Sunday, February 12, 2012

My Pool in Paradise



Today I'm not revealing give away winners.
I'm not answering any #$% questions.
I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT ME ME ME ME ME!!!
I want to share some more about how I transformed my pool area.

BUT FIRST!!!!!
Let me tell you about last night.
Being a BIG party animal.....
I don't like to go out at night.
But last night, my next door neighbors had a party to celebrate something very special (which I don't need to go into here, as it's none of your #$% business.)
I live in a neighborhood that's truly wonderful, as most of us have become good friends over the course of the last 8 years, but....
I DON'T LIKE GOING OUT AT NIGHT ANYMORE!!
But, I said I would gooooo.......
So I washed my hair (god I hate washing my hair)
Then I blow dried it (god I hate blow drying my hair)
and then, and then, and then.....
I PUT MAKE UP ON!!!!!
On top of all this, I wore something other than a tee shirt and sweat pants.
Now this is not the type of neighborhood that most people think of, when they think of Florida.
It's full of lots of young and beautiful people.
So I kinda  stand out.
But as I tend to be very immature, most of these guys forget how much older I am than they are.
anyway...
EVERYONE WHO SAW ME LAST NIGHT
commented on how nice I looked with makeup on,
 etc. etc .etc.

Now people............. 
what this really means............. 
is the rest of the time I look like a piece of @#$.
I'm just sayin, ya know??!!


OK, now that I got that off my chest.....
I would like to share with the class how it feels looking out into my pool area. Now, this is a really bad photograph, but it does catch the impact of having the outside space as part of my living room.......


I don't know why I bothered to watermark it, as it is one pathetic effort at photography. 
I am taking a class, and bought books, and read blogs on photography, but it doesn't seem to have helped in the above image.
I would tell myself to not quit my day job, but I don't work anymore.........


It took me 9 years of fiddling around with this space to get it to where I feel it is pretty and cozy.
Remember the before????????


Sooooooo.....
This is what I did......
You know from my previous post, that I cut down the spa to make it into a planter, I replaced the blue liner tile, I covered the concrete with brick pavers, but 
THEN I DID MORE!!!!!
I need a lot of stuff to feel cozy.
Fabric.....
tshatshkes (knick knacks)....
Stuff.........


Sooooooooooo...........
I added the look of valances over the sliding doors by having awnings made out of a botanical outdoor fabric.
The awning guy thought I was nuts......
(lots of people think I'm nuts)


I made the cabana curtains with my own little hands, using hardware from Pottery Barn to hang them.



But the sliding doors still looked bare to me.
 So, I thought, and I thought, and I thought....
Now, this took place over two years.
Sometimes the most obvious solution eludes me.
So, there I am, being neighborly, friendly, congenial....
Visiting some folks that live across the street in the same model house I have.....
When what do I see?????
THE ANSWER TO MY DILEMMA!!!!!!!
Hinged plantation shutters!!!!!
I never thought of hinging them like french doors.
I had only seen them as sliders on sliding doors.
Who Knew?????

Well, I couldn't order them fast enough, right from Home Depot. I got them within two weeks, 'cuz they are made right here in southern Florida.
So THIS FIXED MY PROBLEM!!!!!mm


They look so great with only one side opened like french doors......


Now......about the tshatshkes .....
Most of what I got for this little house I bought for it after I moved in.....
but a couple of things I moved down from Massachusetts.



These pelicans are made out of concrete.
I couldn't choose something light to ship, oh know.
But!!! THEY IS WAY COOL!!!!
Then I added some completely unnecessary
stuff over the doors into the living room.....


And, not stopping there.....
I figured, why not ruin some perfectly good paint by numbers flamingos by hanging them outside to 
warp.


 Notice the wonderful orchids I have flowering.
Orchids grow really easily in south Florida.
Sooooooo.....
Everyone thinks these are real!!!!!!
THEY BE FAKE!!!
To really confuse the issue,
I put little real ones in pots in between the snake plants.

And finally......
I hung a French antique out here, just because I am a total whack job.


That's a faux bamboo hook set I found on ebay in France.
To balance it off, I hung a thermometer from
 Home Depot over it.


Mix and match, people!
Mix and match.
(Notice how I forgot to take the white tag off the blue pot???)
 (Well it's too late now!!)
Now the sitting area by the pools is where I spend most of my time....


Looking at my beautiful pygmy date palm...


Don't forget......
Oy Vey!!! Q&A!!! Tuesday!!!
Is coming up, so I'll see ya soon.
Betsy
linking up with: 
Sunday's Best Linky Party!

It's Overflowingshowandtellbutton
French Country Cottagefingerprints on the fridge





















 Mod Vintage Life







 
Becolorful

30 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh what a dream. I so miss our last house with a fabulous pool. I loved every minute of being in it. Sure wish I had one here. Hugs, Marty

Cindy said...

That was AWESOME! I LOVE the pink flamingos you hung out to warp... and i love the awnings too. I kinda have a thing for awnings... The pool area looks so inviting and lush now... what a difference. And, lord have mercy, you're funny. Best read i've had all week, other than the last time you posted!

Cindy

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Betsy,
Love how your pool area looks. The shutters did the trick for me and the fabric awnings.
I agree with Cindy. You are funny. I wish that I had the nerve to go without makeup but I'm way to vain. Most days seems like a total waste of the expensive stuff but I can't help myself.

hugs
Sissie

Amy Chalmers said...

