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18 Remarkable Outdoor Spaces and a Big Reveal!

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Last week I left you hanging with this picture of our adorable new pup CharliGirl begging for you to join her in our newest outdoor space, a Charleston inspired paver patio.

Today I’m here with the Big Reveal of our new patio but I’ve also teamed up with a group of lovely bloggers to share in a Blog Hop of Remarkable Outdoor Summer Spaces. Click To Tweet  I’ll have links to each of their outdoor spaces at the end of this post but for now I have a lot of pictures to share so let’s go!

My dream of creating a Charleston style courtyard began while walking down street after street and alley after alley (in Charleston SC of course), sneaking taking pictures through beautiful scrolled iron gates into mysterious spaces beyond.   As my dreaming intensified I pinned all sorts of wonderful ideas on my Pinterest board, Garden Courtyards and Walkways.  I played around with the idea of doing this myself but with the amount of work that needed to be done (tree removal, excavating a slope, etc.) we decided to hire a local contractor, Creative Outdoor Designs of Taylors, SC. 

The owner, Kyle Keesling, is an amazing designer himself and he took my ideas and came up with a plan for our approval.

We discussed using many different materials, but in the end he thought that pavers would be the best in this area.  In order to give it the feeling of a Charleston courtyard he used different sizes and colors of pavers together.  It is Kyle’s favorite project to date and my patio was quite proud of herself when the suppliers of the materials came out to take pictures and utter “Oh-la-la’s” over her Southern beauty.

Note:  Pretty patios can be quite vain.

It turned out to be a very loooong project because the work that went into it was huge.  I’m so glad we made the decision not to make this one a DIY!

The furniture I’ve placed here used to be on the screened porch (until the screened porch became a Sleeping Porch).  The two ottomans can be used as a serving table by pushing them together when we want some refreshment. 

Note:  When serving food and drink on a fancy silver tray it’s called refreshment.  Otherwise it just a snack 😉

I had to slip in a picture of this Seahawks grill cover because, even though we now live in South Carolina, we are still big fans.  It also matches the blue theme I have going on in my outdoor space.

There are two areas or “rooms” to the patio, with a small step down from the seating area to the firepit area.  I put plants along the edge of the step in order to (hopefully) alert people to the step and prevent them from stumbling.  Like I did.  A few times.

We purchased an inexpensive moveable firepit so that we can also use this area for outside dining when the mood strikes.

The sitting wall is curved in a subtle “S” shape and has 6 pillars with coach lights.

Behind the wall is a whole new garden area, created by the excavation and pushing back of dirt.  I’m still experimenting with what will work in this space.  Even though our clay makes cool “red dirt shirts” it is Not. My. Favorite.

I still need to bring in some type of mulch for my perennial bed but I haven’t decided what to use yet. Suggestions are welcome my Southern friends.

I’m hoping that in a few years time this bed will be a glorious riot of colors in the Summertime. 

Note:  Gardens are the only place that I can think of where riots are glorious!

In this view from above you can see more of the pattern and color in the pavers.  While I love outdoor rugs and considered using one here, my patio begged me not to cover her up.

As night falls the lighting comes on automatically.  All the lights are placed strategically to provide mood lighting that doesn’t blind you!

Here’s a final look at our outdoor space as seen through our new Garden Gate (constructed by Mr. OTN and myself using architectural salvage).  My patio secretly hopes that there will be those, like me, who look through this gate and begin to dream.

Now here are the links to the rest of the Remarkable Outdoor Spaces in this fantastic blog hop.  I know you’ll be inspired!

Anika’s DIY Life

French Ethereal

Shepherds and Chardonnay

Gratefully Vintage

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Of Faeries and Fauna

The Purple Hydrangea

Cobani Bleu

Raggedy Bits

Savvy Apron

Pearl Street Designs

Shop at Blu

Small Home Soul

Jordan’s Easy Entertaining

Chatham Hill on the Lake

An Extraordinary Day

Steeplechase Manor

A great big THANK YOU to Debbie at Chatham Hill on the Lake for putting this Blog Hop together!

If you love me please be a doll and Pin me!

Blessings friends,

P.S.  I didn’t want to hog the blog hop but, for those of you who have never seen them before, I did want to give you a chance to take a look at two more of my outdoor spaces.  You can do that right HERE  and HERE. 😉

 

P.S.S. If you haven’t already taken my Reader Survey with a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card you can do so until it closes on July 30th.  Simply answer the 10 questions below and come back to comment and let me know you’ve completed it.  By the way, the more comments you leave in the open comment boxes the better for me to know what you want to see from Old Things New in the way of content.

 

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!

