Outdoor Entertaining - A Last Glimpse at Summer

Having spent the last few weeks in the hot and humid weather of the East coast of the US - I got to thinking again about outdoor spaces and entertaining. I spent several evenings out on a back porch of relatives in Queens, New York barbecuing, enjoying bottles of wine and plenty of banter. It made me realize how much I miss American summers where 98% of your life is spent outdoors.

So, coming back to our wonderful Irish weather - that has suddenly turned to autumn, on this last day of August I just wanted to relish one more glimpse of outdoor entertaining spaces. We can always dream....


As many of these spaces are covered, they could be realized for the Irish summers.

How can you adapt your current outdoor space to become more enjoyable next summer? Will you add cosy cushions to your bench? Buy an outdoor heater, a new grill or a substantial awning or umbrella to stick it out even in the rain?

Spent the winter dreaming and hoping for a gorgeous summer in 2010 and think about how you'll transform the garden to make it ready for those precious moments of sun.

Until next summer.............................

Note: I inadvertently tore out these images without noting the photographers names- my apologies as I always do make an effort to give credit where it is due. They are not my own images.

Weekend Collector: Vintage Watering Cans

Above: A selection of brass watering cans sit out on a sunlit table.
The appeal of vintage watering cans can be found in their beautiful aged patinas - dented sides, worn paint, rusted spots and even though they may be "retired" from their original purpose - they can still look beautiful on a windowsill or shelf inside.
They can even be turned into plant pots and lined up or clustered together outside on patio or deck. There is something so appealing about galvanized and metals cans in comparison to their new plastic cousins. Although I admit to having my own in-expensive plastic version - I've got to keep my eye out for a metal one as they tend to be so much better looking (although definitely heavier for carrying around but luckily that's not the biggest problem with our Irish weather).

Set out on a plant stand, this collection of green watering cans range in size from petite indoor watering cans to the massive piece on the lawn that would take some serious muscles to even carry around. Keep an eye out at car boots sales, a thrift shop or even EBay to see what you can find.

This alcove around this kitchen sink has been decorated using a range of red watering cans. Some of them even have the added details like painted flowers such as the one the sill.

In a potting shed, a selection of yellow cans sit by a open window.

Greys and blues cluster together on a bench. Note the different spouts and handles.

A portfolio of watering cans demonstrates the many different styles and finishes. From top left (by row): A child's toy can from the 1930's sits with an 1880's painted can. An American galvanized iron piece, 1910-20. English wooden grained can, 1880's. Second row: Homemade American can, 1920. Painted can with flat-top handle. Arts and Crafts hammered copper, 1900. Third row: French tole hot water can. A 1920's houseplant can, a tin garden can with double spout support, 1890. Mid-century galvanized can.

All photographs were featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine, Photographs by Gentl & Hyers.Text by Douglas Brenner.

NOTE:

I am planning on running a post on reader's collections so please feel free to send me images of your own collection - do you have it displayed creatively? Do you collect something unusual? Email me at stylistmcgee@gmail.com and put Weekend Collector at Home in the subject line. Look forward to hearing from you!!!

New issues of Image Interiors and ur dream home magazines

I arrived back from my holidays yesterday so while I was a bit jet-lagged, I was delighted to find that the two latest issues of Image Interiors and ur dream home magazines were waiting for me upon my return.

Both issues feature my work. In Image Interiors I have a piece called On Solid Ground (pg. 98) which covers kitchen flooring and in ur dream home, my column, titled Wonderful Wallpapers (pg. 13), even made the cover! Do pick up the issues - they both have loads of ideas for your home and garden.

In Image Interiors I particularly loved Joie De Vivre about the most idyllic 12th century French farmhouse. The interiors are simple and clean and the homeowners did a wonderful job emphasising the details of the original building.

I loved the exposed beams in the kitchen, especially how they've been brightened with a fresh coat of white paint.

This is a pretty great spot to be standing even if you do have to do the dishes.

This cool bedroom is all you need for a relaxing holiday. The high ceilings keep the air circulating and the simple furnishings create a calm space.
All photographs for this piece were taken by Mark Scott.

In ur dream home, there was a great piece by architect Mark Stephens on a Super Barn Style Extension. I'm always fascinated with the process of renovating old buildings and I thought Mark did a great job for the owners of this property by adding a new high-tech barn addition to an old rural cottage.

