One thing that we love to do in the summertime is to grill. There is nothing quiet like cooking on the grill, and it’s always nice to have someone else do the cooking too! What is is about men and grills?

Even though our grill is nice and we love it, we still dream about outdoor kitchens, and especially about a deck to eat all that awesome grilled food on! You might remember that we don’t have a deck, and that it’s going to be near impossible to install one anytime soon. So of course I drool often over deck images. And outdoor kitchens? Wouldn’t you love to have one like this in your backyard? I sure would!

Better Homes and Gardens recently sent me some great links to share with you. I have looked at them longingly since they arrived, dreaming of what we could do in our own yard when time and budget permits. BHG.com is featuring photos and planning ideas for deck designs, remodeling and building for every budget level. If you love to spend your summer nights outside like we do, then you will love seeing all the inspiration to be had.

For those of you lucky enough to have a deck, maybe you just want to to spruce it up a little. BHG.com has tons of photos of before and after deck makeovers, from the simple and easy, like adding flowers, to adding a canopy for more deck privacy, and even some tips for selecting the right deck furniture. And of course, there are ideas for outdoor kitchens as well.

Trading Spaces on TLC

I first really started to get excited about home design when my mom and I discovered a great little show called Trading Spaces. This was back in the year 2000, when Alex McLeod was the hostess, Ty Pennington was just the hunky carpenter I had a huge crush on, and the idea of swapping houses with your neighbors sounded like a lot of fun.

Of course at the time I didn’t have my own place. I had always liked design, and though I had done a makeover to my little bedroom a few years earlier and somehow ended up decorating the apartment I shared with 3 other girls, it’s not the same as having your own house to play with. When we first started watching the show, I was living at home, saving up my money, and filing away all the fun ideas for my future house. It made me house hungry!

Not long after the show started, I got hitched, but still didn’t have my own home. There’s only so much you can do in a space that you don’t own, can’t paint, and have to share with a husband. My husband, unlike other husbands I hear about, actually likes design and has opinions about what the house should look like! Imagine my surprise when that was revealed! And here I thought I would have free reign.

I had always dreamed that when I did get my own house, some of my favorite Trading Spaces designers would come decorate for me (yes, I have large dreams). I wanted the garden room with twinkle lights and moss that Genevieve designed, the living room with the brilliant blue butterfly artwork that Vern created, and that controversial fireplace that Doug built. And obviously, I wanted to have some furniture that Ty made.

What about you? When did you first get the design bug?

The book offers design ideas as well as resources for material choices that are easy to keep clean. One material that is talked about often is called Crypton. We actually have a pet bed made from Crypton, and it is amazing stuff! If you are into science at all, you will especially love Crypton, not only is it “space age” material, but it really does do what it says it can do. I was really excited to see it incorporated into the Slob Proof! solutions, as I had no idea that it was also available for furniture.

One of our home rules is that our house must be livable. We don’t have “show rooms” in our home, each of our spaces is a space that we truly use and enjoy. Debbie uses this same approach and focuses on designing for the way your really live. I loved that aspect of the book because it resonated with me, and I feel like too often people design for someone else. In a no nonsense and funny tone, she gets right to the point… if you have kids, or a messy pet, white couches are not likely for you! She also offers great tips for designing on a budget and making the most of your money spent.

She even has some quirky tips, like using permanent markers for quick touch ups, or even white out ink! And the book even addresses window treatment options, lighting, use of color, and flooring. If you are interested in learning more, you can connect with Debbie via Twitter, Facebook, or read her Designing Solutions blog to get tips and advice. I really enjoyed the book, and have been planning and saving up to add some of the solutions to our home. You can find Slob Proof! Real-Life Home Decorating Solutions online at Amazon.

Thank you to Debbie and Alpha for providing the book for review.

How’s that for a little dose of inspiration? It’s no surprise that the garden comes from the equally colorful home of artist Ando McLauchlin. I just love to see other people’s spaces, don’t you? This image especially caught my eye on this dark and dreary winter day. I am going to have to try to add more colorful elements to our garden when the time comes.

And an image from my office, of an anthurium that sits in my windowsill. It’s a constant reminder of a hope for spring and warm weather returning!