Up-cycled wood patio surround

    Contemporary Patio by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Growsgreen Landscape Design

This patio surround is made entirely from up-cycled wood and has an artistic bent with it's uneven lengths. Although I might have opted for a more uniform color on the upper part, I like the fact that there are peep holes. They let you see some greenery and makes the wall less confining. 

If this deck/patio were mine, I would add a variety of tall and short grasses to the bottom half of the surround. Grasses would add an element of sound and Zen to the space. There is nothing more relaxing that hearing grasses waving in the wind and the symmetry of the evenly spaced tall and short grasses would give it a very uniform and zen look.  Add some soft candlelight on the table and you have all the ingredients for a very romantic evening. 

These are the grasses I have in my front garden. They only get the plumes in the Fall when the temperature drops but I can see them waving from inside my home and it's so beautiful. Very peaceful. 

xo Tracey  

At the lake...

At first glance the cement pier seems to be suspended above the water. Then upon closer inspection the rocky bottom beneath the water appears and you realize that it's not. 

I love the water and I can see myself on this pier, soaking up the sun, reading a book and listening to the ducks. This picture reminds me of when I was in Lugano, Switzerland. There are beautiful lakes there surrounded by majestic mountains. It is so stunning that it takes your breath away. 

Happy Friday everyone! The weekend is here - time to dream...

Little house by the Lake

 This little house built by 2by4 is a testament to it's smalldom. Fully functional with a kitchen, bathroom, living room and dining room, it is the perfect country escape. First seen here.

Home Office in the Garden

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Rustic Garage And Shed by Other Metro Architects & Building Designers Office Sian Architecture & Design

This is 150 sq ft of sheer bliss located in a London garden. A fully functioning work space designed to fit in with it's surroundings and offer up a motivating view thanks to the full height retractable doors. Sigh.....isn't all that wood beautiful....talk about a peaceful oasis. I don't think I'd get any work done though, I'd be too busy watching the birds and admiring the view! 

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DIY: Sandbox on Wheels

What a great idea! I mean what could be better than a sandbox on wheels? 

OK, maybe a pool on wheels would be better but this is pretty good no?

Get the full tutorial here.

Outdoor Lounge beds

These outdoor lounge beds look so comfortable I could just dive into the photo and stay there all day.

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A Renovated Pool House with many faces

I love this renovated pool house not only for it's contemporary decor but for it's versatility. The house can be used as an office, guest house, meeting room, party area or pool house. Once a mid-century stone clad mess, +TongTong has transformed this previously dated structure into a timeless beauty. And how about all that outdoor lighting. Soooo sexy!!

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Outdoor Breakfast Nook

Modern Landscape by Chicago Architects & Building Designers Burns and Beyerl Architects    

I love this secluded breakfast nook. Perfect for your morning coffee and catching up with the world via your newspaper or tablet.  

Raw wood tables + dining on the beach

I'm a big fan of eating outdoors. Add a raw wood table and I'm smitten. Add a raw wood table + the beach and I will never leave.

I can just imagine the lanterns lit as night descends with the palm trees swaying in the background. My kind of Heaven!

For more raw tables see post on my website. 

Prefab Contemporary Office

This practical and gorgeous prefabricated contemporary office from KitHAUS was designed by Tom Sandonato and Martin Wehmann.

The KitHAUS K3 is a fully insulated, pre-wired glass and metal structure that is easy to install in your backyard. Also offered fully furnished for an instant office or guest room, the decking extends from the inside out to further expand the living space. You can also add more modules to create more living space without having to add onto your house. Hmmm, I'm thinking Yoga/Meditation space......

Fresh Herbs + Rosemary infused Olive oil

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I love fresh herbs. They add so much flavor to your food and they smell wonderful. They also make a great gift when simply packaged in brown paper. The next time you're invited to someone's home for supper why not give a gift of some home made rosemary infused olive oil and some fresh rosemary. I know I would love to receive some!

Here's a simple recipe for rosemary infused olive oil by eCurry.

Enjoy!!

xo Tracey

DIY: Recycled Newspaper Sprouting Pots

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There are a lot of ways that you can make your own newspaper sprouting pots but this is what I deem to be the easiest and cheapest. Yes, you can buy a fancy newspaper pot maker here but why spend money when you don't have to. All you need is a can, or a variety of cans depending on the sizes you want, some newspaper and some tape. Pretty easy no?

These instructions are for a can of tomato paste. 

