We worked for 3 weeks solid on the backyard ..................for Ashley & Chris' baby shower.
As a family affair - we built a deck for extra seating ( with my contribution being the planning and decorating and the " bossing " ) A simple straight forward deck - we don't even have railings ( it's very close to the ground )
this is the area we placed it in ( from the original MLS photo's )
And though it's not that large a deck - I found a way to seat NINE people comfortably in a " conversation pit "
The furniture was bought from IKEA - ( the last 3 seats from one store - and the last 2 seats in another - we were soooo lucky )
Across from them I placed 3 cedar folding chairs that I bought in the winter off Craigs List - I think I paid 25.00 for all of them )
I remember John telling me I was nuts for buying outdoor furniture in the middle of the winter - but like childbirth he usually forgets all about it ...............
John says - That was a great call getting those chairs
Suzan says - And you thought I was nuts !
John says - I never said that
But he did ...................
They're so beautifully weathered that they may be my favorite things on the deck !
When I have some time I'll make cushions for them - but believe it or not - for hard wood chairs they're really comfortable !
I had another chair that we weren't using - it's a faux leather so it's perfect for outside and the same color as the cushions - so out it came
I filled the corners with plants ( that we still need to plant - they're perennials that were on sale ) which filled the spots up perfectly since they were out of the corner seats AND tables when we got to Ikea. I'm hoping this line continues next year because I'd love to add to it.................they have benches too !
We made the coffee table from extra wood we had on hand ( you can read about that
HERE )
John says - NOT WITH THE BRANCHES IN A VASE AGAIN!
Suzan says - I LOVE branches in a vase - and they're free - why do you fight it?
John says - Because they're all over the house - and I'm constantly being poked by them
But the branches in the vase are staying !
I took advantage of the other side of the deck ( because we can never have a spare inch anywhere - a spare inch is a wasted inch in my opinion LOL ) and placed a small bistro table
And of course a vintage ( possibly antique ) door !
That table? Was the same color as the furniture - but I bought it many years ago - and black worked best at the time - now it's pretty beaten up and time to sand it all down - no paint brush will ever touch it again !
Anyway this corner still needs a lot of tweaking....................but the conversation area is FAIT ACCOMPLIS !!!
Simple but perfect for us - AND WE HAVE A DECK - HOLY COW - WE
HAVE A DECK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
( and next thing on the list is installing French Doors from the dining room so we have indoor access - right now the only access is from the kitchen and through the mud room )
Guess where I'll be today ?
I'll be going back and forth from the deck to the
And then back to the deck again !
Though the pool's on the other side of the garden completely - if you're sitting on the end of the sofa you can catch a glimpse of it. - but I'll give you a close up instead :)
The reno's on the inside have been nothing short of a nightmare.............
But this back yard has been a dream come true -
When we're inside we sit around grumbling about how much there's still left to do -
and then we step outside and have to pinch ourselves - we're so grateful - and now
with the deck we're pinching ourselves so hard we've got bruises ......................
So I plan to spend a day in dreamland - with black and blue marks all over my body
Let me know what time you're coming over - there's enough room for 8 of you !
You all have a glorious Monday !
Much love,
Me
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