natural design

to add what Cindy describes as “warmth” to the overall motif. “We’re a big fan of natural design,” she says. “Wood, stone and some industrial vibes.”

With the exception of the three contractors (framer, stonemason, electrician) they enlisted to help with the pool house, the Rizzolinos have done most of the work over the years themselves, including coming up with the overall design. “We kind of just wing it as we go,” says Pat. “We don’t draw up plans or anything like that. We just change things as we go along.” They do draw inspiration from their many travels. The idea for the entryway came from a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Potted ferns descending via metal chains from a maple tree was a California thing.

Cindy also cites Los Angeles,

New York, Charleston, Denver and Nashville as some of the other cities that have provided insight on blending rustic and industrial influences. “I’m sure the more traveling that we do, we’ll get more ideas and inspiration from other parts of the country and we’ll bring those home to Bushkill Township,” Pat says.

Although the upkeep on the property may be daunting (“We welcome the winter breaks,” Cindy says), the payoff is in the pictures; the Rizzolino backyard has served as the backdrop for countless special events and gatherings over the years. It was the place where all three Rizzolino daughters snapped their prom pictures. Last August, middle daughter Madison, who often marked her summertime birthday with a backyard picnic at the house, even opted to have her wedding there. (She and her now-husband, Jean Carlos Falcon, allowed Lehigh Valley Style to feature their big day in the January edition.)

Cindy also recalls hosting an event for her side hustle, luxury picnic business Penn Picnics, that honored an employee of an Allentown architecture firm.

Cindy didn’t know it at first, but the honoree just so happened to be a friend of oldest daughter Taylor, and had been a frequent guest for summertime swims when the girls were growing up. She could have picked any local scenic spot for the picnic, but she chose the Rizzolino backyard, of course.

What’s next on the Rizzolinos’ wish list? To be determined. There’s talk of replacing a heavy travertine table. Or maybe they’ll fiddle with the flow of the space. Again. “We kind of rearrange the backyard sometimes like it’s furniture in a house, even with plants,” Cindy says. They’ve relocated various perennials, shrubs, flowers and ornamental grasses. They may create more cutting beds for floral arrangements and greenery. Regardless of what the project is, there will always be something new to draw Pat and Cindy out into the yard. And they wouldn’t have it any other way. “As long as we are finding pleasure in entertaining, creating, maintaining and relaxing in our yard with family and friends, we will be here,” Cindy says.