Perking Up the Deck and Yard

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Even though the weather in Minnesota can’t seem to make up it’s mind if it should be a cool Spring or an early Summer, the itch to get outside is hard to resist this time of year.

Since the lilac trees are beginning to bloom (meaning the morel mushrooms will be popping up soon!), I’m going to start planning my summer outdoor decor now and remain optimistic that the warm weather will soon be here to stay.

So what items have caught my eye lately?

First I received this email from Crate and Barrel that heavily features this year’s accent color, Tangerine Tango.

 

Of course I’m digging the orange watering can and wishing for some orange cushions to liven up my standard stacking outdoor chairs we got at Target years ago. I also love the rustic style of the Driftwood Birdhouse as a foil for the modern boldness of the orange accents.

 

We already have 2 Emmet Lounge Chairs in green from Room and Board we got from a friend when he moved to San Francisco last summer.  They’ve held up beautifully without any covers this winter, and they’ve been a great punch of color out the windows in the middle of the bleak winter.  So how do I tie the orange and green together?  Here are my inspiration boards showing the current state of the deck (it really doesn’t look like anything special in this photo) and my goal end results.

 

First off, what does this deck look like now? Well, the top left picture shows it in action the FIRST WEEKEND after we moved in.  Our friend, Tom, was visiting for business so we had no time to wait before playing hosts.  So what do you do? Send the guys off to golf, set up the patio furniture, grill a giant platter of veggies (foreground) and some steaks, open that giant bottle of Heineken beer you got as a gift, and enjoy the company of friends.

Now it’s a year later (almost) and our plans for the deck are pretty settled in our minds.

Step 1: Strip the red stain off the deck and flip/repair any damaged boards.  

Step 2: Remove the existing railing.

Step 3: Remove the slanting and shallow depth steps to the yard. (They are tricky for kids and in the winter)

Step 4: Install longer, deeper steps in one location.

Step 5: Install new square posts along the perimeter.

Step 6: Stain the deck, posts and steps a warm gray color. 

Step 7: Install a cable rail system around the deck for a more open and modern aesthetic.

 

Ok, you have that visual in mind now?  Now here is how I’ll furnish the deck, utilizing the existing wood slat table and chairs (seen above).

 

First, I’ll use our existing umbrella that looks similar to the example above, though it’s in more of a narrow two tone gray stripe pattern.

Then pull the punch of orange I’m craving together with our green Emmet Lounge Chairs by mixing in throw pillows with large botanical prints in orange and green.

Though I’d love to buy the Layered Side Table in orange, it makes more sense in white when placed between the green chairs. I like that the width of this piece easily allows for both loungers to have a spot for their drink AND snacks.

The gray dining chairs will get a punch of orange with the striped throw pillows that pull together the gray colors of the house, deck and umbrella.

The deck, front entry, and garden will all get accessories of their own in the form of large gray planters, a new doormat (it’s a Fox!), stone lanterns along the paths for mood lighting, and sculptural pieces to tuck in amongst the plantings.

Finally, a deep orange watering can will inspire me to help with the gardening duties, which is key since my husband is planting a huge vegetable garden for the first time this year. I can’t wait for all that kale, tomatoes, cucumbers and fresh herbs to take over my kitchen!

Since the Fox doormat is sold out, I’ll be recreating this with the plain coir doormat I already have, a stencil and some paint. Easy peasy!

I can’t wait to get started on all these great projects (after I finish the nursery I’m working on now, of course.)

 

Photo credits:

Ad from Crate & Barrel

Photo of my deck taken by me

Inspiration images from Houzz: Mark English Architects and Becker Architects Limited

 

Furnishings:

1. Umbrella

2. Iris Speckled Planters

3. Emmet Lounge Chair

4. Clinton Friedman Coral Tree Pillow Cover

5. Layered Side Table in White

6. Clinton Friedman Leaf Study Pillow Cover

7. Tangerine Watering Can

8. Andromeda Planters

9. Stone Rice Grinding Disks

10. Stone Egg Lanterns

11. Sunbrella Valencia Stripe Pillow

12. Stone Garden Mushroom and Bunny

13. Fox Doormat (no longer available)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: cable railing, color palette, Crate & Barrel, deck, gray, orange, patio, pillows, planters, Room and Board, table, VivaTerra, West Elm
Posted in Design & Home Living Tips, Inspiration Boards | 2 Comments »