This post has been a long time coming…Almost 3 years, actually! I’m excited to share with you today our Outdoor Living Area. We are absolutely loving it and are spending so much time outside, we aren’t sure what we did before!
We have been in our home almost 12 years. Three years ago, we moved out and completely remodeled. The decor is still a work in progress (probably always will be!). I’m sharing them with you as I get rooms “completed” like our Family Room. We created a new deck and living area but didn’t completely furnish or get to the pool and landscape…life, ya know. This spring we decided now was the time and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the result.
We’ve already hosted 3 “parties” and countless swim dates for the girls and family friends. Truly, I don’t know why we waited so long. It has changed a lot of the family dynamic as well. Everyone spends a lot more time together just hanging outside and swimming almost every day and night. Funny what the ability to look at a beautiful body of water will do!
The living area is intentionally focused on the fireplace and out door TV. (Love how I forgot to take the cover off because it had just rained!) We use it almost year-round to watch sporting events and for family movie night. The chat chairs (similar) and large outdoor wicker sectional (similar) are just what we wanted for this family spot. I love the atmosphere provided by the string lights.
One addition we are thinking of making is a huge fan. We do get a breeze here but keeping the air moving in the heat of the summer would be very nice, too. In the fall and winter, this is a cozy spot by the fire for s’mores and movies. The girls love to have friends over to hang out here, too.
I added this stainless steel professional kitchen prep table as a Bar Table. It is perfect for a drink station and for our ice and drink tubs. I keep a drink dispenser filled with iced water with citrus or fruit out here on days we have friends over. Cute straws make it even more fun. My girls love to have a few fun drinks to sip while sitting in the shade with friends. It also makes it feel a bit more like a vacation destination. I may even add another one of these tables near the grill as a serving table when we have larger get-togethers. It is a steal at $154!
The dining table (similar here) is the center of everything. You know I love to plan a great menu and grill out. This concrete-topped teak table has really stood the test of time and looks the same as the day it was delivered almost 3 1/2 years ago. The cantilever umbrella allows us to move it to provide shade on either the table or the second seating area on the deck depending on the sun. It also doesn’t have to go into the middle of the table and obstruct views. Setting a pretty outdoor table is fun with this new tableware from Juliska I’ll share soon!
A basket of fluffy towels and another of my favorite non-toxic sunscreens greets guests to remind them to protect their skin!
We also love to play games. So for Father’s Day, we gave Scott this monogrammed Bocce set and Oversized Lawn Dice. We have also added cornhole to the mix too!
The chairs under the umbrella offer the perfect place to sit and watch the girls swim. I have a pair in the front as well. I love metal garden stools like this white one for the deck. They are great for extra seating or as a side table for you iced drink. Speaking of cold drinks, how cute are these personalized cups my BFFs gave us? CCC is a bit of an inside joke…this certainly isn’t a country club but it’s our little slice of outdoor heaven.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of our outdoor living space. If I’ve not answered all of your questions, please ask away in the comments below. Writing this makes me realize that I need to do a post on the before and after of each room of our home with all the resources because I get so many questions about paint colors, hardware and other details. Look for those coming soon!
Happy Weekend!
xo
Alicia
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Special Color Notes:
Outdoor Wicker Color – Driftwood
Sofa and Chair Cushions – Sunbrella Natural with Charcoal piping
Accent Pillows and Umbrella over Adirondacks – Sunbrella Aruba
Cantilever Umbrella – Sunbrella Cast Silver
Tableware c/o Juliska
Photos by Mary Summers-Hafner
Pin this image for reference!
So, what did you do for the actual stones? Is that just dug out, then there’s sand, and then the little white pebbles? Do tell! I’d love to do the same!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Hi Ellen!
The landscapers dug out several inches of soil, packed it down, lined the area with brick and mortar boarder, placed a cloth-like liner down that drains and keeps the pebbles from mixing into the soil and then the pebbles. Sorry for the run on sentence! Hope that helps! We love the contrast it provides. I’d love to see what you end up doing!
xo
Alicia
Beautiful! Is the lawn artificial grass? We have been considering that in our yard because of all the shade- yours is so pretty- if it is artificial, would you mind sharing who you used? If not, great job by the landscapers!!
Hi Allison!
We used our landscaping company Lawns of Dallas. They did an excellent job! Call and ask for Neil. (214) 357-6522 He can tell you what we used and give you a quote. We love it!
xo
Alicia
Looks GORGEOUS GOREGEOUS GOREGEOUS!! Picture perfect, A!! LOVE!!
Thank you so very much!!
xo
Alicia
Gorgeous! Everything!
Thank you, Lee!
xo
Alicia
Love it! We’re beginning a backyard project, and the guys are trying to talk me into keeping and incorporating an existing new-ish wood deck. I would do so if it’s the color of yours! Do you know anything about the stain and paint colors on the deck? Thank you!
Hi Amy!
The deck has been a saga actually. We stained it twice (about this color) and had to remove it because it peeled. Our landscape architect had said to let it weather and then seal it. We’ve let it weather about a year now and are sealing it soon. It is a smooth cedar. I’d love to see your project!
xo
Alicia
Love the feel you have created in your backyard. We just bought a modern farmhouse and am looking to do our landscape similarly! Did your lawn co design it all? Who did your pool? Thanks!
Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much! We worked with Lawns of Dallas on the landscaping (plant material and turf) and Laura Tyson of Tyson Gardens for the deck and living area. I designed the pool and Riverbend Sandler built it for us. I know your new home will be gorgeous! Please let me know if you have other questions.
Thanks for reading The Lush List!
xo
Alicia
How is your grass holding up around your pool? We are in the process of putting a pool in and I love the look of grass right up to the coping.
Hi, Elizabeth!
We actually put in turf because we knew real grass would be a muddy mess with as many kiddos as we would have in and out of the pool. I love the look but think all of those photos on Pinterest must be homes with no children! We love our turf and people can’t believe it’s not real. We get a lot of compliments on it. We used Lawns of Dallas if you are local. Call and ask for Neil. (214) 357-6522 He can tell you what we used and give you a quote. We love it!
xo
Alicia