Patio + Pergola

Last fall we got this hairbrained idea to turn our sideyard into a patio.  This really is Brian's vision because after the long haul inside, my creative juices are entirely exhausted and completely unusable on an outdoor space.  But let us all press on anyway!

We started by ripping up the lawn which required a bit of sprinkler reconfiguration.

Next came a whole lot of sand and pavers.

Then up went this beautiful pergola stained to match the fence.

Next came some outdoor lighting and of course, a hammock.  We immediately started eating outside any chance we got.

 Then came some outdoor furniture (an upgrade from the folding table).

And what good is an outdoor patio without a Father's Day BBQ to top it all off?

The final touch was some friends to help us enjoy it.

I really am surprised at how much time we're spending out here now.  Lunch, dinner, homework, you name it, is spent out in this little outdoor space.  Can't wait ton enjoy it for many many lovely summer nights!

It's Been A While

Well, it has been over a year since I posted last, but that doesn't necessarily mean we haven't been doing anything or spending our hard earned cash on this house just as we have done for the last 12 years.  It just means I have my neglected my blogging duties.

Brian has been chastising me lately about it so out of pure, unadulterated guilt, here I am :).  Although I may mention, Brian, that you also have access to write blog posts.  Just sayin'. :)

For the last couple of years, we've watched our front door deteriorate to the point we just couldn't see it getting through the winter.  You may remember we attempted to refinish it a few years ago to get just a little more time out of it.  Last fall our time was up.  It got to the point that we could actually see light coming through it.  It had served it's purpose for over three quarters of a century. 

We commissioned a new door and storm door from Peach Building Products who did a beautiful job keeping the aesthetic of the old door.  They custom built the door and the casing.  Once it was done, they came and removed the old door and casing, and installed the new one in a day.

 

 Later, they returned to clear coat it.  It is a beautiful cherry wood so no stain was required.

Looks pretty good on this old gal.

In order to help protect the new door, we had them create a storm door that would allow us to show off the beautiful new cherry wood, but still protect it from the elements.  I do love the storm door.  It's nice to be able to open the door on a beautiful day just to let the light and the view stream in.

As part of the redesign, we wanted to do something special with the window.  We had attempted to frost the old one, but I wasn't wild about it.  So I designed something to go along with the view of the State Capitol.  We are, after all, the Beehive State.  We commissioned the glass from, coincidentally, Beehive Glass.  I love how it turned out.   It lets the light in, while still providing privacy, but adds a little something special.

This was no penny-pinching project, but well worth it.  I hope long after we're gone, other families will enjoy it as much as we do.