Designed by Finnish designer Jukka Setälä in 2000, this hammock is produced by Fatboy in an array of colors to suit your needs and decor. It is made of nylon so it’s very easy to keep clean (just wipe it down with a damp cloth) and it’s durable.

Alright, no more outdoor furniture posts until spring, I promise…

With that in mind, how many of you are out in the yard (or balcony for us apartment dwellers) firing up the barbeque grills? If you’re not, you might want to consider it… there’s no such thing as a “bad time” to BBQ… and it doesn’t matter what season it is, seriously.

The best part is that today we’ve got so much choice and selection that there’s no reason not to get out and fire up the grill. You can even find good indoor electric grills (but there’s something about being outside that makes it more fun!) that won’t look out of place in your kitchen.

What do you think? How many of you enjoy a good barbeque?

With that in mind, I’ve been thinking… why not start getting ready for summer now and enjoy every day from the start? One way to take advantage of the sun and great weather (and a great view if you’ve got one) is to sit back and relax on the patio or balcony.

If this sounds like a good idea to you, take a minute and check out some contemporary patio furniture that might be just the thing you’ve been looking for to fill up that empty space in the yard, patio or balcony… you really can’t go wrong with good outdoor furniture (especially cast aluminum patio furniture, long lasting, sturdy and great for entertaining).

Now all that’s missing is the BBQ and bar! :)

Just like Spring, Summer brings it’s own weather, colors, smells and mood. So it’s only natural that you’d feel the urge to do something to compliment the new season… decor wise.

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Who’s got the time and cash to redecorate every season”? Well it doesn’t have to be as difficult or expensive as most of you might think. There’s no need to make big changes to your decor in order to get a new vibe or mood from a room.

A favorite summer accessory of mine is a nice bright bouquet of fresh flowers (my wife likes them even more). Now I’ll admit, I wasn’t always a fan of flowers, probably because most people I know always go overboard, but if you keep it simple and clean they can really brighten and open up a room.

Since it’s summer time, I prefer light and brightly colored flowers… a small bouquet of wildflowers perhaps. They’re not too expensive and can last for quite a while if you take care to change their water regularly.

Some great ideas on placement:

If you have a fireplace, try cleaning it out and placing a nice bouquet of wildflowers in the firebox. This will brighten and lighten that area and give it a summery feel.

Do you have a shoe cabinet, dresser or small table in your foyer? If you do, it’s the perfect place for displaying fresh flowers. Their fragrance will fill the entryway and lift your spirits every time you walk through the front door.

Of course the bathroom is a perfect spot for a single perfect rose in a slim, modern vase… maybe on the vanity or washing machine? It takes up a minimum of countertop space and provides a great focal piece in a room that is usually very utilitarian.

Be careful not to buy any types that you may be allergic too though, it defeats the purpose.

Also, if you plan on decorating your bedroom with a nice bouquet of flowers, be aware that some species may give off more scent (and pollen) at different times of the day… although I’m not sure how much this applies to cut flowers, better check with your local florist.

I’ll be posting more on low cost summer decorating tips later.

Instead of giving you my interpretation, here is the email I recieved; read it and remember the number, it’s a good idea.

Greetings,

My name is Matt Navitsky and I’m getting in touch with Modern Flat on behalf of The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to tell you about the recent launch of a new national phone number, 811. This consumer safety number was established by the FCC to help protect underground utility infrastructure and help save the lives of DIY homeowners and professional excavators.

You can find more information on CGA and its “Call Before You Dig” campaign here: http://www.call811.com/about-us

Knowing that a lot of DIYers turn to Modern Flat for news and tips, I thought they might be interested in learning about 811.

As you may be aware, before beginning any digging project, local DIYers or professional landscapers are required to contact their local One-Call Center to have a crew come out and mark their underground lines. Now, diggers all over the country can use the same three-digit number — 811 — to reach their local One-Call Center.

Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call — even small projects like planting trees and shrubs. Research shows that while 46% of Americans are active diggers who have done or plan to do a digging project at home, only 33% of DIYers plan on calling before they dig, which means they are taking a huge risk each time their shovel disturbs the dirt.

Below this email I’ve pasted a brief Q&A with Bob Kipp, Executive Director of CGA, on the alliance and 811. I hope that you’ll check out the new Web site for the campaign at www.Call811.com and help spread the word about this fast, free way to get your lines marked. Please let me know if you decide to share the program and Q&A with your readers, or if I can provide you with further information.

Thanks,
Matt
On behalf of The Common Ground Alliance
Fleishman-Hillard

No it’s not a spelling mistake, nor is it an upside down picture… those tomatoes are growing the wrong way up, down, you get the idea!

This cool little invention is called the TopsyTurvy and it’s wonderful. At about $20 it won’t break the piggy bank but you can bet it’ll be the envy of your curious neighbours (if they’re into balcony gardens) when they see your tomatoes growing up-side-down!

I think this thing is worth it for the novelty alone, but I guess budget conscious readers will probably notice the potential savings in growing your own tomatoes. Tomatoes aren’t cheap (especially in big cities) and the TopsyTurvy makes it very simple and clean to grow your own. I certainly wouldn’t bother (personally) growing tomatoes in a pot on my balcony, but I’d consider this just to see the looks on people’s faces.