Saturday, May 26, 2012

SUMMER: Porches

Do you have a sunroom, like the one below or a front or back porch?
from SouthernLiving.com
I just love this space.  It's inviting and relaxing.  Couldn't you just curl up with a good book here and spend the day reading away?


Summertime blues:

Painting the ceiling blue is a gesture of traditional Southern style.  There are many stories as to why homeowners, in the south, painted porch ceilings blue.  One being a Carolina low country legend.    The pale blue paint wards off spirits of the dead, called Haints, whiich cannot cross water.  therefore, "haint Blue" was applied to surfaces like porch ceilings, shutters, doors and window trims.  It is also believed that the pale blue keeps away pesky insects by tricking them to believe it's the sky and therefore thinking they cannot build their nests there.  Actually, the reason was that blue paint, during the time, contained lye, a known bug repellent.   One more possible thought was that blue brings good luck.  Whatever the reason, two things are for sure about a Haint blue porch ceiling; it reminds you of the summer sky and is cheerful to look at.


decorating.viedka.com




Summer breeze makes me feel fine:

Adding a ceiling fan will provide a gentle breeze to cool you on warm summer days or nights. (check out the adirondack chairs!  You can learn more about them HERE on my last post).

countryliving.com

Curtain call:

Curtains not only add a touch of elegance, like in the first picture on this blog, but can provide you with shade and privacy when closed, like the picture directly above.  

room-galleries.myhomeideas.com

Get on the floor:

No matter where your space is, indoors or out, an area rug defines the space.  So many beautiful choices are available now for outdoor carpeting.

lightinguniverse.com



And then there was light:

Lighting is the most important element to good design.  Without it you won't be able to see your space or even function in it.  There are many table and floor lamps, which you can find in almost all the pictures above.  So when the sunlight dims and you need a bit of light to finish reading that book, turn on your outdoor lamp.

Have a seat:

There are so many options here the skies the limit.  Check out the pictures below for some idea.

housebeautiful.com
The Rocker is a classic seating choice for a front porch.

bhg.com (Better Homes and Garden)

Porch swing.  This one looks real comfy....is it nap time?

onelkstreet.blogspot.com

Wicker never goes out of style and is one of the most popular option.

I've provided you with some great options for seating.  What you need to decide is what fits your needs, desired look, what's comfortable for you and what meets your budget.   

I hope you enjoyed some of my thoughts on how to make your porch or sunroom a comfy place to spend time this summer.

Thank you for stopping by,
Dennis





Friday, May 25, 2012

Summer: The Adirondack Chair

presstelegram.com 



A classic icon of summer is the Adirondack Chair for which it's commonly known as but was Originally named the Muskoka chair by it's inventor, Mr. Thomas Lee in 1903.  While on vacation in Westport, NY, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Lee needed to accommodate seating for his large family AND SO HE BEGAN TO CRAFT several designs of chairs for his kinsfolk to sample and give feedback to which was most comfortable.  The original Adirondack chair was made with eleven pieces of wood, cut from a single board, with a straight back and seat. It also featured wide armrests, which is a hallmark of this popular chair.  Lee showed his new creation to his carpenter friend, Harry Bunnell, WHO IMMEDIATELY SAW ITS POSSIBILITY to be popular among vacationing residents and it's potential for great profit and in the summer of 1905, Bunnell, without Lee's permission, filed for a patent, calling it the Westport Chair and as the old cliché goes, the rest is history!

So here's my plan for you:

Place chair(s) in a desired spot in your backyard.  Here we have two to create a conversation area.

thisoldhouse.com
    maybe add a ceramic garden stool to act as a table
    I like the shape of this one blue and white one.

    bizearch.com

    Or if you can only find a simple shaped one try adding a small round piece of glass on top of it. 

    ceramic-garden-stool.com

    accessorize with a cluster of lanterns on the ground nearby.

    blogs.smarter.com

    Drape a garden throw blanket over the back of each chair.
    These throws by Sunbrella were meant for outdoors 
    and they are machine washable.

    landscapingnetwork.com

    A wicker tray to carry drinks from the house to your new relaxing spot.

    alibaba.com

    A set of glasses and a pitcher of white sangria atop of the tray. 
    This set from Pottery Barn is classic. 

    mnn.com

    If your chairs are not shaded by trees, you might want to get an umbrella for protection!

    patioumbrellas.com

    If company is not around bring with you a good book to read or better your laptop or tablet to read your favorite shelter blog!


    ENJOY!