Ever since I spruced up our patio last year, this has been my favorite place to relax in the evenings when the weather is nice. I added seating out here to create a gathering place, a coffee table made from old barn beams, and a gorgeous potting bench I designed and built that also doubles as a fantastic serving piece when we have company over. This is where the boys and I relax after school and practice their spelling words, where we watch our new puppy, Gunnar, run around the yard until his little legs get tired and he crashes into the grass, where I bask in the sun soaking up every last ounce of summer, and where we sit and eat ice cream after dinner and watch the lightning bugs start to illuminate the fields all around our little farmhouse.
This year it took me awhile to get the patio all cleaned up from Indiana’s long, hard winter, and between keeping up with yard work, the new puppy, and opening up my shop, I feel like I’m just now finally able to really enjoy spending time out here. Better late than never, right? Most of the patio decor stayed the same from last year, but I did add two new wooden rocking chairs that are SO comfortable and pretty and of course lots of plants to give the patio some life and make it soft and inviting. The lavender I have planted behind my bench is my absolute favorite, and the smell is so sweet and intoxicating every time I walk by.
I splurged a little bit on the rocking chairs and two gorgeous ticking stripe outdoor pillows because when you’re buying things that are going to live outside in the heat and cold and wind and rain, you want them to be durable enough to hold up well over the years. To me, spending a little bit more is worth it instead of having to replace outdoor furniture and cushions every single year. I’ve found that it definitely ends up saving me money in the long run!
Gunnar looks like he fits right in here at the farmhouse, doesn’t he?
My only wish for this space would be that I could add a gazebo or some kind of covering so it was shaded for more hours during the day when it gets really hot, but maybe in the future that might be a possibility. Soon the weather will start changing, and I’ll be sitting out here in a sweater with a big cup of coffee watching the leaves turn colors and fall to the ground. Tell me that I’m not the only one getting excited for fall!
SOURCES
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wood bench – Joss and Main
ticking stripe outdoor pillows – Wayfair
rocking chair – Wayfair
natural woven pillows – Target
white rectangle planter – Joss and Main
Love your outdoor space. Its so inviting and cozy.
Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy
Love this simple rustic look. And your new puppy is adorable.
Just have to let you know how much I admire you. I too went through a divorce when my kids were young but I didn’t bounce back as well as you did and would do so many things differently. Congratulations to you and may you live a happy and wonderful life with your boys!
Looks great!!! It’s too hot to sit outside here in Mississippi in August, however maybe in October we will be able to do that!!!
Very nice. And, no, you’re not the only one looking forward to Fall.
Dear Liz ~ Check out sun sails. They are just large canvas hemmed pieces that hook onto the house or trees or posts. Pretty inexpensive and they keep the direct sun off of you while you are on your patio area. Your patio is lovely. That coffee table is a genius idea. I love it. Brenda
Gunnar is precious! He would fit in anywhere! Love the patio!
It looks so pretty out there! It will be perfect for fall. I’m in the same boat as you. We are almost (kinda) done with our back patio. I wanted to be able to enjoy summer bbqs out there, but hanging out with the fire pit going and a warm blanket sounds pretty nice too 🙂
Trying to read your blog and see the beautiful photos but the ads entering from the left of the page make it difficult get through.
Your patio looks amazing!! I love the simplicity and the rustic feel of it. Super inspiring!
Liz,
I love this outdoor space! So beautifully decorated and thought out… and that pup doesn’t hurt either 😉
It’s getting late for summer here in the U.P. and quickly turning into fall (although I’m not complaining) but this space is so cozy. I would love to take a blanket out here and sit with hubby and the dogs <3
I also LOVE that piece that your hanging plant is in, did you make that? That is such a cute concept!
Thanks for the inspo <3
~Steffani