On decorating - let's rethink the porch

Let's hear it for the summer!!!  Ok well, I know summer hasn't officially started yet, but any temps above 60 degrees are clearly worth celebrating.  It was one tough winter.

This year I am inspired to re-arrange the screened-in porch.  I am not sure if it's being driven by my excessive case of cabin fever or my recent trip to the Brimfield Antique Fair (post 5/25).  Either way, I am excited about what might result by playing around with a new layout and a few new accessories.

Step 1: Anchoring the room

Since the wicker couch is the largest piece of furniture, I decided to let it be the driver of the base layout.  Typically, I placed it on an angle in the far corner to provide a juxtaposition to the box-like space.  This year, I am deciding to embrace the existing dimensions and approach the space in a more symmetrical fashion.  As the pictures above and left indicate, I am positioning the couch along the far wall.  There is a divider column between the screens that acts as a natural centering point.  All of the other pieces will build out from this foundation.




Step 2: Adding the other dominant pieces

Going with the more traditional layout, the placement of the rug, coffee table and chairs is pretty simple.  The goal is to give the pieces space to breathe, yet also keeping them close enough for intimate conversation and functionality (e.g. within easy reach).  I guess the easiest rule of thumb is to consider the grouping as a "cluster" not an entire room "filler."

The easy chairs are a little over-sized so they were placed on an angle to the sofa (versus a more straight-on, side-by-side arrangement.)  Also if you notice the floor plan above, the entryway from the house is located behind the chairs.  Opening the chairs provides a more welcoming and inviting feel to the space.


Step 3: Finishing with accessories

The final step is now bringing in the cushions, pillows, end tables and other miscellaneous accessories.  While there is one (outside) floor lamp, I prefer the use of candles for most lighting situations.  I find pillar candles are best for outside use.  Tapers can too easily drip wax even in the slightest of breezes.  I keep the pillars in hurricane-type holders and enclosed lanterns.  Their designs seem to maximize the amount of light while protecting the flames from any wind

We picked up the indoor/outdoor rug at Target.  It's a great sisal-looking synthetic material that simply needs a hose to clean off.  Absolutely no worry of spills or wet weather.  

This year I also added a rustic sunburst mirror over the sofa.  I found it hidden in my parent's garage.  The frame is slightly rusty and the reflection is a little muddied.  A perfect little accent that helps complete the look

So start thinking of your own summer outside spaces.  Whether it's a porch, deck, patio or balcony, there are so many options to consider.  To make it more comfortable.  To make it more stylish.   To make it more efficient.  But most importantly, to make it more your own.

Till the next time...

PS.  One reader has requested a post on selecting bed linens.  If you have any additional ideas or comments, feel free to send them along!

On shopping - An "excursion" to Brimfield

For those of you unfamiliar with the experience of Brimfield, let me just say it is not for the faint of heart.  Billed as one of the worlds largest outdoor Antiques and Collectibles Show, it is an overwhelming display of bric-a-brac all in one place.  It's about a mile along Route 20 in Brimfield, Massachusetts.  The deceiving part to me is that while one mile seems big on it's own, it has football size fields of vendor stalls all down the many "fingers" along this one mile road.  (Yea, THAT big.)  Since I made the trip last year (my first visit), I kind of knew what to expect.  This time, I didn't let the size or crowds consume me.  As many of the blogs about the show suggest, it's best to go:

1.) Early in the day
2.) Wearing comfortable shoes and clothes (that you expect to get real dirty)
3.) With a clear sense of what you are looking for

The show runs from Tuesday through Sunday three times per year (May, July, September).  Each day it officially runs sun up to sun down (though I'd say many vendors break down around 3:30 when the crowds die down.) If you go early in the week, you have better selection.  If you go towards the end of the week, you have better deals (vendors don't want to bring everything home.)  I choose to go later in the week (this year Friday).  I simply want deals since I don't feel comfortable (e.g. knowledgeable) enough to buy anything too expensive.

