08 May Spring/Summer Outdoor Reset on a Budget
Hi friends,
It’s interesting how different the seasons can be in various places. Here in Atlanta, spring feels quite brief before we move into a much longer summer. It reminds me of when I lived up north and we experienced long winters followed by short yet glorious springs and summers.
This beautiful climbing rose in Candler Park amazes us year after year!
I’ve always enjoyed the tradition of spring cleaning as a way to get ready for the summer months. It’s such a wonderful time of year with longer days, and I love that our entertaining space essentially doubles by simply stepping outside.
The view from the dining room to our deck.
This spring, I tackled a few projects to refresh things at my home. Some of those projects included: pressure washing, deck re-staining, fixing some siding and trim issues and mulching the garden. I usually enjoy pressure washing myself, there’s something so satisfying about watching the dirt disappear! This year, I opted for professional help. I also spent several weekends spreading mulch, which helps create a fresh look and clears away any lingering winter debris. These small updates always make me feel more prepared for the season ahead. I also love to steal little moments throughout the week, grounding myself in the garden.
The view from the dining table towards the modern Adirondack chairs.
Our home truly expands outdoors with the front porch and back deck becoming integral parts of our living space. The front porch tends to be more of a social area, while the back deck is our private retreat. On the front porch, we have a swing, an outdoor rug, and a bistro set that’s perfect for lunch, card games, and the occasional chess match with Ed (and a neighbor.) In the back, we have a dining table and 2 locally made Adirondack chairs by Marcos Bogazzi. One of my projects this weekend is to bring back the splendor of the original teak by washing it and resealing it. I bought this product from Amazon, and I am hopeful!
My proposed updates include: (1) Existing Modern Adirondack chairs that get cleaned and sealed, (2) outdoor pillows. (3) custom cushions for the chairs (4) Moroccan table top for existing base (5) scalloped rug (6) French table cloth
I’d like to share some quick updates for my outdoor spaces. These are items that won’t break the bank. For these items, I wanted to find items that were handmade, sustainable, and budget-friendly. Tall order! I am not ready to reinvest in all new items (not sustainable), just a few items that will give our space a refresh.
Our existing planters by the back door are ready for a planting refresh to add color. Do you see the new Magnolia tree in remembrance of our dog, Maggie?
Another thing that I am looking forward to is planting the containers in the backyard. This is an easy, low-investment way to get some color back there. My sisters recently gave me a small magnolia tree in remembrance of our sweet dog, Maggie. We planted it in a container, and now I want to see what works around this cute little tree.
Please share your spring and summer updates with me: [email protected]. And if you would like a little help, let me know! I look forward to a beautiful summer season with you!
Happy Spring,
Stephanie
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