Mar
14
People’s Choice: Vote for Outdoor Living Features
We’ve arrived at round six of our People’s Choice voting program! Please help us select outdoor features for Blog Cabin 2013, from outdoor seating to fire pit style.
YES! a fire pit, and a shower and a pergola…what more could we ask for? I don't care which style wins just that the BC is going to have these..
I agree, they made some EXCELLANT choices for the BC! The Designers are AMAZING!! Much Love!! <3<3<3<3
I agree with you vicki, I love it!!
Can't wait to see what they do with the boat dock. Will it be a covered space with a built-in bench for nice cushions to sit on and ponder the wonders of the world as you look out over the water or sit and paint on a canvas in the tranquility? What a slice of heaven!
I think if Jason is going to have anything to do with the dock, it will be something great. I like you ideas.
I have 4 kids (none small anymore) and one grandchild. This would be a perfect family gathering place, although I would live there full time with my two kids that are still with me. Great place between semesters for the one in college still and for my last still in high school. During any hurricane warnings, I would pack up and go visit my oldest. I wonder if they will rake out the beach and remove the growth for a clean sand section.
You can rake the sand of loose debris but it won't stay that way past the next tide cycle. Sometimes it piles up and sometimes it gets washed away; but you generally can't, and wouldn't want to, take away anything growing there – it holds the sand in place.
Removing the plants and exposing the sandy shoreline is a recipe for certain disaster. The main reason this house has survived with the land is because of the grasses and shrubs holding the shoreline together. If the builders want to protect the new dock they should consider more plantings and strengthening the right side of the dock where the land is eroded. The washed-in piles on that side are vulnerable, the land looks waterlogged and the piles will wash out as the previous ones did.
Yes, I hope that they strengthen the existing dunes with additional native plantings to protect the area from erosion and provide habitat for migrating birds. Neat and tidy isn't what nature gave us in the first place. The seaside is always in flux, and debris will continue to wash ashore to provide a self-healing natural fence. A new dock probably wouldn't last one hurricane season.
lol, me too. Hard choices, I'd be happy with any of them. I have to say though, I like the movable fire pit, just so you can move it
It may sound stupid but mine is the dog park! I really like that they thought of the pets! Much Love!! <3<3
Me too Rebecca, I wonder if that thing would work on a cat too
I am not sure. I would think so but you might want to check on that! Much Love!! <3<3
Me too! I like the freestanding firepit. They are much easier to clean that a brick one with tall sides. Just tip into a waste can and go!
Can we vote yet??????
Yes!! Click on outdoor features above, or go in from the main tab. I haven't been able to get in from the people's choice tab.
I still can not get into vote this time ….,I keep getting info on the designers , Are you having trouble too ?
Oh WOW!!!! Great choices to make. What I voted for is not the most popular but I will keep voting for my favs. <3
Chris-IN
All of the choices are just amazing!!! Much Love!!! <3<3
Yay! A new round of voting. How exciting!
Yes and this part is my favorite of all!! My hat goes off the the DIY Designers!! You guys are amazing!! Much Love!! <3<3
Wonderful selections, all are acceptable. Most of the ones I like are ahead, though I prefer the classic white pergola and that has fallen behind and I liked the door knocker and that too is falling behind. All in all though, great choices.
I agree exactly! I think my big concern is, if the copper mailbox wins–and I love and collect copper stuff–I'm concerned someone may abscond with it, because copper is priced high for melt-down value these days…
B):D Kitty
Shower, pergola, pet park, fire pit (I love the one from the Virginia BC) and stone steps (won't go far in a storm) wow! can't get any better than that! Awesome! Can live with any and all…
You took the words right out of my mouth about the copper mailbox, it might as well have been gold.
I hadn't thought about the copper mailbox vanishing, good point.
You are right…..people break into houses out here for copper wire….the mail box would be toast..Darn! and I love it!
You're right, Karenlin–that's why I was so concerned. Got rid of TD but couldn't up it. I'm hoping they will make a miniature of the house mailbox, with leftover materials, with a flower box surround and the metal house number. That would look great and hold up plus blend nicely, I think.:p^_^<3 Kitty
Somebody is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Negative on this Blog! My heart truly goes out to you–I hope you will find joy in the little things life brings someday, for your subtle attacks on others truly only hurts you, your future, in the long run…<3 Kitty
I like that one Kitty. That is why I have been voting for the house/barn style one.
