Category Archives: beach

Outdoor Shower Makeover on a Budget

31 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Bath, beach, D.I.Y., furniture, garden, Inspiration, Outdoor

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galvanized bucket, gardening, gutter planter, ideas for updating the outdoor shower, outdoor shower, striped shower curtain

A few years ago my brother built us this outdoor shower.  We already had the hot water hook up and it only cost 75 bucks for the parts and installation!  It has been invaluable for rinsing post beach and I find having a rinse is the most refreshing part of my day.  I hadn’t really cared as much about the way it looked as the functionality of the unit, that is until I used it for the first time this season.  We installed it with no shelving or stool.  Only a few towel hooks.

It’s pretty empty and devoid of character.  So I decided to revamp it!

I adjusted the slate tiles and added some tropical plants.  There is an old cast iron gutter that lines the house and is not actually functioning as a gutter these days. I had the idea a few years ago to turn it into a planter box and this was the perfect excuse to give it a shot.  I lined it with a straw mat and filled the bottom with stone and some potting soil.  I added plants and some top soil and the planters were complete.  I  chose plants that were happy in partial shade and also in high moisture.  I also chose plants that will grow and drape over the side.

outdoor shower with gutter planter

Lastly, to solve the shelf issue, I looked online at all the options out there.  Most were super pricey and we like the idea of having something either re-purposed or handmade.  It dawned on me that we had a galvanized bucket sitting around and it would make a great shower caddy/ towel holder!

There you have it, an outdoor shower makeover that cost very little and looks a whole lot better!

If you like this post, rinse and repeat with some others:
 Upcycling the Office with a Nautical Touch
Spring is Coming! Create a Garden Journal
My Favorite Day of the Year

Best Beach Chair

18 Friday May 2012

Posted by in beach, furniture, Outdoor

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beach chairs

The weekend forecast is mid-70s and sunny. Right now the temperature is just about perfect and visions of days at the beach (my most favorite days of the year) are dancing in my head! The most essential summer item in my book (next to good sunscreen for my fair-skinned family) is a great beach chair. At the end of last year my chair broke so I’m due for a new one. While I love color, especially in the summer, I want to have my staple items be crisp and classic so I’m thinking of a nice white beach chair like this one from Brookstone. Last year I stopped buying beach towels and started buying a pile of bright colored Ralph Lauren bath towels (from TJ Maxx of course) to use for the beach. Their lime green color means we can always quickly spot them when the kids run out of the water and there’s never any question as to who’s towels are who’s when we’re at the beach with a bunch of friends. They’re just the right pop of color to make our beach days even brighter. With Memorial Day just around the corner, this weekend is a great time to get your beach gear in order so you can get out and soak up the sun in style this summer!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Les Toiles du Soleil: A Striped Haven
Sinking into a Barrel of Wine Never Looked So Good
Under My Umbrella

In Our Dreams…

30 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in beach, Inspiration, Outdoor

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Infinity Pools

Wow, we had a really busy weekend with baby showers, birthday parties and the house tour! Needless to say we’re a bit wiped and dreaming of being somewhere like this today instead of back to the grind. In my next house, I’m definitely going to put a space (and view) like this on my must-have list.

Image Source: 
 Marquis Los Cabos

Feeling Blue at Venetucci Home

17 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Accessories, beach, Dining Room, fabrics, Furniture, furniture, Inspiration, Lighting, pillows, Shops We Love, Tabletop, textiles

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Azure, blue, gold framed art, linen, navy walls, , traditional accessories

Who knew arriving to a yoga class 30 minutes early would work out so well?  Having a few minutes to myself, I hopped downstairs to a relatively new home decor shop here in Newport, Venetucci Home.  I walked in and noticed the various shades of blue throughout the shop.  Linen slip covered furniture happens to be a look I am in love with so I just about fell over when I saw chairs covered in this bright azure blue linen, .

There were beautiful textiles and accessories with hints of blue throughout.  The nautical pieces mixed in with traditional styling, put this local shop high on my like list.  A navy accent wall with gold framed paintings was the icing on the cake.

