Design Happens

A few days ago, while rafting down the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta, I thought to myself, “Wow, pool and beach stuff is damn ugly.” I guess I’d never really thought about it before, since I’m usually focused on having something called fun while enjoying the summer sun. Plus, there’s really no space plan for me to critique or fine tune when the space I’m staring at is a large blue body of water and infinite sky. “Shooting the Hooch” isn’t as fast paced and rowdy a journey as the Alan Jackson song makes it out to be, so after roughly three hours staring at ugly blue rubber tubes, towels sporting slogans like “Life’s A Beach” and primary colored beach balls, I figured I’d search for fun poolside stuff that’s as pleasant to look at as it is to use.

As it turns out, there are some purdy upgrades out there to give your pool (or lakeside) sun soaking that designer touch without breaking the bank. From towels to tables, beach balls to beach blankets, here’s an assortment of good lookin’ summer fun accessories available online. So the next time you are floating in the pool on a styrofoam lounge blazoned with a beer logo or eating summery snacks on a jagged rock, just remember that I tried to help, and you didn’t listen. Speaking of not listening, you know what I wish I would have listened to? The weather report before deciding to go rafting. Two words: Afternoon thunderstorms.

Lacoste‘s cotton “Court” towels from Macy’s sport the graphic lines of a tennis court and come in bold colors such as kelly green, red and orange. Once folded up, they look just as good with that timeless alligator emblem. Or is it a crocodile? Dammit, I always mix those up.

If you’re nightswimming, here’s a great way to add some ambience to your adult swim, the Floating Swimming Pool Lamp Ball. They’re rechargeable for up to 12 hours of illumination and can also be used outside the pool.

Collapsible picnic tables have always been cool but not necessarily chic. This folding picnic table from Overstock.com sports a modern look with stained wood slats. Even better, it’s so lightweight and easy to transport, you can stick it in your raft, then enjoy lunch in style once you pull up to a sandbar. If a shark swims up looking for a bite, you can just kick it from your sturdy seat and tell it to learn some manners.

Bye bye college/beer logo float. There’s a new sheriff in the pool that looks hella better than you, and it’s called King Kai. It’s basically a bean bag upholstered in Sunbrella fabric that floats. It’s more of an investment piece at $249 but just think of how popular you will be at the community pool next summer. There’s room enough for two bathing beauties.

Did any of these make your must have list? What stylish finds are you loving this summer?

Tell me in the comments below.