Summer Room

Summer is almost here and it's that time of year where we spend more time outside than inside. Well at least I do and I hope after reading this blog you will too. In this fast paced time, it is so important to have a space to settle down in, relax and unwind at the end of a long day. Outside in the fresh air with all the sounds and sights of nature is a great place to start. Whether you live in a home or an apartment, you must have some outdoor space that you can add a little cozy, a little sparkle, a little oasis and make into your very own Summer Room!

Tidbit - With a few easy steps you can make any outdoor space, big or small, into an oasis you can retreat to. Pick an area like a deck, a patio, even a patch of grass and start your imagination.

The first step is to visualize the space as a room with four corners, walls and all, with the sky as your ceiling. This will be your outdoor canvas. This will be easy with a deck or patio, but if you are working with a grass area it will be what you put in that will determine the space.

The second step is to think of its function. Will it be a dining area, a seating area or both. Maybe you even have a deck and a patio. That's even better. Some spaces can be large enough to use as both. Once you figure out the function, the Fun can begin! Filling it up!


The Third Step comes in once you settle on the function, then it's time to pick some furniture. When picking furniture, pick items that won't rust, rot or be damaged in the elements.

There are many affordable sets out there. You don't want to spend a fortune, but you do want items that will last. Personally, I like metal and plastic furniture. Wood items tend to fade and get moldy with time. They are also way over priced. Look for Sets that offer weather resistant cushions and pillows. Make sure that they are attached, so that you can change them out when you get bored of the pattern. You may have furniture to work with already, but it's the way that you set up your area that will make it a retreat and a Summer Room. Here are some idea's on what to look for and how it will be set it up.

Bistro Sets - Two Chairs and a Table

Dining Sets - Table with 4 - 6 seats, Umbrella's are sometimes optional but always a must.

Casual Seating - Two Chairs, Love Seat, End Tables and Low Table (Like a coffee table)

Ottomans are great to have with any of the sets. They offer a place to rest your legs and they can also function as a small table when you add a tray to the top.

Inexpensive Sets can be found at Large Retail Chains like Walmart, Christmas Tree Shops, Target. I Found my dining set for less than $200.00 at Walmart. It's Metal with Mesh Seating. My last set lasted me 8 years, so I know that it will last. Lowes has great umbrellas for $50.00. Never pay more than $50 for an umbrella. They fade too quickly to pay a fortune. Pillows and Cushions can be pricey. So shop around. Online deals are the way to go for chair cushions and you get more options. My Bistro Set was $150 at Kmart 8 years ago, this year was the first time I had to replace my cushions. It was a great deal. Ottomans can also be pricey, if you can find them included in a set, Great, if not shop online for the best deals.

Cozy

Pick a color theme and cozy up your furniture with cushions, throw pillows and an umbrella. Even if you don't have a dining set. An umbrella can center your space and offer some shade.

Throw Pillows can dress up any out door furniture, no matter how old. Pick Vibrant Colors and stick with a color theme.

Sparkle

A string of lights (Even white Christmas Lights will do the trick), Some flickering candles (Battery Operated Candles can be found at party stores and retail chains) Hurricane Lamps (Pier One, Christmas Tree Shops), Tiki Torches, A Fire Pit (a must have)

Tidbit - Look for natures sparkle, Fire flies, at the end of June through July. But make sure not to miss them, because they are gone in August.

Oasis

Make your space feel like an oasis by adding some flowing plants and flower pots. Tropical plants are inexpensive and can be used to corner off your outdoor space, which makes it feel more like a cozy room. When choosing flowers, stick with your color pattern and use colors that compliment the color scheme you have chosen.

All you really need are two comfy chairs, a table, and somewhere to rest your feet. Add a little candle light or some string lights for ambiance. A few flowing flower pots and a fire pit for your entertainment. The sound of your favorite music in the background or some crickets singing will finish off the retreat. Keep it simple or make it big, either way stretch out your legs and enjoy your summer days and nights in your Summer Room!

Freshen Up For Spring

Spring is right around the corner and we are all coming down with a little Spring Fever. Spring is all about lightening things up, letting in the fresh air and coming out of hibernation. With one month still officially left of winter, I have some Tidbits to help you Freshen Up For Spring!

Tidbit - Freshen up your home by adding some splashes of spring color and elements through out your home. Think Pale Yellow, Earthy Green, Lavender, Creamy Orange, Sky Blue and Soft Pink.

Treat yourself to some pretty inexpensive Throw Pillows and lighten up those cozy couches and chairs. While your at it, get some to brighten up your bedroom as well.

Change up your window treatments with some airy Bamboo Shades. They add a little Tropical Feel to any room for an affordable price.

Bring in some freshness with a new Tropical Plant or two. They will add that outdoor feeling to your living space and when the warm weather arrives you can use them to decorate your outdoor patio or deck. Your kid's will also enjoy helping you water the plant.

Look for some Potted Pansies at your local Loews or Home Depot. They come in a variety of spring colors and are extremely hardy. Put them in some decorative planters and add them through out your home for an early homemade Spring . Then you can plant them outdoors when the warm weather arrives. They will continue to bloom throughout the Spring and Summer.

Grow your own Wheat Grass in a pretty outdoor planter. Wheat Grass seed is available at any health food store and is very easy to grow. The grass will grow in about 6-10 days. If you plan it correctly, you can create a nice base for a Beautiful Easter Centerpiece to show off at your Sunday dinner. You can add decorated eggs, artificial chicks and butterflies(found at any craft store). It's a great project to do with the Kids. They will really enjoy helping and they will be able to feel a sense of gratification by watching how quickly it grows.

Spring is almost here, I hope that these Tidbit's help you to hang in there and Freshen Up For Spring!

Focus on the Inside

We are all day dreaming of warmer days and of blooming flowers. Many of us may be starting to think of our back yards and summer nights on the patio. I have already started planning my gardens and flower pots in my head. Although the Spring will be here soon, I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. In my home I like to take advantage of these upcoming months, it is a good time to Focus on the Inside.


Organizing/Decorating Tidbit - Take care of things on the inside before the time comes to focus on the outside.

You can begin this process with going from room to room with a small notebook and writing down what can be Fixed, Improved or Changed in each room. As you walk from room to room, think about whether it is serving it's purpose for you and your family and it is functioning the way that you intended. If you are not completely satisfied with the room then begin to think about what area you want to focus on the most. Such as making it more Organized, De-cluttering, and Cleaning or Painting, Rearranging or Re-Purposing the room.

After deciding what can be done to the room, make a list of supplies that you will need to get the job done. See if you have any of the supplies on hand and then estimate the Time, Labor and Cost of each rooms projects. If you can only do some of the things that you have listed, then start there and keep the list so that you can refer to it later. If you can manage more change and improvement in your home, then set some dates with yourself and plan the budget to get them done.

Extra Tidbit - When looking at each room, don't forget about the Closets, Cabinets, and Drawers. Sometimes getting those organized first can help you focus on what you really want from each room and how you want it to function.

Extra Extra Tidbit - Remember to be realistic about your goals and start with the small things that can be done in each room. Also think of Paint as a great changing tool, it can be used to give any room a Decorative Lift by the use of color on any paintable object, like the wall, Trim, Ceiling, Tables etc. And if your brave enough, be a do-it-yourselfer. It will be gratifying in the end and save you some hard earned cash.

So Get Moving and Focus on your Inside!