Monday, April 18, 2011

Spring Spruce Ups


The weather was finally warm enough the past few days to begin preparing the outdoor spaces around our home for spring and summer. With the last patch of snow gone in our back yard (hurray!), the patio furniture and urns made their annual spring time appearance and there was lots of raking, sweeping and soil preparation.



I even managed to plant a few herbs – rosemary, parsley and lavender – along with some lettuce, as they seem to tolerate the fluctuating temperatures of this time of year.



It was fun to look around the yard to see if the plants we transplanted in the fall survived the winter. I am happy to report several look good and others we will have to wait a little bit longer to tell.

Source unknown

One project which has been on the radar for some time now is creating a fire pit area. I love the look of the picture above with the four Adirondack chairs arranged in a circle. We are hoping to replicate something similar with a fire pit in place of the large pot. Below is the space we will be working with. The small ring of rocks with the hole in the middle was what we used last year for our outdoor fires.



As you can see, our designated area is more sheltered and sits next to our “in progress” garden. We started the garden a few years after we moved in and have been slowly adding to it one feature at a time.

Our plan is to cover the ground with the same small gravel which we used for the garden paths. At the moment it is all dirt and not very user friendly. We are still undecided about the fire pit itself, right now we simply have a hole in the ground surrounded by rocks. Several friends have the portable type pits like the one shown above, but we are leaning towards building ours out of stone to match the rest of our home’s hardscaping. What would you do? I would love to know your opinion.

I hope to have some updated pictures of this area in a month or so of our progress!
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50 comments:

COTTAG3 said...

What a beautiful yard and beautiful surroundings. My yard is the size of a postage stamp so I'm a little jealous of all the room you have to create wonderful outdoor spaces. As for the giveaway, I need a new chair for my front porch. I'm not sure what kind of chair yet but that's what I would use it for. Thanks for the chance and have a great week ahead!

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

Stacy, you have a gorgeous yard! If you lived closer to me, I'd give you our fire pit. It is brand new and was given to us by our neighbors who moved. We simply don't have a good place for it, and with little ones, the fire makes me nervous. My sister has a fire pit in an area similar to yours. I'll try to e-mail you a pic of it. Can't wait to see how yours turns out :)

Oh, and I'd love a little chair or bench for my side entry porch. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

Katie said...

How pretty love your blog and style. I would get a little end table or chair for sure.

ChRiS said...

what a beautiful yard you have, i would suggest building your pit to blend in with the surroundings. I am a follower and would prolly get asome new lights for outside, thxs for a chance.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your yard looks wonderful, Stacy, and I love that inspiration picture! I have yet to get outside to do stuff, but I really need too. The weeds have already started and are probably one of the only things taking off at the moment!

Ann said...

Oh you have a very wonderful outdoor space. And props to you for planting some herbs ♥

Unknown said...

I like the Dayva International Night Lights.
- Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOT com

Nadilah Sungkar said...

You have a beautiful yard, I would like to get Brinkmann Gourmet Charcoal Smoker & Grill with Vinyl Cover (Black) for my husband.I hope I will win, his birthday day coming up..thanks for a chance.
mageenadilah at gmail dot com

Kim said...

I'm a follower and must tell you I love your yard. It's a beautiful space. kbflyhair@hotmail.com

Katie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie said...

I feel pretty positive that your magazine tear out may be from Cottage Living back before they closed up shop. I loved that magazine...tear..
My hubs and I are all about a firepit area. He wants a built-in stone one, but I feel like flexibility is ideal.

Carol Ann said...

Fabulous giveaway! The Uwharrie Nantucket Storage Bench would be at the top of my list! Thanks for the chance.

Places to Go and Things to Eat said...

I wish I had half that much yard! But the hubs is dying for a smoker so I'd probably consider getting one. Thanks! Christy

armyscrapwife (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I would love a bright color Adirondack chair! Have just the spot picked out for it! This is our first spring in our new house, so we're redoing all the gardens and terrace. Love your outdoor space, and I think a stone pit would be gorgeous! Yes, it would fit the total look....
And thanks for the giveaway!
Libby

Sandy A said...

What a beautiful outdoor space! For our home I am looking at bistro sets or new chairs for out front porch...

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Stacy, your yard is beautiful. I love your raised garden area. I would love an area like that. I vote for a stone pit. We had a free standing one but it did tend to rust even with a cover. I think the stone will look great with the rest of your hard scape! I'd love a chance to win. I could use a new lounge chair. :)

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

I am looking out my window in New York and it does not quite look like Spring! We hope to spruce up a bit on Saturday at least! I love your yard- it looks so serene! The website has the necest things...I would love a lounge chair like the Uwharrie Original Adjustable Chaise Lounge for my sprucer-upper husband!
Thanks for the peek at your beautiful place.
~Nancy

Mary Ann said...

Good website, have bookmarked it for future shopping. For now, if I won the gift certificate, I'd use it for an outdoor rug to spruce up the deck. Thanks!

Deb Plapp said...

I would use the g.c. for the Weber Steel Fireplace. I've been wanting a fire pit for some time , and this would make it so easy. Thanks for the chance to win.

Deb Plapp
thebee52@frontier.com

Unknown said...

Hi there, I am making similar changes to my backyard as well. I love the adirondack chairs around the firepit. It will be so cozy on a summer evening. I checked out "Every patio Furniture" and saw so many things I could use. I especially was drawn to the adirondacks and the benches. I could use a replacement bench along side the pool.
Thanks so much
Kathleen

Heather said...

