When we moved into this house I noticed a pile of extra bricks placed neatly in a corner of our garage and immediately had the idea to use them to replace the ugly plastic border around the backyard garden planter. And every single time I look out the windows into the backyard I think about it. Last weekend, I finally decided to do it. It may have had something to do with purchasing our new patio furniture or the fact that Summer is right around the corner but either way, I love that it finally looks the way I imagined it would …without too much back-breaking work and zero cost.
. . .are they level? …not really, had to adjust for that
. . .husband relaxing in the sun
. . .doggie approval
While it’s close, our backyard living space is still not entirely complete …but as usual, my impatience forces me to share the process instead of the finished product.
Admittedly, we didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg for patio furniture. We wanted a bit of a rustic but modern, spanish/vacation-ey feel and I think we achieved it. We purchased the love seat & two chairs at Osh {on no tax day for $380 by Pacific Bay “Cabrillo Collection”} which came with 4 throw pillows & a matching little coffee table {not shown}. I had planned on using the coffee table shown which was my husband’s prior to me and really made for indoor use. I will use the matching table {that came with the set} on the pool side of our yard next to the loungers {not shown}. We have a matching dining room table we’ll probably use out here as well …and that little faded green wicker round table is from Ikea {came with a chair that I have since covered in leopard print upholstery} which I bought for my first apartment when I was 18. Who says Ikea furniture doesn’t last? ;)
I am still on the hunt for an umbrella for shade, a few cute outdoor tchotchkes & potted plants, possibly a woven rug and a few more decorative pillows in different patterns and shades of blue to tie in the aqua in the pool and the royal in the random decorative tiles on the wall behind the pool {single matching tile on tabletop shown below}.
It’s so nice to finally have a place to sit in our backyard while the weather is warming up but still breezy. We don’t manually heat the pool so we’re waiting for the temperature to warm up so we can swim …and it’s almost there. Oh how I love Summer ..and it’s almost here too.
CLICK HERE to see our entire back yard + updated patio
Tiffany*
Gorgeous back yard! Love the color of the patio furniture cushions and the touch of teal. I love lining beds with bricks, I did mine a few years ago but need to touch it up this summer. Just waiting for nice weather!
Enjoy your back yard :)
beijos-Tiffany-http://imashoewhore.blogspot.com
Jill
It looks great! Check out World Market for outdoor rugs. Inexpensive and good colors.
Have you seen the Kate Spade pearl thong sandal? I immediately thought of you and your DIY projects!
Lexy
WOW! What a pretty space! I love the Mediterranean feel with the pops of blue. I am sure you will enjoy lounging out back with an ice cold drink in the summer, feeling the breeze!
Enjoy your new space!
Lexy (Beautylicious Fastionista)
http://lexythebeauty.blogspot.com
Vee
It looks great! I’m sure you’ll have a lovely summertime in your backyard. I’m just like you, the arrival of summer makes me oh-so happy!
FASHION SNAG
You did a great job Maegan! I love the photo of your husband snoozing and the dogs watching you while you are working. x
http://www.FashionSnag.com
anhesty
you put me to shame. i have lived in my new house for almost a year and yet you have done way more than i have in a couple of months. but you do inspire me to try… looks great!
Erin
As expected…looks fantastic. You should look at the FLOR.com company. I beleive they have outdoor carpet squares that you put together to form rugs and they are mostly made from recycled carpet and are about of Mission Zero :)
Anonymous
LOVE THE “OLD BRICK” BRICKS! VERY DESIRABLE AND DIFFICULT TO FIND. YOUR OASIS IS BEAUTIFUL. LET’S ALL WISH FOR A WARM AND SUNNY SPRING, AND A BEAUTIUL SUMMER.
Gwen
I love it!!! I’ve wanted to do something to our deck for so long but I keep holding off hoping we’ll move. Maybe this year will be the year I cave thanks to your inspiration. :) XOXO
the red bungalow
The brick definitely adds a nice touch! I love brick-edge planters. And the new cushions and everything definitely make your patio much more cozy (I’m sure you’ll use it a ton more now!)
Really Great!
Bre @ http://theredbungalow.blogspot.com
Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries
I’m so jealous of your amazing patio…. XXX
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
Katie
Looks great!
Lorena
How pretty Maegan… it’s so peaceful and inviting to just lay there, read a book, blog, anything.
Love your flowers… ENJOY YOUR PATIO!
Leia
You really know how to brighten up places!
K.Line
This is SO impressive. Great job M. I think you are as talented with garden design as fashion!
Mrs. Priss
I absolutely LOVE it! This is what makes me excited to finally get into my own house… I can actually spruce up MY yard however I want. Gorgeous!
Chicago Mom (Heather)
I love it! You’re killing me. Would die for a patio, pool & palms trees. Stuck in the midwest. Humph.
Ela
Levelling out stones/brick is the worst. You did a fabulous job!
And LOL at IKEA – so true! I used to have a lamp about 14 years ago and I just saw that my cousin brought it over to her new condo, still works!
Elle Sees
I have the same chairs–no couch, as no room–and the rocking chair-style as well. Love ‘em! And love how something as simple as bricks can completely change the place!
Kristina
hi
my big passion is painting and drawing. last week i made a pictre for a friend’s birthday – doesn’t you think she looks a little like you? -> http://a-cocktail-a-day.blogspot.com/2010/04/green-eyes.html#comments
kisses from Switzerland
Kristina
Maat
Very beautiful!
Pretty Little World
I think it looks wonderful! It always amazes me how difference small changes can make in the way that something looks.
And I always think that sharing the work in progress is just as fun!!
starbox
lovely and comfy! it’s funny how small thing have a big output!
box-of-style
Alba
This is so beautyful! great job!! xoxo
6roove
wonderful idea!
I love the look of minigarden, these roses are so romantic
That garden is a part of my dream about my own house ;)
kisses!
Absolutely Ladylike
Dear Maegan!
Congratulations for the new house! Your backyard is really gorgeous! You did a fantastic job…I can’t wait for the summer as well, and I’m excited about to see what you will share with us /from your new house/…
Cheers: Evi
Lisa Petrarca
It’s looking great Maegan! If you want umbrella’s on a budget…just saw some at Big Lots for $50.00.
Ours got ripped during our recent move, was going to by a new one but still broke so I sewed ours (that’s a miracle for me…I HATE to sew!!)
Keep posting the pics…love seeing the before & afters.
Jessica
Incredible job! I just love home improvement projects – they always feel so rewarding when they’re finished!
☮ midnightintern ☮
Oh my god. This looks so, so great.
Wish I had a green thumb!
xoxox
Angela
Looks amazing Maegan!! Oh, and I’m so very jealous of your palm tree…
drollgirl
it looks fantastic! i can’t fathom why the previous folks put in that janky roller rink looking plastic! the bricks look a scrillion times better!
and you settle down on the summer talk. BLEH! i am loving spring and NOT looking forward to the 100 degree temps of summer! oh well. it’ll be ok. :)
Monique
Love it!
Katy
It’s such a great improvement! Love it!
Caroline, No.
Wow, great idea and you pulled it off, too! Well done.
Dan Aragon
Good job on the backyard match over.
outdoor patio furniture
Love what you did. It’d be better if you can add some benches or more deep seats. got my pieces on an online sale. They’re beautiful. Great value for money.
wicker furniture
I always go for teak wood sets for outdoor furniture. They’re very durable and elegant. Plus they look better as they age. Wicker and wrought iron are also good materials. For those who have budget constraints, I suggest going for synthetic resin. They’re very light, elegant and most of all, they’re cheap. Got mine on an online sale. Truly a great value for money.