Sunday, July 4, 2010

Playhouses are for sharing!


After sharing my daughter Sophie's playhouse that her father and I built (see this post) - and having it featured in the pages of Flea Market Style - I continue to receive many kind comments and letters from readers who have been inspired to create similar little houses for their children. In fact, in recent months, I have received letters and photos from three readers who did more than dream as they put their hammers to use to build, renovate and/or repurpose playhouses for their own children (and grandchildren!). I am pleased to share some photos of these sweet, little houses and perhaps you might catch "playhouse fever" and think about building one of your own for your children!

For those who might be new here, this is Sophie's playhouse:


*********************
Now, first up is the charming playhouse Tammy R. and her husband "renovated" for their daughter, Riley.
Tammy writes:

"I found your site over a year ago and fell in love with Sophie's playhouse. It has been my inspiration to do something similar. When we bought our home, it had a little playhouse (that had seen better days). I hated it and wanted my husband to use it for firewood. Instead he stored firewood in it.  Once I saw Sophie's playhouse on your blog, however, my mind starting racing and thought about all the wonderful things I could do with this existing playhouse that I once wanted burned. I coaxed my husband into relocating this playhouse via tractor to a more desired location. Now, near completion, everyone that sees it absolutely loves it! I want to thank you for the inspiration and I know Riley will have so many great memories."



Next, Penny W. is happy to share images of the adorable playhouse she and her husband built for their three grandchildren. (I sure hope the handyman and I are as energetic when we have grandchildren some day!):




Penny's grandchildren:

Finally, Dorcy C. shared photos of the playhouse she and her husband repurposed for their daughters.

She writes:

My oldest daughter, Kenzie, and I were on our way to the arboretum for some one-on-one time when we passed a house under renovation with this beat-up shed on the property. The shed had a large window that would be perfect for the two girls' cottage. We jumped out of the car to look at it and proceeded to ask one of the workers if the shed was going to stay with the house. He informed me that the homeowner had just given orders to demo the old shed. STOP!!! I called a million places to get it moved from the ivy-covered hill it was sitting on to our back yard. My husband said to forget about it - it would never happen...We showed him! We worked through the winter to paint it (not an easy paint job) and to replace the window and door (salvaged historic door and crystal doorknob). We are still in the process of "yucking it up"...adding odds and ends - but I couldn't wait to share it! And my mom and I made the fireplace!




And Dorcy's lucky girls:
 
Thanks to Tammy, Penny and Dorcy for sharing their new playhouses!!

Playhouses are for sharing!


After sharing my daughter Sophie's playhouse that her father and I built (see this post) - and having it featured in the pages of Flea Market Style - I continue to receive many kind comments and letters from readers who have been inspired to create similar little houses for their children. In fact, in recent months, I have received letters and photos from three readers who did more than dream as they put their hammers to use to build, renovate and/or repurpose playhouses for their own children (and grandchildren!). I am pleased to share some photos of these sweet, little houses and perhaps you might catch "playhouse fever" and think about building one of your own for your children!

For those who might be new here, this is Sophie's playhouse:


*********************
Now, first up is the charming playhouse Tammy R. and her husband "renovated" for their daughter, Riley.
Tammy writes:

"I found your site over a year ago and fell in love with Sophie's playhouse. It has been my inspiration to do something similar. When we bought our home, it had a little playhouse (that had seen better days). I hated it and wanted my husband to use it for firewood. Instead he stored firewood in it.  Once I saw Sophie's playhouse on your blog, however, my mind starting racing and thought about all the wonderful things I could do with this existing playhouse that I once wanted burned. I coaxed my husband into relocating this playhouse via tractor to a more desired location. Now, near completion, everyone that sees it absolutely loves it! I want to thank you for the inspiration and I know Riley will have so many great memories."



Next, Penny W. is happy to share images of the adorable playhouse she and her husband built for their three grandchildren. (I sure hope the handyman and I are as energetic when we have grandchildren some day!):




Penny's grandchildren:

Finally, Dorcy C. shared photos of the playhouse she and her husband repurposed for their daughters.

