Monday 18 April 2011

Outdoor Prettification



Hello there, chickadees.

I hope you had the most marvellous weekend,
luxuriating in the longer, lighter evenings.

One of my very favourite things to do in the whole world,
is to sit on the swing seat at the end of the garden, with Mr Modern Country, once we've tucked our littlies safely into their beds. We sit, holding hands, and chat about the day together with cups of tea by our sides.

No matter what kind of day I've had
and, not to gloss too much over the glamour of my everyday life,
I will let you that the know that one of my children gave another
a wonkily haphazard haircut this weekend
(oh, the joys of parenting),
this somehow puts my whole world to rights.

This picture rather perfectly captures the feel of what I hope to create in the seating area just outside our backdoor, where there's a paved space just begging to be prettified.

The hunt is on.



Image unknown

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64 comments :

Susan T said...

I have just sat down for my lunch and turned the lap-top on. Saw your post, smiled, and said 'Ahhhh'.

Always a delight xx

I have been thinking the same myself, we have a little patio spot between a huge hedge and the conservatory - a sun trap just begging to be prettified. I have two lovely chairs just need a table for that cup of tea, or glass of wine.

A huntin we will go!

coastal village life said...

How pretty! I dream of having a little spot like that in my garden to sit and drink tea and eat cake!

Unknown said...

So Pretty Sarah, the prefect place to sit....

Pattie

Catherine said...

Swing seat,...holding hands!! Awwww, you guys are just the cutest!! :-)

Mwah!
C
xx

Anonymous said...

Love it!

Gwen @ Gwenny Penny said...

Love the inspiration, Sarah. Especially the chairs.

Brandi said...

It makes me smile : ) to think of you and your husband sitting hand in hand swinging on your garden swing.

It's me said...

What a lovely seat Sarah !!...may i join you and sit their next to you???...lovely sunny week !!...love Ria...xxx...

Anonymous said...

Doesn't that look like a little piece of heaven....perfect for your evening chats. I'd bump this project to the top of the list!
Have a great week!!!

chris said...

Absolutely gorgeous inspiration picture! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I'm sure it will be lovely.

Room Seventeen said...

Lovely picture!
I had a marvellous weekend, I went to an antique market,I visited a beautiful interior shop, and I had a tasty brunch at the waterfront:-)

Deborah said...

Oooh-la-la!!
I would love to sit here too and with you! :)
This is so romantic and pretty Sarah...I can't wait to see yous.
The swing with hubby sounds so relaxing and cozy.
Kids..don't they do the funniest things?! You'll be talking about that one for years to come xo

Deborah xoxoxo

Sunshine and Lavender said...

This picture is so inspiring... my next project is pillows for our outdoor living space. I too enjoy sitting on the swing each evening while my little one plays in the backyard. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful picture!

~Alison

Erin said...

GOOD!!!! I need a shot in the arm to revamp my porch, so you showing me outdoor living areas will be much needed!!!

michele said...

you have a beautiful soul, you know that? know that.

michele

Tricia said...

That is a pretty little space, isn't it? I think I could sit there for hours.

I had to laugh about the haircut...sounds like my life.

~Tricia

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

Hi Sarah~ How are ya? ;) I love that image~it is so beautiful~ Have a wonderful Monday my friend!! Hugs, Rachel

French Farmhouse 425

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah Sarah!

What a sweet retreat! I ryhmed...and it's Monday. What a beautiful space! I can see passing the time away there.

Oh, the joys of parenthood. I think each one of my kids gave themselves a lovely haircut. You poor dear!

Hope you have fun in the garden this week!
Hugs,
Michelle

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Completely charming Sarah! What a great inspiration pic! Hugs, Courtney

Unknown said...

I also love to eat in the garden and chat quietly with my husband ...
of course, as good Italians, we prefer the coffee
This image is lovely
Hugs
Mari

michelle said...

OOooh and aaahhhhhh my dear! What a perfect little spot you have here, I can't wait to see what you come up with. :)
That sounds so beautiful and romantic swinging and hold hands and just being together....alone.....with no children! Is there really such a thing:? :)

Casa Très Chic said...

