Sunday, May 2, 2010

My Favorite Outdoor Space

Here's my favorite spot in our backyard ... and front yard, for that matter!
I love to sit out here in the morning, look out into the woods and listen to the birds sing.The space is the patio outside my walkout basement. It is below the deck off the main floor. The little cleyera shrubs we planted several years ago have grown up to  create a little privacy on one side. On the other side of the patio, the house juts out making a little enclave; my own little  sanctuary. I will miss this space most of all if we move. tear :'-(
This is the beautiful view I see in early Spring when sitting on the bench. The little blue playhouse was mine when I was a little girl. Yes, we brought it with us from California, all the way to North Carolina. It is painted  blue because we lived in a little blue house in California. It is painted just like our sweet little house ... cornflower blue, grey shutters and bright white trim. This view is just another reason why this space is so special to me.


We found the bench many years ago back in California at Costco. It used to sit on our front porch. Reminds me of a cute Halloween photo I took of my girls when they were young. Jess was a cat & Jen was dressed as a little bride. 
Back to the patio... This year it was looking pretty weather worn, so I put a coat of stain/sealer on it. We had some leftover stain from our Adirondack chairs.

As you can see I needed a new pad for the bench.

I also needed some flowers.

I found a new seat cushion at HomeGoods. Blue and Green are my favorite colors, so I 'm glad they are back in style! The pillows  are  from Target.

And, as you can see, I couldn't leave those pots alone, so I spray painted them! I know they will only last a season, but that's ok. The large one is old & the planter is starting to chip and the one on the right has a big crack in it. I bought Valspar spray paint in Mediterranean and Green Leaf . 
I bought two impatiens and two 6 packs of begonia at Lowe's. Can't wait for the plants to fill in.


I've had that Ivy for years. I just keep dividing the ivy into more pots & cutting it back every year. You can't kill them!!!

The lantern was an online purchase from JC Penney a while back. I didn't really like it when I opened the box and tried to make it fit in on the patio in the woods, the deck and then the porch, but it didn't look right. Yesterday, I brought it down here & I think it has finally found a home. Need to put it on a couple of bricks to raise it up, though.



Here's  a closer look at the painted pots.

I brought home three ferns from Home Depot.  - One for each post.


So, that is my favorite space. I hope you enjoyed seeing it.
I also hope everyone is having a great weekend and did something fun! 
You know I love digging in the dirt,  planting flowers and making things pretty.
Now, on to the front porch! 
I need some inexpensive ideas for a wreath for the front door! Anyone have suggestions???

Pam


70 comments:

  1. Lovely space! I can see why it's your fave! Can I come sit with you?
    :)

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  2. What a fabulous space! I love all the color - simply stunning! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  3. Following from the "Sunday Showcase"..
    What a beautiful relaxing spot!
    Love it!
    Sandy
    http://thewondersofdoing.blogspot.com/

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  4. thanks for the visit today.. you mentioned
    "My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia",,, could you give me the URL for her blog.. I'd like to check out her tile.. thanks for the info...
    Sandy
    http://thewondersofdoing.blogspot.com/

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  5. If that were my backyard it would be my favorite spot too!! You've got a great area!!

    Thanks for Hookin' up your link to my first link party!!

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  6. You have such a lovely yard. While I spent most of the day yesterday working on my flower beds, you are still miles ahead of me. I still haven't pulled the cushions for my outdoor furniture out of storage. It looks like you are ready to relax with a cold drink and enjoy the weather!

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  7. Very beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful new week!
    hugs...
    Bobbi

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  8. That's one cozy nook you have for sitting in and your new cushion and pot colours are super!

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  9. I love serene outdoor areas! What a beautiful retreat you have! Great job! Did you see the paper bag wreath in last week's party - I thought that was a great inexpensive DIY option. She even spray painted it so it'd help hold up longer.

    I also linked to your bathroom makeover from last week in this week's highlights. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity. I LOVE your style. ;)

    Roeshel

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  10. The bench looks brand new and the whole area is sooo cozy! I would love to sit here!
    dena
    sweet pickles and chocolate

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  11. What a pretty place to sit and look out at nature. I hope you are taking the playhouse with you again! Dropping by from BNOTP.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  12. Hi Pam! What a lovely porch you have! I love your bench and your new cushion and pots and plants are just perfect!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  13. I think that would be my favorite place, too! Thanks for sharing it with us and your decorating ideas. Love the painted pots.

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  14. What a beautiful spot. I love your cushions and your lantern. Very nice.

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  15. What a pretty little spot to relax in! Love it!

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  16. What a beautiful patio and backyard! I can truly see why you will miss it so much when you move. I'll miss my backyard so much too when we move this year but I'm looking forward to making new memories elsewhere!

    I love that you still have your playhouse!

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  17. Such a wonderful space!!! Love all of your photos...have a wonderful week!!!

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  18. I am loving all these changes Pam, full of color and warmth, and what a warm day today huh? WOW!

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  19. Pam, I love your porch. It is so pretty all fixed up and everything painted bright colors. What a gorgeous view to look out at.

