White House Swimming Pool Making Waves in New Book
Photo of White House Pool taken in 1962
According to Mimi Alford, a then 19-year-old intern at the White House and now author of the Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and its Aftermath, the relationship with JFK started in the White House residential swimming pool.
The following excerpt was on the Web site dailymail.co.uk:
“The pool room had one mirrored wall, with the other three sides painted with floor-to-ceiling scenes of palm trees and sailboats.The water was as warm as that in a bathtub — as I learned later, the temperature was always set at 90 degrees to soothe JFK’s chronic back pain. I was treading water with Fiddle and Jill [two female White House employees] when the president himself walked in. “Mind if I join you?” he asked. He was remarkably fit — flat stomach, toned arms — for a 45-year-old man. After sliding into the pool, he floated up to me. “It’s Mimi, isn’t it?” he said. “And you’re in the press office this summer, right?’ He asked what I’d been given to do, and I told him. “Well, nice to see you, Mimi,” he said, and floated away toward Fiddle and Jill.” The affair began later that day with a private tour of the White House that was arranged by the president.
Our affair, which lasted until his death 18 months later, began in earnest the following week. All that summer, I’d swim with the President, race back to my desk, and then wait for a call to come upstairs.”
Photo taken of Mimi Alford at White House Pool
Although this is Mimi Alford’s account of her experiences with JFK back in the 60′s, we only hear her side of the story. The story is an interesting one, and the details that she gives of the pool and house are intriguing insights to those who will never step foot in the grand house.
The indoor swimming pool remains to this day, however, no word on if the pool is in working condition. An attempt by Gerald Ford to renovate the indoor pool came up short when realizing press briefing rooms would need to demolished. Another attempt from Hillary Clinton in the 90′s to do the same, also came up with the same issue..that darn press briefing room. So instead the Clintons put a7 seater high end hot tub out by the outdoor swimming pool complete with adjustable jets. This outdoor pool was built on the White House grounds in 1975 by Gerald Ford who was known to be a avid swimmer, and even did some laps for the hoards of photographers.
Have you Caught the Pinterest Bug?
I don’t know about you, but about everyone I know has caught the Pinterest bug. If you don’t know what I am talking about then follow my link here to see what all the buzz is about. I promise you’ll look at the site once and you can catch yourself spending way too much time looking at very creative ideas. From recipes, fashion, architecture, photography and philosophy, there are some great images on the site.
Check out what images people are “pinning ” from Diamond Spas. Pin up our images to your own boards. Happy Pinning!
NAHB Showcases the 2012 New American Home
The 2012 International Builders Show is showcasing its 2012 New American Home in beautiful Orlando Florida.
The 4,000 square foot home is suited well for the sunny skies of Florida with its swimming pool, retractable doors and open courtyard.
This luxury swimming pool makes for a glorious centerpiece to the landscape.
With spacious decks and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the cool water retreat, choosing a great custom design will draw in the eye and beg you to sit down and enjoy the pool.
A water feature is always a sweet addition that often gets overlooked in home design. The creativity on this custom water feature is simply charming. The water feature has everyone taking a double take as the water spills out from in between the glass panes and over the ledge. A fun creative idea within a small space.
You can’t have fabulous outdoor living without an outdoor kitchen. The hottest item in home building right now is the outdoor kitchen.
This outdoor eatery is fitted in the finest stainless steel kitchen gadgetry including stainless steel sink, grill, beverage cooler and warming ovens. Burger Please!
Stanley Saitowitz Stainless Steel and Concrete Home Up For Sale
A brilliantly designed home in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood is for sale for a discounted price of $8,950,000. The original price of $9,250,000 has dropped a bit since it’s listing began, but the concrete and stainless steel home is a delectable treat for those who appreciate fine architecture.
The digs at 2555 Union, San Francisco was designed by the legendary and award winning Stanley Saitowitz. Saitowitz is known worldwide for his work in private residences, public and commercial spaces, and religious architecture most notably the Holocaust Memorial in Boston.
Saitowitz uses principles of early modern architecture with the materials, techniques and sensibilities of the 21st century such as his stainless steel metal work.
Custom stainless steel fabrication is seen throughout the house as well as concrete and glass work. From the toilets to the stainless steel elevators, the metal theme is seen throughout the home.
Saitowitz’ modernist aesthetic is seen in the unified slick metalwork that can be found in most of his projects.
Hot Tub or Spa?
Permanent spas, on the other hand, are typically built inground, sometimes accompanying or connected to a residential swimming pool; they become an integral part of a property’s hardscape. Our non-portable spas are made of stainless steel or copper, while hot tubs and portable spas are composed of a stainless steel or copper interior shell and an exterior shell, which is sometimes flagstone, decking or other types of hardscaping materials.
