BACKYARD SUMMER REFRESH (plus details on our landscaping project!)
While this summer has gotten off to a weird start still being somewhat quarantined, we feel SO lucky to have a backyard space to hang out in this year. At our last house, we spent countless hours outside lounging with the dog, planting flowers, caring for our garden veggies, digging up weeds, and trying to grow grass on what could be classified as a giant rock bed with no sprinkler system LOL. Caring for that first yard of ours was so much fun and really confirmed for us that we absolutely LOVE being outside. I mean, who doesn’t thrive in the sun? We all need that vitamin D - me especially!
When we bought our current house this time last year, the backyard was completely baron. A giant, severely sloped, bark-chip-filled abyss below our deck with so so much potential. There was no access from the house to the yard - our layout is somewhat of a “daylight ranch” similar to our last home, but less linear/of the 50’s. You walk in on the main floor to the living/kitchen with the master on the left and a den, powder room, and laundry near the entry. To the right, you walk downstairs to what I guess would be the “basement” where there are two more bedrooms, a guest bathroom, and a large “bonus” living space. Upstairs, we have a deck extending off the kitchen/dining. Downstairs, there is a second deck which had no stairs or anything to reach the backyard. We knew we had to take advantage of that square footage - not only for future resale purposes but because we LOVED our yard at the old house and we dreamt of having a little backyard oasis to enjoy here, too. Heck, 90% of the reason we chose this lot over the countless others we looked at in the neighborhood was because this yard backs up to a green space and a protected creek which means nothing can be built back here - ever! It is beyond peaceful to look out to the tree line and hear the water and the breeze all year round. Massive departure from our first home which was off a busy city road where we heard traffic and sirens all day long. And we thought we loved our yard then! Every day I wake up to this view we lucked out on I’m just so thankful. Hands down our best decision to stretch the budget a smidge for this house. Location is so key to loving your home!
ANYWAYS! Back to the yard! Below are some photos showing what we were working with before, the progress, and how it looked when the landscaping project finished up in early fall of last year. We added stairs and had the ground leveled out a bit, mostly where the patio was laid but also to make the grass somewhat usable. (it’s still very steep - may need to look into leveling that when we have kiddos) We did a paver patio in a chevron pattern and a built-in fire pit that uses a hidden propane tank for gas. Grass wraps around the other side down along the fence beyond the retaining wall. We had lots of plants and trees added throughout and my favorite part is the lattice underneath the deck which I’m hoping will be overgrown with that jasmine soon! It’s been a bit of a struggle getting our plants to thrive back here because not only do we get SMACKED with direct south-facing sun for what feels like 12 hours a day, our home is also built right on top of a natural spring! So one side of our yard is super *moist * (lol) and we had to trench a bit under our fence in the left corner so that the spring would drain out into the green space rather than flooding our fence line. Fun stuff!
Here’s what we were working with before:
And some progress from the view above:
And below is what it looks like today! Well, a month or so ago when I snapped these :) I need to do a better job photographing this space and editing all the photos to cut the glare but you guys don’t care about that, right?!
Now that our landscaping project is officially done, we set our sights on furnishing each deck and the patio for this summer. But...COVID had other plans! I was able to purchase a new dining set (linked here) for our upper deck which was important to me because its what you see when you look outside from the kitchen and our old stuff just didn’t “go well” with my vision. Also got this rug which was meant to go with some lounge chairs to the left but those didn’t work out sooo we are just using it under the table even though it’s entirely too small LOL After that, we sort of hit pause on major purchases which is totally fine because we can’t really entertain much during quarantine anyways! And you all know me, I am always changing my designs and hate making decisions for our own home so this bought me some time :)
I thought it would be fun to share a little mood board featuring some cute outdoor items I’m loving right now. This has everything you need to host a little dinner party or even a quiet hang out with your housemates/significant other. It’s so fun to give your backyard a little refresh at the start of the season. I’m a huge proponent of “love where you live” so for me that means making our outdoor spaces as cozy as possible because we spend so much of our time out here enjoying the sun.
15 Things to Refresh Your Backyard for a Little Get-Together
// 1. Target 9’ Aluminum LED Lighted Crank Lift Patio Umbrella, Beige -- $139 Love that this has little LED lights under the canopy so you can entertain after the sun goes down! Has an 18’ power cord so you can get creative hiding it/getting it over to the source. Don’t forget, you’ll need a weighted umbrella base like this one!
