When Robin Rains of Robin Rains Interior Design customized the interiors for a gulf-front property on Florida’s Emerald Coast, she delivered a considered interior that feels as though it had been collected over the years.
2026 Ocean Home Awards · Coastal Poolscape
Robin Rains Interior Design received the 2026 Ocean Home Award for Coastal Poolscape for this Florida’s Emerald Coast project. Explore the complete list of this year’s winning homes, rooms, and landscapes.
This approach complemented the home’s existing architecture, which celebrates classical Greek and Mediterranean vernacular.
Crisp plaster walls, limestone surfaces, and rhythmic columns evoke the coastal landscapes of Mykonos and Santorini.
Rains and senior designers Evan Gibbs and Jenna Miller paid special attention to the home’s layered outdoor living destinations. The four-story property boasts two different pool environments, each with its own atmosphere, rhythm, and purpose.
The first pool, tucked just beyond the home’s primary lanai on the first floor, functions as an extension of the interior living spaces. Limestone flooring flows uninterrupted from inside to out, while expansive folding glass doors dissolve the separation altogether.
This poolscape is akin to an immersive architectural water feature. It is simultaneously serene, sculptural, and unmistakably resort-inspired. Columns, which support elegant arched openings, rise unexpectedly from the Aegean blue pool water.
“We consider this more of a daytime pool; there are pockets of shade and pockets of sun. You can pick your own adventure,” explains Gibbs. “It’s a great spot for coffee or lunch and a nice respite from the beach.”
In a creative twist, the pool water winds around a seating pavilion, framing it in soft stillness. “This makes the seating area feel like it’s floating, like an island,” adds Gibbs. Overhead, the vaulted ceiling’s motif—an abstracted, modernized take on a European groin vault—takes center stage sans chandelier.
Rather than relying on decorative fixtures, concealed uplighting illuminates glass tiling on the vaulted ceiling. This adds a little glamour and ambiance while still respecting the area’s strict coastal lighting regulations designed to protect nesting sea turtles.
For furniture, the designers opted for durable teak sofas and chairs by Sutherland. Explains Gibbs: “We kept everything in the same collection, so it feels more spa-like, very simple and comfortable with bright white upholstery.” A side table, an abstraction of a classical column, and a three-legged coffee table echo Greek forms playfully and artfully.
While this lower terrace encourages sunbathing and relaxing, the home’s fourth-floor poolscape is all about having a cocktail while taking in the wraparound ocean views. It’s located just off the rooftop bar and is more of a party space; its vibe is livelier.
Here, the pool functions as a shallow cooling off spot. Partially submerged Ledger Loungers accommodate lingering over cocktails while watching sunsets, fireworks, or simply the changing light across the Gulf.
An adjacent seating area features a teak furniture set from Restoration Hardware and a circular concrete coffee table. The furniture tones lean grey to blend harmoniously with the weathered teak decking. Meanwhile, a white pergola overhead adds character while filtering sun.
“We always prioritize comfort and durability first, then layer in unique accent pieces that give some personality,” says Gibbs of their approach to outdoor spaces. “Beach homes are incredibly demanding environments, so every decision has to balance beauty with longevity.”
Together, the two pools offer distinctly different experiences. Rather than duplicating amenities, each destination provides its own mood and purpose, allowing for quiet relaxation or vibrant gathering depending on the owners’ mood.
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