Patio & Pergola – Planning a Backyard Oasis
Oh, how we loved creating an outdoor space in our old home! It was a delightful adventure full of cherished memories. That paver patio, outdoor kitchen, and pretty white pergola? They were the stage for so many family moments – from cozy movie nights to wine tastings with our friends. Not to mention the girls’ birthday parties and milestones. We celebrated it all out there! Now, as we settle into our new St. Charles Colonial, we’re not quite ready to start transforming the outdoor space. But, I’m excited to start imagining the possibilities!
Our previous place was a new build, essentially a blank canvas. In contrast, our new home has acquired a bit more personality over the years. It has an aging deck in need of attention and a concrete walkway set to be cleared. Despite the work needed to achieve our vision, I can almost visualize the garden-like landscaping, a cozy walk-out deck, and a stylish concrete grid for relaxation. I’d love to create a modern outdoor fireplace area and once again have a beautiful white pergola. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, a cute little saltwater pool might find its forever home in our backyard one day. 😉
Our previous backyard space wasn’t an overnight project. We took our time, gradually enhancing it over the years, much like we plan to do with our new home. We began with a modest-sized paver patio and added some DIY touches to a store-bought white pergola. It was a white vinyl pergola purchased at Costco by New England Arbors that attached directly to the house. Our contractor built brick pillars around it, making it feel semi-custom and more integrated into the space.
One of my favorite features was the brick pavers we chose. I was greatly inspired by European garden-inspired patio designs and spent a lot of time going down the rabbit hole on Pinterest while also needing to maintain our suburban American neighborhood aesthetic. We selected Unilock cobblestone for the main areas and used Hollandstone and Brussels for the edges. These were fairly reasonably priced stone options at the time if I recall.
Our initial patio design included a comfortable sitting area with a fire pit and a dining spot, with numerous small spaces for garden-style landscaping. We added a unique touch to the dining area by positioning the brick at a 45-degree angle, creating the feel of a separate room in our outdoor space. This quickly became a favorite spot for hosting friends and family during the summer!
Here, I dove headfirst into landscaping with some of my favorite plants. Boxwoods, hydrangeas, roses, peonies, and lilac bushes were, and still are, my staples.
As our family expanded, so did our passion for spending time outdoors! One year, we extended the patio, adding an outdoor kitchen. This not only provided additional seating but also featured a granite countertop, a green-egg-style built-in grill area, and a stainless cabinet for storing necessities.
We later installed a KidKraft swing set for our daughters, which later transformed into our most ambitious DIY project to date when we decided to paint it white!
Lastly, we introduced raised garden beds with DIY trellises, incorporating herb and vegetable cultivation into our summer activities. The process of preparing, growing, and harvesting our produce – coupled with the neighborhood kids lining up at the fence to ask about today’s garden yield – will always be a cherished memory from our time at this house.
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Looking back, our old backyard was more than just a space; it was a stage for our family’s life, where we celebrated birthdays, had barbecues on warm summer evenings, and even built a snowman during the winter.
As we begin planning our new outdoor space, I’m filled with both anticipation and excitement. Rather than replicating the past, my goal is to carry over that magic, that sense of family and togetherness, into our new home. I eagerly look forward to creating a new space where we can continue making memories and I’m confident that our new home’s outdoor area will someday be just as treasured as our old backyard.
DIY Swingset
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11′ Outdoor Patio Umbrella
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Trestle Outdoor Coffee Table
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Kid’s Outdoor Play Cart
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