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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Summer Entertaining

It's Day 4 of this fabulous Blogger Block Party.
Today's host is Sherry from No Minimalist Here and her theme is summer entertaining.  Well, entertaining is something we do almost every weekend in the summer.
We had this pool built six years ago.  Since then our home has become the entertainment capital of New York...or at least it often feels that way...and we love every minute of it.
But the only way this much pool entertaining could work for me is if we built a pool cabana.  The pool cabana started off very simply as a shed built by a local company.  We then used bead board instead of drywall for the walls.  After that the question was...what necessities did this pool cabana need to address?  I have two kids and most of our entertaining revolves around having other families with kids over.  What do kids seem to need to do every five minutes when they swim?
Bingo!!  Well plumbing was a small fortune...like $25,000!  Yeah...that wasn't happening...but my husband did some research and found a product called Biolet.  It is a waterless composting toilet.  I was very skeptical at first...VERY.   However, the price was a fraction of the cost of plumbing.  Before the product arrived I think I used terms like "a glorified outhouse" and "porta potty".  But, as it turns out, this is the most incredible invention ever.  It works amazing and there is absolutely no odor...none.  Most important, it keeps wet kids and adults alike out of my house.
The pool cabana also has a kitchenette with all the necessities...a fridge, cabinets, a water cooler (not shown, but on the other side) and dual blenders.
There are three rooms in the pool house...the kitchen area, changing/bathroom area and storage area (accessible from an outside door).

For a combination bench/storage for extra towels, I bought this at Company Kids.  It was the perfect size and price.
By far my favorite pillow...given to me by my best friend.
So if you're looking for me on a weekend during the summer, you can bet that we are entertaining poolside (either that or remodeling a room in the house...you never know).





If you get a chance click on the above button to go and link up your favorite summer entertaining idea.  Don't forget there's a giveaway at each and every party.
Have a great day!

-Judy


I'm joining this party:
Cottage Flora Thursday

15 comments:

Katie said...

Ummm, can I come stay at your place? I'll just need to stay in the cabana! The pool is so blue - really makes me want to go swimming! You have a gorgeous backyard!

laxsupermom said...

Your pool area is so gorgeous! Love the cabana! It's a adorable! Good to know the composting toilet works so well. I've considered putting one in our pool house(really more of a pool shed,) because the ever present wet trail across my hardwood floors during the summer is starting to wear on me. The pillow is too cute! Love the storage bench, too. Thanks for sharing.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I really love your seating area by the pool, Judy! That umbrella is huge and I'll bet it provides some nice shade in that area.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your yard and pool are wonderful. I miss ours so much, it is such a blessing in the summer. Love the Cabana. What a great idea. It definitely takes the wear and water off the house. Everything is gorgeous and looks like the perfect place to entertain. Hugs, Marty

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Your cabana or pool house, either works for me, is absolutely adorable! Your backyard and pool area are just beautiful.

Alison Agnew said...

can i come and live at your house this summer? and every summer? love what you did with your little cabana...thanks for sharing!

alison
stuff and nonsense

Traci said...

Your yard is gorgeous Judy! Where did you get the toilet? We put our pool in 3 yrs ago & I keep telling my hubs that we need an outdoor bathroom. He's not interested in spending money on plumbing. Come to think of it, if it's $25,000, I'm not interested in spending it!!

Traci said...

Never mind Judy. I see the link!

Crystal @ Ordinary Days said...

Wow, your place is unbelievable. I'll just live in the Cabana. :)

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

What a gorgeous yard. Love that huge umbrella and seating area. Looks like a resort!

Anonymous said...

Your yard is just gorgeous, i would be there all summer long!!!!
XO
Kristin My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Blogger is giving me issues again

Fishtail Cottage said...

Popping over to say hello for the "Blog Party"! this is a gorgeous setting - the shed, pool, gardens! i host a garden party on Thursday's & would love to have you come by to peek around or even link up?!? hope to see you sometime! xoox, tracie

Debra said...

Love your cabana! It is so cute inside. And I know it's so nice not to have everyone trekking in the house soaking wet. :)

Debbie~refreshrestyle.com said...

Judy,
Thanks for stopping by refresh restyle and following me. I've been following you. Love your pool and pool house! I wish I had one, it's so hot and dry in GA right now, I could use it!
Debbie

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

Oh, what a gorgeous retreat in your own backyard! Absolutely beautiful...and I am utterly jealous!

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