I have been working hard getting our yard cleaned up and ready for those fun summer days and evenings. I love creating comfortable and inviting spaces for my family to enjoy, and since we spend so much time out in our yard, I wanted this to be both of those things. I participated in The Home Depot Patio Style Challenge last year and their Redux this year which kept me motivated to get it finished early! Now I am just so glad to have the space finished and ready for us to enjoy!
I kept the same patio set that I refinished last year, but I added a few other things here and there. The biggest change was all of the pops of color added by the gorgeous perennials we planted.... and, of course, my annual hanging baskets which I always love. I also refinished these umbrellas that a sweet friend gave to me. I will be sharing more on that later this week or next. They were pretty rough, but with a little elbow grease they now look almost new!
I planted a number of perennials: Violas, Delphiniums, Hostas, Pincushions, a Butterfly Bush, and more. I also am excited to see how my hydrangeas that I planted last year come back. I hope they are beautiful because I really love hydrangeas.
We built the privacy lattice/garden vine lattice last year as part of the challenge and it has made the biggest difference in our home and yard. Our neighbors installed windows on this side of their home and have their RV parked here, so it gives us the much needed privacy as well as a much prettier view. I can't wait until our vines grow big enough to really cover the lattice!
I also repurposed the DIY hinged chalkboard from last year to add to my DIY Outdoor Planked Wall so we can have fun with kids' drawings, menus, etc. for the summer.
Every spring I check the forecast and count down the days until I can go pick out my hanging baskets for the year. I look forward to it so much. I think I feel a little color starved after the long winter and can't wait to add pops of color to my home. My Ella loves helping me pick them out too.
(You can see my favorite girl peaking out the window here while I was taking pictures... in her favorite Elsa jammies of course)
I might have a little hanging basket addiction.... maybe....
Our lilacs were so amazing this year. I forgot to trim them back and the bush was way bigger than it had ever been. It was absolutely breathtaking and smelled like heaven. Oh how I love when they are in bloom!
If you remember from last year, this is our AWFUL before picture....
And now the after...
For my Home Depot pictures, I laid out some fun goodies. I will be sharing more on this later this week.
I made this adorable girl pose for some pictures for me and our pup kept wanting to get in on the action. Love them.
I can't wait for the grilled pizzas, lemonade, evenings weeding the garden, and the many hours playing with my babies out here. Ahhhhh summer...
Tania
Wow Kristen, it just looks beautiful! I love how cozy it feels, the lights are my favorite part. :o) I just purchased a fixer upper home last September and I've just started working on the yard which is also a fixer upper! lol! I was wondering if you have a contact name at Home Depot that you'd be willing to share. I'd like to approach them about a collaboration project for my yard but I've never done that before and don't even know where to start.
Thanks,
Tania
Shawnna
Oh I just love the pics!! So pretty and I also love flowers to!! Love love the table So gorgeous!!