Summer Deck Refresh – Welcome Home Summer Tour
The calendar doesn’t yet say that it is officially summer but for me it feels like summer because yesterday was the last day of school for my students. Yippee for them! After two teacher workdays, I’ll be shouting my own Yippee! when my summer break officially begins.
Last weekend I spent the majority of Saturday getting our deck ready for the summer season:
- The door and window were washed.
- The deck was scrubbed and restained.
- The Adirondack chairs got a fresh coat of paint.
- The planters were filled with flowers.
It was a long day of work but the end result was well worth my effort.
I am so happy that our outdoor spaces are now looking good. Let me show you!
Two Tuscan Urn Planters from Balsam Hill filled with flowers flank the door leading to our kitchen from the deck. 
Balsam Hill provided me with these urns that I 100% love. They are large, yet are lightweight enough for me to move, even after I filled them with flowers.
A new doormat makes an entryway inviting. I picked this one up at Lowe’s for around $12.
Mr. SP made our Adirondack chairs 11 years ago. A fresh coat of paint makes them look almost new. Last fall we made two more Adirondack chairs which are now on the dock at the lake. If you like to woodwork, you might enjoy making a few for your own home.
We mainly use our deck for grilling. While Mr. SP grills, we love to sit on the Adirondack chairs and relax.
Off of the deck there’s a small seating area with a table and two chairs that I bought at a neighbor’s yard sale last summer for just $20.
Ducks from Virginia Metalcrafters sit at the bottom of the deck steps. A former neighbor told us that her mother designed these for Virginia Metalcrafters which is now out of business. She claimed that her mother called them “naughty and nice”.
One of my summer projects will be painting this patio set. I’m pretty sure that it will stay black.
This table isn’t huge, but is the perfect size for the two of us to dine or to sit and relax while we watch our dog play. I made the placemats a long time ago and the dishes were a Christmas gift from my mom in the early 1990’s. They were purchased from Best Products, now out of business. Who misses Best Products besides me?
The seating area off of the deck leads to our Greenstone patio. Greenstone was mined in Lynchburg until 1969. All of the patio furniture was cleaned on Saturday after I finished working on the deck. It was pollen encrusted and looks so much better now. The Virginia Tech and Wisconsin chairs were a birthday gift from Mr. SP a few years ago.
We’ve had some much needed rain the past few days and even though I’m thankful for it, I’m hoping for some sunshine this weekend so that we can enjoy our outdoor spaces.
If you’ve always thought that Balsam Hill was just for Christmas decor, your mind will be changed when you see their products used in summer spaces in 23 of my blogger friends’ homes. I’ve enjoyed the spaces shared earlier this week and also look forward to seeing what will be shared tomorrow.
Please take a moment to visit my friends who are also sharing their home for the summer tour today.
Thursday
Sweet Pea (That’s me!)
Don’t miss the ladies who posted earlier this week and be sure to visit those who will post tomorrow.
Monday
Tuesday
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer
Wednesday
Friday
Sharing With:
Between Naps on the Porch, Concord Cottage, Stone Gable, Sand and Sisal, Yesterday on Tuesday, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog, Common Ground, Imparting Grace, Shabby Art Boutique, The Bold Abode
Paula,
I love your deck and the flow onto the patio area. I bet you enjoy many warrm summer nights out there. Everything is just lovely. Hope you are finally out of school. My kids finished yesterday.
Today is the last day, Christy! I am so excited to begin my summer vacation.
Paula
What a perfect area for entertaining…the flow onto the patio is perfect for a crowd! Your outdoor area is inviting and just begs for a barbecue ! xo
Thanks, Robin! We are looking forward to hosting a few barbecues this summer. I’ve really enjoyed this tour. Thanks so much for organizing it.
Paula
Your deck looks gorgeous!! I like all the different seating areas you have but those Adirondack chairs are my favorite. Such a pretty color!
Thanks, Megan! The Adirondack chairs are definitely the most comfortable seats. You’ll have to come to the lake one day and enjoy sitting in the two that are on the dock.
Paula
Your deck looks so pretty, Paula, especially with the addition or flowering urns. I love the seating area you’ve created up there as well as the lower patio ~ so beautiful!
Thanks, Mary Beth! We really enjoy our outdoor spaces. My husband uses them more than I do because he spends a lot of time sitting on the patio watching our dog play in the backyard.
Paula
Your back deck area is gorgeous! I love how you have different areas you can choose to hang out in and those planters you got from Balsam Hill are awesome! I had no idea how large they were until I saw them in your photos. Very impressive!
Thanks, Pam! The planters are large. I intended to use them on my front porch but they were too large for that area. They are perfect on my deck and the great thing is because of their size, they can easily be seen from the street. We have a lot of walkers in my neighborhood and they like to look at my flowers.
Paula
Your outdoor space is just breath taking…. love it! The urns are perfect and adds so much to your already beautiful space.
Thanks, Tammy! I love the urns and will admit that I’ve already thought about what I’ll plant in them this fall.
Paula
Paula, Your deck looks so beautiful and I LOVE the urns, flowers, deck, and sitting area. It all looks so inviting and so relaxing. Beautiful!!! hugs, Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! We really enjoy our outdoor space.
Paula
Your deck and patio area are so beautiful, in a gorgeous setting. I like all the layers that you have to work with. The urns are the ideal look for each side of your door.
Longing for a home like yours….
Thanks, Meegan! I am in love with those urns and think that they’ll look great in all seasons.
Paula
Your outdoor space is gorgeous, Paula!! What a steal that bistro set was! Leave it to me to hone in on your yard sale score. 🙂 I know you will spend a lot of time out here when the weather is nice! XO
I was thrilled when I found that patio set, Christy! I may try to get it painted this weekend if the weather will cooperate.
Paula
why is that our outdoors spaces take so much time and effort to get ready for the season? I guess the effort is really worth it though. you backyard patios look like such a tranquil, serene spot, and quite enough where might even hear naughty and nice playing around. Happy summer. enjoy the well deserved break.
Thanks, Laura! I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather clean an outdoor space than anything inside the house. 🙂 Now that it is ready to use, I intend to take advantage of it.
Paula
Your porch is so beautiful and welcoming! Love your gorgeous urns from Balsam Hill! Your back yard looks so relaxing an tranquil!
Thanks, Anne! We really enjoy our backyard.
Paula
Love your urns and entire outdoor space! Have great summer.
Thanks, Pamela! I am definitely ready to enjoy some time outside. School ends today for me and believe me, I hope to be out there this evening!
Paula
Love those Adirondack chairs Paula! Those are the best! And your entry looks so pretty.
Your entire back seating area is so peaceful looking! What a relaxing place to spend time.
OH! I recognize those glasses also!!! 😉
xo
Nancy
Those urns are the perfect accent to your deck, Paula, and I’m jealous you have a deck! 🙂 Enjoy your summer.
I’m on my way over to sit with you at your gorgeous patio set with a glass of iced tea!! I love your deck and urns – so pretty and summery! Happy Summer Paula!
I just love your deck. I’d love to have some great things on my deck, but the first thing I need is an awning of some type. Love this!