Sunday:

SundaysAtHome, TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays

Monday:

IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired,  InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends

Tuesday:

TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles,  Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story

Wednesday:

SavvySouthernStyle, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday,  WriterWednesday

Thursday:

ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner,  Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday

Friday:

FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration,  Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday

Saturday:

FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet

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Comments

  1. It is absolutely a vision of Southern Charm, Patti! I love it…and that sitting wall Is not only an eye catcher, but it creates a coziness as well. If I weren’t so happy for you, and love you like I do…..sigh…..I would hate you….now I have to go water the weeds around my boring old cement patio…..
    Thanks for sharing…love ya girl! I’ll check out the links later…

    Reply

    • Ahhh Sharon, I’m glad you don’t hate me. I am delighted with this outdoor space for sure but in the end it is only “stuff.” I hope to share happy times with many people in my outdoor room and maybe one day it will be you. I’m still waiting . . .
      Love you back girl <3

      Reply

  2. Your outdoor space is so beautiful, and I know you enjoy spending time out there. I really love the pavers that you have used.

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    • Thank you so much Sherry. We do love our outdoor spaces and are thankful to live in an area where the outdoors can be enjoyed so many months of the year. From Seattle area to Upstate SC – such a difference! Blessed girl here 😉

      Reply

    • Just beyond the garden gate indeed. I think I’ve had a fascination for knowing what’s on the other side for so long that I had to create my own fantasy version. Thank you Kim 🙂

      Reply

  4. Your yard is so fantastically luscious. I really think the stone is fantastic and everything is so exactly perfectly well done. Talk about inspiration!!! The best part of the outdoor space is how well it all incorporates with the greenery. Somehow it says come be happy, relax and enjoy the calm I have to offer you. It is amazing.

    Reply

    • Oh Leanna, you are the sweetest. I know you are a lover of your outdoor spaces so your praise thrills me. I sure do appreciate you and I’m proud to be a part of this blog hop with you.

      Reply

    • Thank you for the compliment Sherry. We have thoroughly enjoyed our screened porch and little deck but then I started dreaming… Isn’t that the way things go? Big hugs sent your way my friend.

      Reply

  6. Stunning! Absolutely stunning! What a wonderful space you created, Patti! I know you are enjoying it immensely and are using it as a great excuse to exercise your hospitality. I love the pavers and the gate you and Mr. OTN created. You’re turning into a southern gal, for sure!!

    Reply

    • SO proud to call myself a Southerner! It was always there, deep within me, and I feel as if I’ve come home. Thank you for the high praise my friend. You are the best and I love you and I want you to come stay at my free B n’ B one day <3

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    • Thank you Jeannee. We’ve already received great enjoyment from this space. I’ll look forward to Fall when it cools down enough in the evenings to actually have a fire in the firepit.

      Reply

  8. Patricia, I love the new reveal. So many little interesting areas. I also own the furniture you have there at our lake house though I have had replace my cushions…yours are much nicer. My son and daughter in law are in the process of having a space designed and I am going to show them yours. I had no experience with pavers so I could not tell them what.I thought, but this is gorgeous! So happy to be joining with you today. Your flowers, snack, lighting…all so pretty!

    Reply

    • Ahhh, thank you Debbie. Thank you also, for pulling this whole blog hop together. It was a lot of fun and I certainly learned a whole lot in the process. I’d be happy to be a part of another one of your hops in the future because of your willingness to guide us all along and your graciousness to all. Much needed in this 50+ community of bloggers 😉
      Blessings to you my friend 🙂

      Reply

  10. Patti, this space is amazing! Your designer and construction people did a great job! This is definitely a space to dream of having!! And I am in love with your Charlie girl 😉

    Reply

    • Haha! CharliGirl is the best part of any picture I post! She is off to get her very first haircut today so I may not recognize her when she comes home. Thank you for the compliment on our new paver patio. We feel quite blessed.

      Reply

  11. Patti!! What a glorious space you’ve created! Oh my word, I’d never want to leave your lovely patio. It’s absolutely splendid!

    I can’t share your Seahawks enthusiasm, but I understand that you’re called to represent. We’re Broncos all the way here, although we also cheer for our dear Carolina Panthers.

    Thanks so much for sharing all this gorgeousness!

    Reply

    • Oh no Richella! Broncos? They are our arch rivals! I’m happy though that you also cheer for the Panthers because they are our 2nd favorite team since moving to the South.
      Thank you for the compliment on our new paver patio. I think it is just what our backyard needed. Blessings friend.