Both a hot tub and a spa can be distinguished from a whirlpool tub, also known as a jetted tub which is found in a bathroom and is filled and drained after each use. Our hot tubs and/or spas use sanitized, filtered and circulated water and is only drained several times a year for maintenance.
More importantly, our hot tubs or spas offer a number of benefits that will not only increase the value of your home, but will also improve your health, your well-being and your relationships with those you love. With advantages like these, the thought of unwinding in warm, swirling waters after a long day is almost too hard to resist. But among the vast number of hot tub models, which vary in everything from size to number of jets to entertaining add-ons, how do you decide which one will fit your lifestyle?
Iconic Oval Swimming Pool Remains at Refurbished Bel-Air
The infamous Hotel Bel-Air has been under renovation for the past two years and is now opening its doors for its grand opening. The hotel which has been around for more than 50 years is famous for its celebrity guests including Marilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon, and Oprah Winfrey.
The multi million dollar project included a new spa, 12 new canyon-facing rooms with private infinity-edge custom swimming pools and luxury free standing baths in some of the guest rooms.
One feature that was not changed was the signature oval-shaped pool which has been the focal point of Hotel Bel-Air. Surrounded by hanging palms and cascading blooms, the hotel’s unique oval-shaped swimming pool is heated to 82 degrees for year round enjoyment.
Luxury Bathroom Design Incorporates Tub Filler
A fabulous high end bath paired with just the right tub filler can make for a beautiful arrangement. As there are many soaking tubs to choose from, so is the case with tub fillers. Luxury bathroom design is incorporating a unique spin on tub fillers with ceiling and wall mounted applications.
Integrating a distinctive item into each room ‘s decor captivates the audience. Whether it is a unique piece of furniture or a creative piece of art, having something that dazzles in each room sets the stage for that certain pop of interest. Something that will surely dazzle is a ceiling mounted tub filler. The unexpected feature will not only look glorious as it travels from the ceiling to the luxury tub, but the sounds even entice the bather to sit still and listen. Water falling from the sky in a glass tube like visual is playful yet sensual.
The four separate copper ceiling mounted tub fillers is a visual masterpiece when the water is turned on. As the water rushes to the awaiting copper tub, the sights and sounds are as glorious as is sitting in the hot tub.
This wall mounted tub filler makes for a beautiful water feature when filling the tub. The streamlined look hides the plumbing and faucets usually seen with tubs. A clean, modern look focuses the attention on the Japanese bath itself.
A singular ceiling mounted tub filler brings a serene calmness over this master bathroom. A decadent stainless steel Japanese bath catches the waterfall which is trimmed out with separate volume and thermostat controllers installed on the wall.
The Big Unveil
Last week I posted about a really unique project in California that Diamond Spas was fortunate to be part of. David Hertz Architects came to Diamond Spas to build a stainless steel swimming pool. The project was unique in that a couple strategically placed clear acryllic windows were needed, as well as LED lighting. The windows are basically an “art on display” if you will. You can be on the bottom level of the home and there is a window frame looking into the lower level of the swimming pool. Very cool feature. Check out the finished project. I think you will agree the home, the view, and the pool is pretty spectacular.
A Toast for a Copper Wine Room
Copper Sinks-check. Copper Tubs-check. Copper Showers-Check. Copper Hot tubs-check. Copper Swimming Pools-check. Copper Cabinets-check. Copper Wine Rooms..Copper Wine Rooms? Check… Just when you thought there was no where else for Diamond Spas to go with their copper product line, they surprise us! An idea brought in by a client to make a custom designed wine room, brought on the notion of building a chic copper wine room. Loving a creative challenge, their design engineers quickly went to work on this new endeavor. Currently in the final stages of fabrication of their first copper wine room , early indications are nothing short of dazzling! The 10″x 10 copper wine room will store over 750 bottles and have extra storage for crated wine. Installation will begin in the clients Aspen home within the month which also features a custom copper hot tub and copper shower designed by Diamond Spas.
Making Your Bathroom Your Sanctuary
Diamond Spas Copper Tub
I was told of a children’s book the other day by a friend who reads her children a cute little book with a poignant message that many of us would appreciate. The book, Five minutes Peace, written by Jill Murphy is a story of a young mother with three young busy children. The Mother just wants some time to herself to unwind and have some quiet time to herself soaking in a bubble filled Victorian bath . Sound familiar? I know for me it does, and believe many of us can also relate. Maybe it’s not children your escaping, but a stressful job, a relationship, school, health issues, or maybe some crazy in laws! Whatever your stress is, a hot bath can give you a little respite from the day. My nightly baths last only 5-10 minutes, but there is no one talking, crying, asking, or begging. A five minute break..just me, my soaking tub and maybe a glass of wine.
Make your bathroom a sanctuary and take 5 minutes for yourself!
