I, too, would love to see pix of your beach house. I have a townhouse in Florida and am in the process of decorating it. One idea I have come across, and have been thinking of incorporating, is using painter's canvas dropcloths for an inexpensive, yet beachy, look. They can be washed to soften them up and used as bedcovers or throws over older upholstered furniture. They can be used as drapery or shower curtains by adding clip rings. They can even be used as floorcloths or wall hangings. Hope you can use at least one of these ideas!

I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested.

Well that is an interesting picture. I can assure you that hanging wall gardens are all the rage and that is a great idea but they can also be high maintenance if exposed to high winds / sunshine etc. I have seen some lovely fake ones that would do just as well. You could also have a few pots with additional greenery. As you say your view is not "great" maybe you can have a creeper in one of the pots that can weave its way through the railing. I probably wouldn't go for one big chair as it could dominate the entire space. I would consider a table with a couple of fold-able chairs .... something that is comfortable, inviting if you have friends over but can be placed in a corner if you just want to open up the space. I do not think you need a carpet and but maybe some fancy outdoor tiles will look just as nice. You want it to be easy care and weather proof. Do you need or wish to incorporate a washing line? A pull out one from a wall will be perfect that way you can retract it back when you are not using it. If you deck gets too much sun, you may want to consider some shade shutters. I have seen them called 'plantation' shutters. GOOD LUCK

I just bought a one bedroom apartment. As I'm hoping to have the occasional guest from out of town, I need sleeping solutions. I was thinking a sofa bed but I'm struggling to find something that's both comfortable and stylish. Anyone have either suggestions for where I can buy a good sofa bed, or just other suggestions for a guest bed? I live in Wellington and the budget is pretty good but not endless.