The Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining Space in Palmetto Bluff, Built for Game Day & Poolside Fun

This space in Palmetto Bluff was built for touchdowns, tailgates and tan lines.

Story by Barry Kaufman + Photography by Eddie Tucker

An outdoor living space can be so many things. It can be the sun-dappled refuge where quiet contemplation meets the steady beat of the waves kissing the shoreline. It can be the personal resort where a sparkling swimming pool serves as the catalyst for summer entertaining in the sun. It can be the world’s greatest sports bar with TVs showing all of the games.

Sometimes, as in this spec home by Front Light Building Company, it’s all of those things.

“When we build a spec home we sit down and discuss everything that our clients have asked for over the years and put it into one home,” said Katie Thompson, Front Light director of sales and planning development. “And we have had a lot of big Saturday football fans come through that want that cool spot to sit in the pool, entertain outside, but still watch football and grill out.”

To fulfill that multi-faceted goal, Front Light built the cabana seen here at the edge of the pool. Built on a specialized hydraulic system that lets it fold up and out of the way, the massive metal door ensures that football parties can carry on even into the coldest stretches of the post-season.

“Having that door lift up makes the entire outdoor area into one space,” said Thompson. “We’ve had so many people say that’s what they were looking for.”

Inside, the cabana offers a full outdoor kitchen with leathered granite counters, dishwasher, ice maker, beverage fridge and grill, plus a half bath to keep guests from having to bring wet feet inside the house. And with wireless sound that carries play-by-play both inside and out, the entire backyard becomes a tailgate.

“That was our main thing was to create a cohesive entertaining space,” added Thompson. “We’ve had so many clients come through and this is what they’re looking for.”