Pool Houses...

While I love my little changing area on my pool deck, I still can't resisit ogling fabulous photos of the really luxe versions. I found a wonderful site which builds and sells beautiful pool house kits that actually have a more modest charm than those that the rich call a pool house, and the rest of us would dub a home fit for a family!

Here are some of the designs:

Personally, although a pool house is a fantasy feature for most of us, I can't help but be drawn in by the charm of its more modest relation: the pool side changing area:

source: Coastal living.com

In fact, I loved it so much I built my own!!

What are you hooked on?

Find out what others are loving this week at Julia's Hooked on party!

By the Pool Transformations...

Remember this little treasure? Found at a real, bonafide junk spot? Well, look at it now, doing serious lifeguard duty:

The handyman was busy, too, building a changing area so wet feet don't have to track through my house. This is the before photo:

And the after:

Need to see it up close?

I made this little light holder, junk style, because I was trying to copy Ki and her infinite creativity:

Oh, and I gave a make-over to this little beach chair. It used to have Bratz fabric on it (ick!!) so I removed it and sewed up this striped Sunbrella fabric and painted the frame. I also picked up the vintage cooler for $10 at a thrift shop. It is my favourite shade of blue:

I will be unplugged for a few days while I enjoy some summer family time, and will return any emails as soon as I can. I want to thank everyone so much for the kind wishes and comments you gave me with regards to the new magazine. Ki, Matthew and I are overwhelmed and thrilled with the outpouring of support and excitement over this endeavour. Flea Market Style magazine will not fail to please, I can guarantee you that!! We will bring you more updates and answer any questions you have once the blog is up and running...we are aiming for mid-August.

Watch for it!!

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Check out Kimba's fun blog DIY blog party. I joined up, and so should you!!

Nautical By Nature...

(all images, Coastal Living.com)

As I chill out to the drone of my newly re-installed air conditioner, I am led to thoughts about the importance of keeping cool in the summer. While this summer has been highly anticipated after the long snowy winter we had, one only has to suffer through a day or two of high humidity and temperatures to crave cool breezes and/or a refreshing dip. While my pool is a bit too cool for me to take a dip just yet, I have done plenty of life-guarding for my more hardy offspring.

As I sat on the lounge chair today - sweat trickling down my lip and hair growing frizzier by the second - I tried to distract myself from my raging inner thermostat by planning how I can pretty up my pool deck. Things are almost complete on the little change house/area the handyman built, the flowers have been planted in their pots, and I have picked up some nautical accessories from my local vintage store. Still, I am pining for a more beachy feel, cooler colours and snappy style.

Basically, I am craving a little bit of this:

nautical done well,

and pretty on the inside and out!

If the threat of rain and the incessant humidity ever subsides, I will finish up my projects and share them with you. Stay cool!!

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Head on over to Julia's Hooked on Fridays event for more creative ideas from your favourite bloggers (and some sure to become favourites!).

Calling all pool owners!!

photo above: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn

my pool

I love my pool. It is a 21 ft round, above-ground pool and it is all our family could possibly need. I don't know if it is because we had an above-ground model when I was young, but I can honestly say I have never coveted an in-ground one. Absolutely, an in-ground pool is the "gold standard" of pools. But, after house sitting/renting a home with one, I was completely overwhelmed with how difficult it is to vacuum it!! So... that and the obvious (money!), means I am perfectly content with my 48" deep model.

Have you ever noticed how rare it is to see photos or websites featuring images of pool areas centered around above-ground pools? There are plenty of inspiration photos of in-ground pools...but if you want decorating ideas for basic pool decks with more modest pools for more modest people, you might meet with some difficulty.

Decorating a pool deck is a lot of fun, and you can certainly create your own private oasis quite easily. Do you want proof? Well, I'd love you to send me your pool area photos - especially those of you with above-ground pools! Send me pictures of fun changing areas, poolside bars and lounging spots, themes you have gone with, and more! I will post all the photos and we will have a great opportunity to glean inspiration for our own (existing and future) pool areas. Don't be shy: no pool is too small to include. Even children's pools that have been set up with care and a little bit of colour will be fun to see!!

I have reposted some of the photos of my pool area. Now...send me yours!!

email: linda@restyledhome.ca

From Spring to Summer...

photo: Garnet Hill.com

That's right, I'm skipping ahead to summer in my mind...seeing as it doesn't feel much like spring... and we never really get a true spring here in the Maritimes anyway! We go from cold to damp to cold to a peek of sun, just enough to fool us into thinking that it is here to stay, and then we usually get a snowfall to drive us back indoors. So, this year I'm not falling for the hype...I'm skipping spring in my mind and turning to thoughts of summer. I'm daydreaming and planning what I will do to finish my pool area, what flowers I will plant, what outdoor projects I can come up with, and what pretty dresses and flip flops will feel like again! above photo: www.potterybarnkids.com

photo: Garnet Hill.com

I am also thinking ahead to camping in our new camper and trying to decide if I have the ambition to take on the "redecoration" of it into a lighter, prettier version of itself.

photo source: Dougs vintage trailers.com

I am looking forward to road trips, summer swimming lessons...sitting poolside with my good friends while we sip coffee on a hot day like fools, laughing and griping...and heading to the beach to hunt for sand dollars to add to our collection.

photo: Garnet Hill.com

So, come on spring, hurry up and make your phony appearance. You won't fool me this time into thinking you are going to be what you promise. Nuh, uh...I've given up on you and moved on...to bigger and better things!! I have a good imagination...above photo: source unknown

photo: Matthew Mead Style