From decked-out pool houses to over-the-top stylized loungers, our approach to poolside design has become increasingly bold, but sometimes, you just want to take it back to the basics. In this vein, for summer 2026, Homes & Gardens is reflecting on our favorite pools of the last 50 years for timeless style inspiration. Elton John's pool in the South of France is a top contender.
An archival photo from 1982 shows that the singer's Saint-Tropez pool idea was refreshingly simple. Aside from a grouping of simple white chairs, the most prominent pool furnishing is the planting. From blossoming lavender to thriving palms to red and yellow flowering bushes, the surrounding greenery fills Elton's outdoor space with color and brilliance. Sunlight and nature become the chicest poolside accessories.
To explore the stylish, retro pool planting, here's a sneak peek into Elton's outdoor space. Then, I've curated an edit of plants and furnishings to get his look. Finally, Homes & Gardens spoke with the experts to get to the bottom of what makes this garden so timeless, while others are just a fad.
Shop The French Poolside Edit
Elton John's French planting features classic purple lavender for a gorgeously cocooning feel. The beautiful purple flowers and relaxing smell promote ultimate tranquility.
This premium windmill palm tree is carefully grown and shipped by experienced nursery professionals to ensure top quality. Cold-hardy and adaptable, it thrives in USDA zones 7-11, making it a versatile choice for many climates.
Constructed from ultra-strong resin and polycarbonate materials, these Elton-John-inspired chairs withstand years of quality use at a sunny poolside. They are lightweight and easy to move, yet super durable, strong, and wobble-free.
Terracotta plants help to create that earthy, European style in any garden, no matter where in the world you live. This one is perfect for housing pretty poolside greenery.
There's nothing like a knock out rose, and these pretty and hardy ones will be a beautiful addition to any garden. They would be the perfect neutral addition to a pool garden to balance out bolder blooms.
Bathe your garden in color with this stunning pack of wildflower seeds. They create an effortlessly gorgeous spread, and attract positive pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. They are the perfect addition to create a wild look around a more manicured pool.
A huge part of the appeal of Elton's minimalist garden is that it takes inspiration from the pared-back turn in interiors. These muted spaces will always be on trend, and so too are simply stunning exteriors.
Bo Hellberg, Design Expert at Grythyttan Stålmöbler, Swedish outdoor furniture specialists, states, 'In 2026, we’ll see the trend for warm minimalism extend beyond interiors and into outdoor living. Calm, pared-back spaces will be grounded in warm tones, natural materials, and layered textures, creating outdoor environments that feel serene yet soulful.'
To achieve this in a welcoming and cozy way, as Elton has done, it's important to incorporate a range of materials. Bo advises: 'People want their terraces, balconies, and gardens to feel just as lived-in and personal as their interiors, which means texture is becoming increasingly important outdoors too: layered outdoor rugs, cushions, tactile woods, woven textiles, patterned surfaces, and outdoor shelves on walls decorated with personal items that bring depth and character.'
The pops of red brought in by the flowers in Elton's pool area idea also contribute to the timeless beauty of the Saint Tropez space. Though plants are a great way to bring in this tone, you can also incorporate it through richly toned outdoor furniture.
Hellberg states, 'After seasons of soft neutrals and grounded greens, 2026 will be seeing a shift to richer, more expressive colour palettes, and deep, rich reds will be leading the way. These lush hues add warmth and sophistication while still behaving like a modern neutral. They pair beautifully with natural woods, muted metals, and the earthy palettes that continue to anchor outdoor furniture design. The movement towards rich red also mirrors a wider appetite for colour that feels sumptuously luxurious, yet sophisticated and full of personality.'
Sometimes, the pool advice you need is to pare back. By looking at these historic spaces, we aim to understand what worked about the interiors of the past to recreate them in a modern way.