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  20. What a lovely space, so serene! And I like our little house, so cute!...Christine

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  21. Hi Pam! Your outdoor space is so inviting. Love that bench! Oh, and the view you have is just breathtaking. I would die for all those trees. Love the little playhouse too.

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  22. How serene and peaceful that space looks. I could see myself sitting there reading a good book on a warm afternoon.

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  23. Looks very inviting-enjoy!

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  24. You have made a delightful place to sit in the heat of the day. Thanks for sharing. Valerie

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  25. Oh what a beautiful spot! You have really created a lovely outdoor space. Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

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  26. I love your revamped bench and pots, Pam. You have a wonderful place to sip lemonade during the upcoming hot months. Happy Blue Monday.

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  27. Beautiful! I love the blue & green!

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  28. I love the whole yard! Aren't walkout basements great?!

    http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/my-stairway-got-hit-with-the-ugly-stick/

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  29. I love your space! It looks so serene. Is there a trick to keeping ferns alive?? EVERYTIME I buy them they die. It's really frustrating!! I love them!

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  30. I love your special little spot. I can see why it's your favorite.

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  31. A lovely spot!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  32. What a pretty space to sit and have a cup of tea and ponder what you will do with the rest of the day!
    Debbie

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  33. I love your little private space too! Joni

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  34. What a lovely spot to relax, we all need to do that more.

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  35. Pam...it's beautiful! What a great spot to read a book and enjoy a spring day! Love the redo!

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  36. That looks like the PERFECT spot to curl up with a good book. Enjoy this North Carolina humidity...it came with a vengeance this year!

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  37. I also love the green blue combo. Awesome yard! You've been working hard! It looks like a park! I also linked up to DIY Day at http://missmatchedandmarvelous.blogspot.com/2010/05/for-love-of-all-things-louvered-and.html

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  38. I love the look and it is so calming with the blues and soft greens. Great place to sit with a cup of brew. Love what you did with the flowers. They will in nicely.

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  39. I can see why it is your favorite spot! It is indeed a lovely hideaway!

    ~ Tracy

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  40. Lovely outdoor living space. Great makeover on the bech. Your photos are wonderful.

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  41. You live in a lovely part of the world. You have a very pretty place and your decorations are some of the best.

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  42. What a beautiful spot! You made such an amazing change with paint!! I just became your 100th follower - congratulations! :) Can't wait to go through more posts!

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  43. That is a beautiful and very comfy looking spot! I would love to sit there every day too...with a cup of tea in the morning or a cold glass of white wine in the evening....bliss!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  44. Oh! I love what you did in this pretty little spot. The green and blue are so fresh but soothing too.

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  45. Yes Pam, it is a great space, I am inspired to redo mine. Love the little blue house.

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  46. Such a lovely peaceful setting. I can understand why you love it so much.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  47. I want to sit and read a good book. Love that area. Beautiful place to look out at too.
    Brooke

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  48. Beautiful space, love your backyard.

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  49. Your space is just beautiful. I'd like to just sit and drink a cup of coffee there on that cute little bench. Love your flowers too! ~Robyn

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  50. Your space is gorgeous! I want to come sit with you and have a glass of tea. Love your painted pots.

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  51. Your outdoor space is just wonderful! I would love to sit there enjoying my cup of joe - or a glass of vino at night! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today.

    Chelsea

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  52. I can see why you like that spot so much. You have it fixed up all cute. Bet it will be nice to have the shade there in the hot summer.

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  53. Your special spot looks so peaceful! Just the place to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee...
    Your yard is just beautiful....I have to ask, what do you feed your plants? They look so happy and healthy!
    I found your blog through Trendy Tree House Blog hop.

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  54. Fun space...wish I could come for a visit and enjoy. :) Thanks for sharing.

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  55. What a great space!

    I'm hosting a blog party on Saturday and I'd love it if you linked up! http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com

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  56. I can see why this is your favorite space! I feel relaxed just looking at it! What a nice little retreat.

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  57. What a gorgeous space! I'd love to sit there every morning... thanks for sharing it with us at the POPP.

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  58. What a great space!! I love the painted planters.....Kathy

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  59. Very pretty! I am sure you will enjoy your outdoor space.

    Carolyn

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  60. Such a beautiful patio. You have the greatest view too. Love it. Hugs, Marty

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  61. What a sweet little space. I love your little playhouse. How sweet to haul it cross country. My favorite colors are blue and green too (red is also a favorite) so I think it all looks great.

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  62. What a serene spot you've created for yourself. I can just imagine sitting there with a morning cup of coffee and watching the world wake up.

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  63. What a sweet spot. I can imagine sipping morning coffee there. Thanks for sharing!

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  64. Really nice! I have been drooling over Ballard's outdoor rooms and scheming about how to make my porch into a nice place to hang out!

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  65. WOW!!!
    Your porch looks soooo.... inviting...
    Hope we could have so much space in India where we live in tiny apartments...
    It must be so relaxing to just sit there with a cup of tea and a book and listen to soft music...
    **heaven**

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