Tag: entertaining

Lake Toys for Family Fun in 2016

Posted on Staff

Lake lovers can find summer fun in numerous ways with lake toys. Modern technology allows for a variety of lake toys ranging in price, style and size.

From boating, fishing, and skiing to inflatable water parks there are lake toys for everyone on the water.

Inflatable Pontoon Slide 

lake toys

Kids and adults of all ages can enjoy the fun of sliding into the lake from their boat.

These inflatable slides come with turbo air pumps and are easily attached to the side of your pontoon for hours of floating fun.

For more information and pricing click here.

Giant Water Mats

Whether you are interesting in jumping, playing, working out or being towed behind a boat you will love these mats.

These foam pads are safe, durable and do not require air to float.

Ranging in size from 150 feet long to 6 feet wide they can hold up to 3000 pounds.

To order and customize your water mat click here.

Sea-Doo Sea Scooter

lake toys

These scooters are perfect for little ones wanting to have some fun with lake toys.

They are also useful to scuba divers and those needing a quick float back to the dock.

Below are four of the scooters Sea-Doo offers:

  • The Explorer X has a battery that last up to two hours, can go 130 feet deep and 3.3 MPH.
  • The Auqua Ranger’s battery last an hour and will reach depths of 30 feet at 2.5 MPH.
  • The VS can reach a depth of 100 feet going 3 MPH and has a battery life of an hour and a half.
  • The Dolphin can reach a depth of 15 feet at 2 MPH and also has a battery life of an hour and a half.

For more information and pricing click here.

Inflatable Water Parks

Inflatable water parks are completely customizable. Lake lovers can choose from floating trampolines, rock climbing walls, bridges, cliffs, swings, slides and more.

For more information and pricing click here.

Creating a Space for Entertaining in Your Basement

Posted on Staff

basement man caveMany times the basement is reserved purely for storage and keeping things that you don’t want seen- your boxes, old furniture, pictures and keepsakes.

It can be such a waste that a space with such potential is being misused in such a way. Read on for ways to use your basement as more than just an over blown closet!

What constitutes a basement?

This is not a five-by-five room at the bottom of a ladder you hide under the floorboards, this is an open area underneath your home that has a large amount of space.

The ceiling height is also important.

There’s often not enough ceiling space to really be worth your time in many basements, and those basements that are too small or claustrophobic aren’t worth the work to overhaul

If that’s the case, go ahead and have your extra storage space- there aren’t many better uses.

Alright, you have a spacious basement- now what?

Basement spaces are very good for use as other things than a storage space.

Gaming setups, advanced entertainment systems, pool tables and other such things that don’t really belong in more standard living room or study space can be incorporated in a basement entertaining area.

This extra room allows for more flexibility in entertainment choices.

Furthermore, often, you can place tables and chairs randomly about a basement, to help with serving food and drink, to add a better atmosphere and to provide seating.

A space that feels dedicated to relaxation and letting your hair down lends itself to parties much better- people feel comfortable and like this is a place where they more or less belong.

Maintenance and upkeep of your dedicated relaxation space.

It’s important to keep the place clean and put together.

Make sure that things stay relatively spaced out, so there’s room to move around and socialize, and also room to relax.

Keep the floor cleared up, and make sure that everything is clean.

Cleanliness is incredibly important to the feel of a place, the atmosphere a particular room has and the feel of a party.

And that’s really it! Stock it how you will, and ensure there’s plenty of room for your guests to have fun.

 

 

Move Over Man Caves, Welcome to the Man Shed

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

There are many men that crave the cave, but they do not have the space. As an alternative, many have turned to purchasing sheds to mark as their domain, creating a “man shed” or a “bar shed.”

Picture it, after a long day you come home and are done with dealing with the stress you face on a daily basis. It is time to relax. Wouldn’t it be nice to walk into a room filled with cold beverages, large television, and anything else that helps you unwind?

Did you know that you could actually have your new man cave delivered right to you home?

Where did the space go?

It happens to us all, we grow up. What this means is that when you purchased your home you had a vision of what you were going to do with all the space. You may have had extra bedrooms or even a full sized basement free of use.

Now, between children and other life happenings, this space has slowly disappeared. Now are the days when you come home to a busy home where you have to fight for a remote, battle it out for the last soft drink, or sit through one more episode of Dora the Explorer.

