I recently decorated our beach condo on a budget. Items to consider are bowls or clear glass vases with found shells displayed. Sisal rug and woven baskets make a coastal feel. The baskets are great for storage as well. I used white light and linen drapes found at ikea.Because of small size of room, i have glass tables to help maximze space. I am adding shutters found at a flea market as headboard for guest bedroom this year. I found many useful items from community sales. I frequent local beach decor shops some pricey to get ideas for arranging and adding items. I would put couch so can look out window to garden. Put it floating in the center of the room, Tv on wall. Two chairs sort of where they are now in photo. Small table and chairs located near door and kitchen. Looks like not much space there but look at ikea furniture as it is for small spaces. One ikea table is shown to be against wall and then pulls out to enlarge, it might work for you.

Miranda You appear to be making all the right choices in life. I will be a little bit presumptuous by offering some advice on helping you to raise your child in touch with nature in this age full of all the electronic lures that keep the kids indoors. or, when outdoors, glued to a small screen, rather than the glory that surrounds them. I am writing a book about landscape architecture and have a section regarding the importance of embracing nature in the preschool years. - which I would like to forward that section to you. However, my computer skills are limited to email and US Mail. I don't even know how to attach a picture to the text. If you would like to receive this draft from my future book, send me your email or postal address, and I'll get it right off to you. My email is cascio.offsite@gmail.com Good luck with your new challenges and opportunities. Joe Cascio

I agree a hard charcoal surface may overheat, and no matter what the hard surface (unless you go for ceramic tile) it will absorb urine and retain the smell. I've always had big dogs and have experienced similar problems. I solved the digging by laying wire mesh (chicken wire) on all flat surfaces and then covering with pine bark. The dogs quickly grew tired of digging when they had no success. Dogs often dig to create a hole to lie in to stay cool. Make sure they have plenty of shade. I'd consider also incorporating some artificial turf and training them to toilet on that.

I planted a row of five Manchurian Pear trees along my front boundary and love their changes through the seasons. They are very hardy once established and are often used as street trees for their hardiness and good scale for a nature strip. Beautiful red/orange foilage in autumn, white blossums in spring, and lush green foilage in summer provides good shade. They look great as a single tree, a group of three, or a row of five trees. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls.