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The Design Inspirationalist

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The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: landscaping

Backyard Makeover 2014

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Great Outdoors, The Home

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Tags

backyard makeover, crafty, diy, flowers, gardening, grass, home makeover, landscaping, patio, patio stones, resurfacing, resurfacing concrete, summer

The past month or so my husband and I have been busy getting our backyard ready for summer. Besides gardening and the usual cleanup, we seriously improved the space with a few projects that were long overdue. Now that we got everything checked off the list, we can finally enjoy the summer and relax. Something we are not used to. Lets just say I am very excited.

The first project on the list was to make the area where our garbage cans sit a little nicer to look at. At the time it was just dirt and I hated how it looked. On top of that, when it rained it was muddy and not fun to walk on. So, I thought of a simple solution. With the help of Craigslist, I found someone about 30 minutes away that was getting rid of tons of pebbles and stones on their property for free. You bet Dan and I were there that weekend shoveling as much as we could get our hands on. Once we got home, we sectioned off that side of the house and filled it with all our free goods. Much, much better!

Backyard Makeover 2014

The second project was to create a stone path from the side fence to the back patio. We bought the stones from Lowes and some white pebbles to fill in the spaces. Then, just grass seed to finally bring some green to the space. I was very happy with the result. Especially, after the grass was all grown.

Backyard Makeover 2014

Backyard Makeover 2014

After that was checked off the list, we had to tackle the fence situation. Our neighbors to the right is a nursery, which is awesome. But there is an ugly chain link fence in between us that allows no privacy at all. Since we don’t have the funds to have a new fence installed professionally, we chose to put up lattice. I saw this somewhere and thought it looked really good so we tried it and love the results. And with the overgrowth we have from the trees, it looks even better! We do plan to stain it to match the fence but whenever we get around to it is fine with me.

Backyard Makeover 2014

I also had a little project of my own, which my mother helped me with. Along the fence, its so hard to plant anything because the roots from the trees are crazy. So I used 3 old crates as planter boxes and created a small garden by the fence with hydrangeas and hostas. I thought it came out really cute.

Backyard Makeover 2014

The next big project was all done Memorial Day weekend, thanks to my husband. I wanted to create a small side patio with the same stones from the path so we have another seating area. To do this, he had to break up all the old cement that was there, which was a job all in itself. After he was done, we laid down 16 inch stones and filled in the spaces with the same white rocks. Then, laid down grass seed. The grass isn’t fully grown yet, but what a little space its turning out to be. I been looking at water fountains for sale online and visualizing what it would bring to our yard.

Backyard Makeover 2014

Then, it was finally time to conquer our back patio. We had planned to build a deck but after thinking about it more we decided to just resurface the concrete as best we can to save some money. It was a difference of $750 and a lot of work on our part since we were going to do it ourselves. This plan seemed better for us at the moment. So for $250 we bought all the supplies and concrete we needed, along with the stain to paint it with, and got to work. Although its not perfect, I have to say it came out pretty good considering I did all of it by hand. My husband mixed and poured, while I did the spreading. It was hard work but it got done. And what an improvement!

Backyard Makeover 2014

Backyard Makeover 2014

I also gave our back porch a makeover to freshen it up a bit. I stained the stairs to match the new color of the patio, painted the rails a nice black to pop, and added some art and plants to bring some style to the space. I also made a quick skirt with leftover fabric to hang under my potting bench so no one can see all the not so pretty stuff underneath. I am currently looking for a few more items but I am loving it so far. We are also hoping to purchase a new back door this summer, which will really add a nice touch.

Backyard Makeover 2014

Backyard Makeover 2014

And as far as the garden, it is doing the best it has ever been. Peonies are blooming, the bushes are full of flowers, the hydrangeas are growing super fast, and the rose bushes are showing their beauty with glee. I planted a few new things but everything that was already there is growing full force and smiling under the sun.

Backyard Makeover 2014

Backyard Makeover 2014

We are loving our backyard even more now. All our hard work has paid off for sure and we are so excited to share this peaceful space with our family and friends this summer. DIY all the way!