What do you do? You get a shed to turn into the perfect man cave. Just do not forget to hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign..

Estimated Pricing

Here is a chart for a basic model shed that you can turn into the perfect man cave. No huge amounts of money. No time consuming building projects. No need to try to fight for space in the house, and the bonuses; extra privacy for you.

Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, as well as there are larger sizes should you want a bigger man cave. There are even some companies that will finance this. You will only make payments instead of dropping a full lump sum.

SIZE WOOD VINYL LAP
10 x 14 $4,000 $4,500 $5,000
10 x 16 $4,200 $5,000 $5,100
10 x 18 $4,500 $5,200 $5,400
10 x 20 $5,000 $5,500 $6,000

 

The Fun Part – Design

Check out these fun designs from Pinterest!

This man shed is designed around a bar theme and outside seating:

man shed

Another bar, but this one has a modern feel with cozy indoor seating:

man shed

Or maybe you are looking for a relaxing tropical getaway?

man shed

Or a castle might a better fit:

Castle design man shed

Or finally a manly music room to relax, play music, or watch TV:

Music Room in a shed

No matter what you decide, make sure to incorporate your personality or hobbies, and just have fun with it!

 

 

Turn Your Basement Into the Ultimate Man Cave

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Have a basement that you’re not putting to use? Turn it into the ultimate man cave, the perfect place to entertain or just relax and hang out.

Unfinished Walls

Do not sit back and look at unfinished or blank walls. You need to make sure that all the patchwork on the dry wall is completed and there is fresh paint applied. Do not opt for the boring white; go for color.

Pick the color of your favorite sports team or your favorite color in general. Just do yourself a favor and avoid paneling and wallpaper.

Wet Bar

Man cave barIf you plan on spending many hours down in your new haven, install a wet bar. You can even turn it into a custom project hat fits your specific desires. Place a mini refrigerator under the bar to keep ice and cold beer in.

Supply your bar with a liquor shelf, stocked with your favorite hard alcohol. Include some crazy and cool drinking glasses and sets that include shot glasses. Do not forget to place a dish bucket under the bar so that your dirty glasses can be taken up when it is time to restock your glassware.

Big Sound

You already know this part is important for the ultimate man cave. Surround sound and bass is important for your favorite music, sports games, and movies.

With hidden wires, plenty of high quality speakers, and a large screen television, you will be on your way to blaring your entertainment in the right fashion.

Themed Decor

Just because you’re at the lake doesn’t mean you have to stick with a fisherman’s paradise/lake themed decoration (although there is nothing wrong with that and many do).

Should you be a sports fan, and then you can decorate with the primary colors for you favorite team, if you are into rock music then hang coordinating themed memorabilia, and if you are into fine arts, hang paintings and decorate with vintage art supplies. You get the drift.

Or maybe you want a sports bar theme; hang neon beer signs, local sports team jerseys, and install a kegerator to serve your favorite beer.

The ultimate man cave will depend on your personal hobbies, tastes, and past times. Make sure to incorporate a little of everything that you love to maximize the relaxation that you can offer yourself. You can even host get-togethers in your man cave that everyone will enjoy!

7 Reasons People Love Lake Living

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

There are two kinds of people: one that wants to live on a lake and the second is those who do. If you are wondering why lake living is so wonderful, then keep on reading. By the end of this list, you’ll wish your home was located next to a lake too.

1. Lake Fun

Lake Fun: Swimming

You will never run out of things to do! Lake living has its perks, and water activities are definitely on the top of the list. The lake will provide you with an avenue to have fun or to entertain the best events throughout the year. Here are just some of the activities you can do when owning a lake property:

  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Fishing
  • Boating

2. Relaxation

Woman relaxing on boat enjoying the view

There are studies that support the claim that water provides relaxation. Of course, it is quite obvious that it does. Remember those days when you visited the lake, all those comforting feelings and how you felt so happy?

The lake can provide this on a daily basis when you actually live on the lake. After a long day’s work, coming home to see the peaceful and serene visuals the lake offers instantly relaxes the homeowner. Imagine sitting on the patio and just soaking in the sun peering at peacefulness.

3. Privacy

Lake house surrounded by trees for privacy
Photo courtesy of Birmingham Home and Garden.

