4 minute read…..

Our Backyard Reveal | A New Favorite Place to Relax

Living in Florida, you quickly realize how much life can happen outside.

The daily sunshine and warm nights are almost impossible to resist….I say almost because once that humidity rolls in, my opinion changes. But today, we’re talking about all the good and glory we get to experience in our outdoor space.

THE GOAL |  Create a Comfortable, Elevated, and Kid-Friendly Backyard Space

The direction was clear from the beginning.  I was designing an outdoor space that would be used by our whole family, so it had to be kid-friendly.

• Our backyard needed to be a place where we could sit with our morning coffee.

• A place where our kids could hang with their friends without us worrying things would getting wrecked.

• A space where we switch easily between entertaining and unwinding.

  
  

So every decision came back to these three things:

COMFORT. LONGEVITY. ENJOYMENT.

Here’s an overview of what I did…..

1.      Installed a lanai to keep the bugs out of our space

2.      Installed pavers to define a living, dining and lounging area

3.      Opted for comfort seating that was durable and easy to clean

4.      Incorporated coordinating décor to enhance the beauty of the space

5.      Added ‘fun,’ functional items that would make our gatherings (TV, color-changing string lights, speakers, etc.) more enjoyable

6.      Used fans to prolong the amount of time we can be outside

7.      Added plants to bring the space to life

For the complete details and shopping links, keep reading.

When we were first looking at homes to buy in Florida, I was really put off by lanais in the backyard.  I thought they looked like cages – and who wants to live in a cage?

But now……I LOVE them! 

No flies to swat away from the food. No bees buzzing around while you’re trying to relax. And no spiders (which, if you know me… is reason enough on its own;). 

Now,  I seriously love ours.  It makes our outdoor space so much more enjoyable, and that’s what I set out to do when I created this design. 

Thank you to Commercial Residential Aluminum for helping us with our lanai and patio project.

2 | PAVERS
Our house colors are Misty, Uncertain Gray, African Gray, Web Gray, Snowbound and Iron Ore (front door only) by Sherwin-Williams.

I wanted a light colored paver that would be cohesive with our existing house color, but also have some variation for visual interest and to conceal any soiling that may occur.  We decided on Harmony Stone’s marble tile paver in the color Aegean Royal for its beautiful texture and natural color.

NOTE: These pavers are more porous than typical pavers so they can get dirty easier, but they were SO beautiful that we decided to go with them anyway. We invested in a light-weight pressure washer and wet/dry vac just in case any heavy-duty soiling occurs.  We needed these tools for outdoor chores anyway, so it made sense to us.

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3 | PRACTICAL, COMFORT SEATING
Next was the furniture.  I wanted something that could withstand the Florida elements.  We splurged on a dining set from a local showroom, but you can get an almost identical set from Ashley here.  The table was cast aluminum for maximum protection from the harsh sun, tropical rains and salty air.  And we got woven resin chairs with washable, upholstered cushions for comfort and easy care.

In the living area, we were lucky enough to find a collection that matched our other furniture perfectly.  We got two outdoor loveseats a set of outdoor swivel chairs – all of them are super comfy with washable cushion covers.  We also got a large, round concrete coffee table and two side tables for food and drinks.  Unfortunately, our side tables have been discontinued, but here is a similar one if you’re interested.

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In between outdoor dining and living areas, we had quite a bit of space left over.  We, of course, needed a grill and opted to get one with a smoker.  Ours is no longer available, but this grill/smoker combo is very similar. And there was still room enough for what I thought could be a dance floor 😊, but we opted for sun-loungers instead.  Since the area isn’t sheltered from the rain, we opted to go with cushion-less loungers that would dry quickly.

4 | COORDINATING DECOR
To define the space and protect the floor in the living area, we got a natural fiber jute outdoor rug.  The color and texture add beautiful contrast to both the pavers and the furnishings, while also making the space feel more cozy with its rich warm color.

Since it’s still spring with summer approaching, I decided to go with pink and green pillows for now and can easily update them at the seasons shift.

I also included this lightweight throw blanket to cozy up with on cooler nights.

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5 | FUN, FUNCTIONAL ITEMS
One of my favorite things to do to enhance a space is add music.  So of course we installed outdoor speakers.  Whether we’re having a chill morning, barbequed dinner or having game night, playing music really brings the vibes.

And, what would a living area be like without a TV?  I have to say that this was one of my favorite add-ons.  Our family LOVES watching TV outside.  Whether it’s Stranger Things in the dark or Diary of a CEO with our morning coffee.  We got this TV and this portable, pivoting TV stand and these fun, color-changing string lights to add to the mood.

6 | FANS
Next, we got a couple of fans; one ceiling fan and one portable fan.  This Hunter ceiling fan has been working well so far and it was a great price.  We also got pedestal fan for the living area.  It pushes some serious air, but it’s a bit loud when you’re having conversation.

7 | FLORALS & PLANTS
Lastly, I always add plants and florals to a space to give it life. In our backyard space I used a combination of real plants and faux flowers.  We get lots of sunlight so the plants really thrive, but since flowers die quickly, I used faux florals for our outdoor dining area.

What this Space Gave Us
This wasn’t just about creating a beautiful backyard.  It was about creating a space we actually use. Now we spend more time there, relax a little deeper and everyday moments just feel better.

If your outdoor space needs updating I’d love to help you. Reach out here for a no-obligation discovery call to see if we’re a fit.

Val xo

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