Backyard Makeover 2014

Designing Your Great Outdoors

03 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Guest Posts, Janet Majors, The Great Outdoors

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Tags

awning, budget, colors, design, fabrics, gazebo, landscaping, natural sound barrier, outdoor space, outdoors, patio, seating, space, trellis, umbrella, water feature

Whether you live in a house, condo, or an apartment, you probably have some outdoor space. From a lush but boring lawn to a barren balcony, you probably have something. However, knowing how to spruce up that space can be challenging. Especially if you’re limited in terms of actual square footage or money. Here are some tips:

Come up with a plan.
Whenever you simply begin throwing paint around or purchasing furniture and accessories without any thing more than a vague vision in your mind, you run the risk of ending up with a space that embodies the term hodge-podge. This goes for an indoor and an outdoor space. Before you get down to the nitty gritty, take some time to think it through. Come up with a clear image of what you want the space to look like. Do some research into materials, prices, and the like. Having a plan will ensure you get the gorgeous outdoor area you deserve.

When you’re planning, consider what you want to get out of the space.
Do you want your outdoor space to be an area for partying the night away or an outdoor retreat for relaxation? Knowing what you want to get out of the space will help you design it properly. For example, if you want to relax rich, comfortable fabrics and materials will be ideal while if you want to entertain you’ll want to make sure to have plenty of seating.

Designing Your Great Outdoors
Photo Credit: Amy Kimball Events

Take into account the elements.
When planning your outdoor space you’ll want to think about how much sun, wind, and water the area is regularly exposed to. If you get a lot of sun you’ll want to make sure all the materials are fade resistant so your space won’t look dull after just a season or two. In addition, you’ll want to find ways to work in shade such as an umbrella, gazebo, awning, or trellis. If you live a rainy area you want to make sure all of the materials you use are mold, mildew, and rust resistant and possibly consider screening in part or all of the space to make it more usable. If you have your fair share of wind you’ll want to make sure your accessories and furniture are weighted down. For example, get cushions that actually tie to the chairs to keep them from blowing around.

Think about the neighborhood.
Another important element to consider when designing your outdoor space is the noise level. Do you live next to a busy road? Do you have noisy neighbors? If noise is a concern there are a couple of things you can do. One, use landscaping to act as a natural sound barrier – trees are great for this. Two, install a water feature because the sound of running water will act as white noise and drown out other (less pleasant) sounds.

Designing Your Great Outdoors
Photo Credit: Rocky Mountain Rock and Trucking

Don’t be afraid to get creative.
Your outdoor space is an extension of your indoor space and should express your personal tastes. Use colors and textures that you enjoy. Outdoor materials including furniture and area rugs come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. If you can’t find the exact shade your looking for, many materials (ex. wicker) can be painted or spray painted.

Designing Your Great Outdoors
Photo Credit: Houzz

Getting creative is especially important if you’re working on a limited budget, with a small space, or with a rented space. For example, if you rent, you may not have electrical outlets in your outdoor space and because you rent, you may not be permitted to add them. Luckily, there are a variety of lighting fixtures and options that run on batteries alone.

If you are dealing with a small space, you’ll want to get furniture that serves multiple purposes such as an ottoman that can serve as an extra seat or with a lid that flips over to make a coffee table. Furniture pieces with casters are great too because they allow you to move things around to fit different purposes. Casters come in all different styles and colors so don’t worry about them looking too industrial or utilitarian; here are some great caster options. All in all, just remember that when you run into an obstacle, don’t give up – just think outside the box.

Designing Your Great Outdoors
Photo Credit: Decoration Trend

Put natural features to good use.
Before you start constructing your outdoor space, take a good look at the natural features the space offers. Sometimes brining in a second (or even third) pair of eyes can help you spot things you’ve overlooked or grown accustomed to. For instance, a hill or raised area can be an excellent place for seating or a gazebo because it offers a good view of the rest of the space. A tree can serve as natural shade or an extended tree branch can be used to hang a chandelier from.

Designing Your Great Outdoors
Photo Credit: House Beautiful

Keep your budget in mind.
Know what your budget is from the beginning. There are things you can do to keep your costs down. For example, buy patio furniture in the off season when stores are offering great clearance deals. In addition, you can do some landscaping (ex. mowing the lawn) yourself. Another idea is to build your outdoor space in stages rather than doing it all in once. For instance, maybe the first season you do some major landscaping, the next you purchase one or two pieces of furniture, and the third season you purchase a few more items.

Written by Janet Majors

Outdoor Goodness

15 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, The Great Outdoors

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Tags

brick, classic, cottage style, decor, flowers, garden, greenery, herbs, landscaping, nature, outdoors, patio, plants, rocks, shabby chic, slate, stone, traditional, trees, yard

Outdoor Goodness

Here are some more outdoor inspirations for all of you who love nature. Take time to appreciate what is around you and create a beautiful space in your backyard, porch or patio. Summer is here so enjoy it!

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

Outdoor Goodness

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