This is my favorite time of year here in the South. The greens are greener, the flowers are brilliant(er), and the weather is perfect for morning coffee out on the deck.
Last year we didn’t do anything with our deck space. We hadn’t yet been here a year and we were still tackling a lot of indoor projects as well as adding several plantings to the front yard.
In talking about what we would do in the backyard we thought about creating a courtyard with pavers, a retaining wall for seating, a water feature, and the addition of a fire pit or fireplace.
We even paid a designer to draw up a plan. It was AH-mazing!
As it turned out, if we were to implement the plan it would cost thousands of dollars and, though a nice feature it wouldn’t pay for itself in resale. So for now, we decided to work at adding favorite plantings to the yard a little bit at a time and foregoing the fancy fire pit. To be honest, with the amount of time we spend on our screened porch (our favorite room) I’m not sure how much we would even use it.
Here is how the idea of creating the feeling of a French Courtyard on our deck began. A couple of weeks ago we had breakfast with our friends Mark and Leslie and afterwards we wandered through a few stores. While we were shopping Leslie picked up the crocheted tablecloth you see here. The round one. She decided she really didn’t need it so I quickly grabbed it myself and told her it would be perfect for the little table on the deck and that we would have coffee there together.
Mr. OTN laughed and said it would never happen and that is when I set out to prove him wrong.
Since then I’ve spray painted the patio set, sewed chair covers and pillows, stenciled the pillows, pulled pots onto the deck, some new and some from different areas of the yard, planted shrubs and flowers, washed the deck, and finally, set about arranging and rearranging everything to get just the look I was going for.
Getting one’s hands in the dirt is such a joy when the temperatures are in the 70’s,
and with the warmer weather it seems like within just a matter of days my new plantings have begun to spread and grow. 🙂
My little boxwoods already need a haircut.
We bought a conical variegated boxwood and a couple of regular boxwoods, and tucked smaller plants into the pots around them.
I also added a couple of hanging baskets.
Last week the little patio fountain that hubby purchased locally was delivered. You see, once I started working my plan he got into the idea himself. 😉
The dogs think our new fountain is the best water bowl ever!
This shows the yard beyond the deck, which is an area of grass bordered by trees. The next step of our backyard plan will involve plantings along the edge of the woods to add more color there as well. Shade lovers such as azaleas and hydrangeas.
Finally, what would a French Courtyard be without a bit of lavender? I have a secret for you. It’s from Hobby Lobby! Since lavender likes a lot more sun than my yard provides I put several faux lavender sprigs into a cement planter and tucked some moss around the stems. Even close up people think that it’s real.
Hubby and I have been spending a lot of time in our little “courtyard” and one day soon Leslie and I will have our coffee here and laugh over what she started by showing me the pretty tablecloth!
Morning quiet time here among the songbirds is a time to be treasured. It is cozy and peaceful, and just what we need to make ourselves slow down from our very busy lives.
So that’s my French Courtyard. We shall see how it fares through the hot humid summer. It will certainly be a test of which plants work best in this location. Trial and error. That’s my motto. Or one of them. I have a lot of mottos. LOL!
Oh how I wish I could invite y’all over to share this sweet space with me. I know that our time together would be simply marvelous!
Blessings to you dear friends,
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
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What a backyard oasis, I sincerely ask right now since I just finished a big heavy diy sidewalk project…if you’d a house guest for the summer. I do laundry, all I charge is that I can sit there for hours!
I am soooo looking forward to getting to spend time out there with you!!!
That looks like a wonderful place to hang out. But you are wise not to invest in a costly project if you aren’t going to use it a lot. There are quite a few DIY fire pits online. They haven’t caught on in France yet, and sitting around a fire isn’t usually something we need to do as it’s plenty warm in the south. Your lavender looks beautiful; I’d send you some from my garden (and I have it because it’s indestructible!) but it would never survive the trip or customs.
Enjoy your beautiful terrasse française.
Very beautiful and peaceful…an excellent place to “meet” the Lord each morning…enjoy!
It looks beautiful, Patti! So French and romantic! I’m sure you’ll enjoy many hours out here with family and friends. There’s something about a meal outside in the evening that creates such beautiful memories.
love and blessings~
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Oh this is just gorgeous! So cozy, inviting and elegant at same time. Love the pillows and chair skirts. Did you make the burlap runner with the Bible verse I would love to have/make one of them. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings Candy
Patti, this is beautiful! You created such an inviting outdoor area with the softness of the chair covers and the gorgeous plants. I love it out there!
Please come link this up to the garden party. We’d love to have you. 🙂
Oh Patti! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Having lived in Southern France for only 5 months, I feel in love with the Country French Decor. And I don’t have a screened in porch… but this would be awesome to do.
I sure wish you lived closer. And I love the tidbit about including the faux lavendar. That will become one of my must-dos. Thanks for sharing. Barb
I love this idea! I’m going to steal some of these ideas for our deck!
I would definitely sit and have coffee with you anytime you wanted! I hope you and Leslie will make it sooner, rather than later…..sooner is always better!
It looks really pretty, Patti!
Patti, I think it is simply darling! I have a smaller crochet tablecloth that I use on a small round table in my entry off and on. Would love to find a larger one! I love how wooded your back yard is. The lavender really does look real. I love the runner you’ve used. Did you make it? Would love to see it up close! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Bonjour Patti! What a beautiful Frenchy space you’ve created. You’re so lucky to have the woods next to your deck. Love your pillows and the feel of the deck. I’m new to your blog and will visit often. Enjoy your lovely Spring weather.
Patti, you have created a gorgeous outdoor oasis.
Thanks for sharing with SYC.
Gorgeous!! I love the French design. You did an excellent job! We are in the process of putting our deck together as well. And you have given me some great ideas. Beautiful job.
Oh My! What a beautiful space you’ve created to just sit and unwind and enjoy! It’s lovely! Your table runner really caught my eye … PRETTY! All the details are so pretty! I hope you have an amazing day! Thank you for sharing this outdoor inspiration at Making Broken Beautiful this week, it’s an honor to host you!
Smiles!
Terry
The Curator’s Collection & Making Broken Beautiful
I can’t imagine that the plans that would have cost “thousands of dollars” to execute would have been any better than this! You have such a beautiful yard to gaze upon while you enjoy sitting at that lovely table set-up on your deck! You obviously have a terrific “green thumb” as your plants are gorgeous and add so much to the space. Glad your friend found that tablecloth…to inspire you!
Patti, your French courtyard is simply breathtaking! I love the tablecloth and the runners. All the flowers give it such lovely color. I would like to invite you to link up to our party, Sweet Inspiration, happening right now. Hope to see you there.
Hi Patti,
What a charming and lovely place to be………..I would be hanging out there a lot……….lol
Thanks for sharing all your pretty pics with us.
Blessings, Nellie
Your deck looks absolutely stunning – I’m envious! 🙂 Thanks for sharing it at Talk of the Town! It’s my feature pick for next week’s party, and I’m pinning it to the Knick of Time party board!
Oh my Goodness, I want to sit on your deck all day long and enjoy all those greens and flowers and beautiful nature! It’s stunning! Thank you for sharing at Sweet Inspiration #4! Have a lovely weekend!
All you need is a chandelier…. lol, and it would be the gardens of Versailles. Lovely, can’t wait to see it in full bloom. Thanks, Sandi
Your deck and yard are so beautiful; it must be heavenly to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Thanks for sharing.
It looks so beautiful. I love it all. I bet you must spend more time out there then you thought you would.
Your lovely patio that welcomes spring. A nice place to have a cup of tea. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. watch for your feature on Monday xo
Beautiful setting. What a great job you did! Did you make the runner? Please do a tutorial and the pillows and table runner!
This is absolutely stunning!!! So inviting and beautiful!! Makes me excited for outside work!!!
Your deck is beautiful. I love your colorful pots and the backdrop is lovely.
Hi Patti, Everything is just beautiful! Well done! You’ve inspired me to get busy on my back deck! You really pulled it all together into such a lovely place – I hope you enjoy many mornings and evenings there! Blessings, Janet
Just beautiful! I would enjoy sitting out on your deck chatting with you anytime! We are in what I refer to as “below the South”, and here in Florida it has already gotten too hot to enjoy my porch except in the early morning and in the evening. You got an idea in your head and went to town, didn’t you! You sure did a great job, I love the feel of the entire deck! I would love it if you would stop by and share at Celebrate Your Story ! link party. Here is the link, I hope we see you there! http://celebrateanddecorate.com/celebrate-story-24/
Beautiful deck within a gorgeous setting!
Such a gorgeous patio. Love the chair covers too. How nice to be able to sit outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature. Thanks for sharing at DI&DI.
Hi Patti, just hopping by to let you know that you are featured at SYC this week.
hugs,
Jann
Oh I am drooling over all these gorgeous plants! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
This looks so pretty! I love all of it ! Thanks for linking up to Thursday Favorite Things and I have featured your post this week on my blog!
You have been very busy and your work has paid off. This is a beautiful space and I hope you enjoy lots of peaceful moments in it. Thank you for sharing this at Celebrate Your Story!
This is such a nice courtyard! I would love to sit and drink ice tea there, what a fabulous atmosphere.
Maria
I would love to spend my whole day in your French courtyard. It’s pure peace and perfection!!
Patti… I hope you’re doing well. Sending big hugs and a note to tell you that you’ve been featured on Project Inspire{d}! Love ya!
Patti, it’s gorgeous!!! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/05/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-6-3.html Hope to see you again at the party tonight! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
This is just beautiful! I thought the lavender was real too! This so reminds me of our old house (we have been in this one 3 years). We had woods all around us and a deck that had the same type view. RRhodos, azaleas and hydrangeas will do great at your house. We had 60 rhodos, 80 azaleas and 15 hydrangeas…along with hostas and other plants. It was so beautiful and I miss it now. Your seat cushions and pillows are gorgeous.
Good morning, Patti,
I wanted to stop by and let you know that this blog post was featured on my blog for Thursday Favorite Things 250th celebration.
Your courtyard is beyond beautiful! I love all your potted plants and flowers. You did a wonderful job with combining different textures and shapes. Of course, I adore the dining area with all of the neutral tones and textures that you combined. I am wondering about the fabric that you used for the main table covering? What is that? The texture reminds me of an elegant version of a fishnet. Your tatted table runner is so pretty too! I have a few that I inherited from my grandmother. She never used them in her home but I always admire them tucked away in linen closets. I’m pretty sure someone made them for her many years ago.
Homes in Alaska make use of decks too. Currently, mine is a giant mess since hurricane-force winds took railings down this past winter and it’s going to be a while until we can replace the entire upper and lower portion. Let’s just say that the new building codes and the price of a brand new deck is about as much as base model brand new car. I’m just hanging out gathering inspiration for new deck builds.
Everything you have done in this space is so lovely. I hope you found plenty of time this summer to enjoy this area and I hope you blog about it again.
Thank you again for sharing with us at TFT. We also have a special giveaway going on in celebration of our 250th.
Olivia
Thank you SO very much for choosing my project as one of your 250th celebration features Olivia. I am truly honored. I love your blog and all the beautiful French Country spaces you create in your home.
In answer to your question about the fabric for the main tablecloth, it is a circular tablecloth I found at a little antique/junk store. I assume it was crocheted and the threads in it are very fine. You are so right though that it does look sort of like an elegant fish net!
I’m sorry about your deck railings. I’m sure it does cost quite a bit more for construction in Alaska than in South Carolina. If you look closely at our deck though, it was a quick fix instead of a full replacement deck. The wood was starting to be in bad shape and the people who lived here before us used a roll on deck coating to preserve it. I think it added years and years to the deck’s life so, even though I’m not in love with it (I’d prefer Trex), I’m happy not to have to spend money on it right now.
Again, thank you Olivia. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and am so happy to be a part of your celebration.