      Reply

  12. Hi Patti,

    Your backyard is lovely! Even with a little higher humidity (coming from the West Coast like us, as you were saying), I bet you are really loving your new home in SC! I was thinking about your mulch. Are cedar chips available in your area? Maybe that would be a good mulch for your beds. In California, I just bought whatever the big box stores had available (that was a real wood product, not that black smelly petroleum stuff) and layered it out in our garden beds. I have noticed cedar is really prevalent for building materials here in Texas so I am assuming it might be out your way, too.

    LOVE the stonework of your patio! It is very pretty laid out that way! I know you changed the color of the corner edging pieces for the change between the upper and lower areas to differentiate the step-down. Maybe the color needs to be even a little bit deeper on those along the curve so that the difference is even more visible to the eye, since you’ve mentioned that you tripped a couple of times. Our pool builder discussed that with us when we built our pool, and we had white pool coping installed so everyone would see the step-down. Funny story: I would be out watering on the side of the pool and once in a while would miss the step-down from the back wall and water feature coming back towards the house… well, twice I fell backwards into the pool! Luckily, only once was it colder and late winter. ;D Inside our house, when we replaced the livingroom carpet with 20″ travertine pavers, I used the original carpet/linoleum layout and put in slightly darker cuts around the edging coming into the downstairs hallway from the livingroom to mark the change. Only one friend tripped once and she had some trouble with walking, so it did help. Before we moved, we finally finished it with a 1/4 round of stained wood to match the linoleum and that helped smooth the transition even more.

    Again, I really love your new outdoor area. I like your secret garden, too. It is just sooo pretty back there! Love the idea of the two ottomans as a coffee table, too. Brilliant! Pinned a ton. 🙂

    Barb 🙂

    Reply

    • Thank you for the wonderful compliment on our patio Barb. We do indeed have a slight color change in the pavers where the step is but of course this didn’t help me with my head in the air and not watching where I was walking. I think I’ve learned my lesson though and my guests probably aren’t as clumsy as I tend to be. LOL! At least you had a pool to fall into!!!
      We really are loving life in SC. In regards to mulch ideas, I’m not sure if cedar chips are available or not. I actually thought of the idea of getting a woodchipper to create our own mulch since we have an acre, much of it in woods, and there are always branches to haul away. I walked through my neighborhood yesterday to see what the neighbors are using and I’ll be hitting the mulch store today to see what they have.
      It was a pleasure being a part of this blog hop with you. Thank you for pinning. I’m spreading my pinning and sharing out over the course of the week so I hope we get a lot of good coverage! 🙂

      Reply

  13. Oh Patti, I love how this turned out, you have a way of making things look lovely and welcoming. Once it cools off a bit, I may have to beg an invite to sit out there with some refreshments. 😉

    Reply

  14. Oh wow, your yard is so lovely, I would be taking pictures for inspiration too. Now look, your yard is going to be an inspiration for others, I love that stone work, and all the lovely touches. I almost bought those blue cushions for our iron chairs and when I went back they were all out 🙁

    Reply

    • Ahhh, thank you Toni. My hope is to inspire beauty on a budget, and though we paid the price for the patio construction we bought the furniture with the house and I was lucky to find great pillows at Home Goods and the bird pillow at Lowe’s. It is so much fun to create isn’t it? I’m happy to be in on this party with you my friend 🙂

      Reply

    • Yes, they are all very different and, I hope with the different sizes and styles, appealing to a variety of people. Thank you for the compliment of a comment Joy.

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  18. Patti, it looks lovely! I love the lighted pillars, and the refreshment vs’s snack made me smile! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  19. Love your outdoor space! You’ve decorated it wonderfully and I wouldn’t cover up your beautiful pavers either! Glad I found your link at Sat Sparks as now I can check out the other outdoor spaces in the blog hop.

    Reply

  20. I’m sure you will be enjoying your new outdoor space a lot this summer!! Just stunning and so welcoming! I bet your sweet puppy is loving it too!!

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  21. Patti, I loved peeking into you Charleston style garden. You have really created a lovely oasis! Such a relaxing place to sit a spell with a tall cool beverage!

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  22. I LOVE your new patio, its beautiful! I’d love to have a space like that! Our patio has tiles that are very hard to keep clean and some are beginning to crack. You are lucky to have a handy husband! I took your survey and hope to win the Amazon card!

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    • Thank you for the compliment and for taking the survey Debbie. I really appreciate it! By the way, I DO have a handy husband and I am extremely thankful. It is the only way some of my dreams would come to fruition.

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  23. Patti! What a stunning outdoor retreat! I just love your garden wall and your respect for those phenomenal pavers…gorgeous! Your placement of pots is spot on. Lovely outdoor oasis! Haha…I like refreshments as well. And yes…GARDEN RIOTS ROCK!

    Reply

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