13 ways to create shade in your garden

With hot summer in high gear it's essential that we have shade in our gardens, not only for ourselves but even for some plants that require it.

We have some natural shade that comes from adjacent buildings or structures, as well as trees but there are times that we must become the creators of the shade.

Here are some great ideas we can use in our gardens, that create that coolness not to mention that cool and modern vibe.


Below we have the classic - the umbrella.  Limited in its' coverage but not in its' color or shape we can see the beauty of an intimate space created by this classic piece often seen in gardens.

Below we have the pergola created by either wooden beams or canopies of growing vines and grapes this structure can be as small or large as your imagination or need for intimate coverage.

Another new kid on the block is fabric made of sails.  The sturdy sun resistant fabrics are in all shapes and sizes and can be used to create spaces of shade in an array of different settings.

Below a beautiful canopy of sails with little square windows in them to allow for air to blow through and also for pockets of light. The coloful chairs create a punch of surprising color.

 Camouflage shades have been all the rage in sunny islands of europeans shores now for over a decade.  They can be bought in a variety of colors and compositions of fabric, from green to black to the classic cream.  Shown below they create a dizzying shadow effect as the sun filters through its' pockets of camouflage.  By far this is my favorite!

In reality your imagination is the only thing that stops you - below  sails made  of various fabrics are tied in a collage like array to create a mish mash of shade.

Enjoy!

12 Terrific Summer Decks to inspire you this summer!

Living in a northern climate has its challenges doesn't it?
Having Mediterranean blood running through my veins makes it doubly so. 

I adore the summer months when you can smell the flowers, freshly cut grass,barbecues
sizzling and small dinner parties in the backyard! With Canadian winters being long and hard,
 I try to take advantage of the good weather whenever possible. Evenings in the outdoors 
can be even more challenging of course, given that the chilly air sets in as soon as the sun 
starts to set. Today's entry is about how to create these warm

 environments in your own backyard, by giving you some delicious snapshots to give
 you direction and inspiration.  Don't be discouraged, you don't have to spend a bundle to
 create a warm ambiance. Remember you can purchase a fire pit, or build one, or even
 buy a small propane

 gas fire candle as large as a hurricane lamp.

Above, the chartreuse and grey furnishings are cool and soft with pillows in combination of
 smaller prints in coordinating colors. The coffee table does double duty as both table and foot
 rest when the tray is removed. The sleek low gas fireplace runs the length of the terrace. 
Note how the facade of the fireplace is unobtrusive even thought it towers above the
sitting area.

This is a terrific example of how to create intimacy in tight spaces. The sleek furnishings 
on teak flooring on the rooftop are warmed up by the concrete gas fire pit. You can create this
look in an instant! I would love this look for my own urban terrace.

This is a great example of how you can create even more seating than you might ever
 need, by building a ledge seating of concrete. The ledge actually creates the designated 
area of the seating area. In this garden, the shaker style table is low key, the outdoor wicker
 chairs are great for taking a beating in the hot sun, or rainy days. The sleek concrete 
wood burning fireplace is the showstopper.

The scent of wood burning on a chilly night? Nothing beats that!

If more exotic is your fancy, this is a great mix and match setting. The director chairs in
 chocolate brown, wooden recliners, zebra print pillows and rug, along with the middle 
eastern fire pit, create a very tribal look and feel. Here again the fire pit is a wood burning one. 
You CAN have it all on a budget!

A modern concrete facade dwarfs the seating area in this lush backyard. The black and white
furnishings are awarded a pop of color with the garden seats in vibrant citrus colors. The fire
place is also flanked by tall planters that soften the harsh look of the concrete.

Hankering for a more classic look? Nothing beats black wrought iron, a staple for every
 classic garden! This beauty has flowing ferns that flank the fire place.

A similar setting with a twist shown below. Love the pea gravel underfoot.

My favorite one of all here! The huge facade of the fire place looms above, but the fire is low and
 close to guests seating. A Scandinavian style is created with the light-colored wooden chairs. 
The circular metal table breaks with conformity and also allows guests to circulate easily
 around the space.

