Ep 142 How Island Stone Textures Shift The Energy Of Your Backyard Oasis

Ep 142 How Island Stone Textures Shift The Energy Of Your Backyard Oasis

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://islandstone.com/] https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ [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

Ep 141 Built for the South: The Ultimate Guide to the Luxury Pool Enclosure

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://thepoolenclosureguys.com/] https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ [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

Ep 140 Hear to Believe :Experiencing music below the Water Surface with Clark Synthesis

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.farleypooldesigns.com/] https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://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

Ep 139 The Ultimate Backyard Flex: Handcrafted Wooden Diving Boards with Mikel Tube & Farley Pool Designs

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/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ [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

Ep 138 Resort Style Living at Home: Outdoor Design Masterclass with Landscape Architect Kurt Kraisinger of Lorax Design Group

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://loraxdesigngroup.com/] https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ [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