robyn's Profile

Gorgeous-ly simple and relaxing. And that kitchen table -- that is exactly what I have inside my head for my coffee table -- anyone have a source for a coffee table in that vein? Love the rustic, almost driftwood look of it without looking Mexican-rustic-style.

Anything in the yellow to golden tan family would complement -- cooler colors will clash. Paint the fireplace and the ceiling pure white.

My advice -- WAIT until you have spent some time in it to see what you really need/want. If this is a vacation place, you don't need the same amenities that you need at your weekday/full-time place. For instance, I find that at our weekend place I need less kitchen cabinet storage but more room for towels/linens (houseguests!!). Also, knowing what I know now I would have doubled the size of the patio and made our outdoor storage about 3 times the size it is (bikes, BBQ, chairs, etc., etc).

In the beginning -- clean, paint & fix anything that's broken. Tuck away that $15K and go slow. Also, I disagree with the statement above that the patio is not a priority. If this is a weekend getaway, the outdoor space is a priority.

Just some comments from someone who has made too many mistakes buying outdoor chairs:

1) Regarding 'surpisingly heavy' comment under C&B chairs. I have heavy outdoor chairs that are hard to pull out from the table, hard to tuck yourself under the table and are a bear to move around the yard. Beware of *too* heavy chairs for ease of use!
2) Note your outdoor surface and it's cracks/crevices. Some of these chairs have poky little feet that get stuck in cracks or between wood deck slats causing awkward moments for guests.
3) Arms vs. no arms -- sometimes (esp in small spaces) armless chairs make all the difference for being able to squeeze a few more people at the table.

That being said, I personally love the Light Blue Marais copy. I am adding them to my wish list to replace my heavy, poky-footed armchairs :)

bepsf,
Curious to know which of your lists gnomes fall under.

Most homes at the Jersey Shore have an outdoor shower -- most with walls & a door, but no roof. You can put 3 or 4 kiddies in there, get the suits off, rinse off the little bottoms and get them inside without tracking any sand into the house. Also, I have found few things more relaxing than showering with the warm sun shining in on me, then wrapping up in a towel or robe and falling into a lounge chair outside. I have been known to stretch the 'outdoor shower season' well into the fall.

I saw the same turquoise-colored trash can in Homegoods last night. Love these colors together -- so happy & beachy

JoeyBrill -- I was planning to order some FLOR this week after much research, sample ordering and deliberation ... what do they smell like? Is it a chemical/plastic smell? Which FLOR do you have?

It reminds me of when Lucy & Ethel try to wallpaper the bedroom with striped wallpaper and they did it so crooked that they lost their balance every time they looked at it.

I admire the workmanship, though, very nicely executed. And the color is divine.

Best: Zappos, Pottery Barn, Room & Board, Wonk

Worst: Smith & Noble, Home Depot, Continental Airlines

I find independent shops much easier to deal with -- I will often pay a small premium to have that level of personalized service (and I just like to support small, local businesses if I can).

Pet Peeve #1: entering your account/order number into the automated system and then having to repeat it when you FINALLY get someone on the phone.
Pet Peeve #2: explaining your issue to someone in detail, getting transferred to someone else, and explaining it again.