Friday, March 2, 2012

Nautical Stripes in Blue and White on a Summer Coastal Deck


We are having a little dilemma here at the Beach House, over which way to go on the deck with regards
 to colour.  I adore blue and white as you know, but I have those wonderful putty and black vintage map cushions from Ikea and then there's the Chalkboard surf board I made and I don't think they go so well with the blue covered foam.


The problem all started when I purchased the foam cushion for the cane lounge.  It was funny, cause this burly guy walks into Clark rubber, as I was discussing with the shop assistant which type of foam to get. He kind of interrupted saying 'What's your best price, I'm a good customer Come on Come on?', to the manager.  I piped in saying "Well if he's getting a deal, I want one too' and so the poor guy kind of had to give me one as well.  He lead me over to the rubber cushions which already had a blue cover.  I was just thinking about getting bare rubber and covering it my self in calico.  But the one he suggested already had a cover and hey I could work with that.  I do love blue after all and it was kind of the colour of denim.  So far so good!!!!! 



 I brought it home and it looked great with my existing nautical stripe cushions, but not so good with the putty and black.


The blue and white nautical stripe will not survive out here in the weather.  The Beach House Brats put them through their paces inside in any case, but with sideways rain this area occasionally gets very wet. So I reckon the blue and white will not be staying, but for now I am very happy relaxing out here with my tea.


I also hung this little extendible coat rack above the lounge, so we can hang our towels and beach stuff up.  Correction....so I can walk around after the three other occupants of the Beach House picking up their towels and cozzies and I'll have somewhere else to hang them other than the balustrade.


Oh and I made these little star stencilled cupcakes for the kiddos afternoon tea  They woofed most of them down before I could get to them with the stencil, but the ones I decorated look rather cute.


I do so love sitting out here to think.  It's kind of around the corner from the living room. The Beach House Brats often wonder around the house calling for me and I just sit patiently 'til they find me.  It's kind of my little haven, so I like to make it as pretty as it can be.  Lots of my dreams and ideas are born right here.  I can see the ocean from here and all the passers by on my street.  It's definitely taking shape but I still have a way to go  until it's finished 


Also I am having a little anniversary today.  I began blogging on 1 March last year and it's definitely been a fabulous experience.
  From where I'm sitting I can't imagine writing another years worth of posts.  I mean there's only so many times you an make over your home right?  Since November the ideas have been really flowing out of me more than ever and I am kind of wondering if that's because it's been Summer.  I also rediscovered how much I love making things at Christmas time and that has continued into this year.  I wonder what the future holds for me and this little old blog.  I'll go with the flow and hope to be talking about my second anniversary a year from now.


Who knows!!!! But you dear readers, are the real stars of this story.  You have stuck with me and been so lovely in your praise and support.  And to Emma, who recognised me as the author of this blog and stopped me at the lights last week, to let me know she loved it, through her car window........ thank you.  You made my day!!!  It's those lovely encounters that keep me going.  Lets face it, Mr Beach House and the Beach House Brats completely take me for granted, so I'll keep coming back here as long as there are lovely people like Emma hanging around and encouraging me to keep it up!!!!!


Blogger seems to be up to her tricks again.  My new posts are not showing up in my GFC follower's dashboards, or on the blog rolls that my lovely readers have put me on. . I am writing this in Blogger so not sure why Google has cut me out of the loop.  I am sure there are lots of non 'Blogger' bloggers going through this too, so I feel your pain.  I usually post on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning Sydney time, so be sure to check back if you don't want to miss something. I also update my facebook, twitter and linky followers so they are other ways you can see if I've posted.  Hopefully Google fixes this soon as it sure is frustrating.

Today I am partying here

39 comments :

  1. Your Summer deck is fabulous, Carolyn! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday!

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  2. I agree about the "how many times can you etc. etc." but that's why I like to do tablescapes. You can change them as much as you want (you just need a lot of storage space!). I love the blue and white look. Get yourself some outdoor fabric pillows for the rainy season and then just switch them out. I have outdoor pillows on my adirondack chairs that sit out in all the Florida weather (rain and sun) and they still look great even with a black background!

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  3. Happy Blogoversary! Your porch looks great. Wish I had an ocean view! Love the glass wine bottle, too!

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  4. it looks very inviting! i'd love a lantern like yours.
    happy anniversary!
    x

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  5. Happy Blogiversary, Carolyn! Amazing how quickly that blog year flew by, huh? lol! I love your beachy blue and white porch! So fresh and chic!

    xoxo laurie

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  6. How wonderful! I adore the nautical theme in blue and white. Enjoy the beautiful day, Kellie xx

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  7. Congratz on your blogging anniversary! I love your blog and I come here all the time; I put you on my Favorites. Love to pull up your site and see the lovely aqua blues and beachy themes/locales. I've never been to Australia but want to go so much. I'm in Calif./U.S.A. I like that you post fairly frequently/regularly; always something new and interesting. You're a good photographer, too. I'm not one bit weary of your nice home or your beautiful Sydney & environs. Keep on posting! Thanks.

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  8. what a great, great space. i love the blues, but that chalk surf board was super fabulous! happy blog anniversary, too!

