Home & Garden Blog

I am absolutely in love with rocking chairs. When I was little, we used to go to this beach house and I had a specific rocking chair that didn’t squeak, didn’t wiggle, and I could tell it apart from all the other rocking chairs by a black scratch running along the headboard.  It was simple, and elegant, and perfect for right after a day at the beach because there were no cushions to get all sticky and smelly from sea salt.  I have another favorite rocking chair back at home, too, which does have cushions and is much hardier, darker, more stable—my point is, rocking chairs are divine, and there are so many different types there’s no reason to not invest in several during the summer!

Tips for Picking Rocking Chairs:

1. Think about the surface you are going to be putting your rocking chair on.  Concrete?  Wood?  Make sure the surfaces are not going to harm one another—concrete or brick is unforgiving on wooden or wicker rocking chairs, but plastic ones can hold up, and are still very stylish.

2. Think about what type of atmosphere the rocking chairs are going to be in.  Covered porch?  You can go for that nice unfinished wood look.  Outdoors, next to the pool?  No cushions, or you will be regretting it by the end of the summer

3. Consider who will be using the furniture so you can gauge quantity and quality.  Family, friends, relatives, boyfriends, children—all have different rocking chair needs!  While the little rocking chairs may be darling for young children, investing in some nice well-sized rocking chairs is so much more important, and children love them (and don’t grow out of them!) just the same.

Some top flight choices:

Check out this Pair of Dixie Outdoor White Slat Rocking Chairs at the reduced sale price of $179.99, saving 50% off market price!  This durable pair is strong enough to withstand the outdoors, yet comfortable and elegant enough to be in your favorite garden.  There is a seat pad available for extra comfort, if you desire.

Target.com’s Bolongo Swivel Chair is sumptuous style to die for!  This chair would be perfect for your elderly relatives or just for a peaceful day reading a book: the wicker supports and cushioned, high-back make this chair lightweight, seasonal and comfortable.   On clearance for $274.98, this chair should be protected against the elements so it can stay a family charm for a long time!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more rocking chairs.
Discounts on patio furniture.

While our ancestors threw off the influence of Great Britain in favor of a more democratic and anti-imperialist government, they were thinking in terms of money and politics.  This is important to keep in mind for all those Yanks who still hold the revolutionary American spirit close to heart: taking garden tips from the British is not the same as being ruled by them!  And once you get a whiff of the styles these Brits are sporting, you will never look back.

Designer Spotlights, brought to you from the BBC Garden section, is as aesthetically pleasing as a website as it is with garden tips.  The Designer Spotlights feature many up and coming and highly regarded garden designers from Great and Greater Britain:

The first featured artist is Sarah Eberle, who has a degree in landscape architecture and was awarded an honorary degree from Greenwich University for her designs just last year.  She drew early influences from the Modernist Art period and was classically trained, at first, as an architecture proper student.  She claims she is more of a farmer than a gardener, so her designs reflect this attitude as well.  Her top plants to have in a garden are: Euphorbia wulfenii, cow parsley, hawthorn beech trees in autumn.

Here is a photo of Sarah Eberle’s submission to the 2007 Ellerslie Flower Show

To recreate her look, check out some of these products:
Heronswood.com for “unusually great plants”: Euphorbia ‘Jessie’ for sale for $13.95.

Modernist furniture at a modest price: Ellis 3-Piece Sitting Group for $449.00, a total of $180.00 knocked off the original kist price.

On to the second favorite designer of the BBC Gardening Section: John Brookes, a legendary designer with over 50 years experience in landscape designing!  While Sarah Eberle brings a fresh, modernist approach to landscaping, John can help build your knowledge of the basics of landscaping.  Interesting enough, when John first started out he was considered ahead of his time and labeled–a Modernist!  To him, that means using concrete skillfully in your designs.  His designs are often described as “handsome” rather than “cute” or “pretty”.  Understandable, when you observe his hearty, large plant life, sleek pathway and furniture design, such in the Denmans, one of his favorite gardens:

To channel John Brookes’ classic, handsome designs, here are some garden products and plants to consider:

Lavender buds for your garden, sold by the pound or in bulk by the San Francisco Herb Company

Ranging between $8-15 a pound, the San Francisco Herb Company gives you several different options of Lavender plants to customize the product for your garden needs. You can’t resist the smell of Lavender in the summertime!

The other product I would recommend to emulate John Brookes’ design would be concrete.  While I can’t exactly recommend exact places to buy concrete since it is a very localized process and unfortunately not conducive to the Internet, I do want to say that concrete for pathways or walls is not as disgusting and stark as you might think.

