Just In Time For Summer: New Cushion Reveal

 The new outdoor cushions arrived, just in time for summer.

I purchased Sunbrella fabric through Sailrite and had a local upholsterer make the replacement cushions for the furniture.

I chose "Cilantro" green for the sitting area cushions and "Maxim Cocoa" stripe for the chaise cushions.

Fortunately, Ballard Designs featured the same fabrics, so I ordered the coordinating pillows from them.

I'm loving the new stripe fabric for the chaises.

Although I liked the original green stripe better, I'm finding the cocoa stripe goes with all the same colors that the green stripe did.  

I like how the brown stripe looks on the pool house sofas too.

The green trellis pillow is a Ballard exclusive, the red floral is indoor fabric, found at Homegoods last year.  I wish they made pretty florals like this in Sunbrella fabrics!

It's beginning to feel like summer around here!

I'm sharing this at Savvy Southern Style for "Wow Us Wednesday."

My Tent Obsession

Our Basta Sole tent bit the dust two years ago and I'm finding myself wishing for a tent in the backyard again.

I miss the romance it brings to our backyard.

I mean, how romantic to dine under a pavilion, right?

Yes, I'm dreaming of a tent again and perusing Pinterest for tent images doesn't help.

This tent from Lonny featuring a backyard dinner party is my absolute favorite.

Where oh where did they find it?

Then there is this image from Elle (Sweden) that features a complete living room!

I love this all-white tent and could see it in my back yard.

But where oh where did they find it?

I'm wondering if there is a secret company that I don't know about that makes tents and gazebos!

We've all seen this tent a million times, but I never tire of it.

I love those green tassels and green bac a orange pots.  

This would work in my back yard too.

I actually know where to find a tent like this, but it is very expensive.

I love the idea of hanging bamboo roll-up shades for extra privacy and light control.

How cool is this?

Now do you see why I'm obsessing about a tent again?

A stripe tent is an option too.

This looks like it is made with Sunbrella's Maxim Cocoa stripe, the same stripe I just had new cushions made in.

But where oh where did this tent come from?

Z Gallerie has a black and white stripe tent that has piqued my interest.

It is reasonably priced--about twice the amount as a tent from Home Depot, Target or Orchard Supply Hardware, and much more interesting.

But, is it too interesting?

I don't want my backyard to look like the circus lives there!

So I went looking for inspiration and found a few examples of black and white stripes looking elegant and not at all circus-y.

From Pottery Barn. 

Similar black wicker furniture as mine.

Not too much black and white stripe, plus the white cushions make it cleaner and easy on the eye.

Then boom.

I found this!

Believe it or not, I'm having my cushions slipcovered in green!

And my furniture is black wicker!

The Portofino Pavilion Tent from Z Gallerie is tempting me!

"Our Portofino Pavilion, exclusive to Z Gallerie, is a great way to entertain outdoors, providing a suitable amount of shade. Large black threaded tassels are suspended from each corner. All four sides may be unzipped to expose the interior. Easy to assemble and disassemble making it a perfect temporary or permanent addition to any backyard or patio."

Can you see it here?

With solid green cushions and a zebra rug?

Obsessed with tents too?

Visit my Pinterest Board, "Pitch A Tent" for more tent ideas.

Outdoor Dining Room Inspiration

As the first day of summer approaches, I'm continuing my daydreams of warm summer days and outside living.  Here are a few of my favorite outdoor dining rooms, starting with our "under the mulberry tree in Asti" dining room from 4 years ago.

We have enjoyed many an alfresco meal here with family and friends.

One of my favorite outdoor dining rooms belongs to Penelope Bianchi in Montecito.

I love the aged, rustic table, vintage turquoise chairs and of course the gravel.

I'm wondering where the chickens are?

And here is Penelope's dining room ready for an evening meal.

Isn't it romantic?

Another oh-so-romantic dining room set under a curtained, sheltered area.

No need for Sunbrella fabrics here.  The sweet floral and lace fabrics will be just fine!

A lovely alfresco lunch is served under this romantic pergola.

I love the lantern and fireplace, ready to take this meal into the evening with light and warmth.

I love this burlap draped table and the mis-matched chairs pulled from inside for this Mediterranean style lunch.  

Outdoor dining rooms can be assembled as the need arises.

Just like this dining room set up under a tree with lightweight slipcovered wicker chairs, gathered around a linen draped table for a special garden party luncheon.

It can all be broken down and put away easily once the party is over.

