Thank you for stopping by for the summer ready patio and garden tour. We’re wrapping up projects that we started a few months ago and I’m happy with the progress we have made.
Today we are kicking off the season with the Spring Into Summer Porches, Patios & Outdoor Spaces Blog Hop. I’m so excited to join our hostess Amber, from Follow The Yellow Brick Home, plus 19 more bloggers.
If you’re stopping by from The Tattered Pew, welcome! Hope you enjoyed Kelly’s fresh outdoor decorating as much as I did.
Where We Started
This spring we had a ton of rain which put us behind on a lot of projects but we’re finally caught up. The summer heat is on the way, and I’m looking forward to the first cannon ball in the pool to cool off.
So far we can check the follow off our to-do list for the patio and garden.
- Trim hedges
- Replace brick pavers with rock around flower beds
- Repaint large planters
- Plant ground cover and flowers
- Expand flower bed around pecan tree and add bark mulch
- Repaint light fixture
I have to give credit when credit is due, the husband wears a lot of hats since he takes care of the yard and the pool. He’s also handy on the grill and the designated cabana boy, which makes patio living pretty awesome.
Just so you’ll get an idea of where we started, take a look at a few of the before photos from last fall and early spring.
Summer Ready Patio And Garden Tour
No more chipped paint on the planters or sun faded patina on the light fixture. A simple paint touch up on those gives them a whole new look.
We also have new windows and let me tell you, I don’t miss those ugly solar screens at all. They made a huge difference on the electric bill when they were first installed, but our new high efficiency windows are so much better.
With all our little projects finished it was time to add seasonal touches. Red, white and blue pompom garlands hang over the patio table and patriotic lumbar pillows add extra comfort to the chairs.
Favorite Patio And Garden Features
The holly hedge surrounds most of the backyard, buffering city noises and provides us with privacy too. Planting them when we first moved in our home really paid off, since they’re over fifteen feet tall now. Besides that, we get to enjoy all that wonderful greenery year around.
I have a huge appreciation for all the sandstone features, including the wall surrounding the pool and patio areas, plus the stepping stones the meander across the lawn. New rock borders around the flower beds are the latest additions. They certainly enhance the landscape and will get more beautiful with age.
Did you notice the little container garden? We have blueberry bushes on each side of the patio table and herbs growing in smaller planters. Once the blueberries are ripe I’ll be baking something special and sharing the recipe right here on the blog.
Ready for s’mores? Our fire pit may have seen better days, but it’s still handy when we’re ready to roast marshmallows. An old cola crate holds supplies and napkins for sticky fingers. I think I had at least five marshmallows, but the first one didn’t count since it landed on the patio after going down in flames. 😐
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest. The boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration that you can use right now!
Thanks so much for stopping by for the summer ready patio and garden tour. Up next on the blog hop is Kristin at White Arrows Home sharing her mountain home summer porch.
Don’t forget to visit all of the other beautiful posts by clicking on the links below.
Cheers!
Love, love, love your patio, the planters are amazing and such an inviting table scape by the pool. This would be my favorite place all summer.
Thank you Marty! It’s officially patio season and as long as the weather cooperates we meals outdoors every weekend.
What a fabulous garden! It truly is amazing how transforming a few areas bring about such beauty.
Thank you Laura! Those little improvements made a big difference but of course there’s always room for more projects.
You backyard area looks lovely, my friend! Love the updates and your touches of RWB decor! Pinned!
Thank you Julie! There’s always room for more RWB for July 4th. Thanks for pinning!
What a beautiful oasis, Michelle! The holly bushes have created such a lovely green, private backdrop to it all. So wonderful that your hubs loves making the space beautiful as much as you do; lucky!
Thank you Lora, yes I’m lucky he’s a good sport and takes all my suggestions so well lol!
What a perfect outdoor living space. It all looks so cool and inviting. I love the tablescape and the pot full of bright, colorful flowers.
