At my cabin, you can also let your freak flag fly

We're home from a week at a beautiful lake in New Hampshire. Lots of swimming and boating and relaxing...

These are some of the cabins on the property where we vacationed. Some relatives stayed in one of them. My family opted for a bit more room and rented a larger cabin elsewhere on the property that was recently renovated.

The decor in the smaller cabins is definitely rustic. Our rental had the benefit of things like a microwave... Sheetrock... insulation.

I thought I'd show you the photo of the outside of the cabins because that's exactly how I would decorate them if I owned them.

I love the full and well-tended flower boxes and flags and lawn chairs and view of the lake.

The owner, however, did a few things I would not. She nixed the kids' using sidewalk chalk on the driveway and asked us to stash the beach towels that we had drying on a deck railing because she didn't want to look at them.

I mention this not because it infringed on our good time, but to point out something I really believe about good design. Beautiful, comfortable and inviting spaces enhance our quality of life.

But we don't live inside postcards. Sometimes things get a little messy, especially when you're having a good time. And, as far as I'm concerned, the best-designed spaces are the ones that leave room for a little fun.