A slight variation on the setting above, this one is created using a fire place created in the ground.
 The ceramic outdoor tiles are lovingly separated by low shrubbery. Great for intimate chatter late into
 the night.

The minimal feel here is still inviting, despite the stark look.

For those of you who can't do without the soap opera, reality television or CNN,this setting 'rocks'! 
A mix and match setting of different textures in the chairs and sofa is cohesive none the less, 
because the neutral colors pull everything 'together'!

Whether warm and embellished, zen and calm, or modern and minimal, the fireplace
adds the warmth to each of these looks and settings, and the beauty of it is it can be had
 irregardless of your budget.

Enjoy!

10 Pretty Patio Looks | Idea Interiors

Today's entry is an ode to summer living in the city.  

 Whether you own a patio, porch, sun deck, rooftop, backyard or

country garden, all  you need is a little imagination and some ingenuity to create a unique look 

The most interesting patios, have furniture that doesn't match!

 I must admit there is a fine art to picking and choosing what looks good together,

so as not to create a junk pile.   Practice makes perfect!

In this entry  you'll find inspirational setting and tips on how re-create these looks

Above, matching  wicker chairs and wicker throw pillow create
symmetry, the colours are what brings everything else together.

Above,  my own Montreal terrace houses a  113 year old day bed, purchased for $100 at a local

 flea market called Finnegan's in Hudson, Quebec. This year I used a painter's drop cloth, purchased for under

35$, washed it and cut it to sew new covers for all the pillows. 

An inexpensive fix for easy wash and wear. 

The large pillow with French writing is actual a doggy bed that I bought at Winners. 

The cotton blanket is from IKEA , and the trunk was found in the trash. 

With a small can of flat black paint, and some plants, inexpensive and instant garden style!

Again the trick is not to 'match' everything so that it doesn't look like a cookie
cutter garden set from a  store magazine, but that it has a unique feel. 

Cascading plants and wooden floor planks create urban jungle above.
The Chinoiserie styled credenza brings the inside out!

Use your imagination!  Go BOHO!

 The setting above and below were done as part of a design challenge for Home Depot.  

The painted deck is such a terrific idea.  Easy to get rid of when you're tired of it too! 

 Here a stencil was used for extra drama.  

Notice, that you can create privacy with a curtain rod and fabric. 

 And of course colour is king here, with the multiple pillows in vibrant hues.

Punches of colour above also add drama, from the fuchsia pink outdoor rug,  the letter F, 

to the bright coloured  pots and pillows.  The furniture is the staple brown and beige, but it doesn't 

have to remain dull.  Drab goes by the wayside with these punches of pink and orange.  

A uniquely do it yourself mirror is added to the boarded backdrop to create a feeling 

of the indoors outside!

A sleek hotel style deck featured above,  is serene with its' crisp lines.
Black and white theme make for a classic look.
   The piece de la resistence here has got to be the canopy, created by
 using parachute fabric.  All the rage in the Mediterranean these days!

The pretty in pink setting above is just that!  Pretty! Don't let the colour intimidate you.
 If and when you tire of it,  just sew up a new batch of pillows or even dye them!
 Turquoise, bottle neck green,or blue and white stripes would work equally well.
The built in sofa might take some manoeuvring but can be copied using wooden planks!

The advantage to having a patio  or deck is that you get a 'bonus room' in summer time.
 Here,  it seems like an additional living room, with it's crisp couch, outdoor rug and shock
 of turquoise on the garden stool.  Note there are 3 on this deck!
    Who wouldn't want to while away the hours here?

 Easy and inexpensive!  Create a sail using anything at all, from a drop cloth to a bed sheet, or
 a large inexpensive swatch of fabric. Even potato sacks sewn together would work!  Note how
the chairs and little tables don't match at all except for the white tones.
 It appears to be almost the deck of a small sailing vessel, doesn't it?
Anchors Away!


Enjoy summer wherever you are this month!