I guess you and Mr.Modern Country Style are lucky people, look around.
Your zen space is perfect.
Lovely post.
Hugs
Tereza

Stitchfork said...

What a lovely image, but need to actually see the wonky haphazard haircut!!!
xo Cathy

Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors said...

Ok, let me know when you get that going and Kennedy and I will be right over for a little tea party. The best we've been able to do around here is fill every pot in sight up with some pansies and hope it gets warmer REALLY soon.

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Oh how sweeeeeet, you and Guy sitting on the swing seat and holding hands.

I do like the image you've posted. Can't wait to see what you do to your own patio area.

Have a lovely Easter. I'm off for a few days. Missing you already. xx

Olive said...

Hi Sarah, I think finding a spot to enjoy outside is so important. We have two wooden swings, a hammock, and two tables. We certainly live outside every chance we can get! Have a lovely week♥ olive

At The Picket Fence said...

Beautiful inspiration photo Sweet Sarah! When the days get warmer, my own Mr. and I love to sit outside too and just have that moment to connect, sort through the day, actually talk without being interrupted and feel like "us" instead of only "mommy and daddy", you know? I can't wait to see how you are possibly going to prettify your outside area any more than it already is but I know I will love whatever you do! :-)
Vanessa

Teacup Moments said...

perfectly romantic - that seating area and you lovebirds on your swing!

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

Ohhhhh that is beautiful patio!!!

Too funny about the hair cut! Thank goodness it grows back!
At least they didn't draw glasses on their faces with black marker......that takes a fews days to fade away!

High Street Cottage said...

Perfect timing Sarah, I have been thinking of this myself, I have a garden table I'll be moving out of the Guest Room and that should motivate me to spruce up the patio.
Sounds like you have your hands full. It's nice to know you and the Mr. make time for yourselves though.
xxx tami

Calypso In The Country said...

Love that spot - I really need one of those!

heather said...

I've always wanted a chair swing (love sofa style) in my own garden... someday, now that i'm feeling more settled or at least thinking about settling down more. Your description of your special place sounds dreamy!

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

Oh I love your inspiration of the perfect pretty sitting area outside your door. I also love your story of the wonky haircut (teehee). Take care Sarah and have a wonderful week.

Cindy said...

Hi Sarah,
Your inspiration image is great, I can just imagine that your outdoor area will be gorgeous! I am looking forward to seeing it done!
Hugs, Cindy

WobiSobi said...

Beautiful! and oh so sweet.

lisaroy said...

such a pretty spot and the thought of you sipping tea and holding hands is so sweet! :)

Sonya Badgley said...

This is perfect, Sarah. This is just what I would love on my patio...please...don't wake me up! :)
Hope your Easter is a blessed one.
Sonya

Little Leslie said...

That's a great look for a porch. Hope it works out.
take care,
Leslie

Meera @ firstsense said...

Aww pretty pretty!

So lovely how you and Mr MCS have that outside space to wind down the day. I love the longer days too and I too am luxuriating outdoors in the lighter evenings every chance I get!

Hope you're having a lovely week, darling.

Meera xx

Deb said...

Lovely... reminds me of a hazy sunny June :)...Oh no lol, my eldest did the same to her brother and neighbours child.. they were playing hairdressers, lucky my neighbour is lovely and laughed about it though x

bj said...

I am wanting a cute spot like this, too. *sigh..
Out here in West Texas, during the spring, the winds and blowing dirt keep us from doing much outside.
Then, summertime brings too many flying bugs. We just don't do much outside here, in the way of eating out.

A Room For Everyone said...

That sounds like such a lovely end to the day..Rachaelxx

Unknown said...

We become decidedly garden dwellers in the summer, as many meals and cuppas outside as possible - the house gets slightly neglected, but in Blighty every moment has to be seized, no? I am in garden shed/room negotiations at the moment!

