Oh, I LOVE the giant pink background with the freaky topiary deer head! I don't know why, I just do!

Emmi - me, too! So not my style, but if I was friends with the person who owned that space, I'd totally visit all the time.

What about those upholstered-looking pieces? Is there magic trickery involved that protects them from torrential summer rains? (I'm not talking about the covered spaces)

*Sigh* to all of these. Some day, some day ...

Hey, my friend rented the cottage in that first photo a couple of summers ago! (it's in LA.) That porch is certainly dreamy, but this confirms my suspicion that most places look better in nice photos than they do in real life. I think it's because you can't see the tiny annoying details like little bits of damage, so your imagination is free to think that it's "perfect."

To upndown: The key is the upholstery. There is upholstery/fabric that is more weatherproof than others. More fabrics than ever are made from synthetic and/or recycled materials, providing may choices for fabrics that resist moisture. Some have sun protection too. If the fabric is not advertised this way, look up the materials and see what applications they are indicated for. Most will say indoor/outdoor though.

Even though my chair cushions say they repel water (and they do, to an extent), still, when heavy downpours are forecast, I just put small garbage bags over them. It's quick and it prevents the possibility of dealing with mildew.

P.S. Love Penny's, because I have a very shallow and long balcony like hers, also with a high brick wall. I have baker's racks at either end, which I load with flower and plant containers, but I'm always looking for ways to make it more intimate-feeling, and although my ass'n would not allow the rack in front, I am going to steal the ivy idea!

@upndown yeah my style is more calm and somber, dark earth-tones so my cheery friends who have this type of decor, balance it out. Now I just need a new home and lots of money to decorate.....

I LOVE all of the colors here! I cannot wait to inject some color into our yard!!! So far, I've just done a little plant shopping (Plant Shopping), but I plan to repaint awning fabric, and get some cool outdoor upholstery, and maybe stain the concrete a new, uniform color!

To upndown and all others curious about the chair in photo 4:

That "upholstered" seat is actually inflatable!!! I was shocked. Granted, it's pricey, but I love the look.

Check out their website
www.greenandfay.co.uk/collections/armchairs/products/blofield-2-seater-sofa

Hi Rhodajr,

I couldn't get the link to work so I posted another one .. I hope you don't mind :)
http://www.blofield.com

A couple of additional thoughts on bring the indoors out, please make sure the fabrics you are choosing are Spun Acrylic ( Sunbrella ) and that the foam is open cell, if you can.. That means when the cushions get wet they will dry very quickly. If you use regular foam and fabric you will have mold issues.. If you do take regular cushion etc outside don't leave them out in the elements .. Bring them in after use ..

Hah! It actually crossed my mind that it might be a blow-up chair. Now I'm kicking myself for getting rid of a beer-advertisement blow-up chaise when we moved. (Don't worry - it never got inflated and lived in my closet ever since my bar-owning brother-in-law gifted it to us.) I so could have bought some of that gorgeous indoor/outdoor fabric and enjoyed it this summer. De-cluttering kicks me in the a** ... again. :-)

Thanks for all the info!

Love these, especially #8!

Love all of these.