She writes:

My oldest daughter, Kenzie, and I were on our way to the arboretum for some one-on-one time when we passed a house under renovation with this beat-up shed on the property. The shed had a large window that would be perfect for the two girls' cottage. We jumped out of the car to look at it and proceeded to ask one of the workers if the shed was going to stay with the house. He informed me that the homeowner had just given orders to demo the old shed. STOP!!! I called a million places to get it moved from the ivy-covered hill it was sitting on to our back yard. My husband said to forget about it - it would never happen...We showed him! We worked through the winter to paint it (not an easy paint job) and to replace the window and door (salvaged historic door and crystal doorknob). We are still in the process of "yucking it up"...adding odds and ends - but I couldn't wait to share it! And my mom and I made the fireplace!




And Dorcy's lucky girls:
 
Thanks to Tammy, Penny and Dorcy for sharing their new playhouses!!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Sustainable Roofing

Sustainable roofing products have come a long way. EcoStar is a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly roofing products, including synthetic slate and synthetic wood shakes. EcoStar’s products fit virtually any steep-slope roofing application, and provide protection against fire, hail, wind and rain.


EcoStar manufactures roofing tiles that are composed of up to 80% recycled post-industrial rubber and plastic. These post-industrial materials consist of waste that includes car bumpers and baby diaper production remnants, preventing these materials from ending up in landfills. Their recycled content creates incredible strength and flexibility, as well as provide long-lasting performance.


EcoStar products come in a variety of colors such as some pictured here, and are also available with extended warranty protection, including a 100 mph warranty and a 50-year transferable Gold Star warranty.


Because of their eco-friendly efficiency, EcoStar products can also significantly contribute toward LEED® credit requirements for your new home.

Photos courtesy of EcoStar.

Startling Burj Al Arab Building Design

startling burj Al Arab building design


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read more building design

Roses, Roses, Roses!


We are thrilled with our roses this year. Although they are always a sight to behold, never before have these beauties grown so abundantly. We have taken time out to snap some photos for you, and couldn't resist adding in a few photos of some of our rosy textiles currently available on the website! Hope you enjoy our beautiful blooms!

The white rose above is Iceberg Climber and beneath it grows the exquisite Rosa Mundi, one of the oldest known striped roses. It brings to mind raspberry ripple ice cream!


This beautiful rose has the most divine perfume. Some years ago, we took a cutting from a 60 year old plant and was amazed it grew so well - we have since taken other cuttings which are becoming well established in the garden.


This is a definite favourite; the beautiful blowsy pink barkcloth rose! Available to buy in the shop!

Here is another amazing success story. This is a delicate pink rose with multiple blooms and was grown from a small cutting just a few years ago - it now fills a corner of the garden!



This delicate trailing briar rose is a real beauty and adorns a long length of unused eiderdown fabric, also for sale in the shop!

This lilac coloured rose is Harry Edland, a gorgeous rose with an exceptional and distinctive perfume; it smells of sherbet!

This deep pink-red rose is from an old oil painting we have for sale; it is a stunning, 100-year old, yard-long painting.

This is another big 'n' blowsy favourite of ours which has grown nearly 7 feet high this year!


We hope you liked the photos and would love to hear how your roses and flowers are doing this year!

Roses, Roses, Roses!


We are thrilled with our roses this year. Although they are always a sight to behold, never before have these beauties grown so abundantly. We have taken time out to snap some photos for you, and couldn't resist adding in a few photos of some of our rosy textiles currently available on the website! Hope you enjoy our beautiful blooms!

The white rose above is Iceberg Climber and beneath it grows the exquisite Rosa Mundi, one of the oldest known striped roses. It brings to mind raspberry ripple ice cream!


This beautiful rose has the most divine perfume. Some years ago, we took a cutting from a 60 year old plant and was amazed it grew so well - we have since taken other cuttings which are becoming well established in the garden.


This is a definite favourite; the beautiful blowsy pink barkcloth rose! Available to buy in the shop!

Here is another amazing success story. This is a delicate pink rose with multiple blooms and was grown from a small cutting just a few years ago - it now fills a corner of the garden!



This delicate trailing briar rose is a real beauty and adorns a long length of unused eiderdown fabric, also for sale in the shop!

This lilac coloured rose is Harry Edland, a gorgeous rose with an exceptional and distinctive perfume; it smells of sherbet!

This deep pink-red rose is from an old oil painting we have for sale; it is a stunning, 100-year old, yard-long painting.

This is another big 'n' blowsy favourite of ours which has grown nearly 7 feet high this year!


We hope you liked the photos and would love to hear how your roses and flowers are doing this year!