Judy
Kitty, I think the winner should take it down right away, and use it inside for a breadbox or something. Then they could use the old rusty milk can for the mailbox. I don't think anyone would steal that!:p Boo
Good idea Boo! That picture of a recycle item looked like a milk can and, didn't vote for it, because it seemed there could be a little awkwardness pulling out mail… just a thought, being kinda too logistics oriented–lol–I love the patina of copper! Whichever wins, I'll be happy, but I think the copper mailbox would make a great breadbox!!! Def not leave it out there…B);)xD Kitty
Kitty
Very good point in regard to the copper:( I love it also but not a good idea:( I love the fact that alot of our suggestions are finally being seen:) Great choices. This home will be fantastic. I am also very happy with how the updates have been handled this year. Good job with consistant-I love looking in on Friday when I can and seeing an update:) Good job guys!
While I am here-how are you Kitty? hope all is well?:)<3 God Bless you are our pillar of strength on this blog and keep things moving! Take care.
Hiya, Ruffy! I have MISSED you–that's how I've been! I'm a day/year older today, not so much wiser, for I, a copper lover know that copper mailbox will tempt a stranger, but I love and am voting anyhow for it! I've been sorta' on my back for a while and finally figured how to use laptop upside down–getting better at it anyhow. Aren't the choices great this year? Are you still snowed under? Hope all is well up your way! Stay healthy and well and happy! Much love, <3 Kitty
Happy Happy Birthday!;)
You are plenty wise! Yes, I am sad to say we are snowed in!:S I am now questioning the wisdom of the ground hog who predicted and early spring:(!? Ever since he spoke the weather has gone south! We have about 6 inches of wet and icy snow on the ground. The bulbs are trying to poke up through the snow:( I gss spring will come:)
All is well I have two new rescue kitties and a rescue puppy since late fall-the house is crazy! and furry! I now need to be rescued! Everyone is learning (not fast enough) to get along:) But every so often the puppy comes up with a face full of fur:(! Bad boy! So they are keeping me running. A test of my patience:) but all is well. Glad to hear you are doing well also. Happy Easter to you and every bloggie:)!
Thank you, Ruffy! :* Wow! Punxtatawney, the Ground Hog really joined the ranks of the weather guys and gals this year–neither one of them has a running good score! At least you now have 3 fur balls to keep you warm: One for each arm and one for the back–what more could you ask for? I can see them now running your household and telling you what to do!
And what's funnier: YOU doing it!!! HAHAHAHA!!!! God bless you for rescuing the babies, Ruffy!, so tell us when you have time, about them, OK? Sounds like the Kitties are keeping Puppy in line…. Did you see that they're putting an invisible fence in this BC? We get to vote on the layout. This will be a lovely BC! My heart is still in Maine for my Summers..I hope Someone Very Special from THIS BLOG FINALLY WINS!!! I'll come and visit–and fish off the wonderful dock!!! 
Stay well, Friend! Scruffle those Furry Friends for me! I just KNOW I'd LOVE THEM!!!<3<3<3 Kitty
Dear Kitty, I am so Sorry I missed Your Birthday, Please forgive me!!!:( <3…I think this thumbs down thing came up during your Birthday and i HAVE been trying to let that go and Carry on, but I Know that is No Excuse for Missing Your "Special Day"…I hope you felt Well enough to go out and "CELEBRATE" with Your Gary…
Dearest Jennie, Not to worry! Thank you for your birthday wishes!
I decided to start counting years all over again on January 4th, when my doctor told me I had been healed of the met. cancer!:D Since I'm now only a few month's old i can't possibly know I had a birthday and certainly don't know my age–ha ha– it is such a WONDERFUL feeling to be cancer free and here for whatever reason God has preserved me! I'm just waiting to find that out…. So , so sorry you got slammed by the blog sourp uss! it seemed that you were long impermeable, and you neither said nor did anything to deserve it. Unfortunately, several people have been hit just because they have either responded to me or agreed with me. You know I just say what's on my heart. I think our "person of interest" simply wants agreement and finds it difficult if anyone even agrees with someone with whom they disagree. And it can continue even on to new subject matter, at times, sorry to say. And sorry for the individual too. Just , like you said, try to get over it and–don't take it personally! ^_^:*<3 Kitty
Excellant choices!!!! Very hard to decide, I love them all!! Much Love!!! <3<3
So do I!
