Post #764956 by AkronTiki on Mon, Jun 13, 2016 9:05 AM

Just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself; I am a long-time Tiki-lover from Akron, Ohio. My original interest sprung from a desire to create some type of “theme” for our backyard pool area; I had always liked Tiki Style, but a trip to Hawaii in 2005 and a copy of “The Book of Tiki” really sealed the deal.

Over the years, I have built a tiki bar on our deck, collected tikis, mugs and other Polynesian/surf/beach items and worked to create a tropical paradise here in our backyard with whatever tropical-looking plants I can plant or preserve over the winters here in the Midwest. Like a lot of you, I find it fun to transform whatever found objects or thrift store treasures I can to help create this little fantasy. It’s still fun to invite guests to the backyard to see my “Big Woody” – the name of our big tiki who overlooks one end of the pool.

As for rules, I only have a few. While most of our space is tiki/surf related, I do leave a little bit of leeway—especially regarding my wife’s tropical tastes; as a result, you may find a pink flamingo here or there or some compatible beach or nautical motif…as long as it doesn’t detract from the overall look. We want it all to be fun – and comfortable.

I hope to add something useful to the conversation here, and offer some ideas on projects I’ve completed or on which I’m currently working. Summertime is here, and I’ve been running a little behind getting the outdoor spaces ready for the season—mostly due to a trip to Germany in early May. Even that paid off; we got to visit the Trader Vic’s in Munich!