Gorgeous yard! It makes me want to read a book and have a lemonade (or dr. pepper), without kids of course!! I would choose the firepit. My kids would love roasting marshmallows!! heatha100@gmail.com

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Stacy, Your yard is wonderful and I love the patio and raised garden bed. I vote for the stone firepit just make sure you have good drainage. I have been looking for a side table for our deck and I would choose the round iron one if I were the lucky winner. Thanks for the giveaway and of course I am a follower.
Hugs,
Sherry

brianna said...

Im a follower of yours blog and I like Dayva International Gas Tiki Heater

gigi girl said...

Stacey, I love your yard and all of the hardscaping, shrubs, urns, and so on that you have incorporated. I have a postage stamp yard but I have made the best and it is a constant work in progress. I believe I would almost build a outdoor fireplace! There are a lot of how to books and once you lay your footer and your blocks, that is the hardest part! My husband and I are going to build one for our backyard when I retire this summer. I can't wait! I think that would be just lovely in your area and in the fall and early winter your could have outings in the areas and erect a Christmas tree with a fire going, mulled cidar and friends over for caroling!!! How delightful!!

TheVirginiaHouse said...

I am a follower! We really need a new patio umbrella. I saw some great ones on there! Perfect giveaway for this time of year!

Kate said...

Your backyard already looks great...and the future plans make it even more special!
Would love either a glider or trellis!

jennifer said...

I follow (jennifer wilson) and I would get the allsop solar powered calla lily garden art.
jenniferwlsn33 at gmail dot com

HoneySage said...

I would have to get the H. Potter Patio Umbrella Planter. It would look great with my table I am refinishing!

Unknown said...

We just redid our back patio and the Home Styles Biscayne 5PC 48" Round Outdoor Dining Set in Black Finish would be perfect!

Unknown said...

I tweeted about the giveaway... http://twitter.com/#!/kluckingbear/status/61113602463121408

Kelly said...

Hello! I'm a new follower, and we'd put the money towards a natural wood trellis!

Kelly

Kelly said...

I put your giveaway on my sidebar!

http://crazywego.blogspot.com



Kelly

Nikki said...

I'm a follower and I would get one of the solar powered yard art pieces. I really like the flower one!
nikkidear(at)yahoo(dot)com

kolpin said...

Best Pamilla Wicker Table Set in Multibrown would be perfect for my patio
gfc follower kolpin
kolpin4680 at gmail dot com

Aubree said...

I love the Chatham Loveseat.
I am a new follower, your tutorials look awesome! I'm excited to start some new projects!
a.workman29@gmail.com

a few of my favorite things said...

beautiful yard!
we're sprucing up our back porch/deck...but im thinking that butterfly chair would look so cool in the spot by the garden!:D
thank you!

aleta said...

love the parterre look...I think I would go with the Alfresco Onda Garden Stool in Rio Blue. What a great way to add color and functionality to the patio!

tinab158 said...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your back yard! I checked out Every Patio Furniture site...awesome! My daughter just purchased her first home, I'd love to use the gift card to buy her something lovely for her new place...she needs EVERYTHING for her patio and yard!

Thanks for the opportunity to win!
tinab158 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

It is great to see your yard and get inspired to spruce up mine! Spring is just arriving here(really late this year) and someone new to add would really make it special and fresh! After looking through all their beautiful things, I think I would buy an outdoor carpet. I have a large patio, but it is sooo boring and I don't have the courage to stain or paint something on it. A rug would be just the thing to wake it all up!!!
Thanks for sharing all your pictures and this wonderful give-away!!!!
Julie
(daviesrost@aol.com)

Anonymous said...

I just shared it on FB too! Thanks again!!
Julie
(daviesrost@aol.com)

Celeste Lux said...

Your yard is beautiful! My dream yard, but we have a working farm, so I have to 'make due' in the yard department. That being said, I do have a covered porch, and it's missing and Footstool, and that's what I'd buy! Then we can stop pulling the chairs up and resting our feet on them :) Thanks for this opportunity, I love your blog!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Your yard is beautiful! Been working on mine too! What a great give away! I would pick the outdoor rug in Checkered Field for my deck! I have been looking for one!

I am already a follower!

Lou Cinda

Jessica said...

Your yard looks fantastic. I have been dreaming of an outdoor sofa and this gift card would definitely help. I am a follower. Thank you for the giveaway!

Red Couch Recipes said...

Beautiful yard and I love the inspiring photos too. I am a follower. I need a new outdoor rug and I would like the Couristan Urbane Botanical Garden or the Couristand Covington Boca Retreat. Joni

Shae Johnson said...

I am a follower.
I would love to get a swing... probably the Rustic Natural Cedar American Garden Swing.

shaejohnson10@gmail.com

Kelly Massman said...

I follow you through GFC!
I would probably buy: Garden Furniture Storage Cubby with Oil Based Stain by Merry Products

thanks also for a chance to win!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

Darcy said...

I follow and I would love to spruce up my patio with the Outdoor Interiors Eucalyptus Rocking Chair!

{darlene} @ fieldstonehill said...

So glad you posted a reminder today {since I was off the radar last week!}. A great giveaway!
I follow. Hmmmm, I would probably use it toward an umbrella. Or maybe an adirondak chair. Or our grill is going south....

-{darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com

Kimberly said...

Your yard is beautiful! I would love a fire pit for the backyard.

mgeddis said...

New follower...but have been reading your blog for awhile.Love it!
I have my eye on that fire pit.Thanks for the chance to win.

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