Instructions (photos follow text):

First get your newspaper out and fold one single sheet into three.
Next get your can of tomato paste.
Place can on newspaper with about 1/4 of can above the edge of the newspaper.
Wrap the newspaper around the can leaving it loose enough for easy removal and secure with tape along the edge.
Flip can over and fold down each side to touch the bottom of the can and then tape closed.
Remove newspaper from can.
Place newspaper pots in a tray - anything that will hold them upright will do.
Fill with potting soil and plant seeds.
Keep seedlings moist (not too wet) until you are ready to plant them, newspaper pot and all (the newspaper will decompose naturally in the soil).

Single sheet of newspaper with can of tomato paste.

Newspaper folded into 3 with can of tomato paste.

Newspaper wrapped around can of tomato paste and side secured with tape.

Flip can over and start to fold newspaper inwards. 

Continue folding until all sides are folded.

Secure bottom with tape.

Finished sprouting pot.

Continue making them until you have your desired amount. 

Place the pots in a tray. Fill them with potting soil, plant your seeds and one day you'll have this!

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Happy Gardening!

xo Tracey

Potted Plants with Punch

My sister in law Luisa has the knack of making everything look great. It doesn't matter what it is, it's going to look fabulous once her hands have touched it. I have witnessed this many times - one of my favorites being when Luisa crafted tiny little rosettes out of smoked salmon for a Christmas ordoeuvre. Given my cooking skills or lack thereof, I was beyond wowed. 

This morning I called my brother up and said I was coming over. When I arrived Luisa was creating her potted plant arrangements and once again, I was gobsmacked (wowed for those of you who don't speak British!). For someone who generally prides herself on out of the box thinking, I have definitely succumbed to...dare I say it....ho hum arrangements for my front entrance. I will have to remedy that next year. In the mean time here are a few of Luisa's flower arrangements which I hope will offer you some inspiration. 

Close up of the purple flower - isn't it beautiful!

Zinc pots totally make this green with a smidge of red arrangement pop (close up shot). 

This the same arrangement but taken farther back and from the other side. That tall plant looks like an alien. 

Here's my favorite - the lasagna plant. I'm sorry you can't see the pretty purply flowers around the base. I was too happy to pose the plant and forgot to take one from the side. You can see a couple of them peeping out on the bottom left. 

Happy Gardening!!

All photos taken by Tracey MacKenzie

Upcycled wood patio furniture

This picture has three of my favorite things in it - upcycled wood, sand and ocean! From what I can tell this furniture has been made from upcycled pallets and I just love it! Getting some ideas though, might have to start up the saw this weekend lol!!

I don't know the source of this picture. I found it on Pinterest and the link was to a website that didn't have any attached url so if you know where it comes from please let me know!! 

Woodland Retreat - A steel cabin on stilts?

After clients asked for a "virtually indestructible" cabin in the woods (read National Park) that could be left uninhabited for weeks at a time, Seattle architect Tom Kundig, came up with the above. Since the cabin needed to be both secure and weatherproof, Kundig designed a steel exterior that slides across the windows and a floor raised up on stilts to prevent flooding. Very cool. You can read all about it here. 

Indoor Outdoor Living room - Part 2

The continuous pelting of snow in my City has made me crave spring even more than usual this year so I am living vicariously through my blog in the hopes that one day I will see grass. I know that I have posted a few spaces over the last while of rooms that have had either a great view of the outdoors or that are open to the outdoors. This is my favorite type of room - one where you are somewhat sheltered but which is a part of nature. In this example I especially love the Asian feel to the outdoor arrangement. The tall grasses, Japanese maple, raised pond and pea gravel really give the garden a lot of visual interest without being too busy.

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Home grown Herbs

Fresh herbs are wonderful to cook with, add in salads and soups or add to your favorite drink. One of my favorite herbs is basil. Unfortunately I don't have a back garden that is sunny enough to support the growing of basil. However, I do have a really sunny front window. After seeing this post from Gardenista, I now feel ready to tackle my basil issue. All you need is 3 hours of direct sunlight and you're good to go. Hopefully my basil will grown and I will have fresh pesto all Summer. If not, I can fill my window box with chives and parsley and I'll still be happy.....well not quite as happy but happy just the same.

Photo courtesy of Gardenista

Patio come living room

This patio is an extension of their home and they have decorated it in consequence. I could easily see myself curled up with a book in that lovely sofa under the chandelier.

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Indoor Outdoor Office Space

Modern Home Office by Berkeley Architects & Designers WA design

Isn't this indoor - outdoor office space beautiful. I just love the black combined with the pale wood floors and desk area. The back deck and sitting area also rocks. Hmmmm...something to think about when we redesign our office space!