Do you have questions?

Do you have questions about our fantastic outdoor furniture? How about our tiles? Need to know if we have a special design that you need. Or do you just want to know about life on Cape Cod?

Ask a question. We will be happy to give you the answer!!!!

Do you have a business on Cape Cod?

If you do, we'd love to hear from you! We are looking to do a short article on our blog about different companies in the area.

We would be interested in knowing about your business. When it started? How did you get involved in your business, what are some of challenges of running your business.

You can also put a link to your web site and store hours.

I think this will be a great way to see what businesses are in the area.


If you have a Cape Cod business and would like to be added to my blog send me an email with your information.

Dogs, Cats, And Horses… We Love Them All!

By Willie Jones

We have a long history with domesticated animals and even the nay Sayers can’t deny their roll in society past and present.



There is evidence that as long as 10,000 years ago the Native Americans had domesticated dogs as depicted in early rock paintings. Apparently, the dogs in the painting look remarkably like the Carolina dogs of today.



It has been well documented that dogs and horses of past have been bred to assist us in various ways whether it be pack dog, work horse, hunter or herder. There is no doubt that they have value and have contributed to society in many ways.



The cat however is a very interesting animal indeed. I have yet to see a cat that can herd, or help with the hunt or carry supplies on their backs for us. The cat is strictly a companion to us, that is if they decide to allow you to be graced with their presence. Most cats still have that strong hunting urge as evidenced by your cats offering of that bird he just caught or mouse he brings to you. Most cats get attached to an area that they claim as their own. Some cats get very attached to the people who love them but as a general rule I think the cat feels he is the one who rules and he is allowing you to care for him. Still, we love them.



Horses are a special breed and have a tremendous ability to assist us in ways as only the horse can. Horses have been our mode of transportation much longer than our current ways of getting around. They are to me of such beauty, grace, and power and I always think of them in that way much more than an animal that works for us. They are spectacular.



Dogs however are by far the most domesticated of all animals. They not only help us but they are so genuinely attached to people and their antics are a constant source of pleasure to us. Just look at children or elderly people in an old folks home. If a child finds a stray dog they will surely beg you to allow them to keep the dog. If you take a dog into an old folks home you can see the dog respond happily around them and the smiles on peoples faces are a joy to see.



I had a Springer Spaniel when I was younger and he was the funniest, most easy- going dog around. He was unusual in that he had a very special relationship with our guinea pig. We had the best time watching these two at play. It was the same every day. The guinea pig would wait at the hallway entrance and would stay there until the dog noticed. Then the chase was on! The dog would bark and chase him all the way down the hall. The guinea pig at the last minute would veer to the left and run into the bedroom and go under the bed. The dog was big and somewhat clumsy and would never be able to slow down in time and he’d crash into the wall, get up and then go put his nose under the bed and bark. They would do this four or five times in a row and then curl up together and sleep. Those two made us laugh. It was great!



As animal lovers, we also can adorn our walls with prints and motivational posters of them. They also make great gifts.



We love our animals, as it should be. Be kind and take well care of them.



About the Author: Willie is a freelance writer, researcher and artist. Thanks very much for reading this far. Please come and visit us at: http://www.artinspires.com and make sure you enroll in the free motivational poster drawing. All winners receive a free framed print.”



Source: www.isnare.com

We have some great dog, cat and horse tiles for sale. A perfect gift for the animal lover!
1) Indi Cat Tile

Top 10 Decorative Tiles Ceramic Tile Review

The most popular art tiles being used to beautify America's
kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces.

Whether a homeowner is looking to add that perfect touch of
color to a lovely room, or bring a drab corner of the house
to life, decorative tiles are one of America's top choices for
meaningful home decor. Imagination is sparked by a favorite
animal, flower, or perhaps a still life of fruit for the
kitchen. If you're looking for inspiration, our list of the
top 10 decorative tiles our clients seem to reach for again
and again is sure to get you thinking about what the perfect choice
will be for accenting your home.

The decorative tiles featured here are of special value, as
they are multi-purpose. They feature a backing which makes
them suitable for wall hanging, but the backing may be removed
so that the tiles can be incorporated into counters, backsplashes,
fireplaces or what have you. The rich, full-color designs
are the work of skilled artists including Kathleen Parr McKenna, Carol Eldridge
and Claudia Sanchez. We invite you to get inspired by our list of Top
10 Decorative Tiles!

1) Manatee Tile

The friendly aquatic treasure of Florida's warm waters seems to be
beloved by people around the world. Though the manatee is known
for his messy eating habits, this colorful tile makes a neat
addition to the bathroom, and is a hit in children's bedrooms.

2) Sandpiper Tile

Carefree days at the coast, whether you live in the east or the
west, are perfectly captured by this scene of three sandpipers
dipping their toes in the sea. This decorative ceramic tile
is a popular choice among people who are aiming to lend that
nautical feel to their home decor.

3) Sailboat Tile

Sail away on the simple beauty of this charming ceramic tile.
A nice one for your lakeside cabin or beachfront home. Children
love it, too!

