Garden Marking

Saw these plant markers from Marble Coasters featured in Cooking Light. They are the perfect accent with the practical use of helping you keep track of your herbs! Spice up your potted herbs or organize your garden plot.

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Hello everyone,
I will be in Houston in the country for 4th of July weekend to see family and relax. There is truly nothing like fresh country air and apple pie! Chrys will be in DC where the fireworks are ALWAYS amazing for 4th of July.

Click here to enjoy a slideshow of decorating and dessert recipes for 4th of July from delish.

Enjoy your weekend!

Teak-tastic!

Check out these beautiful teak chairs from VivaTecca. The Valencia Teak Chair will provide your porch with an ecofriendly, durable, chic look.

Different Outdoor Looks

The warm weather just hit Washington, DC and all I could think about today was what patio set are we going to buy. To make this very difficult decision here were some looks already packaged by our mainstream design chains.

An urban oasis from West Elm.


Your very own spa in your backyard from Restoration Hardware.


The cozy cottage outdoor hideaway from Crate and Barrel.


Now which look to pick?

Dandy Chandy Tuesday ~ Outdoor Dreaming

{photo via Southern Living}

I know, I know...many of you guys are up in the north and freezing I'm sure! I just wanted to give you some inspiration and dreamtime of the outdoors in this slideshow here. I've pretty much decided my favorite place to put a chandelier is outside! It looks so dreamy and romantic. Enjoy! :)

Art Smart ~ Tree-lined

Enjoy this Tree Silhouette outdoor print from Ballard Designs - built to withstand the outdoors, but so nice indoors too!

Design Tip of the Week (7.26.10): Outdoor Living Rooms

Hello P4Der's, hope you had a fabulous weekend! Check out this post we did back in March full of outdoor living space inspiration...Enjoy!

Our Faves (7.7.10): Get into a Maze

LOVE this iron work maze wall hanging from CB2. I saw it as a stand alone piece, but wowed when I saw it hung in a series! Its perfect for outdoor decorating too!

Friday Finds ~ Teacup Planter

I have officially fallen in love...with this teacup planter from Garden Artisans. It would be perfect for the center of your outdoor table, or in the center of your dining table. It's great because it's a pretty centerpiece that people will love to ask about.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Art Smart (5.13.10): Welcome Summer

Summer is coming! There are a lot of weather friendly pieces of art that you can use to decorate your outdoor living areas. Like this weatherproof print from Geneva Style. Beaumont - Palms Paradise III feels like you are laying under a palm tree.

Friday Finds ~ Copper Watering Can

Its being Springtime in the DC area, and getting close to summer ~ how about watering your plants with this stylish copper watering can from Iron Accents? It would be so great with a Morrocan outdoor balcony/patio theme. Get some bright colored pots for you plants and some hanging lanterns, and transform yourself to another world! Life is too short not to have some color in your life!

Friday Finds ~ Flowered Enamelware

Lovin' this Flowered Enamelware from VivaTerra. So great for your outdoor patio. How exciting is it to think about being outdoors after this brutal winter?!?! :)

Design Tip of the Week (3.21.10): Find Your Garden Style

The warm weather is getting us thinking about how we want to spend our warm days. Here are some wonderful garden design ideas for different spaces and styles.

Asian Inspired Zen Gardens
Create an Asian inspired garden by incorporating some of these traditional elements: water features, bridges, oriental statues, stones, dry pathways, lanterns, and trees (like Japanese Maples and Magnolias). The design focuses on balance, meaning no one part of the garden should over power the other.

{Photo from Pond Paradis Design, Inc.}


{Photo from The Garden Central}

Roof Top Gardens
Don't have a backyard? Build your garden towards the sky. City living never felt more relaxing than with an urban oasis at your disposal. With a deck like feel, plants, unique space saving designs like built ins, you can have a garden in the concrete jungle.