I think the pool area looks outstanding with all the Betsy touches. I have never seen those kind of plantation shutters for sliders. I loved the full on decorating of the outdoor space with the plates and the pretty rose painting and the hatrack~would like to see the black table and that area more closely. Glad to see more of your FL home...And as always you deliver the laughs!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What a gorgeous oasis you've created. You added all the right touches in all the right places. How do you ever pull yourself away from there?

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What a great idea for your sliding glass doors...I love plantation shutters. You have created such a great outdoor space for yourself..It is no wonder that you spend so much time in your patio surrounded by beautiful things and not to mention beautiful weather!..Love what you did with the awning...

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Beautiful retreat! Love the plantation shutters.

Donna D said...

Love the plantation shutters - what a great idea! You've created a fabulous retreat.

Connie @ Connie Nikiforoff Designs said...

Ooooh I LOVE the plantation shutters on the sliding glass doors! Now...how did you attach them? One inside, one out? I'm confused and I really need to know how you did this. I'm desperate to know cuz up here in ND most people think the only thing you can use on sliding glass doors is vertical blinds...and I hate vertical blinds almost as much as the love-affair our town has with oak cabinets..everywhere! Oh please help Betsy! Maybe this should be a Q & A question?(?)

Debra@CommonGround said...

This is gorgeous, I'm a big fan of plantation shutters, hope they don't go out of style, they're all over the front of my house. and gosh, it's good to know that we can actually learn something from young, beautiful people LOL!! Love the cozy room look!

Special 'K' said...

Oh! You made me laugh, good for you. I loved the transformation it looks great. I will follow on my way out because I am sure I will enjoy engaging and supporting your special place now I have found you. I hope you will find a little time to come visit me soon. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Hey Betsy,

OMG...my 84 year mother would be on a plane from NY right now if could see the white store tag on that planter!!!! That is such a pet peeve of hers and of course I violate that rule of hers on a daily basis.

Love your outdoor area and you must really enjoy spending time there....without makeup ;->

Enjoy your week
Janet xox
The Empty Nest

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Very nice. The shutters were the perfect touch.

2LittleFishies said...

How do we ask a question? And when? before Tuesday and you answer on Tuesdays? Or we ask on Tuesdays and you answer another day?

Betsy Speert said...

You ask on Tuesday, in the comments section. Then I answer on another Tuesday.

2LittleFishies said...

Under, Oy Vey! Q & A?

Betsy Speert said...

OY Vey!!
Yes!!!!
But I'm going to be changing this to once a month.
FYI

Helen's Decor said...

Hi Betsy, hmmm, I'm wishing our pool had a covered top, too. The leaves must fall in the pool at least once before they can fall somewhere else on our property. I envy your weather as we are expecting snow tonight. I love the shutters and curtains...everything looks great. I followed you on Linky Followers and would love for you to follow me, too. Thanks, Helen

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Ugh - I wish it was warm here - but it wouldn't matter because I don't have a swimming pool like you! Would you like some visitors? I love plantation shutters. You need to do a post on how you hung them? I also hate vertical blinds. Really so warm and cozy! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay! Now following you on Link

Anonymous said...

I always expect creative things to be all over any project you design .Great solution to what otherwise would be just another boring pool area . You are the the top. Talking about top why do you do your own hair?You and a hairdresser would have great fun together as you do with other designers like me. Such fun to be with, Enjoy XXPhil

Robin said...

Oh how I wish my husband would let me "cozy" up our pool lanai like yours. I am slowly sneaking things in. I have a very tall sliding glass door looking out to my lania with the dreaded vertical blinds courtesy of our builder. I love these shutters! Were they super expensive? Custom oder from Home Depot? My neighborhood here in FL is also a mix of young families and old too. I can't imagine living somewhere without children even though mine are grown! I really love your outdoor curtains and valance. You did a great job with mix and match.

Robin
Robin Flies South

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I really love your pool paradise. When you gets bored, just swim in that relaxing water. Hope to have like that on my home too. :)

Philippine properties

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this space!!! I'd be out there all of the time. Thanks so much for sharing this little oasis at my Show and Tell party. I'm thrilled to have you join in...and it's a no make-up kind of party.;)

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Katherines Corner said...

Wow! love it all, what time shall I stop by, giggle. We had snow today....Hugs

At The Picket Fence said...

You are too funny! I think hearing people say how great you look with makeup has about the same effect as someone telling you how tired you look...ummm...thanks?? Sheesh! :-) I absolutely love your pool and patio area and think the shutters are genius! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful transformation with us at Inspiration Friday this week~
Vanessa

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Betsy, It's snowing here today and seeing your post makes me really miss Florida. Love your pool area. Thanks for joining the Open House party. Hugs, Sherry

Janet said...

Love it Betsy; the more I read your blog the more I feel like we were meant to be goofy friends :)

Unknown said...

This is pure beauty!!!! Thanks so much for sharing at my party!!! Can't wait to see what you link up this week!!! Just in case you haven't entered, my giveaway for 1000 full color business cards ends tonight at midnight!!! Glad to be following you!! XO, Aimee

The Charm of Home said...

What a great poolside retreat! Looks lovely! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Katie Nicoll said...

The place you have there is the right spot for total relaxation! ^_^ The makeover you did reminds me of swimming pool spa I visited last month. I just love the images you posted here. The plants, decorations and fixtures are so eye-catching. And the way you design your door with blinds and decors is very remarkable!

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