4) Dolphin Tile

The energetic spirit of the dolphin seems to capture the hearts
of so many people. No wonder people yearn to pay tribute to
this beautiful and brilliant creature, and this gorgeous
ceramic tile is a perfect way to do so.

5) Cape May Lighthouse Tile

We know a couple who declares that their happiest vacations
have been spent visiting America's lighthouses. The famous
Cape May lighthouse has been guiding ships since the mid
1800's, and is a national favorite. Our ceramic lighthouse
tiles pay tribute to this part of our history.

6) Polar Bear Tile

The king of the icy, arctic world fits cozily into any home, and seems
especially favored by those who love the arts and crafts of
North America's native peoples. This tile is extremely life-like
and would be well suited to a living room, bathroom or child's room.

7) Elephant Tile

This elephant mother and baby has endeared itself to all elephant
lovers, and is one of the most beautiful in our safari tiles.
Elephant tiles make a splendid addition to so many decor styles -
colonial, old world or new! Also, a beautiful gift for a new
baby's room.

8) Wine Tile

An abundance of good food and good wine bespeaks the bounty of your
kitchen in this exquisite decorative tile. Hang it on the wall or
build it right into your countertop or backsplash for a look
of welcoming warmth.

9) Iris Tile

Make the language of flowers the language of your home with our
Iris tile and other flower tiles. This one looks especially nice
in homes featuring English or Asian elements and is painted
with very realistic detail.

10) Yellow Angelfish Tile

Turn your home into a lifelike aquarium with our decorative
angelfish tile and other fish tiles. The artists who paint
these have truly captured the wonder and mystery of the
coral reef and deep sea, and we are not at all surprised
that this line of tiles is so popular.

When it comes to home decor, every person's style is as unique
as the individual themselves. This is just as it should be. Your
home should look like you live there, and we aim to
offer ceramic tiles that reflect your personal tastes. Remember,
the tiles shown on our site are only a small portion of what
we stock. If you don't see something you're looking for, just
contact us to ask - chances are, we've got it!

Give Your Family Room Coastal Cottage Style

Give Your Family Room Coastal Cottage Style by Lee Dobbins


Coastal cottage decor is chic and comfort all rolled into one. Chippy paint furniture, whimsical beach themed designs and easy to care for fabrics make this a perfect choice for the family room.

Regardless of your current decor you can get the cottage style in your family room with a few simple changes, like new flooring, accessories and slipcovers for the furniture. When redecorating, especially if you have a tight budget, you want to think about inexpensive changes that make a big impact such as wall paint and decorative accessories.

What's on your floor can add to the design theme, but if new floors aren't in the budget for your family room then work with what you have by covering them with area rugs that have a cottage style or a sisal rug if you are going for a more contemporary feel. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford new floors, you might consider light stained wood and soften it up a bit with area rugs.

Decorative accessories are important to pulling your coastal cottage style design together. Concentrate on buying pillows, wall art and knick knacks, in colors that remind you of the coast - tans, whites and blues work well with this theme. You'll be amazed at how easy and cheap it is, and what a huge difference these changes make! Be certain to include lots of sea shells in shallow bowls (you can even add in some beach sand!) as well as plants and you might even try certain chippy painted items like old newel posts or porch posts to add some punch to your family room. Additional touches like nautical themed pieces can add a unique touch. The most important change to consider when decorating your family room with a coastal cottage style décor interior design is your wall paint. For this style the room colors make a big difference - you should consider using soft muted tans and whites either in your wall color or your accessories. Try using a paint in light colors like white, light yellow and light blue on the walls, or use a simple beach themed stencil. If you want a New England look, go for wainscoting halfway up the walls.

It's not critical that you have matching furniture but the family room should have a variety of pieces that are overstuffed and comfortable and sport fabrics that are easy to clean. Slipcovers go great with this informal cottage style. To really showcase this style, try pieces with chippy paint in white, light green or light blue. Lighting is critical in most rooms and the family room is no exception. To match your cottage style décor, you might want to look at light fixtures in terms of both style and type. While you will be going for a cottage design, you would want to take a look at installing overhead ceiling fans in a white finish or using nautical themed hanging lights or simple chandeliers. Try clear glass lamps filled with sea shells for the side tables but try to shy away from anything which is heavy or dark lighting. An important area that is frequently ignored when decorating your house is the wall space. Even the ugliest walls can be smashing by using decorative wall art and accessories. Try applying watercolors of the seaside or floral prints in chippy white frames to your family room walls to enhance the comfy feeling of your cottage decorating style.

Attaining a fabulous coastal cottage look in your family room can be as basic as just buying new decorative accessories or as involved as doing a total room remake. Either way, working on the details and coordinating your furniture and decorative accessories will help you coordinate a magnificent new cottage style décor look that will add comfort as well as style!


About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for DecoratingHowTo.com where you can learn about more decorating styles for your home.


