Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast

Thanks for tuning into another episode of the Luxury Outdoor Living podcast. Today,  Mike and Trey Farley interview Paul Hale of Crossville Studios, a U.S.-based tile manufacturer, about his path from pool service and sales in Oklahoma to leading Crossville’s eastern pool and outdoor region in Florida. Paul explains Crossville’s origins and expansion from commercial porcelain manufacturing into distribution and the pool market. The discussion covers key homeowner topics: porcelain vs. ceramic (porcelain is <0.5% water absorption, more stain/UV resistant, and frost-proof), how to verify suitability via product fact sheets, and why large-format tile reduces grout-joint problems. They address outdoor slip resistance using DCOF ratings, rectified edges for tighter grout joints, drainage options including linear drains and pedestal systems, heat considerations tied to color, and common “pool crimes” such as using non–pool-rated tile. Paul also describes HideASkimmer lids and shares personal favorites and travel inspiration.   Connect with us and discover more: https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns/podcasts   00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 01:17 Meet Paul Hale 02:07 Paul’s Pool Industry Journey 05:26 How Crossville Began 08:49 Crossville Enters Pools 09:45 Porcelain vs Ceramic Basics 13:30 Large Format Tile Explained 17:12 Choosing Pool Rated Tile 19:41 Indoor Outdoor and Slip Ratings 22:09 Dekton and Sintered Porcelain 23:27 What Makes Crossville Different 25:55 Finding Qualified Installers 28:30 Rectified Edges and Grout Lines 31:29 Tile Size Limits in Pools 32:25 Tall Wall Considerations 32:49 Porcelain Heat Myths 35:07 Maintenance Versus Staining 37:24 Pavers Popularity Trends 40:39 Drainage And Pedestals 45:08 Choosing Pool Rated Tile 46:49 Common Pool Tile Mistakes 50:32 Hide Skimmer Lid Upgrade 53:39 Where To Buy Samples 55:05 Rapid Fire Wrap Up 57:11 Show Mission Closing

Listeners are invited to send in questions about anything regarding outdoor living. In this episode Mike and Trey Farley respond to Sarah from Kingwood, Texas about designing backyard pools for lap swimming and competitive-style training. They distinguish exercise pools from competition-focused pools and discuss common lengths (around 39–45 feet, with longer options including 75 feet and 25 meters) and how finishes affect precise dimensions. They cover width considerations (often 8–10 feet, up to 16 feet for two lanes), water temperature targets and heating/cooling options, and ways to reduce turbulence such as perimeter overflow gutters and tensioned racing lane lines with proper stainless anchors. They address lane markings, turn/target surfaces, recommended depths (generally deeper than 3 feet, often around 4.5 feet), and note starting blocks are typically for commercial facilities. They emphasize engineering for long, narrow shells to prevent cracking, plus circulation strategies like floor returns and variable-speed pumps, and mention alternatives like Endless Pools/Fastlane, Riverflow, BaduJet, and swim tethers, along with resale and multi-use design considerations.   https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns/podcasts   00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:12 Listener Question Setup 02:44 Exercise vs Competition 03:09 Ideal Pool Lengths 05:57 Precision Competition Specs 07:44 Choosing Pool Width 11:04 Heating and Temperature Control 12:59 Covers Domes Enclosures 17:46 Reducing Turbulence Waves 20:18 Lane Lines and Anchors 21:54 Skimmers Circulation Safety 22:39 Lane Markings Visual Cues 25:06 Wall Targets Traction 26:44 Depth For Flip Turns 28:42 Diving Blocks Rules 30:55 Engineering Long Lanes 34:46 Tolerances Turbulence 36:51 Endless Pools Currents 41:00 Tethers Water Workouts 43:33 Resale Design Appeal 46:54 Wrap Up Listener Support

In this episode of Luxury Outdoor Living Podcast we interview Joe Raboine, VP of Design for Oldcastle APG, who shares his path from contractor to manufacturer and discusses Oldcastle’s “Live Well Outside” focus on designing outdoor spaces for daily health and wellness. We cover how outdoor living has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a “need-to-have,” the rise of outdoor kitchens, micro-space design strategies, and modular prefab “Elements” kitchens and fireplaces that speed installation. Joe explains Oldcastle’s family of brands (including Belgard, Sakrete, Techniseal, PebbleTec, RDI Railings, and Catalyst Fence), the importance of coordinated color palettes, and trends like larger pavers, warmer tones, organic textures, and varied patterns. Sustainability topics include concrete recyclability, local sourcing, and permeable pavers for storm water management. Joe advises homeowners to start with a solid design, budget, and drainage plan.   Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns/podcasts   Connect with us and discover more: https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/   Our guest: https://www.oldcastleapg.com/ https://www.instagram.com/oldcastleapg/   00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:34 Meet Joe Reboyne 02:33 From Contractor to VP 06:00 Live Well Outside 10:00 Oldcastle Brand Family 12:35 Outdoor Living Is Essential 15:41 Color Cohesion Strategy 17:52 Modular Elements Fast Builds 24:24 Designing Micro Spaces 30:50 Micro Outdoor Spaces 31:36 Decks Meet Hardscape 33:02 Indoor Outdoor Transitions 36:36 Design Trends From Europe 41:39 Sustainability And Water 43:50 Permeable Pavers Explained 48:12 Belgard Product Overview 50:55 Modular Paver System 52:16 Homeowner Planning Advice 55:08 Rapid Fire Personal Q&A 58:20 Wrap Up And Contact Info 59:36 Podcast Mission Statement

The Luxury Outdoor Living podcast welcomes Megan Magana, show manager for the annual Pool Spa Patio Expo, a yearly show for pool, spa and deck professionals. It's being held in New Orleans, this year 2026, on November (Nov. 17–19) and returning to Las Vegas next year. Megan shares her career path into trade shows and explains the expo’s three pillars—education, networking, and products—offering certification courses, classroom sessions, and hands-on show-floor demos, plus 350+ exhibitors across pools, spas, patios, outdoor kitchens, and the co-located Deck Expo. The conversation emphasizes why homeowners should value builders who attend shows for updated product, code, and design knowledge, and how in-person connections and demos can’t be replicated online. They discuss awards, the new First Look Pavilion, Pool Nation hands-on training, and the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge with live voting and a $10,000 prize.   Connect with us and discover more: https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns/podcasts   Our Guest: https://www.poolspapatio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@PoolSpaPatioExpo   00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:17 Meet Megan Magana 01:49 How Trade Shows Work 02:20 Megan Career Path 04:33 Trade Show War Stories 05:38 Joining Informa 07:51 Why Homeowners Care 09:34 Awards And First Show 11:16 Three Pillars Of Expo 13:25 Lazy River Lesson 18:00 In Person Beats Online 22:38 Classes And Speakers 25:32 Million Dollar Challenge 26:35 Design Challenge Format 27:23 Finalists Live Judging 30:35 Tools Not Renderings 32:06 Who Should Attend 36:58 Why Classes Aren't Recorded 38:33 Hands On Show Floor 40:46 Career Growth Stories 42:13 Beyond Pools Outdoors 44:50 Show Schedule Grind 46:02 Keep Learning Mindset 49:07 Rapid Fire Questions 51:03 Podcast Wrap Up

Mike and Trey Farley discuss why sunken fire pits are popular—shelter from wind, increased privacy, warmer heat retention, quieter and more personal conversation—and what makes them succeed or fail. They explain depth options (from shallow 12-inch drops to ~36 inches for real comfort), typical sizing for 6–8 people, efficient bench layouts, and practical clearances (often 24 inches between bench and fire). Major drivers are cost and construction complexity, especially structural walls and drainage, preferably gravity to daylight or otherwise a sump pump. They cover safety and utility considerations for luxury builds with gas/propane ignition, ventilation differences, and why wood-burning pits need fire brick. Comfort details include pitched bench backs, cushion sizing, and lighting for steps and toe-kicks. They also touch on location near pools/spas, acrylic pool windows, and examples from designers like Jesse Kalamingo and Ryan Hughes, then invite topic/guest suggestions and note their upcoming International Pool Show & Spa trip.   Connect and discover more: https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeFarleyDesigns/podcasts   00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:31 Why Sunken Fire Pits 02:40 Comfort And Privacy 05:18 Depth And Cost 08:18 Drainage Essentials 11:19 Gravity Vs Sump Pumps 13:30 Sizing And Seating 16:14 Shapes And Clearances 20:31 Benches And Cushions 25:22 Location By Pool And Spa 27:55 TVs And Privacy Screens 29:16 Water Walls And Quiet Sound 30:41 Fireplace Chimneys And Smokeless Options 32:16 Propane Safety And Venting 33:51 DIY Builds And Fire Brick 35:11 Materials Food Mess And Cushions 37:58 Lighting Strip Lights And Steps 39:44 Ignition Choices And Fire Pit Products 42:17 Benches Flexibility And Cost Factors 43:43 Soil Piers And Phasing Builds 47:46 Personal Favorites Q And A 52:21 Future Topics Events And Wrap Up