I love the dolphin door knocker, and it fits in well with the seaside house. I'd love one of those for my own house tho I'm far from oceanfront! The white pergola is beautiful and would be gorgeous with the white adirondak chairs, but I voted for the rustic as it would be easier to maintain, and I usually go for wood over white, especially as salty mist can wreak havoc on paint. All options are beautiful so whatever is selected, the winner will be able to enjoy nature at it's finest!
I cannot believe the fantastic choices for this round. I am totally surprised that my votes are riunning 90% with the favorites, so far. I am voting for the rustic pergola only because I think it will fit in better with the natural outdoor look the BC currently has, the grape arbor e.g. Happy voting everyone! BC is going to be gorgeous.
WCG
And rustic just pulled ahead!! Wow!
Yes it is going to be so beautiful!! Much Love!! <3<3
WoW… Very good choices this time! All my picks are in the lead exept the Fire place. I prefer the Free standing one, just because you can move it, if ever you want or need to. And it's easier to clean!!! :p
And the Rustic Arbor is so beautiful. I hope they have the lights on it like the pictures do!!! B)
I agree with you about it being easier to clean and you can move it, but I was figuring that the free standing pit would be just one more thing to have to secure in event of an approaching storm. Not much of an argument, I agree, but that's all I've got. I like all the choices.
Thats a very good point, I din't think of. But you will still have to move the Chairs. So on that note I hope they have a sheed for all that and you're Lawn equipment to go in!!!!
Then they need to build the dog park area around the mailbox. Too bad for the mailman.LOL
That was my reasoning too!! They're all great options in MHO.
At our cabin we have a moveable pit, that is very pretty, but a mess to clean, and then when we saw the pit they did for the VA BC we did one like that. The movealbe one is never used. Everyone likes the built in one better. It is a lot easier to keep cleaned out. So I am voting for the one like at the VA BC. JMO
I'm with you on the fire pit…..I like the idea of being able to have a fire where you wanted. You could even haul it down to the edge of the water for some early morning fishing
coffee and warmth right there with you, works for me!
Nice, I like that. Or if you go camping somewere you can take it with you!! B)
They should make a wooden cover for it too. For the hot days you can use it for a table to eat on or if you have kids they can do there home work on it in the sun, or just play some cards on it!!!
I love all of the choices!!! Much Love!! <3<3
Don't forget, you can buy a portable fire pit at any big box store for next to nothing now. I'd rather have the stone pit installed by the DIY crew that would be fantastic and a part of the garden area decor. Go to the H.D. or Lowes, buy a portable and you can take that rascal anywhere. IMO
WCG
I'm with you, Wind Chime Girl! Portable fire pits can rust through eventually and I found, after owning a portable fire pit, that I never really moved it. Even with a storm or flooding, a stone pit will last! If you wanted to use a fire pit else where, a portable one can be bought, besides, I would much rather have a beautiful creation by the DYI team any day!!
I believe the freestanding firepit shown is cast bronze so will not rust and is too heavy to move around much.
WCG I always like to vote for the more spendy things or the things that are the hardest to install for the winner LOL So either of the installed pits would be the best imo
I agree 100% WCG.<3 The built in is a fabulous focal and gathering point in the garden area and I would absoutely purchase another one for the beach/dock area. The best of both worlds.
Okay you guys, I give, you all are making good points. I think I'll change my vote to a built-in
Sell-out… No, mabe I agree!?!?!? I don't know, every one has a good point! =/
Totally agree I live the stone built one with a round patio around it for those adirondack chairs
Great choices and great ideas for somewhere else like home! I like the square dog park because it appears bigger but wonder how many of the collars come with the system? I would need three collars! I love all the choices but not the recycled mailbox. I could live with any of these choices!
I agree with you. The square dog park does look larger and would accommodate larger or more than one dog. Pat
Mega Dens, likes to do pet things, like the awsome dog mansion she did last year. So I guess this year she is doing the dog park.
I liked the other dog park because it appears to include more shaded area and I know my dog would b seeking that out on hot days.
You can always bye more. I believe they usually come with 2. This is my favorite part of the people choice vote, the dog park!!! Much Love!!
When my dog see the water it will nedd more than the invisible fence to hold him in.
Not to worry about the dog park. The ones proposed are wireless and can be reconfigured easily by the owner. Not sure how it works, but the details say that there are no wires to bury.
That's right! I just read that – and it's all wireless. What a deal.
WOW! Simply unbelievable! This place is simple unbelievable! Becky:)<3