Some tips:

1. Always draw out a map of the landscaping plan beforehand, and make sure it is to scale and you have the measurements of your land and the projected width/ height of any plants, walls, fountains, etc you plan on putting into the garden.
2. Think about how you will water the garden and keep it healthy: will there be an underground watering system? Hoses?    Do you have the adequate soil and water supply to support the type of garden you want to create?
3. Think about the aesthetic of your home and how you can compliment it with a garden.  Old colonial?  Do some brick pathways.  Modern bungalow?  Concrete paths and maybe some bamboo.

Best of luck with your designer tip of the week!  Don’t forget to check out the BBC Gardening page itself, there are plenty of other designers to discover!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for garden decor and flowers.

What a day to go out and enjoy the backyard! But wait, do you have all the proper necessities?  Food, grills, and jovial company are the perfect ingredients for any backyard get together, but what about the amenities you need to provide to make your guests feel comfortable and taken care of?  Patio furniture, the basics, boil down to comfy chairs (sometimes rocking chairs) tables and an umbrella, which protects against sunburn and the occasional unanticipated rainstorm.  At least until your guests get back inside to enjoy the rest of the party.

Let’s start with some fabulous deals that Smarter.com features in terms of patio umbrellas:

Grandin Road - 8-rib Brella Lights-Patio Furniture for just $59.99, this beautiful spacious umbrella is illuminates your nighttime soirees!  Bathing your guests in a beautiful angelic glow, this umbrella is multi-purpose: it protects against rain and all the other nasties of the summer air, but also provides light so the party never has to stop!  This umbrella can be unplugged to then function as a normal umbrella.

In terms of the furniture, you want something long-lasting, affordable and summer chic: not too many frills or cushions.  The furniture should be able to get wet from rain, or the kids jumping around in the sprinkler and not ruin the entire look.  For this, you want to look at the Anderson Kingston Teak Armchair ($369).  This gorgeous teak armchair will last forever and never look distasteful!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more patio umbrellas and patio chairs.

Be prepared for anything that life throws at you! Named Knife of the Year 2007 at the IWA International Knife Awards, the Victorinox Swiss Army Rescue Tool ($90) includes a phillips screwdriver, window breaker, crate opener, bottle opener, wire stripper, reamer, punch, (catch your breath) seatbelt cutter, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, nylon cord, luminescent Handles, and a disc saw for shatterproof glass.

(Source: Uncrate)

Home & Garden Summary:

• Funny Photo of the Week - What would happen if my toilet seat came alive!!
• Discount Patio Furniture Umbrella - Stay cool this Summer under a brand new Patio umbrella that lights up for night use.
• Restoration Hardware Sale - Need a new medicine cabinet? I do. Check out the deal available at Restoration Hardware
• Low Priced Food Grinders - Grind Meat? Yes? Check out the great deal on this Kitchenaid Meat Grinder
• Bunny Maxwell - Check out the adorably designed serving trays from Atelier LZC French designer
• Deal of the Day - Tailgating is in full swing! Check out the low prices on the Freedom Grill FG-100, the Official Tailgating Grill

Hope your Summer is going well everyone! Thanks for reading!

The weather is warming, time to dust off and set up your patio furniture. Nothing represents pure relaxation and warm spring nights like a gentle hammock swaying in the breeze.

The Hammock Company offers a beautiful collection of striking and affordable hammocks. The quilted taupe hammock featured was inspired by the Chicago lifestyle of the early century. Made of durable Sunbrella fabric, brass grommets provide style and the beautiful solid oak spreader bar is dipped 3 times in marine grade varnish for a natural and durable look.

The zinc plated hardware is included and allows you to hang the hammock in between trees or on a stand.

Regular Price: $249.00

Now: $199.21

You Save: (20%) $49.79

On top of those savings use this coupon code at checkout: JSK100 to save 5% Off entire order!

To purchase or shop The Quilted Taupe Jacquard Hammock, click here. 

Still not convinced? Click here, to shop for more discount patio furniture!

Patio chairs are definitely pricey. Even something simple can run you hundreds of your hard-earned dollars, which I’m sure you’d rather not spend on outside furniture. That’s why this folding bamboo table and chair set caught my eye.

This combo is very stylish and would be a nice place to park yourself on a Sunday evening. The chairs have a Mission style charm about them, and that little tray table will come in handy. You can put a glass of wine and a cheese plate in between you and a loved one if you take my advice about Sunday.

Folding Bamboo Table and 2 Chairs, $144.99 (list price: $169)

Palapa Patio Set, $299

Can’t take a vacation this summer? Bring the island resort you’re dreaming of to your very own backyard with this palapa patio furniture set. How much fun will you have sipping cocktails on a lazy weekend under the shade of your own palapa.  You’ll feel like dancing.