About the tulips, Sarah Raven's choices are always absolutely spot-on to my mind, and Avon Bulbs are amazing but if they seem to spenny try suppliers like JParkers or dejager for cheaper options - i have used J Parkers and found them to be good. They have great deals, on tulip bulbs bought now and shipped in the Autumn. The peony type are mindblowingly lovely! Good luck and plant them deep and late (Nov onwards).xxx

Sarah said...

What a perfect little outdoor space Sarah. And my sympathy over the haircut - we've been there!

Val said...

Now, that is one gorgeous outdoor space. I'd never go inside. =)

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Hi there, is that a picture of your place up there, it is beautiful! Romantic looking. I couldn't help but smile when you mentioned the hair cut. I did the same to my brother when we were young. You and Mr Modern country sound sooo romantic.

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Love that picture! I too love spending time outside with my hubby, makes me happy :)
XO

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I have moved from a HUGE patio overlooking Lake Washington and the Olympic mountains, to a tiny second floor deck overlooking a lot of garages.

Your post just motivated me to say . . . go for it. Make your tiny deck pretty. You can do it.

Thanks, neighbor!

Fondly,

Glenda

Town and Country Gals said...

Sarah,
what a lovely image! Makes me want to get right out there and spruce up my deck! Can't wait to start spending time outdoors!
Yes, that was my old riding hat. I have collectd a few more over the past couple of years. Ever since I had my first horse, I've loved equestrian style.
Rebecca

Heather said...

Oh my goodness!!! That table, and those chairs, and the garden, and the rose covered radio! I want to waste entire days here!

Melissa said...

oh sarah - that does look totally gorgeously inviting...
an afternoon here with the radio on...reading books and watching the children in the garden...pots of tea and a warm spring breeze...

keep hunting!

melissa xx

Em from Faded White Linen said...

That's right up my alley - we have very similar taste - so English pretty hey!. I long for an English cottage garden out here in Oz but sadly a lot of the usual cottage plants don't grow well in this climate...but I'll enjoy seeing yours come together xxx

Unknown said...

I love the pic Sarah...YES do prettify your space. It's so lovely with all this sunny and warm weather. I will watch this space for your own picture of what you end up doing! Lovely to see you tonight, crafting! xx

Ann-Marie ~ Brambly said...

Sarah,
Your summer evenings sound so wonderful! I enjoy sitting out in the garden with my husband, but we're usually trying to escape the teenagers who've taken over the house. Beautiful photo you posted! I'm sad I missed your link party last week-I had a crazy week at work and barely had time to tend to my blog. I hope it was a great success. Take care.

Sylvia N. said...

absolutely fabulous back yard retreat! I am beyond jealous as it is still too cold here to pull the leaves back on the garden and check out the spring growth....we expect 2-4 inches tonight! BAH! However, my knitting TA-DA moment went up today on my blog....just for you! =)

TA-DA! VOILA!
www.thrownandfired.blogspot.com
Jerri

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Love that stone floor! Spent some time outdoor with hubby this weekend. Doing a bit of yard work but it was great to do it together.

Joyti said...

Haircut - I dont know if I'd laugh or cry...
And what a very pretty space that is. Good luck with your project.

Ann said...

You are such a sweet couple.

That space is perfectly gorgeous ♥

LindyLouMac said...

What a romantic couple you are, I also love the haircut incident admission. :)

Kath said...

just lovely.

kathryn
www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com

SLR said...

such pretty outdoor space inspiration! i really want that little radio on the table...
have a lovely Easter!!

Holly Lefevre said...

What a wonderful way to end your day.Once you get that down in your garden, I will fly you to my house, OK?

Unknown said...

Ooooh exactly the kind of inspiration I need for my own garden! Funny that you mention the swing seat that you & hubby sit at the end of the day... me & W do the same on our little refurbished bench, just looking at the stars and chatting with a cuppa by our side, often asking how we got quite so lucky :) Gotta make time for the little things, don't you?

The story about your lit'un cracked me right up! Love it!
xxx

sun rooms northern ireland said...

What a great way to end your day. It's perfect!!

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