tile considerations, remodel approaches, distance limits (~90 feet), dimming and app/DMX control, use cases (sun shelves, decks, walls, star ceilings, countertops), quality cautions, and typical costs varying by star count and labor.
 
Discover more:
https://www.fibercreations.com/
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
 
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:12 Meet Rhonda Sheeran
02:18 Pool Stars Origin Story
05:55 How Pool Stars Work
10:35 Installation Step by Step
15:17 Remodels and Tile Pools
17:02 Safety and Equipment Setup
21:25 Customization and DMX Control
25:10 Creative Applications Beyond Pools
27:53 Finish Tips and Longevity
29:25 Podcast Legacy Story
30:29 Remodeling a Star Pool
32:19 Drones and Dimming Control
33:43 Why Quality Fiber Matters
35:25 Acrylic Windows and Placement
36:23 Star Ceilings Installation
39:11 Backlit Stone and Showers
41:16 Controllers Apps and Music Sync
44:21 Product Evolution and Install Tips
47:35 Durability Big Clients and Future
50:16 Cost Ranges and Design Options
52:19 Rapid Fire Guest Questions
54:20 Seeing It In Person and Wrap Up