Is A Lake House A Beach House?

My husband and I have been having this debate for years. It goes like this: Ted: "When I was a kid, I spent my summers at our beach house." Ronnie: "That's not a beach house because it's on a lake." Ted: "Well, it's got a sandy beach, waves, and as far as you can see there's water." Ronnie: "But, I grew up near the ocean and beach houses are situated near ocean beaches, not lakes."

We could go on and on, but I think you get my drift.

A few years ago we rented a boathouse on Lake Rosseau in the Muskoka region of Canada. I fell in love with the area. In many ways, it's similar to the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State. The natural beauty of the landscape is highlighted by Muskoka's culture of pristine lakeside living. There's no mention of beach houses in Muskoka. The folks call their homes "cottages" (like the one above).

Maybe you can help settle this friendly marital debate. Is a lake house a beach house?

Main credit: Domino

Beachcombing With a Purpose: 2 DIY Shell Projects

DIY Shell Curtain

Want to give beachcombing a purpose? Colorfully-toned shells come in so many unique shapes and sizes. Set out to find the perfect shells to complete these shell projects. The image above is a sweet and simple shell project from Sweet Paul. Create this Shell Curtain with shells, ed a hammer, physician nails and twine.

DIY Shell Chandelier

This Shell Chandelier tops my list of creative reuse of junk. Underneath this stylish number wrapped carefully in twine and adorned with shells, is a tacky old lighting fixture that was headed for the landfill. Reused, recycled and reconsidered, the Shell Chandelier created by Lindsey Cheney of the Pleated Poppy via Completely Coastal is a thrifty and creative reuse project.

For more beach-inspired projects check out: DIY Decorating With Nautical Knots What The Sea Left Behind Sun Senses: Beach Inspired Home Décor DIY Stone Knobs

Credits: Sweet Paul and Lindsey Cheney

3 DIY Eco-Hammocks

Is it brutally hot where you are? In New York, the temps are hovering around 100 degrees. The New York Times recorded these record-breaking temperatures in the Northeast: “The high of 103 in New York broke a record for the date. Baltimore hit 105, the highest temperature recorded since 1983, and in Boston, the temperature reached 100 degrees for the first time since 2002.” They also report little reprieve in sight. Some folks around here have taken to sleeping in their screened-in porches instead of cranking up energy-sucking air conditioners in the evenings. We have a hammock on our porch that doubles as an overnight accommodation. It’s not for everyone, but hammocks have been a staple in our family for years. Here’s a picture of my sister-in-law when she was a kid sleeping peacefully in womb-like comfort:

marti-hammock-443en

Whatever your DIY skills, just follow these  instructions, grab a book and a popsicle or a cold beer, and let the relaxing begin! CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Do you have an outdoor sleeping space?

Summertime And The DIY Is Easy: 10 Green Projects

Have you vowed to step off the fast-track and slow down this summer? With the emergence of hot days and long evenings, see it’s the perfect time to kick back, for sale unplug, viagra 100mg get creative and indulge in some summertime DIY. From whipping up a batch of natural sunscreen to creating a solar backpack, these 10 eco-friendly summery DIY projects are sure to get the creative juices stirring. CLICK HERE FOR MORE Artwork: Ben Scott

A Barefoot Home Makes Life a Breeze

I don’t know about your lifestyle, cialis but mine is pretty casual. From the clothes I wear to the informal home I live in, stuffiness is not an option. There’s no need to stand on ceremony when you enter my home. Just toss your shoes at the door, curl up your feet on the couch and relax. So, when Taunton Press sent me a book called, The Barefoot Home by Marc Vassallo, I was excited to find a book that shows us how to make barefoot living synonymous with a healthy home. The Barefoot Home celebrates dressed-down informal living in its best form. The photographs present the reader with examples of how to bring nature into your nest with a casual and comfortable breeziness. It begins with this manifesto: CLICK HERE FOR MORE Credit: The Barefoot Home