Twentieth century American architect Phillip Johnson once said, "I hate vacations. If you can build buildings, why sit on the beach?" Mr. Johnson evidently didn't how to relax, but as another summer is slipping away, you can. Did you visit the beach this year? Do you wish you had? Either way, you can create a seaside feel in your outdoor space and enjoy memories of the shore at home! Here are some quick tips.
Color Your choice of color will be the biggest stress-reliever in your home "beach." The relaxing hues of the beach are sun-bleached and sand- and water-washed. Think cool and inviting water, lapping on the shore; the pale sand underfoot; the tall pale green beach grasses; the pale pink and coral of shells; the white clouds in a the blue sky.
For your blue, try Kelly Moore's Essence of the Sea or Sail Away, Beauti-tone's French Blue, or Benjamin Moore's Robin's Egg.
If you prefer brighter colors use bright pink or orange, especially in striped fabric or small accessories such candles.
Furniture The beach calls for casual wooden seating. Try folding wooden chairs with colorful striped canvas slings, set under a pale colored canvas umbrella that you've propped in a large bucket of sand.
Fabric What do you take to the beach? Canvas tote bags, terry towels and flip-flops. Use these fabrics for cushions, throws and the seating itself. Install decorative hooks on a wall, and hang beach towels as "art."
Motifs Many beach goers return home with a collection of shells, beach rocks and smooth bits of colored glass. If you have such a collection, use them to good effect in your outdoor space. Clean up your treasures by running them through a cycle of the dishwasher in the utensil basket. You can also rub baby oil into rocks to bring out the shine that you saw under the beach sun.
The most obvious way to display your shells and pebbles is in a clear glass dish or jar, or a flat plate. Try filling a saucer with them and inserting a votive candle. Or if the shells themselves are large enough, pour candle wax around a wick in the shell cavity itself. Shells can be used in attractive tic-tac-toe games, for stamping fabrics and many other purposes.
You can easily change the feel of your beach theme by the use of different motifs. Perch a sea-gull on a piece of driftwood draped with a piece of fisherman's net and use a lighthouse or two elsewhere in the space, and you'll be reminded of a coastal fishing village. Folding sling chairs, an umbrella and pots of beach grass give a recreational feel to your space. Or combine the lighthouses with sailboat silhouettes for a more urban shore look.
Whatever kind of shore you prefer, use these ideas to recreate it at home. Put on a recording of ocean waves lapping on the sand, kick off your shoes and enjoy the beach!
Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide "Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden" is now available on her web site. Visit her at http://www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space".
Did you know that those lush, colorful blooms called chrysanthemums... Read More
Do you love to cook outdoors but end up having... Read More
"Organic gardening is not just the avoidance of chemicals, in... Read More
A few years ago I made the decision to create... Read More
The Mentha species or mints as they are commonly called... Read More
Putting in a flower garden or any garden for that... Read More
Many people have asked us over the years "Should I... Read More
Hi Friends;This is the second year in a row I... Read More
Spring is coming, and now is the time to get... Read More
Have you ever thought about how much it costs to... Read More
Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous... Read More
Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguinea) is both nose and eye candy... Read More
Bamboo Orchid PlantWhen you think of bamboo you really think... Read More
In the previous article I discussed design for your new... Read More
Is your concrete or asphalt driveway an eyesore? Do you... Read More
Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though,... Read More
Botanists are individuals who conduct extensive study on plant biology... Read More
Wild roses, of the genus Rosa, are those naturally... Read More
Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a... Read More
The art of managing outdoor space Designing a patio -... Read More
The history of artificial or fake grass is to say... Read More
Part Two in a SeriesOnce you have your landscape design... Read More
As you shop around for outdoor furniture, you will notice... Read More
When we moved into our south Anchorage log home I... Read More
Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the... Read More
A beautiful wooden deck, properly maintained, can add greatly to... Read More
Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual... Read More
Kitsch is defined by several dictionaries as relating to poor... Read More
A sustainable garden means one that can be sustained over... Read More
"I have no plants in my house. They won't live... Read More
The first thing you need to grow apples is a... Read More
PLANT GROWTH & PHYSIOLOGY. (Part 5)There are three classes of... Read More
To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle... Read More
The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples... Read More
They can be pretty to look at and soothing to... Read More
Teak has many qualities that make the indoor and outdoor... Read More
A Shade Garden can be created in any of several... Read More
Butterfly gardening is not only a joy, it is one... Read More
Gardeners, it's time to put your gardening skills to the... Read More
The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges... Read More
"Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade." -Rudyard... Read More
There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you... Read More
Home and garden accessories make the difference between house and... Read More
Set in a broad expanse of lush green lawn a... Read More
Recently I got involved with gardening. Preior to that, all... Read More
Spring is coming fast and with it the colors of... Read More
There are so many plants available for you to choose... Read More
The art of planting roses doesn't have to be a... Read More
Having an ultra violet pond filter will give you a... Read More
As the curtain of winter lifts, tulips are one of... Read More
Principles refer to standards or prescriptions for working with or... Read More
When selecting plants for the landscape, is important to select... Read More
I recently bought a small tractor for my garden, which... Read More
If your grocer says, "Yes, we have no bananas. We... Read More
I should know: I've been a sculptor most of my... Read More
In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More
All good things eventually come to an end and so... Read More
You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More
When starting a new plant from a leaf or stem... Read More
Everybody asks about Easter lilies! Can they go outside; can... Read More
So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More
"I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of... Read More
As our global community continues to expand we often find... Read More
Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral... Read More
Roses may be beautiful but Tulips are magnificent. The huge... Read More
So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |