This summer, Chase and our good friend Kellen worked through many hot days and buggy nights to build a deck onto our house. This wasn’t one of those overnight projects that was done in one afternoon, which is why I am still singing their praises of perseverance! Neither one of them had ever built a deck or even helped build a deck before, so this was a major undertaking for them. They did a wonderful job as you are about to see, and I am extremely grateful for all of the borrowed time and energy put into this project!

For anyone curious, we went with grey composite decking and it measures 12’x16′. ALso as a side note, the perk to building a deck all summer long, is that when you go to buy the furniture come August, it is all marked down to clearance prices! Thank you World Market, just another reason why I love you so!

 

Here is the before…

 

…And here is the After…

   

Knowing me, this space will continue to evolve through the seasons. For right now though, I’m happy to have an outdoor space that feels relaxing in the heat of summer and cozy enough in the fall to wrap up in a blanket and sip my coffee; even if that means using our kitchen bar stool as a makeshift side table.

What dreams do you have for your outdoor space?

Trust me, you don’t need a large space to make it yours. Don’t be afraid to dream a little bit.

We moved into our house a little over three years ago as a young newlywed couple. As it is with most newly married couples, we didn’t (still don’t)  have all sorts of money at our finger tips. I had big dreams for our backyard then, and I still do today, but I had to remind myself again and again that the visions would have to come in phases. We weren’t going to suddenly acquire the backyard of my dreams over night (Although I have secretly wished to win a backyard makeover from HGTV since forever).

Every season after the snow falls, somehow we manage to whittle away at that dream list.

Try not to shy away from recycling used, you might just be surprised at what comes your way. For instance, one year our friends were getting rid of their beautiful white fence, and we said “absolutely we will take that off of your hands!” Any project that we are able to tackle at a discounted rate or on our own, without hired-out help, we do. I’m sure every endeavor we set out on, isn’t going to be top notch, but I’m thankful for a husband that is willing to try new things, so that we can create a space that feels like home to us and welcoming to all who enter in.

I’d love to hear from you what home projects you went after, or even the ones that are on paper for now. Try not to get overwhelmed by the whole, just take it one step at a time, even if that means today was the day you created a pinterest page for that dream idea you have. Sometimes you just have to start somewhere. Anywhere.

 

Hope to see you soon!

 

Lindsey Joy