A friend just sent me this, it's not entirely related to gardening but sort of appropriate for this post. YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN JULY WHEN. . . . > > The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of > the ground. > The trees are whistling for the dogs. > The best parking place is determined by shade instead > of distance. > Hot water now comes out of both taps. > You can make sun tea instantly. > You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good > branding iron. > The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little > chilly. > You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to > steer your car. > You discover that you can get sunburned through your > car window. > You actually burn your hand opening the car door. > You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at > 7:30 a.m. > Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get > knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook > to death?" > You realize that asphalt has a liquid state. > The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do > is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper. > Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep > them from laying boiled eggs. > The cows are giving evaporated milk. > Ah, what a place to call home. God Bless Our State of > SOUTH CAROLINA!!

Teacats - I am so happy to hear you say that you think those two styles - exterior and interior - might work together. I am picking my way through your links and I can't thank you enough for the ideas. It is so helpful. Jack Arnold has some incredible designs, just up my alley. Caminnc - YES, YES, YES....that is EXACTLY the interior style I am going to try to emulate in my new home. The exterior is the sticking point...

First off, your home is gorgeous and your view is magnificent. I think you have too many colors going on, with the rug, the blue objects in the cabinet, the chairs, the big red picture. Although, I love the chairs and the color, but I would slip cover them in a warm neutral cream or tan. I would paint the pine a warm cream, to make it light and airy. In fact, I would go with white on white in white. Is there anything prettier and crisper than cream and white, I think not, but that's me. I would have slip covered sofa's in cream or tan or beige. I would even have a whipped cream colored area rug with tan floor pillows. I think a little black in any room looks wonderful, maybe a big shabby chic cabinet or coffee table. I happen to like your coffee table and I would shabby chic it in black. I see you have black and white framed photo's in there, keep them. How about some big antique fern prints? There not that expensive and I think they look good framed in lucite, not actual frames. You can even buy brown ferns if you like. Decorate with tons of seashells and beautiful coral in your cabinet. Why not buy some antique plates (old white Ironstone) or buy some blue transferware and keep with the blue. The plates are not that expensive. Buy some warm throws for cold evenings in stripped cream and beige or tan. And buy some canvas or ticking sofa or floral pillows in cream or tan. How about a telescope in front of that beautiful window? What do you think of buying a big sail boat for the mantel? Although, that has been done so much, but it is good looking, no? Or a big canvas beachy painting or even a water color. Oh gosh did I see that you HAVE to keep the pine? Looking at the cabinets painted in cream is just beautiful. And I wouldn't decorate with anchors or big ropes or cheap fish. I would use some big palms in there, it would look great. I wouldn't think too much about drapes, just simple panels. Your view is the star! ...Jane

It's sure not an easy decision. I have a cottage, and some of our 35 year old untreated cedar shingle siding is damaged and needs repair because it was installed in areas in direct contact with the roof. Our contractor has suggested tearing the off the cedar and going with LPSmart siding, a composite, there is also Ecoshel, cedar shingle siding. I have researched at the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau, who have been extremely helpful and what I have come up with is...there is no replacement for real wood. If I repair the cedar which has been on for 35 years, I should get another 15 years. If I put on the composite it's lengevity is questionable, as with any newer product. I do know the cedar I have, although in need of repair has been on for 35 years and still has some life in it. Some people think the cedar is just old and dirty looking, I love it