Outdoor decorating is on my mind!  Yours too?

We are talking all about decorating the great outdoors on the PODCAST today.

You can download and listen right here.

This outdoor space in Santa Monica designed by Kristin Panitch inspires me.  

It is beautiful, comfortable & functional.

My palette is the same and I plan on adding many of the same elements ~ cozy seating, a fireplace and dining area. 

It is a great idea to create a Pinterest board or find an image that speaks to you when starting to design a space, whether indoor or out.  Not only does it provide inspiration & launching point, but helps keep you on track when making the multitude of design decisions that come up for every space big or small interior or exterior.

This is my Home Ideas Board.  It has given me inspiration, direction and focus as I renovated our house.  Sometimes when the renovation got to be almost too much, I would find a not so dusty corner & scroll thru all the pictures - ahhhh!!

As many of you know, last spring my 1886 house was still in major renovation mode inside.  Hence, the outside got less attention.

The outdoors were still in planning mode until recently.  See my porch mood board HERE.

As you can see from the 'before' photos HERE, when we moved it the backyard was not exactly an outdoor oasis!

After cleaning it up, we installed grey pavers and my beloved faux grass.  Learn all about faux grass HERE and HERE.

We did a host a party for Lara's 14th birthday.  The yard wasn't 'reveal' ready, but I don't think the kids noticed!

Now I am ready to get on with the rest.

Starting with a clean blank slate this spring.  This is what I am planning & doing:

Outdoor Decorating

Defining the space with pavers & a rug.  

My pavers are cobbled and grey.  The rug I have my eye on is this outdoor sisal.

Add lighting. Overhead cafe' lighting has always been on my mind when planning our outdoor decor.

We recently flipped the switch on three 50 foot strands across the yard from the barn to the house. ( hours before Lara's party in fact! )

I shopped around and found these lights to be the best quality at the best price. Click HERE for the lights I purchased.

I recommend you use heavy gauge wire to prevent sagging if running cafe' lighting any significant expanse. These lights have little clips that go right over the wire. No need to attach with zip ties!

I am also going to try that Tikki Torch DIY Yvonne mentioned during the PODCAST.  Definitely doing that!

Listen to Yvonne's DIY here:

Cultivate Privacy with greenery ~ Last year I was able to plant 50 hedges on either side of the back yard to give us some privacy.  

The Carolina Laurels I chose from Monrovia - Carolina Tight & Bright - are doing really well.  They are getting taller by the day and just gave a lovely show of white flowers.

You can learn about several privacy hedge option HERE.

Adding comfy furniture.  I did buy that beautiful restoration Hardware outdoor sofa at the warehouse, but couldn't bring myself to pay full price for the matching chairs in the real store, so I got really close with these chairs for quarter of the price.

I am so looking forward to having the yard ready for its true reveal and moreover, my family fully enjoying it.  You'll be the first to know when it is done!  Well, maybe Emmett will be first to know, he is out there even more than me.

Enjoy the PODCAST and feel free to call or email us with any ideas or questions.  

** Kelly **