*under construction*


28 January 2009

Dream a little dream...

I love the idea and overall feel of this little tucked away, almost secret hideaway - a little nook to read, nap, hide from the world, or dream in - and it really got me thinking -
What if ...

Source: Design*Sponge

Here, within my little McMini, space is premium, so I was thinking that perhaps the actual dining room in the Main House could be used as an office. or... a den... with the little extension someone prior to us did, leaving the load bearing wall 'arch' it's a perfect backdrop for the secret hideaway above - and it would offer sleeping space for spillover children of friends staying in the guest house if needed ...

Besides, I was thinking ... I could realistically move my dining room outside. Right outside the current dining room is a good sized courtyard and just off the house is a pergola - large enough to put a table and 8 chairs as well as a buffet or sideboard. There is electricity, and a chandelier could easily be hung...


The pergola area is fully enclosed on two sides with the exterior walls of the house, and the other 2 "walls" between the pergola poles could be fashioned with long, billowing curtains hanging from simple iron curtain rods. Starting to sound pretty nice...

Luckily I live in coastal southern California - it's nice all year, really. While I'm definitely going to create outdoor dining/living space(s) somewhere in the back, as far as dining ... I'm just not sure if I'd want an outdoor space to be my only dining room ... so, the jury is still out on this one.

Another option for my hideaway is my deck, which is directly off my bedroom. Shading part of it is yet another pergola, with china blue wisteria weaving in and out of it's old timber - creating a filigreed and fragrant canopy of loveliness - a chandelier, some gauzy curtains puddled onto the deck and casually tied back would nicely frame a little daybed - a perfect hideaway, don't you think?
*
I'm going to revisit the idea of outdoor dining rooms and the courtyard later with photos and perhaps you can help me get my vision of that particular space on track?

But for now, paintbrushes with my name on it are waiting for me - Try as I might, I can't ignore that the exterior of my McMini still needs completion, and since I'm half of my "crew"...
Off I go
- enjoy your day.

9 comments:

Cyndee Greene said...

Hi Isa~
Thank you for stopping by my blog!
I love this new blog entry & pictures. We definitely have the same tastes! I actually have the same picture of the outdoor dining area saved on my computer.
This is so much fun....
Cyndee

wildraz said...

You choose the most beautiful photos! I love your idea of an outdoor dining room and think you should go for it!

Helen said...

I LOVE the idea of gauzy curtains, a beautiful hanging light, a daybed ... all on the deck outside my bedroom.

vicki archer said...

These ideas are fantastic Isa - I love outdoor dining and living areas and as you have the climate, it will be perfect. Lovely images, xv.

Joanna Goddard said...

ooooh that top photo is FANTASTIC! xoxo

Blue Muse said...

Hi guys! Thanks for taking time from your busy day to peek in and comment - It's all coming together in my mind (as I paint and scrape and sand and paint some more on the bloody exterior!) and soon all of it will be a reality - I'll be one happy girl when all I have to do is enjoy it! Woo!

Twin, you are too funny - Lunch shack... baby, lunch shack!

xo Isa

a quiet life said...

lunch your enthusiasm for it all, so fun to watch your mind work in living color~

Windlost said...

Beautiful images...

Terri

breathing in the dreaming world said...

Thanks for the BEAUTIFUL images! I love that creamy blush toned bedroom, and those candlesticks in the next post are gorgeous!