// 2. World Market Graywashed Eucalyptus Marciana Outdoor Dining Table -- $399 (ON SALE) This table is so good it literally sold out between the time it took me to find it, link it, and type this up! Good news is World Market is always restocking things so I’d just keep checking back. I love the gray wood, you could make this work with a bunch of different styles! It has an umbrella hole, too, which is key. Also love the picnic table quality of it when you buy the matching benches! ($199 ea. on sale)
// 3. Target Risley 4pc. Patio Conversation Set -- $1,700 Okay bare with me here - I know this seems super expensive! But when you consider you’re getting a sofa, two chairs, and a table - it makes a bit more sense! Outdoor furniture is always just inherently more spendy which is a major bummer BUT if it’s good quality, you’ll have it for years to come! Love the style of this set and surprisingly into the darker wood look with the grey woven detail - super neutral and fresh! Also love that it doesn’t necessarily look like outdoor furniture, that’s a plus for me! We just inherited some outdoor lounge stuff from my parents that isn’t really my style but it works for now. I’ll definitely be eyeing this set for next summer - love how modern it is.
// 4. Target Bose SoundLink Color Wireless Bluetooth Speaker II -- $129 We can’t live without our portable speakers - we have a few of them and are constantly bringing one outside with us or even just using them in the living room. Having music out in the yard is key for us! Love the Black or White to blend in with the decor.
// 5. Pottery Barn Cane Carafe -- $39 I’ve been eyeing some caned drinkware for a bit and I love this little carafe for when you don’t need/want to fill an entire pitcher. Perfect for table water!
// 6. Pottery Barn Cane Highball Glasses -- $72 (set of 6) or $8 ea. (ON SALE) Love the scale of these taller glasses for cocktails or even just bubbly water. They also come in black and there is a matching large pitcher which is super cute!
// 7. Amazon TIKI Brand Herringbone Blue Glass Tabletop Torch (set of 3) -- $14 (ON SALE) I actually thought these were black at first but now I love them even more knowing they are blue because they match the rug! They also come in white and depending on how many tables you have in your space, it could be cute to have a mix of both. Use with this Citronella Torch Fuel to keep the mosquitoes away - they burn for up to 5 hours!
// 8. World Market Large White Enamel Wood Bowl -- $29 This bowl is so pretty for serving up a big green salad or pasta salad. Love that it’s enameled inside so it’s easy to clean.
// 9. Target 10.5” Melamine and Bamboo Dinner Plate, White -- $3 ea. I love that these plates aren’t just solid white, they have some interest going on and look like stoneware!
// 10. Target 45oz. Melamine and Bamboo Dinner Bowl, White -- $4 ea. We are MAJOR dinner bowl people. We recieved some “low bowls” from our wedding registry and they are my favorite thing ever. Perfect for big messy salads and quinoa bowls etc. We use them for basically everything and rarely use flat plates. These melamine bowls look to be similar in size!
// 11. World Market Barbecue Tool 6 Piece Gift Set -- $23 (ON SALE) This is such a cute gift but also I just love the look of these tools and the canvas case is gorgeous. Definitely ordering these because somehow our BBQ tools always go missing!?
// 12. World Market White Retro Drink Cooler -- $59 How stinkin’ cute is this?! Holds 18 cans or 12 bottles - perfect for a little dinner party.
// 13. World Market Blue Diamond Medallion Lorelai Indoor Outdoor Rug, 7’10” x 9’10”-- $279 (ON SALE!) This rug is incredible! Such a great pattern/color for an outdoor space and I love it with the grey lounge set.
// 14. Pottery Barn Terracotta Concrete Fluted Planter, Medium -- $149 Love the texture these add! If I could, I’d buy one in each size and do a little vignette with an olive tree in one and some lush white flowers/greenery in the others. The way they show them styled on the site is so good!
// 15. Pottery Barn Teracotta Concrete Fluted Planter, Tall -- $199 Here’s the tall skinny one. Would also be great if you had two flanking your front door, garage, or the door leading to your backyard space!
Of course, adding fresh flowers is always a plus! I love to use hanging planters in pots - the work is already done for you! Just purchase the cute hanging pot of blooming flowers and transfer it right to a large pot for your patio. Easy-peasy and instant gratification!
Happy Summer, guys! Hope you all find some ways to make your outdoor spaces work for you and your families. It’s the best time of year, after all! (quarantine or not!)
xoxo,
KZ