Homes that are located on lots by the lake are typically more isolated from the public. If you are further from or have greenery blocking your neighbors; this means that you have more privacy.

You also have matured trees and nature surrounding your home that acts as a natural privacy “fence” that offers shielding from roads, neighbors, and people passing by.

4. Traffic

Autumnal road with colorful trees

Traffic can be annoying, especially when you live on a busy road or near a highway.

The traffic noises are intrusive and if you have animals or children, it can be quite dangerous. Say goodbye to all those semi-trucks, construction vehicles, and public buses.

5. Wildlife

Duck with baby ducklings following

All life needs water to sustain themselves. You live on a lake, so all of those beautiful and majestic animals share in your home.

You will see geese, ducks, deer, and so many other creatures of the wild.

6. Entertaining

Fourth of July at the lake party

You can host cookouts, birthday parties, annual summer parties, and so much more at your lake house.

You can even throw a bonfire party when the seasons begin to change that involves an overnight get-together where your guests can swim, fish, and roast marshmallows.

7. Community

Community of lake homeowners paddleboarding together

In this area, people tend to build very strong bonds with each other. You have a common bond: the love for the outdoors. It is extremely easy to get to know your neighbors when you spend time on your dock. You will pass by each other on your boats or go paddleboarding together. It is not like a typical neighborhood where you will just wave to each other whenever you get your mail.

Living on the lake is an amazing lifestyle. It is not just a home location. You will love your community and everything a lake has to offer. Choosing to live on a lake is a choice that is easy to make, and there are lakes to fit every desired lifestyle. If you think living on a lake may be the right choice for you, take a look at our homes for sale across the nation.

Lake Living 101: Outdoor Entertaining

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Outdoor entertainingThrowing an event or get-together outside can require a lot of attention. You will be providing a way for people to bond and have a great time. You will need music, food, beverages, and other items to make the event go off without a hitch.

Being a host of the event you have a responsibility to be prepared. To help you get started here are some basics for outdoor entertaining.

Lighting Choices

Depending on the type of event, you will have different choices of lighting. For a down to earth event like a birthday party or a barbeque, you can use typical flood lighting or lamps.

String lights for outdoor entertainingTo add a sense of fun, use Tiki torches or the equivalent. For extra appeal, you can use string lights by using the trees or posts. String lights can give you different color options and dress up the event.

  • Tiki Torches
  • String Lights
  • Candles
  • Decorative Lanterns

Music

No matter the reason of the event, whether it is a wedding or a birthday party, you will need music to help the ambiance. Using a laptop or another type of device for music is great as long as you prepare the playlist.

You will also need speakers. There should be enough speakers to provide a quality sound throughout the area the event is being held. The best speakers for this are bluetooth speakers so you can connect them easily without running wires.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sound travels very well across a lake. Be mindful of the volume for your neighbors both next door and across the water.

  • Music Device
  • Playlist
  • Speakers
  • Extension Cord
  • Portable Generator or Electrical Plug

Refreshments and Preparation

foodRefreshments and beverages should be provided for your guests. It is important to follow safety rules like keeping perishables on ice in coolers and offering clean drinking glasses.

It is a rule of thumb to have more of every item than you expect to need. This will ensure that you have enough should something spill or another person joins the fun.

  • Napkins
  • Utensils
  • Plates
  • Cups
  • Ice

Keep It Clean

This is a broad aspect of throwing an outside event. This includes places for your guests to discard any trash, portable or on site restrooms, and more. It is important to have everything you need to keep this area clean and your guests happy. Here is a list of the items you will need.

  • Trash Cans
  • Restrooms
  • Toilet Paper
  • Hand Soap
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Paper Towels
  • Trash Bags

No matter the type of event, you will need to prepare for the basics as listed. The items can be simple or extravagant to match the event. For example, should the event be a wedding, you will need napkins that are more elegant than the typical, plain white napkins available at the dollar stores.

Make sure that you prepare for every outdoor entertaining aspect from the party to the aftermath of clean up to reduce your stress level and increase your guests enjoyment!

9 Great Reasons Why People Love Living on the Water

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips
American Lake House with Stunning Rock Walk Way

Whether you’re looking for a full-time residence or a vacation retreat, a home on the water is an excellent choice for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of owning a home near water, but never really considered all the advantages in doing so? If so, here are nine great reasons why people just love living on the water:

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