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  9. Happy Blogiversary my dear BHG!!!! I love your little retreat and had to laugh when you said that the BHB would wander around the house until they found you out there, I do the same thing!! Enjoy your space and I love everything that you do.
    xoxo

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  10. happy anniversary! what would we read each morning!!

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  11. Oh wow, this is beautiful. I'd love to curl up somewhere like that, and knit the afternoon away hehe

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  12. Really, really pretty. I understand it's not practical and probably won't last long. I lived on the beach in Florida for six years and I know how that sideways rain can be. But for now, enjoy because it's quite beautiful!

    Smiles,
    Lesli @ BeautifullyCoastal.com

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  13. What a pretty little spot for tea and cake at your beach house. Love your blues.

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  14. first of all Happy Blogoversary, I think great things are on the horizon for you and this gorgeous blog. Secondly, thank GOD it's not just me, I just manually typed in your web address to come and see what was going on as there have not been any posts in my reader from you and I was a little worried that's things were not good over there.mi have subscribed by email now so I will miss out no more :) Loving the deck and am ever so envious of you sitting there and looking out over the ocean. By the way did you make that gorgeous shell wreath? So looking forward to meeting you this week and very glad all is fine at the Beach House. Xxx

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  15. I think your first pic shows off the best colour combo. Really eye-catching! Happy one year blogoversary! xx

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  16. You are right this particular blog post of yours missed my blog roll but thankfully I have your blog signed up to get it thru e-mail. I love this post. The top photo is
    the best but it hides that chaming corner with the green bottle. The muffins are a
    wonderful choice for afternoon snacks and I love the stenciled stars. Happy anniversary!I think I've been there with you almost since the beginning. You are
    one of my top 5 favorite blogs!

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  17. Happy Blog-versary! I love your blue and white ...just perfect for the porch. I'd be having tea and one of your marvelous cupcakes there, too! Have a delightful week.

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  18. Boy, I would love sipping tea out there and having myself some relaxing moments, too.

    What a wonderful spot.

    I love the blue and white. Matching the Ikea cusions is going to be a big challenge, good luck, but enjoy your pretty nautical stripes while you have them!!!

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  19. Love that blue and white. It's so crisp and fresh looking.

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  20. Hi lovely lady.
    Happy Blog-versary! I love your blue and white ...just perfect for the porch. I'd be having a glass of wine with my Hubby on those hot nights. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend with your family.
    XXOO Diane
    I see I'am one of your followers already.

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  21. Carolyn, I like the blue and white look for your porch. The Ikea cushions are great too, but I agree they aren't the best with the blue seat cushion. Could you make a slip cover for the cushion? Then you could have two different looks anytime you wanted.

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  22. So pretty, love the chalkboard serf board sign.

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  23. I love the blue and white! Our deck floor is dark blue with white rails. Love the combo.
    'hugs from afar'

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  24. Love that I made your day! I was worried afterwards that you might think I was crazy!!! The cane lounge looks brilliant, must be the best street shopping find ever! I love the blue/white look, just timeless and always looks fresh! Totally get the rain thing though as I have bad problems with possums ruining outdoor cushions. Thank you for linking to me, my main blog is twolittlepirates.blogspot.com and I occasionally contribute to thebrotherstrimm blog. You made my day on my blog by becoming my 50th follower! Woohoo! xx

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  25. I do love blue and white, so crisp. I live at the beach too, but it is freezing here right now. May is when we set up the deck.
    Happy 1st Anniversary!
    Here from Seasonal Sunday!

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  26. I could spend all day out there. I have a blue lantern like yours.

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  27. Love your deck, the blues and the stripes are just great. Good job.

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  28. Carolyn, Your outside area is so fresh and bright! Perfect for the sea! LOVE all the pillows. It makes me want to slap on some sunscreen and go to a place I can dig my toes in the sand! Inspiring.
    Yvonne

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  29. Happy anniversary and I love the blue and white. Nice deck.

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  30. Happy anniversary Dear.... love love and love ... how beautiful your deck is looking... very neat and smart look... I am going to pin it on my board...
    I am your new linky follower
    Hope you would like to enjoy some good ceramic mugs and other crockery at....
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchens-love.html
    With Love
    Farah

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  31. Happy Anniversary. Your deck looks fabulous, and your cupcakes are making me hungry. Hang in there. We've all had our blogger issues.

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  32. It looks very inviting! I love the cookie cutter stars on the cupcakes too, great idea!

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  33. Oh yes...I love the blue and I'm not even a "blue" person but you're right. I wonder if you could get blue chalkboard paint as I loved the surf board in the corner....hmmmm. It's too bad those aren't waterproof materials..it's so darn cute with the lantern and the lamp on the table.
    ALso, the cupcakes are adorable an healthy! How cute with the stars...I would have never thought of that but I will now! Thanks again!

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  34. I love your porch! The blue and white is truly refreshing. And the chalkboard surfboard is such a cute idea!

    Happy Great Outdoors to you!
    blessings,
    karianne

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  35. I am on my way for mojitos right now!!! Beautiful space, lovely nautical colors. Thank you so much for linking up to our party!
    Karah

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  36. So nice to see some good original aussie/queenslander-style "deck" decorating ideas... I love the white expanding coat rack - I have one of these I've been waiting to re-vamp (it's pink) and never thought of putting it out on the deck :)

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  37. What a lovely place.

    Hugs from Sweden

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