Colorful Summer Tour of Our Patio

Do not adjust your screens. What you are seeing here today is, in all actuality, bold color. Inside my home, I love neutrals with hints of earthy colors, but outside is another ballgame altogether. If you can’t be bold and colorful outdoors in summer, then when can you be? I am joining several other bloggers today – some shared yesterday – in taking you on yours of our outdoor summer spaces. (Thank you to Krista at The Happy Housie for hosting and organizing this tour.)

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As I mentioned, I am not usually one for color, so let me tell you a little story of how I got to this colorful place this year. Because you might remember last year’s patio had a brush of muted color, but nothing like what I’m showing you today. Recently, I listened to Glennon Doyle’s podcast episode about having fun and realized that I place so much of my fun in outcomes (productivity) rather than being in the present moment. And that’s not the true spirit of fun.

As I worked on creating this setting for this tour, I decided I could make it fun in the moment by experimenting outside of my comfort zone . . . Bright colors and florals versus the neutrals and greens or single flower type I typically gravitate towards. In the end, yes, I feel good because I created something I’m proud of – I was productive. But, more importantly, I found I had a lot of fun stretching my color limits.

 

Shockingly enough, I actually already owned all of these colorful pieces that I used to put together this table. The only new purchase over here was fresh florals from the farmers market.

To set the mood, I started with a Mexican serape we had from an ORC we did years ago when I created a fun boho bedroom for Emmy. Next came the dishes.

Would you believe I actually have 9 colored sets of Fiesta ware hiding in my basement cabinets? It’s true. As a college grad, these were the dishes I requested and collected over the years. As you can see, I mixed up the colors for fun.

I also added vintage pink goblets I thrifted a couple of years ago. They’re favorites of mine and tend to appear on every tablescape I create. For the silverware, I simply rolled each it in plain cloth napkins and added a little touch of whimsy.

Our $15 farmers market bouquet was SO huge that I was able to split it between several glass vases and bottles, plus another vase you’ll see, and still had enough left to add a yellow flower to each place setting.

I love the way all of the glass on the table catches the light.

And the flowers themselves couldn’t be more beautiful.

Those bold lilies especially seem to be perfect with this tablescape.

 

I’ve had all of these aqua glass bottles and vases for years and I love how they pair with the pink goblets and tablecloth and give a nice soft backdrop to the colorful blooms. Obviously, what I am trying to tell you here today is that it pays to be a hoarder.

Let’s take a broader look as there are a couple of other things I want to mention. A couple of years ago, we added these easy DIY string light poles and it was one of the best, cheapest, easiest projects.

Also, each summer I bring out these guys, who just scream summer to me! Actually, they don’t say anything, but if they did, I am sure it would be, “SUMMER!!!!” Or perhaps, “Could you weed this joint?”

 

Our patio is long and narrow, so this is just one half of it. On the other half, we have a seating area with a loveseat, chair and our latest addition, a small solo stove.

We’ve had the loveseat and chairs for quite some time and they work, but eventually we’d love to get a sectional.

I should tell you the lovely green grass in the back is not ours. I always get comments when I share this view of how nice our lawn is. Yeah, not ours. Ours is a jungle that I would show you but then I’d have to kill you.

We’re hoping to get it cleared out soon and then maybe I’ll be able to show you. For now, just look toward the back of the house and those pretty pink doors (and the backside of our dollhouse you can see in the window!)

Our old pillows that were here last year had taken a beating and we agreed it was time for new pillows. Life has been so hectic, and Chris was going to Lowes anyhow, so I asked him to facetime me from the outdoor pillow section. I know he thoroughly enjoyed doing that because he loves me.

I wanted something that would complement our pink doors but add a but more vibrance and color, too. These banana leaf pillows in pale pink with bright orange accents were exactly what I was hoping for. The black and white textured pillow helps to tie it into the existing furniture and rug. For the chairs, we found these modern lumbar outdoor pillows in the same pink and orange shades.

And of course, I brought in some more color with all of the extra flowers from the farmers market bouquet by adding a vase in the corner.

 

Of course, this space really shines most when it’s hardest to photograph – at night! One of the best things we did back here was adding those string light poles. The lights make this patio feel special at night.

We have a little landing off the door of our kitchen, so I stood up there to capture the whole space from above, which nicely shows off the pattern of our pressure washer from when Chris washed the rugs but ignored the patio. Maybe next weekend we’ll clean the actual patio. 😉

We actually haven’t even eaten out here that much this summer, but styling this space and writing this post has me itching for a meal outside. Of course, mosquitoes might have me literally itching to come back in.

Last summer, when we were at home all the time, Chris and I actually enjoyed some date nights on the patio with dinner, wine and games.

It was so nice to have a romantic setting for a date in our own back yard.

Everything just looks prettier under the glow of string lights. Don’t you think?

The living area we have used a little more now that we have a solo stove.

We love to come out here and roast marshmallows as a family, although Wilder likes to eat the non-roasted version. He looks at s’mores night as “snacking out of the marshmallow bag night.”

Whatever floats your boat. We’re just grateful to have this space to spend time together, sugaring up however we see fit.

I didn’t light the solo stove for these photos, but I wanted to show you what it’s capable of! This was shot right after we loaded it with wood, but it dies down after a minute. (Also, this was before we had those nice new pillows!)

And, in my opinion, here’s the perfect charred marshmallow.

By contrast, here’s Wilder’s perfect marshmallow.

Thanks for joining me on a tour of our summer patio today. I hope it inspires you to reach out of your own comfort zones and explore in the name of fun.

Be sure to visit all of the beautiful outdoor summer spaces on this tour below! And below that, you can find a shoppable boutique in case you’re looking for anything I shared today. The only things I wasn’t able to add were the pillows from Lowes as well as the rug which is no longer available.

 

This week I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for the Summer Seasonal Simplicity Series: Outdoor Spaces Tours! Be sure to check out all of the beautiful inspiration by visiting the links under the images below.

Sharing Wednesday….

The Happy Housie // Joanna Anastasia // Cassie Bustamante // The Tattered Pew

Life is Better At Home // Tatertots and Jello // Finding Silver Pennies // Lemon Thistle

A Pretty Life // Dans le Lakehouse // Clean & Scentsible // Willow Street Interiors

Sharing Tuesday…

Inspiration for Moms // She Gave it a Go // Grace in My Space // Deeply Southern Home

Life is a Party // Nina Hendrick // Happy Happy Nester // Craftberry Bush

Maison de Cinq // Hallstrom Home // House by Hoff // My Sweet Savannah