Yummy Outdoor Spaces

I am so glad that warm weather is finally here! It seems like it has been the looooongest winter. I know, I am spoiled, because winter is hardly winter in Florida. But still, it has been cooler than usual, I think.

These images of outdoor spaces are so inspiring to me. There are do-able ideas in every photo. I love the awning and drapes in this photo. Look how they painted the wicker wing chairs two different colors. The stripe of white along the top pulls from the white on the seat cover. This setting looks so inviting.

photo via BlissMe

Gorgeous...A handy person could easily copy this cabana. The construction looks simple. Notice how there is space between each wooden slat, this allows for air flow. A cabana like this wouldn't have to go near a pool. It could go out in a pretty yard, sans the pool, for just a nice place to relax or take a nap. Also notice how the groups of lounges are placed close together instead of spread out. Together, they make a statement.

photo via BlissMe

What a neat mural in the background! By painting the planters bright blue, it gives this area a WOW factor. Elevating them on the rough, wooden pedestals also adds drama.

photo via BlissMe

I wonder if this could be re-created using a ready made tent? Probably. The stripes are the key to this look. They lend a yacht-y feel. Lanterns like these are all over eBay. The round tables counter all the lines in the space and echo the round lanterns above. It's all about balance.

photo via BlissMe

Another photo pulled from Cote de Texas... What makes this spot so great? The HUGE palms. This photo would have fallen flat had there been two dinky plants flanking the settee. The visual weight of the plants balance the busy-ness of the tiles, etc. They act as ANCHORS. I am a believer in LARGE plants, indoors and out. If you can't afford large plants, at least group your small ones together. Nothing is worse than a lone, little plant. Another idea from this photo is the way they draped the blanket over the center of the settee. If they had not done so, there would have been too much white in the settee and it would have competed with the white walls. The blanket breaks up the white.

photo via Cote de Texas

OK - there are no huge plants in this space, but they DID group the small ones together to create visual weight. My point exactly. Notice how the tile top of the table pulls all the colors from the flowers and the pillows on the bench. If the table had been all white, there would have been an imbalance in the space. If you can't do a tile table top, why not fake it with paint?

photo via PointClickHome

This outdoor spot is serene and clean. Again, the Moravian star lighting can easily be found on eBay and is not that expensive. The wood trellis is an easy project. It echoes the color of the teak furniture. There is a pattern here, BALANCE. Side note - I have teak furniture around my pool and it is a BITCH to keep up. Unless you enjoy cleaning and oiling, stay away from teak. I have decided to let mine go gray - Hampton's style.

photo via La Dolce Vita

This looks more like the color of my teak at the moment. I love this large table. It looks very user friendly. Keep in mind, though, that the reason this table works is that there is plenty of green in the background. If the table sat on white concrete with little landscaping around it, the glaring, white would blind you.

photo via My Home Ideas

More graying teak...beautiful. Another beautiful Moroccan lantern. If wiring is not an option, just put a huge candle inside. Love, love, love the landscaping.

photo via MyHomeIdeas

The Moroccan lantern can make any space look special. See, candles inside, not light bulbs...

photo via MyHomeIdeas

The simple trellis in this photo is definitely a DIY project. It works against the heavily wooded background. Outdoor, propylene rugs, like this one, are a great invention. They are inexpensive and beautiful.

photo via MyHomeIdeas

WOW - this furniture is gorgeous! The structure is simple, yet the furniture is very ornate and it works. It appears that the inside of the loggia is painted a light blue - SO PRETTY!

Big impact can be made in small spaces. The HUGE plants soften the corners in this space.

Lots of small plants soften the corners in this space. The large stone carving makes the statement here.

photo via MyHomeIdeas

Concrete floor? Paint it! Concrete is easy to paint. This pattern looks simple. Tape it off and start rolling! Just be sure to choose subdued colors so as not to make the floor the main attraction. If it becomes the main attraction, all of your painting flaws will be center stage.

