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As summer rapidly approaches, we are eagerly preparing our backyard for a season filled with joyous occasions. From hosting our son's college buddy to throwing a memorable engagement party and welcoming family from out of town, our backyard will be the ultimate hub of celebration. Here is part of our journey as we transform our outdoor space into a haven for entertaining and creating lasting memories.
Creating a Vision:
With a packed social calendar, we began envisioning a backyard that would cater to the needs of our guests (minus a nice big swimming pool). Our list of must-have features included additional seating, an updated designated dining area, and spaces for relaxation and mingling. We knew it was time to revamp our old, weather-worn outdoor sectional, fix our irrigation system, and give our grass some TLC.
Inspired by HGTV:
During my recovery from surgery, I found solace in watching HGTV and stumbled upon some inspiration from Down Home Fab's Chelesa DeBoer. Her words, "When in doubt, paint it black," struck a chord with us. I looked outside and said to Skott, "How about we paint the posts outside black", it didn't take any convincing at all he was all in. I already knew the perfect black paint color, Tricorn Black from Sherwin Williams. It is the same color we used in our game room. Skott hurried over to Lowes the very next day and picked up a gallon of HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams Weathershield® Exterior Paint & Primer in Tricorn Black and a new paint sprayer. In a very short period of time, we both discovered that black accents have a grounding effect in decorating, adding elegance and depth to any space. We're on the bandwagon "When in doubt, paint it black".
A Team Effort:
I recently had surgery and I'm on strict guidelines of what I can and cannot do. So, with my recovery in focus, Skott took charge of ALL the physical work. He painted our outdoor posts, picked up and assembled our new outdoor furniture, replaced blown-out string lights, and spruced up the landscaping. While I contributed through online shopping for furniture, decor, and accessories he put in the real labor and worked tirelessly every night after work.
Setting the Mood:
To extend our entertainment into the evening, we invested in charming outdoor lighting options. Working string lights now cast a warm and inviting glow above our seating and dining areas. I also purchased outdoor table lamps (an amazing FRONTGATE dupe for a fraction of the price) and will be adding a fire table, lanterns, candles, and solar-powered lights around the yard. The use of black and metal finishes ties everything together, creating a cohesive and stylish look.
Functional and Stylish Furniture:
We carefully selected outdoor furniture that would provide both functionality and visual appeal. Some fantastic Better Homes & Gardens rollback pieces on Walmart.com caught my eye and became a steal of a deal. With two couches that included nesting side tables, covers for protection, and a set of two swivel chairs, our backyard now offers a variety of seating options for all our guests outside of our dining table for twelve (12) and Adirondack seating for four (4).
Symbolizing Our Partnership:
The transformation of our backyard goes beyond entertaining—it symbolizes our 25-year partnership. Even during my recovery, the two of us managed to use each other's strengths and work through the backyard refresh half a woman down. To me, this project stands as a testament to the strength of our marriage and our willingness to step up for one another when needed.
As we eagerly await the arrival of summer, our almost completed transformed backyard stands as a testament to our dedication to creating a space that fosters connection and celebration and our two-decade partnership. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook as we continue the refresh process.
Let me know what outdoor projects you're working on in the comments below ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
XOXO
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