What’s Hot

My Favorite Cushion-less Outdoor Chair

Airo 2 Chair from Home Crest

I’m usually not a fan of sling style chairs until now. This is truly my favorite collection that Home Crest has and it’s also my favorite cushion-less seating for the exterior. I have several homeowners who like to live life on the edge. The edge of the water that is. The sometimes wicked high sea winds can wreak havoc on cushions, curtains, and accessories. It’s no wonder when the discussion comes up about furniture the first thing on their minds is either no cushions or please be sure they are strapped down! I love these chairs because they come in a wide assortment of colors, the contemporary feel can mesh well with traditional/transitional if done right, and they dry out super fast after a decent rain storm, and you can sit in them for hours without imprints on your pretty little legs.

New Fun Firepits with a Real Dance Around the Camp Fire Feel

Orion fire dome and flames Fire Pit

Full Moon Party Fire Pit

Good Directions introduced a new collection of fire bowls this year with a real Sedona camp fire feel. The images kind of remind me of hanging out in a big wood chair, wrapped up in a wool blanket, drinking a warm hot cocoa with some Bailey’s, and listening to the crackle of the fire while I watch the sun set on the mystical red rocks of Sedona Arizona. Known for there copper hammer firebowls I think these are and interesting departure from the traditional styles.

Burlap/ Galvanzied Planter

This great little container would make a great little ivy pot or herb pot in your favorite sunny kitchen window. It’s the look that blends in with popular trend swinging towrds industrial shiek.

Hot Pot Color Combo

Pottery Land’s latest import is this colorful orage and yellow combo pot. This just looks like a sunny day to me. On the right patio this combo is sure to pop!

If you wish to help your flowers thrive in thier hanging baskets, window boxes, and planters without drying out too quickly during the summer months try Magni Moist. I like to use this material in the bottom of my pot to not only retain the moisture, but to keep the soil form running out. It’s sold in many different ways whether you are using it for line baskets, window boxes, or full on gardens. It’s Smart Fibers (all-natural Kenaf, a hibiscus derivative), deflect water back into the dry soil above. Only when the soil is fully saturated will MagniMoist become porous and release any excess water. Reduces fertilizer runoff, too! A U.S.-grown alternative with NO chemical binders and NO fumigants (try finding that with imported coco or moss!)

MagniMoist Plant Liners

Lloyd Flander's Coastal Dining

Picture this you are in the mountains of North Carolina out on a beautiful stone covered terrace over looking the Blue Ridge mountains. Your rustic charmed home is filled with exposed beams, high ceilings, and warmth from your gorgeous stone fire place.The air is crisp, the leaves beautiful shades or gold and red. You just woke up grabbed your ipad and headed outside to sit on your terrace. You are listening to the nature wake up while reading the New York times enjoying your best fair trade blend. What are you sitting on?

This collection has been called Coastal by Lloyd Flanders but I see it as the perfect set for the lodge feel or lakehouse perhaps. I have a friend Kim who has a great lake cabin in Minnesota. I think I need to show her this set it’s perfect for her wood porch nestled outside of her large glass windows on her a frame home. That’s it I’m calling this collection Lake Cottage!  

Llyod Flander's Coastal Collection

Tommy Bahama Patio Furniture

This year Tommy Bahama outdoor furniture offered several items that I found filled a void in the industry. The first example of this is true coastal furniture for the traditionalist at heart. I like this line because the synthetic weave has the look of a twisted palm frond. This aluminum and wicker combination offers just the right combo to balance what may be present inside your coastal home. Although Lloyd Flander’s was showing a line that was called coastal I think they should called lodge or lake house and they would get more hits. I can see this collection on big wide open back patio maybe on the inter-coastal, bay, or even the wide open water. This style works beautifully with Carolina coastal all the way down to the Bahamas. Give me a tin roof, margarita, and this Tommy Bahama collection please!

Tommy Bahama Patio Furniture

 If your looking for these great coastal style finds. You will have to sit tight. The outdoor furniture line is in the processs of changing hands to Lexington.

Fat Boy Chandelier

I cannot wait for this little number to become available for sale. Fat Boy well known for it’s comfy exterior bean bags is entering the world of hanging exterior lighting in a most exciting and different way. I think this chandelier will work in many different styles although the red cord might be a bit limiting. Should I drop them a note and say please offer black too! I love this!

Fat Boy Exterior Chandelier

Kim’s 5 Top Christmas Picks For The Gardener 

What to buy the garden enthusiast? Check out my top 5!

Over the years I have been given many garden gadgets such as travel garden kits, cute little yard ornaments like spinning flowers, glass bulb humming bird feeders, etc…While I’m supremely happy to be thought of during the holiday season, I would like to let my family and friends that receiving garden art is like sometimes having to wear your grandmothers gifted alphabet sweater at age 15. I don’t want a purple windmill in the middle of my yard. Save your money or go cool! Buy something for your gardening loved one that they wouldn’t usually splurge on for themselves. This is what my list would look like for Santa…

1. Books, books, and more garden books. There is always room for one more garden book in a true entusiasts life.

Check out:

The Life and Love of Trees by Lewis Blackwell

2. The Bradley and Tanner Leather Apron in Pink. It also comes in brown and  green. (Currently $120.00 based on British Pound Conversion)

Check out the leather knee pads too!

(These will set you back about $470.00 plus shipping from Europe)

Country Garden Boots

4. Burgon and Ball  Anything Sophie Conran