An agenda or not?
On my first visit, I approached the trip as I would any random yard sale.  Looking for nothing in particular. Wondering what "surprises" might be discovered.  This, I think, is what did me in.  With way too many stalls, many selling virtually the same stuff,  I barely made it through 2 fingers in 4 hours.  Yikes!  I was exhausted and left wondering what I missed...

This year, following what some blogs recommend, I went in with an agenda.  I was looking for:
1.) vintage drawer pulls for a old dresser going on my screened-in porch
2.) vintage stemware, specifically my grandmother's pattern, since a few more wine glasses would be great for the set.  (Thinking ahead, I also brought along a picture of the pattern on my iphone to compare the detail work, if needed.)

What did I learn from having an agenda?  Something unexpected.  I found it yielded a little more work, but in a better, more focused way.  On one hand, I found myself moving quickly, efficiently through the stalls.  It's amazing how fast you can learn to scan an entire display.  For my needs, if I saw any crystal?  I stopped.  Any hardware or fixtures?  Stopped again.  Generally,  if a vendor features some items in the category of merchandise you seek, it's worth a look.  If you only see other items?  Don't waste your time. Move on.

The real work came when I found a stall with "potential."  Crystal patterns?  No problem.  Pretty easy to investigate and eliminate.  Hardware?  Another story.  Most was contained in large disorganized boxes.  When finally locating some drawer pulls, it became a mission to find "the right look at the right price."  This meant digging through dusty, rusty old fixtures that, of course, were NEVER grouped in similar types or designs. (Insult to injury was that I needed a matching set of 4.  Let's just say,  things in "sets" are rare in these types of venues. Ugh.)  This rummaging pattern went on for most of the day.  My hands were caked with dirt and rust.

Results?

It was an enjoyable, albeit tiring, day.  I had success with the drawer pulls, but not with the crystal.  The purchased pulls were solid brass with a nice, aged patina.  I needed four, but I found five, so I bought them all.  (Just in case.)  They worked beautifully.  See the finished piece at right.

Given my newly honed rapid-fire scan technique, I was also able to make through about 2/3 of the show in one day.  (Again, yea, it's that big.)  This also included a fun lunch with friends at the bustling (um, more like crowded beyond capacity) food court.

Other finds along the way?
Funny, despite being on such a vision quest, I still was able to spot some random, totally unexpected items.  I would have loved to have them, but alas, the "bargaining" I received on them was still a little out of my comfort zone.  Nonetheless, I snapped some photos to share with you.

This weathered mirror caught my eye as a fun piece to have out on the screened-in porch.  Casual and worn.  Mirrored inserts to help reflect light and add depth.  $300?  Not outrageous, but too much for impulse.

LOVED this ceiling light fixture.  Highly polished chrome with a chunky, industrial feel.  While the photo is a little vague, its size was pretty hefty.  Thought it might look great in our kitchen.  For curiosity, I later outlined its measurements at home.  Way too over sized.  Good thing.  Price was way to over sized as well.  $900

This vendor had a ton of these vintage metal screens.  The braids were about 1/4" thick and had a great distressed white finish.  Again I could see a couple of these on our screened in porch, hanging as a backdrop to the wicker couch.  They would be suspended in front of the large screen windows, adding a little bit of detail without blocking any airflow.  Couldn't get a price since ALL OF THEM were sold.  (I guess I was victim to the pitfalls of attending later in the week...)

This is one of those pieces that nags me.  I think I let this one get away.  It could have been used in any number of rooms.  On an entry table.  The living room bookcase.  The dining room console. One of those "statement" pieces.  I still wonder why I didn't let the impulse move me.  The price was $250, but the clock didn't work.  Since when have I ever been obsessed with time?!  Oh well...I have to let it go... I have to let it go...



All in all, I whole heartedly recommend going to Brimfield!  No matter what your decorative style, there's something for everyone.  You have 3 opportunities per year to get there (though I hear the July event can be uncomfortably hot.)  Go in looking for one thing and come out with something else.  You never know what you might find.  And decide on an agenda or don't.  Either way, set your expectations so that you can enjoy all that it offers (and not get overwhelmed by all that it offers.)