{Photo from The Garden Central}


{Photo from Blue Sky Landscapes (UK)}

English Gardens
Arbors, pergolas, and archways are key elements of an English garden; adorn them with climbing plants to provide shade for a walkway. English gardens also have a focal point, these can include a statuary or a nice bench. Winding pathways that form sections of the garden, also called garden rooms, are what make English gardens cozy and intriguing.

{Photo from Courier-Journal.Com of Louisville}


{Photo from www.PoeticOneirism.blogspot.com}

DIY Tips & Tricks: Herbal Remedies

The season for planting has arrived! An herb garden is a great DIY project to beautify your outdoor space and bring some fresh ingredients into your kitchen.
Need some pointers? Here are some good resources for getting your garden cultivated!

~The Herb Society of America has a beginner's herb garden guide.

~How to grow an herb garden from How Stuff Works.

And to get you motivated, here is a refreshing herbal drink recipe from The New Homemaker

Pink Lavender Drink
6-8 servings

2 ½ c Water
1 ½ c Sugar
½ c Frozen or fresh, hulled strawberries
¼ c Fresh Lavender flowers chopped
2 ¼ c Fresh Lemon juice
2 ½ c Water
½ c Sugar

In a saucepan, blend 2 ½ cups water, sugar and strawberries.
Bring to boiling mark, stir to dissolve sugar.
Lower heat.
Simmer 5 minutes to extract pink from strawberries.
Remove from oven.
Stir in lavender flowers.
Cover and cool.
Strain cooled liquid into large pitcher, gently pressing juice from strawberries.
Add remaining 2 ½ cups water and lemon juice.
Stir well.
Add ½ cup of sugar.
Add ice cubes.
Garnish with lavender flowers.

If you want alcohol try to add Vodka!

Design Tip of the Week (3.15.10): Outdoor Living Rooms!

The weather is getting warmer, outdoor season is upon us, so why not move your living room outside? Here are some inspirational images to get your backyard paradise moving.


{Photo from the Outdoor Room Guys}


{Photo from Build-a-Patio.com}


{Photo from Beau Monde Villas}


{Photo from Coastal Living}


{Photo from HGTV Pro}


{Photo from AWH Photo and Design}

Sigh....

Friday Finds ~ Save the Whales

The Maine Float-Rope Company re-purposes float-rope, which is no longer allowable in the fishing trade as it is a harm to marine life, and makes these wonderful and colorful doormats. These doormats are durable and support a good cause!

Dandy Chandy Tuesday-Greenhouse Glam

{photos via Country Living}

I have to say, this greenhouse turned dream retreat absolutely takes my breath away. Like...the song "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin is playing my head right now looking at these photos. Take a look at the slideshow here at Country Living and read through how they did it.

The decadent crystal chandeliers just top the whole room off (and they aren't even wired for light, but who cares ~ they are so beautiful!)

Amazing inspiration for a shabby chic sunroom or another room in your home. Get to it! :)

Design Tip of the Week (1.4.10) ~ Special Delivery!

A unique wall mounted mail box is another way to spice up the front of your house. Here are some fun mailbox options we ran into.

This stainless steel mailbox from Comfort House comes with a leather U.S. Mail label


The Peninsula Antique Copper Mailbox from Bellacor is classic and has a lock!


Post Mailbox from Chiasso looks like a letter!


A small and inexpensive mailbox option from Home Depot that has a simple metal detail and is only around 10 bucks!


Check out P4D's previous post on fun house numbers to pair with your new mailbox!

Friday Finds ~ Bring the Tropics to your Table

Horchow's leaf place mats are the perfect summer table accessory. They are chic and versatile. They would look beautiful with an all white table scape or a fun colorful display. Get the blender ready for daiquiris and invite the friends over!

Friday Finds ~ Pull up a chair, Fido

Does your outdoor space have enough room to share with your BFF? Pull up a seat for your fuzzy friend with the Company Store's pet adirandak chair. The perfect company for your lazy outdoor sundays.



Next Wednesday May 6th is May Decorator of the Month - featuring an artsy couple that lives in Adams Morgan, with a fantastically decorated 2 level home!