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I’m so excited to show you a part of my home that I’m pretty sure I have never shared before – my backyard! OK, well I’m not showing you the whole backyard . . . just the patio. But really, there’s not much more to see since my yard is the size of a postage stamp. Even though there’s not a lot of space, we make the most of our urban backyard patio, and I am happy to be sharing it as part of the Garden Tour Blog Hop that was organized and hosted by my friend Tara at Lehman Lane.
Installing this patio area was one of the first projects we did when we purchased our home almost seven years ago. The backyard was basically a jungle when we bought our house, so we needed to do something out there. We decided to put the patio area in the back of the yard, next to the detached garage, so that it wouldn’t line right up with our neighbors’ patios. (As much as we love our neighbors, it would be a little awkward to all be out there eating or hanging out right at the same time and with no privacy. This gives us a little buffer.)
We have a nice dining area where we love to enjoy meals with the family or friends, and then a cute little sitting area off to the side where we lounge and light a fire once in a while.
I love the little garden stool, which doubles as a table and plant stand. It’s the perfect size for two glasses of wine. 🙂
And the outdoor pillows (linked to similar pillows) dress up the very practical and easy-to-clean-bird-poop-off-of plastic adirondack chairs. I tried to convince my husband we needed an outdoor sofa out here, but he didn’t bite.
Although the yard was a jungle when we bought our house, I am grateful for the massive amount of peony bushes the previous owners planted. They are all over the yard and are just stunning.
And I’m pretty darn proud of the clematis vine I’ve been growing the past couple of years. It’s actually thriving, which is shocking to me. Apparently those are finicky, so it’s a wonder that my black thumb hasn’t killed it yet. (I hope I’m not jinxing myself by writing this.) Another favorite plant of mine is our giant oak leaf hydrangea. It’s super low-maintenance, but produces the most gorgeous blooms.
All of these pretty flowers make me feel like I’m not as close to the city as I am (head two blocks north and you’re in Chicago). And that makes enjoying my patio that much better.
Flea market inspired table decor like these aqua round placemats, adorable mix and match fabric napkins, and woven candle holders also help relax the setting and make it feel less urban to me.
Keeping a cute little drink dispenser on the garage window ledge is perfect on especially hot days. (That probably won’t last long – my kids have already claimed it for their upcoming lemonade stand – date TBD.)
And this little plant stand in the corner is perfect for adding some height and color to the patio. Plus, it doubles as a serving stand, which I love!
I’m so glad I had a reason to show you my backyard today! If it weren’t for this blog hop, I probably would never have posted about it. I hope you enjoyed taking a look around!
And if you liked any of the decor items I featured, you can click here to shop or learn more about them.
Please also be sure to check out some of the other beautiful backyard spaces that are being shared today, too. You can visit their posts by clicking below, and you can search for all of the other garden spaces that are part of this hop by searching for #gardentourbloghop on social media!
Nicole B. says
Your backyard is BEAUTIFUL, Bre! And the patio looks so inviting. I just wanna sit down and have a glass of wine while looking at all of those pretty flowers!
Bre says
Aw, thanks so much Nicole! I really appreciate your sweet words. 🙂
Tee @ Beauteeful Living says
I love your backyard, Bre! Those peonies are so gorgeous. Like you, I am so glad the previous owners of our house planted them in our yard too. You did a wonderful job “dressing up” your table. Looks so inviting!
Bre says
Thanks, Tee! 🙂
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
I love your pretty patio! The place settings, flowers and decor are all beautiful! Enjoy your summer!
Bre says
Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful summer, too!
Iris Nacole says
I’m so glad you shared this with us! It’s all so beautiful!
Bre says
Thanks so much!
Emily says
I absolutely love your patio space – it feels so private and cozy! And your peonies look incredible!!
Bre says
Thank you, Emily! 🙂
Meg @ Green With Decor says
I love your backyard, you have such pretty flowers! Those little candle holders are so cute. And that garden stool IS perfect for a couple of wine glasses!
Bre says
Thanks, Meg! Oh yeah – gotta make those garden stools multi-task! 🙂
Elizabeth @RusticMaple says
Your outdoor spaces are lovely. I especially like the pretty oak leaf hydrangea and peonies. How lucky that your property came with so many mature peonies. Thanks for the tour.
Bre says
Thank you very much, Elizabeth! We were so lucky with those peonies! 🙂
Vero says
Wow Bre, it looks beautiful! Well done 🙂
Bre says
Thank you so much!
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
I love your backyard!! It looks like such a relaxing space with so many pretty flowers! I also love how you set your table – those mismatched napkins are perfect. 🙂
Bre says
Thanks, Jenny! I love those napkins!! 🙂
Tara @ Lehman lane says
Your outdoor patio is so pretty Bre! You guys did a great job and it was smart to place it a little away from your neighbors for more privacy:). We must have the same taste in flowers because you planted so many of my favorites. Beautiful space!
Bre says
Thank you, Tara! And thank you for organizing this blog hop! It was really fun to focus on a different part of my home! 🙂
Roxanne says
My backyard is small too. I sometimes think small spaces are the most charming! Yours is very pretty and I love that yellow umbrella!
Bre says
Thank you, Roxanne!
Julie says
Everything is so pretty! You’ve done a great job with a small space. And I just love that little plant stand.
Bre says
Thanks so much, Julie! 🙂
Amy | Canary Street says
Your patio looks so pretty and relaxing! I especially love all your plants.
Bre says
Thanks, friend!
Samantha says
I love it, Bre! It’s so beautiful and serene! I love the place settings and all the gorgeous flowers!
Bre says
Thank you, Samantha!
Lindsay Eidahl says
Such a peaceful oasis!
Bre says
Thanks, Lindsay!
Kristi says
SUCH a peaceful and relaxing space! LOVE all of the gorgeous greens and flowers!
Bre says
Thank you, Kristi!
Amy @ My Life From Home says
I love those peonies! Omg. So jealous. It all looks so inviting and pretty.
Bre says
Thanks, Amy!
Vicki and Jennifer 2 Bees in a Pod says
Bre – your patio is beautiful! You should definitely showcase it more 🙂 Are we allowed to say how jealous we are of all of your gorgeous peonies? And the oak leaf hydrangea is just as pretty! Love all of your personal touches – we can see why you love to entertain here…lovely space!
Bre says
Thanks so much, ladies! 🙂 We are definitely lucky with all those peonies!