Welcome Home | Visions of a Backyard Wonderland
Nate and I are signing the lease on our new (to us) HOUSE today! I was waiting to tell everyone about it until all the rental paperwork was finalized because I’m a bit superstitious about counting my contracts before they’re hatched. But… now it’s OFFICIAL. Nate and I are going to be moving at the end of this month into an absolutely charming 1920′s bungalow just southeast of downtown about a mile from where we are now, but in a much more residential neighborhood. I’m going to go take photos sometime soon and measure because we aren’t exactly sure how big everything is. Especially our yard. People, I can’t even express to you the sheer joy about this yard. The little bungalow is situated in the center of a huge lot and a half which means that we have the BIGGEST areas of yard completely surrounding our new abode. On the right is a big deck and on the left is a huge open shaded canvas upon which I can paint my outdoor entertaining masterpiece! And the gardening… oh the gardening that is going to happen. I digress…
I’ve been trying to mentally begin to plan out the layout we want in our yard. We have too much yard to know what to do with but we’re thinking of having some comfy seating and a firepit on the deck and then a long table and chairs for outdoor dinner parties on the opposite side of the house. I found this lovely outdoor table that can seat up to TEN and fell in love. I checked our local Ikea and they have it in stock so I’m set. I ADORE the idea of bright orange plastic chairs but I’m having a hard time tracking them down. The style I like from Ikea only comes in white and powder blue. (Sadface.) I like the shade of orange on the chair to the right better but it’s also ridiculously priced. The ones on the left are from Crate and Barrel and are a much better deal, but I’m afraid their orange will blend in with the color of the wood. I want it to POP!. I fell in love with an egg chair that Pottery Barn no longer sells but these little Barrel Chairs are a close match. I actually like them a bit better as they are smaller and I could actually fit a pair together. I’m not sure why I love the industrial planter and coffee table so much but I just do. I’m still on the lookout for the perfect fire pit. I want something a bit more modern than the ones available at Target. Any suggestions? I really love these little solar lights and I plan on lining our outdoor walkways with them. The yard is big and there isn’t a lot of light from streetlights in the back so I’m afraid it may get scary dark back there. Hopefully these little lights will keep things glowing. And last, but definitely not least… this umbrella from World Market is absolute perfection. I love the bright floral pattern and think it will look so gorgeous surrounded by wood and green.
Do you have an outdoor entertaining area? Do you have any tips for a newbie like myself? ;)
How awesome!! I LOVE living in the heart of the city, but I LONG for a backyard!! It’s definitely on the must list for our next place. Good luck with decorating the outdoor space, can’t wait for gatherings! Shawn & I have been to one too many BBQ’s the last few weeks and I swear if I have to eat another hamburger/hotdog I’m going to die! Does no one know how to throw a grown-up party? You’ll pull it together & it will be fabulous! Everything you do is fabulous! =)
@Saudi… that’s exactly the vibe I’d like to have back there! :)
@Mom… me neither!
Oooh barrel chair *love* and the colorful table as well!
The orange chairs actually remind me of these very old plastic chairs we had way back in the day at my grandparents summer house, the design is stylized and refined, plus the legs were made out of metal, but the color is pretty much matched to it.
I loved those chairs. They instantly reminded me of lime trees, avocados, thousands of fireflies and the smell of fresh mint from my grandmom’s herb garden.
OK now I need a mojito…
I agree that a fire pit is definately a must have!!! Can’t wait to see it all come together also…
@Sarah That’s a great suggestion! I’ve been looking for things that are weatherproof but hadn’t thought about making sure I can rinse it all down in one swoop.
@Alexis It’s up for grabs! :)
I’m so excited for you! I’d love to have an area like that to entertain people! I’m a huge fan of the fire pits, especially when fall comes and the nights get chilly. It’s fabulous to curl up around a fire pit with a cozy cardigan and look at the stars.
YAAAAAAAY! Congrats on the new abode, I’m so excited for you!! We love our outdoor entertaining area! Remember our pergola?! Well we have now gotten furniture, etc. to make it all perty! My one suggestion is to just make sure it can all be washed/hosed down since it will be outside, especially if it’s wooded in the area! Can’t wait to see it all come together!
Hmm…& what happens to that apartment? ;)
Sounds lovely, can’t wait to see everything!