Till the next time...

On decorating outside spaces - a little secret about faux

I can't believe I am going to admit this.  Faux?  Really?  The words conjure up images of cheesy thick plastic flora that look as natural as the figures in It's A Small World at Disney.  (um...hyeah...)  Well, I am now a convert albeit in certain circumstances.  When there's some location that's set back and difficult to "naturally" maintain, the faux option actually works.  Here's how it unfolded for me...

Our house features two built-in flower boxes off the second floor. Trouble is, they are problematic.  Southern exposure with all-day direct sun.  No shade.  Shallow depth for soil.  Hovering just above the "radiating in heat" asphalt shingle roof.  In front of inoperable windows.  Need I go on?  Picture a barren wasteland.  Cue: blowing tumbleweed.  Needless to say, these boxes sat empty for the first five years.

So, I happened to see this picture (at left) in a magazine.  It's of a house similar to ours (well maybe a little bigger) with what looks to be a somewhat similar flower box issue. Notice, however, the box is overflowing with lush flowers.  It got me thinking...

Now I know photo shoots create scenes that can never be maintained in real life.  But this image reminded me that, at a distance, no one can tell if these flowers are real or not.  My theory was since our flower boxes were like the the one in the photo (e.g. troublesome), maybe I could possibly pull off a look that will appear lifelike as well.  No one would need to (immediately) know it was faux.  One that can exist in our blast furnace location!

I set out to see what options were available.  I first scouted the local establishments like Michaels, Home Depot and Lowes.  Um, let's just say again, "bad theme park."  No distance could make these items look good.

I next went online.  Google Search gave me a number of options for outside artificial flowers, but the best ones were:

     - hooksandlattice.com
     - qualitysilkplants.com
     - artificialplantsandtrees.com


The price points will feel initially high.  In my mind, however, if the quality is there (natural looking) and they can last two or three seasons, then the price is basically a wash versus purchasing live plants each year.  (For our situation, we really didn't have a choice. What? A dried stick arrangement?)

I admit I researched the "return policy of all online vendors" before I made a single purchase.  Descriptive copy and owner reviews are good.  Seeing the items in hand is most critical - the ultimate "go/no- go" decision point.  If there was any question, the stuff was going back.

The items arrived and I was pleasantly surprised.  Yes, up close, you could see the plastic stems and joints where two items were "snapped" together.  But standing back only a foot or two, everything looked great.

Now came the process of  figuring out how to arrange them.  There were two objectives:
1.) they look lifelike & natural and
2.) they withstand the elements (wind & rain)
I honestly had this fear of arriving home one day and seeing them cascading down the roof and all over the front lawn.  A little embarrassing - like someone pulling off your clip-on bow tie...

Year one (last year), my approach was too labor intensive.  I climbed up with a bunch of materials.  I carefully placed/arranged each "stem" in a gravel base in each box.  I also hammered nails in strategically placed positions on the front, back and sides of each box.  Fishing line was then criss-crossed throughout the arrangement (within and between stems) as a tight grid to hold everything in place.  It worked.  But, I knew there had to be better way...

Jumping ahead to year two, I wanted to create something easier.  This time, I decided to build an entire framework to just "sit" in the boxes.  (And, why didn't I think of this before?) A simple wood frame.  A little chicken wire.  Some plastic twist ties to hold the stems in place.  Done.  Carry ONLY two items (not the litany of stems, tools, nails, line, etc.) up the ladder in the Spring.  Carry two items down the ladder in the fall.  And, I don't have to re-create the wheel each year!  I guess I could add/swap in a new color, but basically the boxes are ready to go.  I like that.

So, get rid of all your outdated images of outdoor artificial plants.  (Oh yea, the industry calls them "artificial", not "fake".)  While close scrutiny still gives away their secret, a small amount of distance gives them all the room they need.  To be beautiful.  To be lifelike.  To be a perfect design solution.

Till the next time...

The finished product!  (Sshhh, don't tell anyone...)