The room planner: summer lounging

Tag : double sided planer

If you have a porch or covered area, are feeling creative, and havea good carpenter and handyman in the household, try taking the nextstep on from the American porch swing: the daybed porch swing.You'll need to create a sturdy wooden base, and then suspend it atall four corners from the porch ceiling. Then add a single, comfymattress complete with a fitted cotton or canvas cover that caneasily be washed or sponged clean. Add pillows and a throw, lieback and enjoy the best nap of the summer. If you're an amateur atDIY though, call in the professionals to avoid any nasty accidents.
In terms of stationary pieces, I can't say that I'm a big fan ofall the predictable teak loungers, wrought iron chairs, and nastyplastic seats that leave you feeling hot and bothered. Again, Iadvise a trip to second-hand shops, salvage yards, and auctions tofind an unusual piece that you can transform into an originalsummer lounger. A small, single wrought iron bed can look wonderfuldecked in summery cotton fabric, with a comfortable mattress andplenty of bolster and scatter cushions. It's bound to make you wantto sleep outdoors on balmy nights.
Whatever you choose, make sure that the piece has plenty of depth:narrow, upright benches and seating do not offer the chance tosprawl out. The other key point is low maintenance: you'll neverrelax if you are worrying that a passing shower might damage atreasured piece. Fabrics need to be nice to touch, cotton andwashable.
You can never have enough floor and scatter cushions, much to myhusband's dismay, and my dogs' delight. Cotton rugs are handy,especially on grass: they'll help to keep your cushions lessstained, and form areas of focus and interest that are guaranteedto lure you out into the garden.