Sunday, August 9, 2015

A SIMPLE DECK

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


LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                          A STROLL THRU LIFE
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT                   SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
MY SALVAGED TREASURES                                  FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
NO MINIMALIST HERE                                           I GOTTA CREATE
LAMBERTS LATELY                                                LIVE LAUGH ROWE
THE CHARM OF HOME                                          FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE
CRAFTBERRY BUSH                                               MY TURN FOR US
PIN JUNKIE                                                              THE SHABBY NEST
LITTLE MISS CELEBRATION                                 THE DIY DREAMER
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE


35 comments:

  1. I love the deck - you did one heck of a job on it. Love the furniture and everything. Pour my drink, I'll be right over - wish I really could.
    Have a great week
    Mary

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  2. It all looks so beautiful! I have those same chairs in Teak. Love them!!! Hope you actually take the time to enjoy your outdoor sitting area!

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  3. Oh man! You have a cute country house.....although, I get the feeling you're going with something different than country. Personally I love country/farmhouse/cottage homes. And your deck is the bomb! I don't blame you, I would love the yard, too! It's very inviting....so I'll be there right after lunch. I'll bring snacks, suntan lotion and towels.

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  4. Suzan,
    Ohhhhhhh love the deck so gorgeous and the pool is always so dreamy to have. I love the new float you got for me. Love the colorful stripes. I will be there soon to float on that and have some frosty beverages by the pool!!!!! Hope the shower was so nice and fun.
    Kris

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  5. That is a really nice seating area and lucky you to have the pool. Enjoy!

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  6. Wonderful job on the great looking deck.
    Don't know for sure how many plants you have there that repel mosquitos but here is a listing of just a few; some of which you may already have and some you might consider. Citronella candles also helps driving away them nasty insects.
    Mosquito Plants
    Citronella
    Lemon Balm
    Catnip
    marigolds
    Lavender
    Basil
    peppermint
    Garlic
    Pennyroyal
    I see you already have rosemary :}
    I think I remember reading that you had bought some Geraniums :}
    Now, if I lived closer, I would be over in a heart beat, but you wouldn't catch me in the pool, except maybe for my feet but would sit on the deck and enjoy a nice cold glass of ice tea of glass of wine with ya.

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  7. Gorgeous!!! I prefer red wine please!! Haha, enjoy your beautiful yard Suzan!

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    Replies
    1. And YOU could just ride over on your bike Kim LMHO !!!
      Thanks SO much !
      xox

      Delete
  8. I love your deck - the seating, the plants, the window on the easel, the door... It is beautiful and you deserve a day to relax, enjoy the pool and sit on your beautiful deck. xo Patty

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  9. Super deck and I'm loving the chairs. Enjoy!!

    Cindy

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  10. I'll be there with a nice bottle of wine! Ooo, I love the deck! It's perfect for that spot and you've got it looking just beautiful! Great find and buy on the folding chairs! And to think John that you were silly....I think we know who's really silly! :-)
    After I float in that gorgeous pool, I will come sit on that lovely deck and enjoy a glass of wine and we'll talk and talk! (Oh how I wish!)
    Enjoy your day! Hugs,
    Cecilia

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  11. Love it. Especially the cedar chairs! Would almost be a shame to cover the seats with cushions.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks So much Teddee - we're loving it too !
      xox

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  12. That pool looks so inviting! And the deck looks large, perfect for entertaining. So is the deck on the other side of the house, I can't picture it?

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  13. Ok by the time I hitch hike to Seattle with my handcart full of luggage and a few unpainted bits of craigslist finds, fly up your way it will be Halloween! Is the pool heated? Xxxx

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    Replies
    1. No it's not LMHO !!!
      BUT if you start out next April - you can be hear by next June - which would be perfect !!!
      XOXO

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  14. Oh how I've missed you, girl! You always bring a smile to my face when I read what you and John have been up to. And I love your new deck...and pool?? I didn't know that house was blessed with a pool! Soooo nice! Your deck is just awesome. So cozy and cool! You did a fabulous job!! Hope you've had lots of pool time this summer! Hugs, Suzan!!!

    xoxo laurie

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  15. Fantastic. That pool looks wonderful. It was 108 here today...

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  16. Very nice...the deck, the yard, and that glorious pool. Hope you enjoyed your deck & pool time without too many bruises.

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  17. Gosh, that looks nice! We'll be heading up north in December (probably)...any change you'll have the pool enclosed and heated by then. We could swing by! Enjoy it while you can!

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  18. Love your deck...and the pool...so pretty!!
    ~Cindy

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  19. Fabulous looking deck! I love the new and old furniture, and what a gorgeous pool!

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  20. You deck and furnishings look amazing Suzan. I love the new Ikea furniture and what a great find with the folding chairs too. Of course, the pool looks very inviting. Enjoy!

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  21. ahh...you did a jam-up good job on your deck. It's really nice and so much seating area.....I love it. and you should be very proud.

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  22. i totally wanted a low floating deck myself, so i'm super loving yours. enjoy out here, i know you will!
    b

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  23. i totally wanted a low floating deck myself, so i'm super loving yours. enjoy out here, i know you will!
    b

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  24. Save a spot for me!!! What a cozy seating area you've created. I love those fold-up chairs. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

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  25. Hi Suzan, The deck and pool are wonderful and I'm sure you are enjoying spending time outdoors. Thanks for linking to the SYS party.
    xx,
    Sherry

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  26. Hi Suzan,

    My B-I-L Fred installed a 12 x 15 "floating" deck for me in 2001 to replace the pea gravel "patio" I'd been living with outside my patio door at my former home since it was built in 1990, LOL! I loved that deck, and despite the fact that it was hammered together by him in one day, it was still working just fine when I moved out of the home in July of last year. Best thing I ever had done around that house was having Fred put that deck in. It was pressure treated lumber, nothing fancy, and some of the boards he installed incorrectly, with the "crowns" not on top, so eventually some of the boards warped. But overall, that deck was wonderful! I have a huge concrete patio now and it is hot as hell and flat and boring and ugly! I hate it, actually. Those cedar chairs are FABULOUS! They look comfortable just seeing them in your photos! Love your deck. I hope everything else is as water proof as those cedar chairs and (I hope) the deckboards and coffee table, which is also FABULOUS. Looks wonderful, Suzan.

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  27. I have to laugh at the "fait accompli" because I know you'll change it all again as soon as you have your new windows... But "chut!" I'm not telling John a thing, I'll let him think for the summer that you won't ever change a thing on your gorgeous deck!

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  28. I hope I'm one of the eight who can come and hang out on your BEAUTIFUL deck, Suzan! It's great, and those wood chairs are fabulous!

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  29. Replies
    1. Thanks so much Maureen !
      We have to build some type of roof for it next year - it's under a massive oak tree and everytime squirrels play in it ( hourly it seems ) branches fall on our head LOL
      XOX

      Delete

Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo