Putting On Airs
Reading room
A confession: I don’t really like being outside. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing things out in the garden, or eating a special occasion meal out-of-doors, or walking for exercise. But just hanging around outside? It’s not something I do. Except for last Saturday, when I was actually drawn out of my cave by such gorgeous Spring weather it seemed wrong not to. To that end I decided to put together a little seating area for perusing the latest books and shelter magazines. And, what do you know? Studying the interiors of homes overflowing with precious and super-expensive furnishings in the open air — cascades of apricot and hot pink bougainvillea overhead — was nice. Real nice …
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Outer space
I had all the elements on-hand for my outdoor hangout, they just needed gathering and placement. First, ample seating is supplied by our ’60s-era corner bench. Paul reworked it recently, replacing the formerly-upholstered seat with redwood planks cut to fit; cushions are from my hidden cache of throw pillows (purchased online from One Kings Lane, et al.), they up the comfort (and color) quotient. Complementary plants and pots I gathered from around the backyard and a sweet little African stool/table from Terry Elliott’s antique shop upholds the weightier tomes. Artistic decoration is provided by a trio of rusted steel masks (they hold votives behind); a pale green concrete sculpture by Walter Lamb cuddles at ground level. Except for a light breeze stirring the bougies and the whir of my large industrial fan in the background, it’s a quiet, warm afternoon, perfect for snoozing … Perchance to dream of walls covered with hand-beaded-and-embroidered silk, rooms overflowing with a mix of important folk art, quirky modern designs, or both …
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Tendrils
One more succulent bloom display of note: My aeonium-filled hibachi suddenly exploded with fetching pink tendrils of amazing length. Dotted with delicate little bells edged with yellow, it seemed too perfect an expression of Spring fashion not to post!
Rancho Reubidoux 
I love how you’re always changing things in your yard and house. Bill and I were just talking about this very thing over the weekend (he says hi). Anyhow, it’s beautiful and very inviting. Do I hear a party in the future:)
I was thinking about your comment that you don’t really like being outdoors much… I think I agree with that statement, with all your exceptions of course, except during this time of year. The spring really brings me outdoors. I love sitting outside and listening and watching all my birds and observing the growth that is going on right before my eyes. The way I see it, we have about another month of nice weather before the heat brings us back indoors.
Yes! You understand me perfectly (“… with all your exceptions”)! I know I’m a living, breathing contradiction but I cain’t hep it. And I know what you mean about the limited time only feel-good feelings about the weather … every time we have a warm day I’m afraid that it’s the boom of summer bearing down with the heat and its attendant “not so fresh feelings”. Hello to Bill and see you at lunch, WF
Another inspiring post! Moving things around, whether inside or out, offers wonderful opportunities for creativity. Your beautiful bougainvillea provides the perfect backdrop for those beautiful pillows from One King’s Lane. I won $300 worth of pillows from them through one of their blog contests a couple years ago! Tell Paul he did a wonderful job with the bench. Enjoy Spring!
Hi, Lori … the pillow cache threatens to avalanche out every time I open my closet and I can’t tell you how many times I switched them out before I arrived at this relatively staid solution … and, yes, Paul did do a great job on the bench (though I fought the idea at first)! Thanks for commenting!
It looks like a magazine shoot! Love the wood in the benches! And, I’m curious about one kings’ lane. It’s always a FB ad for me…is it actually worth it to sign up? I’m sort of adverse to the ‘sign up first and see if you like it’ model.
Thanks, V! I heartily recommend signing up for OKL … even if you never buy anything it’s great fun to scroll through for ideas and to see what’s out there … and they really do have great unexpected sales on things you never knew you wanted. Beware: It’s addicting! That’s how I ended up with so many pillows (but they didn’t cost much, really Paul!).
Agree all across the board, plants, colors, bench, pillows, etc. Thanks.
No — thank you, Vickie!
Beautiful work on the bench Paul…. What is “her” name?….she is beautiful too in her new Spring hairdo…
Paul appreciates the kudos, and I think we shall call “her”, Lady Hibachi … Thanks, Guida!
Lady Hibachi is purrfect!
🙂 ~!
Don’t like being outside? For all the work and imagination that goes into RR outdoors, you sure fooled me. And your posts always make me giddy for being outside
I know, Denise, but it’s true … Unless I have a specific purpose, or reason, I’d prefer to be indoors … So, I guess it’s a good thing I do keep coming up with reasons to go outside! What can I say? I’m a living, breathing contradiction!
i really like your little ‘tendrils’ photo… i could stare at it all day long. it makes me happy.
It did me as well … hooray for tendrils!