The interior spaces are spacious and light filled with loads of big windows and views.

Here, the kitchen opens onto the back patio letting in plenty of light and successfully opening up the house to the outside.

You can see more of Mark's work at www.MarkStephensArchitects.com.

Inside Belevedere House

You may recall I did a post on the gardens at Belevedere House in Mullingar but I visited the house again in July and was captivated by some of the amazing details inside. The exterior of the house is frankly a disappointment despite the unbelievable views of Lough Ennell but inside has a surprising use of colours and some truly fantastic moldings.

I loved the molding on the main staircase - especially in the contrasting grey and white which makes the details stand out beautifully.

This ornate mirror in the main hallway also caught my eye. It makes a beautiful statement piece.

In a small room off the main hallway, which to be honest I'm not sure what its primary function would be as it wasn't furnished, but I found the tiles in the fireplace a pleasant surprise.

The dining room, while a bit dark, also had stunning woodwork and a large assortment of beautiful tableware.

The plastered ceilings in many of the rooms are intricate and a wonderful surprise when you look up.

The substantial sideboard and the end of the dining room.

And what a mantelpiece.

In another small room I was greeted with this surprising yellow on the walls and this charming portrait.

The sitting room was the least successful room in the house - especially the furnishings and dull colour but the ceilings were amazing.

As were some of the portraits and molding.

More beautiful molding in the yellow room.

If you in the vicinity of Mullingar - do stop by. There is a fabulous garden shop, gardens, parkland and woods and of course, the house. Bring a picnic on a sunny day as you can sit by the lake and enjoy the incredible vistas.

For more go to: www.belevederhouse.ie.

Note: I'll be back from my holidays in a few days.

Weekend Collector: Silver

I have always loved antique silver and soon after my husband and I met, I got him hooked as well. We've had great fun over the years finding things on EBay or in the New York flea markets. One year he bought me a great silver ice bucket and tongs that were quite unusual and are great when people come over.

You'd be surprised how many great deals there are out there. One time I bought a delightful simple gravy boat on EBay for $2.50. I mean what a deal! We bring it out at Christmas and Easter when we've set a proper table and want to serve gravy in a somewhat civilized manner.

Over the years I've inherited or found great silver serving spoons and various sets of silverware. I find their patina is so much more appealing then regular stainless steel flatware and ideally I'd like to eventually replace all the stainless steel with silver as it lasts tremendously well and it would be a nice thing for our daughter Sophia to inherit.

Above, a wonderful assortment of spoons - I especially love the berry spoon with its intricate details.

This was a collecting story I did for Victoria Magazine in June 2002. Many of the pieces are from my own collection. The two cups and the bowl on the bottom shelf are my own from childhood and the sweet cup on the top shelf (inside box) is my daughter's given to her by her great grandfather. He bought it in the silver vaults in London.

So, do you like silver too? Let me know. Back in the Emerald Isle next week so will then give you an update on my trip to the States.

Dying for Decoupage

Above, botanical prints have been applied to an old bureau after it has been painted to give it a whole new look.
Decoupage can transform a piece of furniture by giving it an artistic new look. The art of decoupage involves cutting out images from paper, gluing them onto a surface and then varnishing over them. You may be familiar with glass decoupaged plates in which the design is applied on the underside of the plate so it can be viewed from above.
One of my absolute favourite decoupage artists is John Derian who not only has a store in New York (at 6 East 2nd Street and in Provincetown, MA) but also sells wholesale. You should have seen his booth at the New York Gift Show! http://www.johnderian.com/. His shop sells more than his own decoupage pieces and is a great place to stop in for inspiration.

The Fish Mosaic oval platter is $485.


When I worked at House Beautiful, I once featured this goldfish footed bowl in "The Best" product column. It does cost $2200 but makes an amazing statement piece for an entryway or side table.



I also love these pieces by Hugo Guinness that are carried in the store.

Decoupaging a bureau or a cupboard can turn a humdrum old piece of furniture into a modern masterpiece.

The leafy side table shown above was created using motifs from two different wallpapers. The large leaves came from one and the Arts and Crafts flowers from another.

The cupboard has been decorated in a tropical theme and becomes the main focus of the room.
All images are from Martha Stewart Living and photographs by William Abranowicz.