Backyard Blooms

I love the backyard in the summer when the flowers are in bloom and I can relax on the deck and enjoy it - when my nose is not buried in a book that is . I have always enjoyed gardening as it was something that I would do with my Dad when I was young. He really has a green thumb and a way with plants - I guess it is the Irish in him.

 

B & A - Garage Door

I absolutely love the look of carriage house doors and although I am not one to replace something just because - I made a quick and easy upgrade to the garage with a hardware kit to hold me over to the inevitable replacement of the garage door.

BEFORE

AFTER

Endless Summer

There are two things that I have decided today that I would like in life: Summer to be Endless and this little Cabot Cove Cottage named Endless Summer.

Photo by Rare Brick

Photo by Rare Brick

Photo by Rare Brick

Photo by Rare Brick

Photo by Rare Brick

It is casual, elegant and perfect!  Isn't it a dream?

Happy Summer Solstice!

Charming Little Cottages

As anyone who has read my blog knows - I love the idea of living or summering by the water. It can be a coastal beach home, quaint little cottage or even a stylish shed for all I care. As long as it is by the water and offers the tranquility and outdoor lifestyle - I am in! Oh and when I say shed - I really mean it. 

With a little creativity, I think sheds or tiny outdoor structures can make the best and affordable cottages. Can you imagine a little cottage community or even a beach club, a short drive from home, made up of stylish tiny shelters. A company called Summerwood makes the absolute greatest little outdoor structures that would be perfect by the water. 

   

By adding a large deck or patio you can create a beautiful outside living space that will provide the openess that you need and a great outside room can double your living space. Add a Pier and a Chandelier - Ahhhhhh Perfection!

Martha's Vineyard - Menemsha

As I mentioned in my first post about Martha’s Vineyard – it is just too beautiful to sum up in one post. My first was mainly about Edgartown, which in my opinion is the most picture perfect village ever. I just love it there and always stay there when I visit the island and this post is about another favorite - Menemsha.

Although Marthas Vineyard is only 20 miles long it has several different towns and each have their own distinct identity and character. Menemsha is an old picturesque fishing village located on the island. It is so beautifully rustic and unique with weathered shingled homes sitting atop bluffs, adorable little shops with great antiques and nautical finds, a beautiful beach and the lovely Menemsha pond.

The harbor is still very active and is a great place to sit and watch the fishing boats coming in and out as you are surrounded by lobster cages and buoys. There is no place better than Menemsha to enjoy fresh seafood from any of the fish markets that line the docks. Bring your own bottle of wine as this part of the island is “dry”, have a seat on an old crate or bench and enjoy the surroundings as you watch the boats come in with the catch of the day.

Menemsha is also a popular spot for artists and photographers and for very good reason. The natural beauty of the area is spectacular as it seems so unspoiled and where the land meets the sea – it really is breathtaking. Many people bring their picnics to the Menemsha beach to enjoy the sun set which is always beautiful.

 Isn't it so pretty?

Decorating Nantucket

The interior work of designer Carolyn Thayer intertwines natural beauty and sophistication, both which define the lovely island of Nantucket where she is lucky enough to both live and work. She uses furnishings that are both relaxed and elegant that make sense for living on this beautiful island and her decorating style is graceful with subtle hints of nature and the sea while being both functional and classic. Let's have a look at some of her amazing work.

 

 

 

Beach House Tour

I am happy to say that we are finally getting some nice summer weather here in the Chicagoland area and I was wondering if the warm weather makes everybody dream of spending the summer in a great beach house, or is it just me?  I would love one where I can start every morning with a walk on the beach collecting treasures, have cocktails at sunset and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore every night.  The beach house below by Harrison Design Associates would fit the bill just right.  The decor is a perfect example of classic cottage with a modern flair and the rest - well the rest speaks for itself.

Photo by John Umberger

   

Photo by John Umberger

Photo by John Umberger

Photo by John Umberger

Photo by John Umberger

Photo by John Umberger

Photo by John Umberger

Wooden Boats

 

Via 

I have always been one to be seduced by the water and just about anything else that is in the water, on the water or near the water.  I am especially a lover of classic wooden boats.  I simply cannot resist their charm and beauty and have so much respect for the owners of these beauties who I know go to great lengths to restore and maintain these treasures.  They certainly have a sense of pride that seems unique to this particular boat owner and rightfully so.

Via

 Via

I love to see the glow of the wood as these boats glide elegantly across the water and cannot help but to think of and imagine the history behind each one of them.  I fully understand and totally agree when I hear other admirer's proclaim of the wooden boat: "she has a soul" - I get it.

Flower Tower

I wanted to do something new with some of my planters this year so my neighbor and I tried a project we found on the Home Depot How To Community website.  It is called a flower tower and I think they came out pretty cute.  You need the following materials in order to make:

4 foot galvanized wire fencing with 2 inch x 4 inch openings

Landscape fabric

Tin snips

6 inch black zip ties

Garden spade

Scissors

Flower pot

Potting soil

Flowers of your choice (around 60)

To find the 9 step directions please go to the following link:

Home Depot Flower Tower

I used all petunias and this is how they came out:

House by the Sea

Have you ever dreamed of hearing the crack of shells under your feet as you walk seashell and gravel paths rather than cement sidewalks or of enjoying water views from each one of your porches that looks out to the sea?  Is this not the perfect house do it in?  I have just returned from a great beach get-away in Florida with my girlfriends and I am now in the mood to dream about having a great beach house of my own.  This is the kind of house that your lifestyle would require only a beach cruiser bicycle with a big basket for your trip to the grocery store to get the essentials that you have not caught yourself after a day of fishing - and of course the bottle of wine to toast the sunset.

Photography by John Umberger

Photography by John Umberger

Photography by John Umberger

Photography by John Umberger

To see more amazing homes like this, please visit Harrison Design Associates.