Thankfully, I am in the market for a new dining room table and chairs.  I think that is reason enough to return to Venetucci Home and skip yoga!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
Home Decor Hunt in Newburyport
Me Casa Sue Casa
Besame Mucho

Etsy Pick of the Week: Shell Mirror

24 Thursday Jun 2010

Posted by in Accessories, beach, Etsy Pick of the Week, Outdoor, Shops We Love

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beach, Beach Grass Cottage, , shell mirror

I am a complete beachaholic. Admitting it is the first step, right? I could literally spend all day, every day at the beach and never get bored with it, and because I’ve grown up on the rocky and beachy coastline of Rhode Island, I’ve got a pretty good collection of shells and seaglass. Naturally, it would make sense for me to incorporate some aspects of the beach into my home and I know a lot of you would like to do the same. Sounds easy, right? Well, actually it is, but for some reason I constantly see people who love the beach crossing the line when bringing it into their homes. Sorry, but flip flop coasters are not the way to do it. If you happen to have them, it’s not too late. Just slowly go pick them up and bring them to your closest trash can. I think the best way to do it and still be completely chic is to just pick one bold piece such as a shell mirror- the bigger the better- like this one from Etsy shop Beach Grass Cottage. The nice thing about this shop is that they has a variety of sizes and shapes available and can make it to order. They also have a variety of colors and shells available, but I would suggest sticking to all white for a more sophisticated look. It would look great over a nice entry table in a foyer that isn’t too cluttered. If you want to display those treasures from your beach jaunts find a few nice glass jars where you can put them. You also can’t go wrong by adding a few large scale shells like starfish or coral branches to your decor, but just remember to keep it simple and you can have a very chic but beachy space.

Under My Umbrella

26 Wednesday May 2010

Posted by in Accessories, beach, garden, Outdoor

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Aqua Market Umbrella, Bamboo Parasol, beach, Design Within Reach, Hampshire Stripe Round Market Umbrella, Mid Century Sunshade, Pier 1 Imports, , Santa Barbara Umberlla, The Conran Shop, Tuuci Razor Shade, Watermelon Cover

Watermelon Cover by Santa Barbara Umbrella

Ahhhhh, the beach weather has finally arrived and a little bit ahead of schedule here in the Northeast. I am eternally conflicted with my complete and total adoration for the sun and my very fair and freckled skin. And while I can handle a little too much sun (even though I shouldn’t) I can’t bare to see my kids whom are even more fair skinned than I (in fact the doctor claims she has never seen a fairer pair) get a sunburn. Hence it is time to figure out how I will shade these two outdoor loving little people. Here are my favorite picks for beach and patio umbrellas.


Lillypond Umbrella by Santa Barbara Umbrella
Hampshire Stripe Round Market Umbrella by Pottery Barn

Mid Century Sunshade available at Design Within Reach

Tuuci Razor Shade available at Design Within Reach


Aqua Market Umbrella by Pier 1 Imports

Bamboo Parasol by The Conran Shop

Now I just have to figure out how to keep the little dears under my umbrella. Enjoy the beautiful day!

If you like this post, then you might like these:
5 Fabulous Outdoor Dining Tables for Under $500
Colorful Plantation Chairs Perfect for Lounging
New Pillows for the Patio

Etsy Pick of the Week: Cape Cod Beach Tables

12 Wednesday May 2010

Posted by in beach, Etsy Pick of the Week, Furniture, furniture, Outdoor

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beach, Cape Cod Beach Table,

We’ve had a bit of a tease of beach weather here in the northeast. What had been a beautiful spring has suddenly turned into chilly and windy weather. I am hoping that if I start posting about beach items, the warm sunshine-y days will come back to us. This Cape Cod Beach Table from Etsy is perfect whether you are hitting the beach for cocktails and sunset or you’re spending the whole day at the beach with the kids. Keep those lunches sand free! It would work great at the park or a concert or polo too because there is actually enough room to put a few glasses and plates on. Now if the sun would just come back out!