On today's episode Mike Farley is joined by guest Hunter Gary of H2 Outdoor Living from Middle Tennessee, to discuss how Hunter entered pool design and launched his design firm three years ago and a newer build/GC arm. They focus on why detailed construction and hydraulic plans matter to prevent costly, hard-to-fix underground plumbing problems and to ensure apples-to-apples bidding. The epsiode outline homeowner red flags and checkpoints, including clean, well-laid-out equipment pads, photo documentation, flow meters, and builders who can explain pump curves and turnover rates. They emphasize larger plumbing, variable-speed pumps, cartridge filters, proper circulation, quieter systems, safety/entrapment avoidance, Venturi skimmers, in-floor returns/cleaning, and correct design of perimeter overflows and vanishing-edge basins, including surge capacity and filtration/sanitation.

Discover more and connect:

https://h2outdoorliving.com/

https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/

Watch episodes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns/podcasts

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/