Tuesday, July 28, 2009

~ Outdoor Living ~

Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on my last post, I read each and every one!...I am enjoying my new hutch so much, so I'm glad I went for it and glad Mom was there to push me :)... It took about a week to get back to normal here after my parents month long visit, but now I'm falling back into the swing of things and feeling productive again. So here I am , on to my post and back into my blogging routine :)...I've always wanted a Gazebo for my deck outside, But never quite found the right one at the right price. If I could have bought any one I wanted, I would have gone with a permanent white wood structure, a pergola with a roof and flowing white curtains etc. I bought this one last week, and for now, it will do nicely. I still plan on adding the extra layer of curtains on this one ( it has rods all along the inside for just that ) and a mini chandelier, and of course a rug. I wanted to share it with you to see if you had anymore ideas than the ones I'm thinking of so far... It seems it needs something more... Any ideas would be appreciated! I"ll fix it up more and use some of the ideas and post the new pics here after I finish with it....

I do like my fountain above, very inexpensive ( Target ) but I was hoping to get a much bigger one and add it to the corner of the Gazebo, this is only 20 inches high, but I was thinking I wanted one about 3 feet high and place it on the floor ??
I think an outdoor rug will warm it up to, but I am afraid that when it gets damp, the mosquitoes will have a field day on me, lol.... again, any suggestions would be great. What about a painted floor cloth??

Well, this is the one corner I am content with, so this will stay... I moved all my pots to the outside corners of the deck so the bugs will stay there, with the exception of a few at the base of the gazebo, but I do like this little corner.

I'll be going over all the ideas I get and pondering how to cozy up my gazebo this weekend, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend too!!

And Thank you so much girls for being such wonderful blogging friends!

With Gratitude and friendship,

~ Cynthia ~

38 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Oh! I think a painted rug would be great! BTW, mosquitos stay away from marigolds.....you could plant some of them in pots and place them around.
Hugs,
Penny

Aspiemom said...

What a beautiful and relaxing retreat! Yes, a painted rug would be nice, but i like it how it is, also.

Denise said...

I have also always wanted a gazebo. I would love a screened one!

I think a floor cloth would be wonderful!

XXDenise

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Ohhhhsoooopretty!!!!!! How about suspending a chandelier from the center? I like the floor cloth idea, too. Your flowers look so cute all bunched together. Very sweet, Cynthia!

xx
becky

Anonymous said...

Lots & Lots of Tropical Greenery!!
How about Banana plants in the background?? Ah-h-h-h yes, Tropical..
Love the Gazebo!!
Hugs,
Marilyn

Cal said...

It's lovely. A rug would be nice and curtains behind the little sofa too.

Look forward to seeing what else you do to it.
Cal x

Adrienne said...

great idea in the comment above about hanging a chandelier... or maybe stringing some large or small white or clear christmas lights. how about painting directly on the wood deck to look like a rug? simple stripes would be cute. it's all really pretty and cozy!

Barbara Jean said...

It's all so beautiful!

Great idea about moving plants to outside edges.
And the rug thing, would never have thought about the mosquitoes.

I guess a painted floor cloth would be good then, and so fun to create.
Deciding on what to paint would be my problem.
You could just paint right on the floor too.

I'm sure whatever you decide will be great!!

Blessings and have fun,
Barbara Jean

Michelle said...

Oh Cynthia I am loving your outdoor Gazebo! That fountain is beautiful. Target..go figure! I love Target. :) I need to start decorating my two decks..haven't had time but in the next few weeks I will for sure. You are inspiring me for sure. :)

xoxo

Michelle

aimee said...

looks so nice. love your ideas. more pillows would be nice. twinkle lights around the gazebo and love the chandelier idea . cant wait to see what you will do .
blessings,
aimee

blushing rose said...

Everything is so elegantly done ... you created a very restful & serene spot ... pillows, maybe a few. Good job & presentation .... TTFN ~Marydon

A Southern Rose said...

Cynthia,

I bought one on clearance a couple of years ago and can you believe that it is still in storage and never been taken out of the box!? I planned on getting it out several times. After seeing yours...I want to unpack it more than ever. I want to put an old table and chair set under it and have romantic dinners in there. I plan on hanging an old chandelier in there too. Maybe we can both give each other ideas!

I love your wicker furniture! I think that the painted rug idea is a great one!

Come by and enter my first
giveaway!

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Its So Very Cheri said...

I like the idea of a painted floor cloth or painting the floor in a pretty design. You could get 2 coordinating colors of small rugs and do a checkered pattern. they would be light weight and easy to pick up if it was going to rain or if you needed to pick them up to dry out after the fact. A chandelier and christmas lights would be on my list. I think it would be darling to MAKE a chandelier out of a birdcage. It would FIT for your outdoor theme. Other ideas will be going through my head all night.
I am starting a NEW Mr. Linky party. It will begin on Aug 10th so everyone will have a week and a half to think about their first post. I have a poll up for votes on which button should be the new button. The "party" is called The Knock Off Knock Out-where THRIFTY meets creative sensation. Go over and learn more about the new weekly event and I would appreciate if you would cast your vote and HELP pick the new button design and its the last week for the July GIVE-A-Way, if you would like to be a part of that event..
Cheri

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I like you little corner (last photo) I think it's just sweet. A very nice idea to for someone who has limited spaces and still would like the feel of the garden. Flowers always make one smile yes? :-)

Li

Kathleen Grace said...

I know you will have fun decorating your new garden room, and we willhave fun watching:>) A rug or floor cloth would add some color and warmth. It sounds like you have great ideas for making it all cozy and pretty!

