In the garden...potting sheds

Hello my friends...I'm back!!

It certainly has been a while since my last blog post (two and a half months I'm sad to say), but my life has finally slowed down A LITTLE, and I am going to make an effort to post at least once a week over the summer.  Our Spring was CRA.Z.Y- so many garden designs for Summerland Homes & Gardens...and with the wet spring we had I lost count of how many days we were planting in the rain!

I was also working with several clients on interior designs, finalizing college plans with my oldest and all the "senior year" activities and "must-do's" that go along with that, freshman orientation, two visits from my parents (a big "Thank You" to them for all their help when they're here!) and a trip to California for my sister's wedding...photos coming soon.

So with all the juggling I was doing, a few balls got dropped, blogging being one of them.  I am the first to admit I can't do it all, and when my to-do lists are made and items prioritized, unfortunately blogging falls towards the bottom of the list.  If you'd like to see what I'm up to on a more frequent basis, follow me on Instagram (ElleSummerland).

Since returning from beautiful Santa Barbara, I've been tending to my own garden...tying up tomato plants, filling my last containers with annuals, and ripping out some Sweet William, which has gotten out of control!

Up until this point I stored my gardening tool, pots, etc. in the shed under our side porch.  But I have lost patience with having to climb over bikes, scooters, skate boards, basketballs and lacrosse sticks to get to my things.  So I've been dreaming of potting sheds...a place all my own to house my gardening tools and supplies...

via

 

A place for everything and everything in its place...

 

via

 

A farmhouse sink for washing up and filling the watering can...

 

 



via

Plenty of room for storing cut flowers...

A salvaged brick floor is a must...

via

Here are some lovely sheds I've rounded up-

An English style potting shed with a fabulous roof...

via

This blue door is beckoning us to enter...

via

Starting seeds and growing tender plants is a snap in this backyard greenhouse. The cozy brick-paved interior is large enough for potting chores as well as a table and chairs...

via

This shed is covered in climbing clematis and roses, while the shingle roof is topped with a whale weathervane...

via

Bold red with black shutters makes this one a knockout...

via

I love the moss growing on the roof of this rustic structure...

via

 So until I get my own potting shed, I've converted our empty chicken coop into a spot for my belongings!

But I'll keep keep these inspiration photos for the day that I have room for a potting shed...and some more chickens!

via

Hope your summer is off to a good start!  Have you been busy in your garden?

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.

Colorful Coastal Cottages

Yesterday was sunny and 60 degrees here in Massachusetts.  I know that doesn't sound like a big deal to my southern friends, but believe me, it was glorious!  After a LONG, cold winter and a miserable March, it was wonderful to feel the sun's warmth on my skin.  Hopefully we can officially put our winter parkas away!

 

As we trudged through March's cold, gray, dreary weather, my thoughts turned to summer decorating and time spent at the beach.  I love cozy, coastal cottages...I mean, how wonderful are these...

photos from Pinterest

Weathered shutters, white trim, lots of windows to enjoy the view and ocean breezes, and a porch for relaxed lounging...add these elements together for a relaxed, casual beach home perfect for summer get-aways.  When it comes to casual, summer houses, I like the idea of going bright and colorful for the interiors. A punch of color goes along with the fun, relaxed vibe of vacation.  Just be sure to avoid "color overload"...one way is by keeping the background (walls) white and bright, and let your furniture take center stage. 

source

source

source

source

pinterest

Pottery Barn Kids

Garnet Hill has a great selection of towels, bedding, furnishings and accessories in bright colors.

Maine Cottage Furniture has the perfect custom made wooden furniture that can be painted in any color to suit your taste.  The company was founded 20 years ago in Yarmouth, Maine and all their pieces are made in the USA of durable maple and poplar woods. Their pieces are perfect for any beach house, lake house or cottage.

Fun, bright pillows from Layla Grace...

These pieces are  from the Coastal Living line at Wayfair-

The Tucker dining chair from Serena & Lily comes in an assortment of colors...

 

I love this spindle bed from Land of Nod, and imagine several lined up in a "bunk room" for cousins and friends (see photo below).

You can throw some color on the floor as well with these striped rugs from Dash & Albert .

Their indoor/outdoor Two-Tone Rope Rugs are fresh, fun, and colorful, and can take on the weather, sand and spills—and clean up like new!  Through April 6, they are 20% off -- no code required!



I'm ready to head to the beach...how about you??
Have a great weekend...keeping fingers crossed for sunny skies!

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.

Blue & White in the Garden

Today I'm linking up at the The Pink Pagoda to join others in sharing our love for blue and white.  Whether it's in interior design, fashion, entertaining or outdoor spaces, we just can't get enough of it!  And speaking of "enough", I've HAD ENOUGH of this winter weather!!  To beat the winter blues (the only type of blue I don't like!), I've been thinking about my gardens...the colors, the flowers, the smells, and getting my hands in the dirt.

Blue and white is a great combination to use in the garden...whether you're planting in your yard, container gardening, or cutting flowers to enjoy in your home.  Let these photos inspire you...starting with one of my all-time favorites...hydrangeas.

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Don't those beautiful blooms make you (even more) ready for Spring? Do you need help creating gardens in your yard? Summerland Homes & Gardens can help!  Visit our website to see how we can design an outdoor space for you to enjoy.

And don't forget to head on over to The Pink Pagoda for some more blue & white inspiration!
As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.