The bright colors work in this photo because every thing else in the space is white and subdued. The only color comes from the green painted, glass doors, the large plants in the corner, the pillows, and the furniture. I love using fabric curtain panels outdoors. An inexpensive alternative to custom , outdoor panels is to buy ready made, white panels from Pottery Barn. I washed mine before installing them because they shrink when washed. Now when they get dingy, mildew-y, or dirty I can throw them in the wash with a little bleach and they come out like new.

photo via Cottage Living

All of these outdoor rooms have something in common, they are INVITING! They make you want to go outside and enjoy the fresh air instead of plopping in front of the television. Make your outdoor space a place for YOU to enjoy, don't save it just for entertaining. Have breakfast out there, sort the mail out there, talk on the phone out there, do WHATEVER out there, just get out there and enjoy!

School Art Projects

I have been busy working on two art projects for a local private school. The projects are to be auctioned off at the annual fundraiser. This year's theme is "Under the Sea" so the projects are both ocean related.

The first project was created by the 3rd grade students and is a pop art, shell study. Each of the three classes completed one study. I found renderings of the shells on a website called Karen's Whimsy. The renderings are public domain. I grouped the shells together and had them printed on thick parchment type paper. The students colored their chosen shells using watercolor pencils. Easy enough.

My favorite of the three...

This one features mollusks - starfish, octopus, jellyfish, and sea flowers.

A close-up of my favorite... I wrote each student's name by their shell so that later they could look at it and say, "I did that one!"

The second project is a painting created by the 5th grade students. This is my favorite of all the projects I have facilitated at the school over the years. It is a sailfish. I like the way it lights up just like a real sailfish does when it is feeding. Take a look...

It feels so good helping out the school in this way. I am proud of how the projects turned out and can't wait to attend the big event!

First Paintings!

After three painting classes with master painter, Ros Farbush, I have finished two paintings. (I ended up painting over my first painting.) Keep in mind that the only art lessons I have had were back in 5th grade, so I am very proud of these two paintings. Both buildings are local landmarks.

Ros is teaching me to paint quickly so that I will paint more freely and less controlled. Each painting was complete within the four hour "class" period. We painted on site which made it even more enjoyable. I can't wait for my next class. We will be painting on the beach!

Festival of Trees

Last weekend I went to the Festival of Trees which is a local fundraiser for the Riverside Children's Theatre in Vero Beach. There were hundreds of trees, gingerbread houses, and wreaths on display. All of them were offered at auction to raise money for the theatre.

I didn't have my good camera, so the photos of the trees do not do them justice, but you still might pick up a decorating idea or two for your own tree. This one received "1st Place".

This tree was decorated in a Willy Wonka theme. It would be cute in a play room.

We used to make the spiced orange decorations with my grandmother which is why I photographed this one.

The Nativity scene was hand made.

Now for my favorite part, the gingerbread town...look how they used upside down ice cream cones for the castle turrets.

The little Methodist church is sooooo cute.

Look at the "stained glass" windows...

Another tiny church...

What an easy project for kids...paint styrofoam green, glue on candy...all done!


This really looks like our local Garden Club building.

This castle was great. I don't know what it ended up selling for, but I am sure it was over a thousand dollars.

WOW!!!

I'm hungry.

Christmas Card Project

When I was about 9 or 10 years old I asked my grandmother if I could have her old Christmas cards. I guess she could not bear to throw them out, because there were years of Christmas cards stuffed in a drawer. The drawer was so full that it almost would not close. I sorted through all the cards and organized them according to theme and put them in a box. I marked the box with the words: "Nancy Lee's Postcard Box - Do Not Open". This is funny because I was a middle child and I was very protective over my "stuff".

The box was put away and forgotten about until just recently.

Even as a kid I had a good "eye" because the cards are wonderful. I am so glad that they were kept and not tossed out.

There are groups of Santas,

beautiful church scenes,

puppy dogs and kitty cats,

and a group of "cowboy" Christmas cards. (I am from Texas and Christmas is not Christmas without a little cowboy kitsch.)

I saw this photo in Country Home magazine and decided to try something similar.

I cut slats in the cards to slide wired ribbon through.

I then taped the card to the ribbon on the back side just to keep them from shifting. I made some for several family members as a pre-Christmas gift.

The top of the ribbon can be stapled or tacked to the top of the door to secure. Voila!

I grouped the cowboy cards together and attached them to raffia with clothes pins for my little nephew. He can tie it to his bed or swag it across the window in his room.

I don't know why I wanted this one. Perhaps it just got by me. Isn't is awful?! Business Christmas cards are just ugly!

Feliz Navidad!