Some other coastal decorating ideas: Add a nautical tile, Nautical Wood Piling Candles, Fish Net, all these items can add to your coastal theme. These items can be purchased at Nautical Wood Piling Tea Light Candles



Nautical Wood Piling Candle

Choosing A Garden Fence

By Davin Michaels

Garden fencing can serve many purposes, but one of the best is to accent and define areas of your garden. Whether you choose a six or twelve inch high border edging, or stand a section of post and rail garden fencing in the center of a sweep of lawn, garden fencing can add a beautiful accent to your landscaping.



Wood lattice makes attractive garden fencing that affords some privacy while allowing glimpses of the garden. Lattice boards set into a wooden privacy fence add a whole new design dimension to the frontage of your garden. A single width of lattice fencing can provide a screen or windbreak, and support for any climbing vines.



Set a lattice panel at the edge of the garden nearest the house and train morning glories to climb it to provide a scenery wall outside a kitchen or bedroom window, or create a simple arbor with two full height lattice panels set six to eight feet apart. Use thick garden twine to create a 'bridge' for vines to climb across and form a living 'roof'.



Border edging is another extremely versatile garden fencing option. Think outside the perimeter. You can use wire garden fencing to create smaller accents within a garden plot, or outline one corner or end of a garden with cast iron border edging.



Cedar shakes or redwood blocks can be used to create curved borders for slightly raised garden beds, or serve as a backdrop over which to spill indigo lobelia or white alyssum. Create a zigzag border of decorative low picket garden fencing and plant zinnias or marigolds in the V-shaped 'teeth' for a unique look.



Garden fencing can be used to create a beautiful background for patio dining. Choose a metal trellis and install it just off the patio edge behind the table and dining set. Twine climbing roses up over it to create an accent that defines the edge of the patio and creates an elegant, tasteful accent to your patio and garden at the same time.



Wrought-iron or cast-iron fences tend to be ornate, which suits more formal, historic houses, such as Victorians, or high-end urban homes. Today, similar styles are available in powder-coated steel, anodized aluminum or composite materials that are much more affordable and easier to maintain.



Stone fences, which are the oldest known type of fencing, make great garden walls or boundary markers around traditional homes, such as Colonials and Cape Cods, when built with native stone. Dry-stacked walls stay together with the help of gravity and friction.



The picket fence, a low, decorative style used to define property rather than secure it, is a universally popular style flexible enough to work with almost any home. There are many variations on the picket fence, including the Federal style, which features scalloped pickets and decorative finials.



About the Author: There are several reasons for putting up a garden fence: privacy, containment or architectural and aesthetic enhancement of your yard, to name a few.



Source: www.isnare.com


Another source for a Garden Fence is: Garden Accessories



Lattice extension panels shown with a garden arbor

Selecting The Right Patio Furniture Cushions

By John Mclain

The right patio furniture cushions can fill you with a sense of luxurious living. Whether you have a wrought iron, wicker, teak or plastic furniture set, having the right cushions can make or break your backyard or sunroom. Having durable, appealing fabric on the outside should be matched with long-lasting cushions.



The key to long-lasting patio furniture cushions is not just the density or quality of the foam itself, but the drainable quality of it. Cushions that will inevitably sit in the rain from time to time should have an open cell structure. This guarantees that the water passes through the cushion and out through the fabric. Getting cushions that do not trap the water inside of them will outlast ones that end up with internal moisture which could lead to rotting. Quality cushions are often made of layers of polyester fill which is also called polyfill.



Another way to keep the moisture out is to have the right fabric on the outside. Except for wrapping your cushions in plain old garbage bags, which no one will, you might be able to get some other fabrics that will be equally successful in keeping the water out and the firmness in. Many of the fabrics used for patio furniture cushions are made to feel like plush cotton. Look for solution-dyed acrylic to get long-lasting cushions for your outdoor set. This kind of fabric is specifically designed to be all-weather, comfortable and soft. The sun can often play a mischievous role on outdoor cushions. A Teflon coating is often applied at the factory to keep the colors of patio furniture cushions vibrant and alive.



Your cushions should also include some Dacron wrap. This adds the extra fullness and shape to cushions which makes them look even more appealing for some spring, summer or fall lounging. Rather than having a simple, square piece of foam inside your cushion, you have a piece that has been wrapped completely in the soft edges of Dacron. Some cushions will not say whether they include this extra layer, but you can often tell just by looking at the shape.



Knowing the inside and out of picking out patio furniture cushions can help you find the ones that will hopefully last for years. Picking out the patterns of your cushions will be the fun part. Stripes are always festive for the outdoors, with floral patterns taking a close lead. Of course, there is nothing wrong with going with solid colors. If you have an intricate wrought iron set, or many pieces, in a setting with tons of flowers and plants, then going for a simple cushion will let the eyes enjoy the scenery a little more. Luckily, most patio cushions are designed to fit any set, whether it is teak, iron or plastic resin, so one does not have to worry that they have found the perfect pattern, but not know if it will fit. Look for quality polyfills, UV-resistant coatings and comfortable softness and you can have a complete sanctuary for outside of your home.



About the Author: Cushionsrus is a site specializing in cushions, from chair cushions, patio furniture cushions, to rocking chair cushions and beyond.



Source: www.isnare.com

Another source for Cushions is: Cushions for your Outdoor Furniture



Cushions