Here are some ideas seen and heard around the beach to maintain an organized home.

The Best Idea: An uncluttered house which includes cleaned out closets.

The Worst Idea: Keeping so much stuff under your house that there is no air circulation.

Other good ideas?

Air conditioning: You either hate it or you love it. There is no denying that it feels great.

Ceiling fans with the correct sized down rods: Why bother to have a ceiling fan if it is hugging the ceiling? Call your electrician to correct. When you have the a/c on you should also run your ceiling fans, but switch it to the setting where the air is moving up, not down. That way the air conditioned air is circulated.

Sources that Never Fail to Deliver

Rugs for the beach: Ballard Home Designs (www.BallardDesign.com) offers inexpensive, outdoor rugs. Dash and Alpert Rugs (www.dashandalbert.com) offers indestructible indoor/outdoor rugs, especially for summer, that are well priced.

Re-upholstery: Lord's Interiors; local, friendly service. (631) 969-9244.

Customer window treatments: Hadley Window Fashions offers well done window treatments. (631) 667-0742. Duralee Fabrics' warehouse on 1775 Fifth Ave. in Bay Shore offers unbelievable bargains. Why would you pay retail when you can scour this warehouse for first quality Duralee fabrics and upholstery. Jennifer Convertibles' Bay Shore show room is another good bet. (631) 969-4358.

Slipcover collection: Scale is large, down cushions; I defy you to stay awake if you lay down on it. A lot of look for not so much money.

Wicker furniture: www.mainlybaskets.com. The quality is good on this wicker furniture and the colors are just right.

Pine Cone Hill Linens: www.pineconehill.com. This was my big indulgence this season. I purchased a linen coverlet and other pieces for my bed. The quality is casual and light; just right for the beach. They are delicious.

Appliances and Carpets: Why would you call anyone else other than PC Richards in Bay Shore? PC Richards now offers appliance repair service on the beach too. Royal Carpet Cleaning in West Babylon (631) 893-6900. We had house guests whose dog christened every wool sisal rug in our house. One was damaged beyond saving but this carpet company saved the others. Miracle workers... Royal Carpet Cleaning also offers pick-up and delivery to the ferry.

Seafood and other Goodies: If you are not catching it yourself and you want good local fish, we think Dean's Seafood (631) 969-0587 is the best alternate source. They will deliver to the ferries too. Suppliers to Fairway... I guess they think the fish at Dean's is good too. The New York Botanical Garden sells the only peony cages I have ever seen, which support the oversized flowers on a peony plant. Call the Garden shop at (718) 817-8869. Salon Eden in Bay Shore offers hair done well in a professionally run salon. You will feel like you had a day at the spa. (631) 206-2910. Bagel Boss in Bay Shore has the best local bagels. We buy them a dozen at a time and freeze them. Ask for freezer bags when you tote your bagels home. Bagel Boss is also near the ferry on Main Street in Bay Shore. (631) 666-0999.

Editor's Suggestions: Drew Patrick Spa for a massage, facial and lunch after. Spa 85 for a manicure and haircut. Both in Bay Shore. In Islip, White Cap for all your fresh fish needs, as well as a great restaurant. We also like natural wool pads and comforters (online) for making that rental bed your own, as well as K&D Wines on Madison for a ferry delivery every Thursday. Cheers!

Thanks for sharing all of your ideas with us. It has been a terrific season.

Grace Corradino, New York State broker, is the owner of Fire Island Living Real Estate, Inc., and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . She welcomes your suggestions and comments.