Oh it's busy times here and guess what we had another trip to the ER, and yes it was Mr Teenage BC and yes it was from the skate park. Lots of blood, a heap of stitches and dressings but thankfully not too many tears. And why you ask did I let it happen? That I cannot answer.
Anyway after a full day today of which I'll be showing you more of soon I collapsed in a jumble of grottiness out here on the deck. It had needed a bit of an overhaul after all the recent rain and that happened a few days ago and was very welcome this afternoon…
I thought though that I would tell you about the deck and how when we moved into the cottage it was looking extremely hideous in all it's orangey painted glory and more importantly I was thinking that it would never, ever, be anything more than a dead decorating loss. I knew it had some plusses, first off being that at the very least, yes it was a wooden deck of timber, second it was already there and we didn't have the bother of going about building it ourselves. Then I came across a few homey makeover blogs and I was inspired to get off my backside, stop moaning, start doing and work with what I had or didn't have (and go here to see the first makeover job a year or so ago) – Mr Beach Cottage and I hauled out this old sofa and then I gradually pulled a few things to bring it all together – I think it is amazing what you can do with nothing, this could easily be a very different corner.
The back cushions I recovered with some natural linen and the seat is a throw from IKEA tucked in and around, added a few new nautical fashion cushions, I'm really liking those and a pot of lavender grown from a cutting by my fair hands, yup, truly…easy as sticking a cutting into some rooting compost and letting it go after itself.
particpating in the Outdoor Wednesday event at Southern Daydreamer, thanks Susan and if you've got little angels in your family check out Room Time
wanna play designer wannabe with me? scoot on over to Beach Cottage Inspiration, see ya there!
Very restful Sarah, you have done a good job, and sounds like just what you needed after the skatepark incident – aren’t teenage boys just grand?!
Every little corner of your home is beautiful! Love your porch! Looks like a great place for your son to rest and recover too…
Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us!
I think that looks like the perfect outdoor corner to collapse in
All that’s missing is a nice cold drink (I’m thinking lemonade) 
Hope Mr Teenage BC is doing OK today. Getting bumps and bruises and cuts and stitches are all part of growing up. Better that you give him the freedom to do all those things than to try to protect him from it all. Growing up can be painful at times, but it has to be fun too
The cushion covers arrived safe and sound yesterday
They’re very beachy and pretty, and I’ve posted about them here:
http://design-ties.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaways-coming-out-ying-yang.html
Thank you, Sarah!!
Kelly
What a great place to knit or read a book. So cozy!!
Such a beautiful look. I also love candles clustered like that… Especially in the daylight, creates such a lovely mood (even when im not feeling lovely ha)! Kellie
Sarah – I really love what you did with your patio! It looks so cozy and inviting out there, especially with the candles and comfy pillows. Thank you for the inspiration!
Blessings,
Marie
Great ideas u have.. That deck looks great.. I’ve started recycling my stuff around.. I use to collect birdhouses… a bunch were made from a guy who took wood from torn down barns… he even used spindles off of bannisters and drilled holes in them and made mini ones.. decorative of course.. those I have put in various parts of my backyard slope and in and around trees..
It looks so pretty, Sarah. We have family coming over this week, and I need to get out and clean up and beautify our deck a bit. Right now it looks pretty terrible. Yours looks great!
Love this little space. Sorry to hear about Teen Beach Boy. I have a skater (as in skateboarder) myself and last year he broke his foot. He’s 18.5 years old now and is still a stupid skater. Still gets hurt, still has no fear.
Okay, back to your little outdoor space…It’s lovely, I’ll be over at 4.
I would want to sit out there in the evenings and have a a nice chat with my hubby.
Cheri
http://www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
How lovely. It’s perfect. The comfy cushions, the lantern, the candles. Soooo nice!
Fantastic! Looks so tranquil. (sp?)
Such a lovely place to relax! I love it, all the lanterns and candles? Divine!
So sorry about the ER visit, yikes! Glad he is OK!
Happy day!
Popped in from SITS to say hi! What a lovely porch!
It looks so wonderful & relaxing.
love
Alison
x
Um, that is gorgeous and relaxing! So jealous!
I love your beach cottage! Can my Southern Oregon mountain home have a beach cottage master bedroom? I think it can! And will – someday.
It is so light and airy at your place!
As for the teenager – well, my teen boy had ankle surgery, complete with metal plate under the skin, from riding a skateboard Thanksgiving-before-last. Not in a skatepark even, in a parking lot! He says, “Girls like scars, Mom!” Oh, and I guess having the metal detector go off at the airport is cool too?!!!
Keep us inspired and tell that boy to be careful – as if that helps…..huh?
ps. just posted a scrap/craft room re-do online too – http://patinamarie.blogspot.com
How I wish I could enjoy a place like that. Beautiful and cozy .
Stopping by from SITS to say hello
I love your deck couch. It looks so inviting. I would spend hours out on the deck if it were mine.
Hello Sarah! This is a beautiful spot….a great place to sit with some tea and favorite deco mag in hand!
Blessings,
Rachel
Oh I feel for you. We have the 4 stitches in the forehead at the moment. A basketball incident with an elbow deliberately put in.
It looks fabulous. So much more fun when you can use thrifted and cheap buys with your own bits and pieces.
Alison
I can almost smell the rosemary plant — looks so inviting, I hope you get a few minutes of peace to enjoy!
Sarah,
So sorry about your son, I hope he is on the mend and no, it is not your fault. Whatever would make you think that?
I love the corner of your porch. I’m afraid am too clutter minded to ever achieve this look for long! LOL!! Maybe the opposite is true… You do however, prove over and over that easy elegance can be found on a budget. I just saw your daisy flower can decorated with string and I love this idea. I am going to try it as soon as I remember to buy string. Not what sort of clutter~bug wouldn’t have tons of string!!!
Have a wonderful week, Sarah!
xoxo
Jane
Hope Mr Teenage BC is on the mend quickly for you so you can have more fun thinking up new and different ways to recycle and repurpose things in your own creative and inspiring way. Thanks for the suggestions and nudge to get up and make our space a nicer place to be.
I love grouping candles together like you have done here too. Wonderful post yet again.
Eek…sorry to hear about Mister TBC.
Your porch…fabulous. I love the plant wrapped in the burlap. You really are the burlap queen!
I hope Mr Teenage BC is not too seriously injured. I bet you wish you could wrap him up in cotton wool padding before letting him loose on the skate park. Has your heart stopped pounding yet Sarah?
Beautiful decking by the way.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
love your beach cottage! love your inspiration pics! from a fellow sydney sider & mother of a skate boarding teenager..
I love the wicker couch. That isn’t from indoors, is it? If not, where did you get it? I love the shape and lines of it. My deck is “basically” finished. If you want to call having the floor put down finished. Can’t wait to decorate when it’s stained!
Brenda
I am in absolute love with both your cottage and your blog! I have a feeling my afternoon will be spent reading it. I would love to decorate in a theme similar to this, so I’m feeling very inspired!
Glad teenage BC is okay with just stitches. Thankfully teenage girls don’t requite so many trips to the ER. That’s probably the only “thankful” thing. haha…just kidding. Kind of. :S
I love this area of your home – so peaceful!