I’m back patio planning.

It never starts in the snow.  Not even during spring rain.  But, when the grass starts growing, emerald city, green, and the tall trees begin to rustle and wave, and the new leaves work out their whispy whispers, then I feel I can’t keep in the cocoon any longer.

I have to be out their in it.  In the wind, warmed by the sun and welcomed by the bird’s songs.  I don’t just want to go out, I want to live out, as much as I possibly can.  Play out.  Eat out.  Read out. Relax out.  Be out.

The summer months are short, here, and so we have to make the days long.  We lengthen them by lingering, lounging and letting go of whats calling us back in.

It’s Monday and my mind should be on laundry and long lists of to-do’s.  But today, my one thing thats trumping everything is cleaning up my back patio.

 

I’m back patio planning.

It never starts in the snow. Not even during spring rain. But, when the grass starts growing, emerald city, green, and the tall trees begin to rustle and wave, and the new leaves work out their whispy whispers, then I feel I can’t keep in the cocoon any longer.

I have to be out their in it. In the wind, warmed by the sun and welcomed by the bird’s songs. I don’t just want to go out, I want to live out, as much as I possibly can. Play out. Eat out. Read out. Relax out. Be out.

The summer months are short, here, and so we have to make the days long. We lengthen them by lingering, lounging and letting go of whats calling us back in.

It’s Monday and my mind should be on laundry and long lists of to-do’s. But today, my one thing thats trumping everything is cleaning up my back patio.

I should probably call it my week thing, because it will likely take the week to get it cleaned and comfortable, after a cruel Chicago white out kind of winter.

This year, I’m thinking our back patio needs a bit more then a clean up.  It needs a little re-fresh.  This was how it looked a few years back.  It’s mostly my cushions that need more then cleaning.  I’m tired of pink and the white is at the point of now return.  I’d love to get the cushions recovered in a dark grey (like the image above).  If that doesn’t happen, I’ll do my best to wipe them down and throw a dark blanket over top.  The thing I love about the patio is that it doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to be practical. It only asks for a few this and thats to make it inviting and inspiring.

Need a couch.  Why not pallets and a covered mattress?

A hammock always makes every outdoor space dreamy.  I’m also loving the mirror trellis (DIY here).

For an outdoor table think European and take an older one, from inside, outside.  I adore the look of indoor furniture outdoors.

A fireplace is on my one day some day house list.

If you don’t have a fireplace or built in fire pit how about a portable one?  I la la love the modern look of Erin’s.

I can’t invent this up at my house, but I imagine what it might be like…. a kitchen that opens up to your patio.

Have you already come out of hibernating?  What makes a cozy patio for you?

Here a few of my outdoor essentials:

 

 

images via : tia borgsmidt / Inside Out / Take Over Time / Stijl Habitat /Design For Mankind / One Kings Lane