Thanks Katie, we are so ready to spend quality time out here this summer!
Your completed projects look great in your beautiful outdoor space! It is a pleasure to join you for the hop this week! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks Cecilia! Sometimes it’s hard to relax when you haven’t finished the old to-do list. So happy to have it done!
I really enjoyed your garden! What a beautiful space you have created! I also love your s’mores in the old coca-cola crate! So cute!
Thank you Kelly, we love our patio and s’mores season it the best!
Michelle,
I love your outdoor spaces! The large green hedge is a beautiful privacy wall. Your new stones bordering the flower beds are my favorite kind of borders, as you know. You photograph your beautiful patio with beautiful shots. I always love seeing how you style your spaces and how you photograph them.
Happy summer,
Judith
Thank you so much Judith for your sweet comments. Yes we both have a love for a natural looking landscapes. Just waiting for everything to grow and bloom now. 🙂
I love your backyard and I am going to copy your idea of the Coca Cola crate holding s’mores . We have had cold days and drizzly weather, but I’m hoping soon that we’ll be using the fire pit.
Hi Carol, I have lost count on how many ways that old crate has been used over the years. It’s a classic! Wishing you sunny days ahead!
Your hard work has definitely paid off! It’s lovely. And I’m totally ready for a cannon-ball then a s’more! Enjoy your Summer. 🙂
Thank you Cindy! I over did it on s’more the other night and might have to hold off for a week or two. LOL
gorgeous, love your fun patriotic color scheme. The coca cola crate is a great find. Save me a few marshmellows
You got it Debra, they’re going fast! Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy Summer!
I have never seen this much of your back yard patio and pool before and it is just gorgeous. I love the holly privacy hedge. How long did it take before you had some real privacy? It looks amazing! I love the patriotic lumbar pillows, the cute Coca-Cola crate for toting goodies and your beautiful landscaping and pool so much!
I hope you enjoy summer in this space. Will you be the one doing the ceremonial first cannon ball of the season? if so, happy ceremonial splashing! Thanks for joining the hop!
Thank you Amber. It’s going to be a great summer and I’m sure my husband will have the honors of the first cannon ball lol! We had pretty good privacy with the hollies after about 8 years. Some are between 15 and 20 feet tall now. What can I say, I have the best yard man. 🙂 Thanks so much for organizing the hop. Super job!
Oh my word Michelle this looks like such a gorgeous backyard oasis! Every detail is so pretty. I love the changes you guys have made and your patriotic decor feels like the perfect way to welcome summer. I could totally relax here, it’s all fabulous. Hugs, CoCo
We are so ready to welcome summer. I think the patio and pool are calling my name LOL. Thank you so much CoCo for your sweet comments! Hugs!
I love your vignette all set up ready to toast the marshmallows to make s’mores! I was kind of wondering why you needed to replace your bricks along your beds with stones, but you are right, they do look so much better! It looks like you are ready to enjoy all of your hard work!
Yes the old brick pavers were starting to crumble but the stone border should last a whole lot longer. Thanks so much for stopping by Chloe! Happy Summer!
Your garden is beautiful. I love how you have set up to make Smore’s. I also love your patriotic flag pillows
Thanks so much Angelina, these pillows make our outside chairs a lot more comfy!
This is all so good! So pretty and so fun! Love how you used your great and those great pillows! All so inviting!
Lovely patio, Michelle! Your container garden is so pretty. I also love your the fact that you have blueberry bushes. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at growing blueberries. Can’t wait to see your recipes!
Thank you Crissy! I hope to have enough blueberries to bake with. We are eating them everyday as they ripen lol!
Michelle,
Your outdoor spaces are absolutely beautiful!! I love the new updates and the before and after photos! The Pom Pom garland is such a fun touch!! I enjoyed reading your post!
Larissa
Thank you so much Larissa, we’re planning on enjoying the patio and grilling this evening! Happy Summer!