Still here, I promise

I'm sorry it's been so long...I promise to update soon.  We have made some progress out back and I will get some pictures on here soon.  In the mean time, enjoy these pictures from one of my favorite outdoor spaces that was featured in Domino last year.  

Some Progress

So, things have been a little crazy around here the past couple days.  Aiden somehow managed to get pink eye even though he doesn't go to daycare and is hardly ever around children I don't know.  At the same time, I managed to get the worst sinus infection EVER.  But, we both went to the doctor's yesterday, got some meds, and today was a MUCH better day.  Needless to say, Rob and I didn't get as much done outside this weekend as we had hoped.  But, he did finish the pea gravel area that I was explaining in my last post.  Actually, this was a pretty big project and the difference is huge!  That area was so ugly before I didn't even want to take pictures.  I have hated that area since we moved in.  He dug up all the old slate and concrete, leveled it out, and put down landscaping fabric with the pea gravel over top.   I love how it looks.  We did manage to make a trip to Ikea where we picked up a couple more of those planters which we will plant something tall and grassy in to hide the broken up concrete behind them.  

Every time we go to Ikea, we have to hit up the "As is" room.  Rob immediately spotted this HUGE planter that was only $10 because it had a small dent in the rim.  He claims they are normally like $60 and was so excited about this find, there was no way to even try talking him out of it.  The thing is almost as tall as Aiden.  He's been brainstorming about what to do with it.  My favorite idea is making it into a fountain with rocks inside.  We can picture Aiden putting his little hands in it to cool off on hot summer days.  

We won't get much done this weekend because Rob is heading up to Maine with his Dad to open up the cabin.  But I may try and spraypaint some pots, clean up my window boxes out front, things of that nature.  Then hopefully next weekend Rob can powerwash the concrete patio and we can work on staining the deck.  

And lastly, I have decided I want this chaise from IKEA.  I saw it online and was hesitant about whether it would be made well but we checked it out at the store and it seems to be sturdy.  Plus, it can also lay flat like a bench for extra seating when entertaining.  And $150 isn't a terrible price.  

Exterior decorating

So, you all know that my first love is interior decorating.  The way things are around here is that I usually come up with ideas for the inside of the home, while hubby works on the outside (The Garden at 817).   Since we moved in almost two years ago, we have been talking about really sprucing things up out back.   In the past few weeks my brilliant husband built a deck off of our patio.  I don't know how he just does this stuff, with no experience.  It came out looking great.  He even built in a bench.  I love the simplicity of it.  

We got some stain last weekend, which since it has been raining for the past week, we haven't been able to do, but hopefully this weekend.  Then I will start some little projects...

1. spray paint all our planters and pots glossy white and spray paint driftwood stool that we brought home from Maine last summer.

2. go to Produce Junction and get annuals for planters

3. make cushion for bench

4. strategically place planters, furniture, lanterns, etc. around to look good

I got that great outdoor rug for the patio last year from the Pottery Barn Outlet.  We have these 4 IKEA chairs that we also got last summer and hope to purchase a lounge chair at some point this summer so that I can lay in the sun while Aiden frolics around the yard (haha , yeah right). We recently got a canopy type thing from IKEA for only $25 for some shade.  I would also maybe like to get an umbrealla too at some point- the area gets A LOT of sun.

Hubby's list of to dos, (which I will also help with)....

1. stain the deck

2. powerwash concrete patio

3. make little gravel area for grill next to deck (there is this hideous area next to the deck that I hate.  Rob has to break up this slate/concrete, level it out, and then he is going to box out  a little area with pea gravel and this is where the grill will be.  His thoughts were one day when we get central air, this is where the unit will also go- he thinks of everything).  

4. do planters for gravel area

Well, I will have pictures when it is done and we will hopefully be adding things throughout the summer ( lounge chair, etc).  Then we will have a huge party with all of our friends!