How nice though to have a permanent outdoor dining room that is always party ready.

A room like this can be enjoyed almost all year in parts of the country, and with heat lamps in colder climates.

I love those wicker chairs!

More wicker chair love....

...and yet more!

Love those wine stave chandeliers, the pergola and tabletop setting.

Perfection!

Back, full circle to our "under the mulberry tree in Asti" dining room.

The wicker chairs were sourced from Marshalls and provide a lightweight alternative to heavy teak.

The candlelight has been replaced by an outdoor, galvanized electric pendant, so now we can see our food at night!

I can't wait to dine here with family and friends this summer!

I was asked how we deal with mosquitos, which unfortunately plague us at night in the wine country.

I hate to admit it, but we spray repellent on us.

I light citronella candles too, but it is a battle to keep the bugs away.

We fight the mosquitos at night and the wasps during the day.

I guess it's the price of enjoying an alfresco meal!

For more outside dining rooms and alfresco table settings, visit my Pinterest boards, Outdoor Dining and Seating and Alfresco Tablescapes.

Outdoor Living Room Inspiration

 All winter long, I pinned photos of outdoor living rooms to my Pinterest board, "Outdoor Dining and Seating," because when it's cold outside, I'm daydreaming of the time when we can once again gather together and enjoy the outdoors together.

In comfort!

Well, that time has finally come.

Here are a few of my favorite pins from my winter daydreaming.

 What is the common factor with these photos?

They all mimic real, indoor rooms.

Except that they are outside!
With today's acrylic outdoor fabrics and rugs, you can enjoy another room in your home.

Make that outside your home!

 Even in an urban setting, if you're lucky to have a little slice of a balcony, a beautiful, comfortable and elegant outdoor room can be created.

How cool is that awning?

Here's proof that an outdoor room can be created on the tiniest balcony!

One of my favorite and talented designers, Julio from Beaux Mondes showed us how to do just that when he designed his own outdoor living room with outdoor wicker furniture from World Market.

He accessorized with topiaries and blue porcelain. 

I'm loving his black French doors and black stripe awnings. 

I absolutely love this room and find so much inspiration from this photo.

Not all awnings need to be fabric as this vine covered awning illustrates. 

I love the checkered floor and black stripe fabric.  

The colors of the flowers really stand out!

This room has been seen many times on the internet.

The brown stripe tent and green cushions were my inspiration for my own fabric choices recently.

All the accouterments of an indoor room are in place here, from the lamp to the lantern and all the pillows, rug and plants, making this one of my favorite all time outdoor living rooms.

Here is my outdoor living room from last summer.

We tend to spend a lot of time out here. 

At one time, there was a tent over this area, which I miss.

 There is nothing like a tent to define your outdoor living room.

This room is beautiful, simple and elegant with all white fabrics on black iron and wicker furniture.

Even better than a tent, is a loggia or sheltered area like this room designed by Lynn von Kersting.

It is one of my favorites also.  

Who needs an indoor living room when you can have this!

Do you have an outdoor living room or a special place to sit outside?
I would love to hear about it or even see a photo!

For more outdoor living inspiration, visit my Pinterest board here.

An Outdoor Furniture Restoration Project

before

 The thing with teak is that it requires maintenance.

Unless you don't mind the natural gray that teak turns after a season outside.

Personally, I think it looks dirty!

after

Our teak furniture in Asti has never been cleaned, so a few weekends ago, with several gallons of 30 Seconds on hand, we decided to restore our teak furniture to its original color.

The main reason being that all the Sunbrella cushions disintegrated after 5 years and needed to be replaced.

It was an all day job, but very rewarding.

before

after

Even though this color won't last long, it is nice to know that the new cushions are going on the clean teak.

The "nude"chaises look kind of cool...

...but I can't wait to get the new cushions!

I played around with the pillows above, but unfortunately they're not Sunbrella.

Only Sunbrella or acrylic fabric will hold up to the outdoor elements.

But even Sunbrella will do this after 5 years or so.

I absolutely love our old fabric, but after a year of looking, I gave up trying to find it and settled for something similar, yet different.

 I ended up choosing two different fabrics for the cushions and am tying them together with fringed throw pillows in complimentary fabrics.

The chaise cushions will be Sunbrella's "Maxim Cocoa" stripe.

The sofa and chair cushions will be solid green Sunbrella "Cilantro."

I'm excited about the floral and geometric fabric for the pillows that are on order from Ballard Designs.

Stay tuned for the final reveal.