I am a guest participant in the One Room Challenge started by Linda Weinstein in 2011. I continue this week in gratitude for my sponsors and cheerleaders.
Read more about the One Room Challenge here.
As designers, we so often neglect our own homes and instead chase beauty for our clients only. I am one of 200 plus guest designers and of course twenty featured designers. Read all their blogs here. This event is also sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens.
I am very excited about the progress of my back porch and garden (just a small section of it).
Here’s my progress starting from the beginning}
Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4
So what did I do the last two weeks?
The back door
My back door was suffering from severe blahness. That changed very quickly with the stroke of a paintbrush. I wanted a bright color but it was difficult to decide as the hubs and I disagreed on the color. (Yes, I tried to give him a say). I originally chose green but the one coat paint option was not available in that color. Then I decided to go bold royal blue. Yes that’s me in the reflection!! Haha those are the only pictures I have!
The ceiling
I wanted the ceiling to be turquoise. In fact it begged for it. I loved the turquoise but because of HOA rules I decided to leave the trim around the ceiling beige. Well all I can say is that I hated it. The beige looked dirty and blah against the beautiful turquoise. Did I tell you that I hate beige and grey? And most things brown and earth toned? (Except for flagstone and anything yard related)
This week I had the trim painted the same color as the back door and I LOVE IT!
What else did I do?
As you can see from the above picture we replaced the ugly light fixture with a fan to pretend we are keeping cool during our very hot summers. Yesterday we had dinner on the porch and the fan did keep us a little cooler.
The flooring
Yes yes the concrete has been covered by the beautiful cement tile that was donated by Beyondfloors.net and Bati Orient. I love it and could not be happier.
Furniture
Our beautiful back porch furniture arrived yesterday and we love it! I chose a rectangular table since I always felt that the round table we had before was just too big. I am just going to have to spill the beans here and show you a picture of the furniture on our beautiful new tile floor.
The Flowerbed
Last week it rained a lot and the yard got flooded. Some things, mainly Salvias did not like all the moisture and started to droop. I removed a few things to plant them in a better spot. I added an Hydrangea, some Pentas, Blue Shade Ruellas, Native Beebalm, Papyrus, and some Crocosmia.
What’s left to do?
I have some planters left to take care of and a little yard cleanup to do and just a few other finishing touches and I will have the beautiful back porch and yard that I wanted for now. There will always be more landscaping left to do. Thank you to Seasonal Living!
Love this whole project IIsa. So colorful and especially love the Royal Blue Door!
Great progress!! Love the aqua ceiling and the cheerfully colorful table and chairs. Dying to see how the garden is coming along. Good luck on finishing up. Excited to see your Big Reveal.
It looks so bright and cheerful, Ilse – I can’t wait to see the FULL reveal, next week!
Love love love all the blue and turquoise, Ilse, and the multicolored chairs are so fun!
Thanks Janet. I hate the world of blah!
So fun. Those colors just cheer you right up! Love it Ilse!
It’s coming along quickly. What a great bold colour you chose for the door. You will love spending time out there soon enough!
The ceiling is fabulous!!
I love the turquoise! And the royal blue! And, and, and…..
Love the royal blue door, all the great color, the tiles, furniture etc! It’s really coming together!!
Love the bold color! Can’t wait to see the final result.
I LOVE all of the colour you have added into your backyard space! It is so beautiful. I can’t wait to see the final reveal!
How fun is the ceiling! And the tile turned out gorgeous. I might have to have you design our backyard!!! That’s a future project.
Thanks Julie! I truly love how it turned out. I will be happy to help you with your future back yard!
It’s been so fun following along on this space !