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

What a beautiful garden room! I would add an outdoor rug - I think most of them are on clearance now so you should be able to get a good deal.

The corner you're happy with looks just charming! I'm sure you'll come up with something fabulous!

Manuela

Warm Autumn Wishes said...

I love your blog, I know, Ive mentioned this before, but I do.
Anyway, I have an award for you if you choose to take it. Its on my new blog www.myquaintcashmeredreams.blogspot.com
. If you choose not to accept it, I understand. Thanks, Erica

Rue said...

Hi Cynthia :)

I've missed you!

I'm loving what you've done so far! I like Cheri's idea of making a chandelier out of a birdcage and your idea of a floor cloth :)

No wonder I love you so much... horse people are special ;)

Oh and I'm blushing over your compliment... thank you!

xoxo,
rue

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Hi Cynthia,
Your gazebo looks so pretty and I think you have covered the things that I would do to make it cozy, diffently the chandelier, I love those and the rug painted on the floor sounds like a great idea, I have always wanted to try one. I too have been busy this Summer, the kids take up alot of my comp time and I just havent had the time to do to much, I started a project in the bunkhouse but havent been able to complete it to show pic's! I'll be checking back to see what you've done with the gazebo(;
Hugs~Kelly

Unknown said...

How nice! I know they are kind of dated but what a swing of some kind?
Maybe a glider? The chandy is a must and lots of green and flowers....

Very relaxing. We are going to eventually do on on our back patio to. : )

~Liz

Sharon said...

Cynthia, I love every thing it looks so inviting and cozy. I do have an out door carpet on my patio and have had no problems with it. When it rains it dries very fast. I think all you need now is a good book and a glass of ice tea. I am sure you will enjoy.

Angie said...

Looks beautiful! I have been wanting to do something like this too. Enjoy your new space!

Anonymous said...

Morning Cynthia!! Love this; I had a screened one on my deck in Mass because of wetlands and mosquito hell!! All of the suggestions are goods one but from experience I'd leave it as plain and simple as possible because of wind, rain and bugs!! I did have an outdoor rug that dried quickly but I still needed to lift it to make sure the wood didn't start smelling musty; a horrible smell!! A larger fountain will breed mosquitoes unless you run it continually; so your small one is more manageable (and I love it anyway); I think a pretty wreath hanging on one of the iron posts, check ribbon holding back the curtains and lots of pillows and maybe a table runner on the coffee table will all be easy to maintain and give you that cozy feeling we all know you love!!! I saw some GORGEOUS outdoor fabrics at Joanne last week! Oh and a pretty windchime hanging from the center instead of the expected chandelier or one of your lanterns; since I'm pretty sure you won't be out there late into the night?? I'm all for practical now instead of just pretty!!!lol I know whatever you do it will always be GORGEOUS! Missed you glad you are back! Sincerely, Jeannette (hug coming your way!)

joyh82 said...

Looks like a nice place to sit and read or relax. Love the fountain too.

farmhouse wares said...

Cynthia,

I love the idea of hanging a candle chandelier. The more candles, the merrier.

Elyse said...

hi cynthia!

your outdoor living space is looking wonderful! about 2-3 years ago, BHG did a layout of a gazebo 2 or 3 different ways. i will try to find it and let you know. in the meantime, i'll bet if you did a search at bhg.com (and their DIY site) you would find all kinds of inspiration.

love the corner with the chair, too!


xo

Cindy~ said...

Cynthia, I love, love, love your pretty ad-free blog. I won't click into add full blogs more than once.

Anyway, my suggestion is to put a fern pole type plant holder with a fern in there or maybe some palms or any of those tall candle sticks that are really high. Something with height. A garden type animal statue like a resin cement bunny would be nice too.

Cindy said...

Cynthia, that looks like a great little place to relax. I think your ideas are wonderful, I can't wait to see the finished product! I love your little finished corner, it looks so nice. Hugs ~cindy s~

Barb said...

Hi sweet Cynthia, I love your outdoor space....just totally dreamy!

Come over and enter my anniversary giveaway. Would love to have you!

Hugs, Barb

Ruthann said...

How lovely to sit in your new romantic outdoor room and bask in the lazy days of summer! What a blissful place to read a good book and breathe in the warm breezes. It just relaxes me to look at it! Once again, Cyn, your golden touch has brought beauty to your home sweet home!
Hugs Sugar!
Ruthann

Tracy said...

Oh I love it! You have such a talent of putting things together. This makes me want to clean off my deck...it is a jungle right now. :)
Have a great week and thanks for sharing!
Tracy

cottage farm villa said...

Cynthia, a painted rug would be gorgeous! You always have something pretty to share with us! Happy August! ~Cheryl

Yiota said...

What an amazing blog!!! And I love this song -what a wonderful world

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I have to admit...I'm not relaxing on the porch ( and balcony in my case ) tonight. I am looking though some of your favs! I enjoy seeing blogs I don't visit and you have the best list! Thank you!

Miss Janice said...

What a relaxing spot...def think the painted rug would look awesome!

judy said...

Hi Cynthia,

A natural sisal or hemp rug would be a nice contrast, too. Have a wonderful weekend!

Cherrie said...

Hi Cynthia,
I highly recommend an outdoor rug from QVC. It has made my deck seem like an added room and dries almost instantly. Look at it at QVC.com item #M16345 (mine is the brown reversible)

Diane Fay (littlealma) said...

I love your gazebo too! I have always wanted one too, but the lines on our old farmhouse are a bit different, and money always goes someplace else it seems. Oh well - love it tho! The flowers are great, and it sounds like you have all kinds of wonderful ideas to mull over - so good luck!

Hugs from Michigan - Diane