Dreaming of a Backyard Pool Next Year? Julianne Moore’s Lap Pool Looks Sleek and Contemporary – But the Secret to Her Success Is the Wild, Lush Planting That Is Easy to Recreate

The actress makes her Montauk outdoor swimming area one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, with an effortless combination of nature and light wood

julianne moore on a plain background
(Image credit: Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images)

Though at-home pools are a wonderful amenity, design-wise, they are usually not my favorite. Their concrete surroundings, decal interiors, and tendency to kill the surrounding grass can quickly become a backyard eyesore. However, this is distinctly not the case with Julianne Moore's pool.

The actress's Montauk pool idea is one of the best I've ever seen. This oasis amidst the wild setting was the brainchild of Moore's brother-in-law, architectural designer Oliver Freundlich, who collaborated with Julianne Moore and her husband Bart Freundlich to create this pool of dreams.

Furthermore, rather than positioning the pool across a manicured lawn, she replaced the backyard with native grasses and wildflowers for a natural environment. The pool itself has a long, narrow shape, perfect for swimming laps in the summertime.

Recreate Julianne's Look at Home

So, what works for me about Julianne's pool area, where so many have failed? For one, although the pool is obviously man-made, the combination of wild grasses and wood surroundings renders this fact invisible. This excess of natural materials makes the pool feel almost as if it sprang up in the middle of nature of its own accord. To replicate her look, focus on using natural materials like stone and wood in place of concrete for a stunningly natural feel.

I also adore Julianne's selection of white outdoor furniture. These pieces provide a stylish contrast that help to emphasize the textured beauty of the wood while bringing light into the space. Furthermore, it helps the patio to be a comfortable area where one can imagine lounging and reading a book for hours.


Good design allows us to think outside of the box and make even the most unattractive areas of the home into something fantastic. When you lean into ideas of nature and wellness in your design, you can't go wrong.


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.