Summer Deck Refresh – Welcome Home Summer Tour

The calendar doesn’t yet say that it is officially summer but for me it feels like summer because yesterday was the last day of school for my students.  Yippee for them!  After two teacher workdays, I’ll be shouting my own Yippee! when my summer break officially begins.

Last weekend I spent the majority of Saturday getting our deck ready for the summer season:

  • The door and window were washed.
  • The deck was scrubbed and restained.
  • The Adirondack chairs got a fresh coat of paint.
  • The planters were filled with flowers.

It was a long day of work but the end result was well worth my effort.

Summer deck refresh with Balsam Hill.

I am so happy that our outdoor spaces are now looking good.  Let me show you!

 

Two Tuscan Urn Planters from Balsam Hill filled with flowers flank the door leading to our kitchen from the deck. Balsam Hill Tuscan Urns flank the door leading to our kitchen.  These urns look fabulous up close and from the street.

 

Balsam Hill provided me with these urns that I 100% love.  They are large, yet are lightweight enough for me to move, even after I filled them with flowers.

Monrovia plants in Balsam Hill Tuscan Urn Planters

 

A new doormat makes an entryway inviting.  I picked this one up at Lowe’s for around $12.

Balsam Hill Tuscan Urns filled with flowers for summer

 

Mr. SP made our Adirondack chairs 11 years ago.  A fresh coat of paint makes them look almost new.  Last fall we made two more Adirondack chairs which are now on the dock at the lake.  If you like to woodwork, you might enjoy making a few for your own home.

Refresh your deck for summer with stain, paint, and urns filled with flowers.

 

We mainly use our deck for grilling.  While Mr. SP grills, we love to sit on the Adirondack chairs and relax.

Summer deck refresh - The deck was cleaned and stained, furniture painted, and flowers planted.  virginiasweetpea.com

 

Off of the deck there’s a small seating area with a table and two chairs that I bought at a neighbor’s yard sale last summer for just $20.

Deck refresh for summer by virginiasweetpea.com

Ducks from Virginia Metalcrafters sit at the bottom of the deck steps.  A former neighbor told us that her mother designed these for Virginia Metalcrafters which is now out of business.  She claimed that her mother called them “naughty and nice”.

Virginia Metalcrafter ducks welcome guests.

 

One of my summer projects will be painting this patio set.  I’m pretty sure that it will stay black.

A yard sale patio set makes a nice place to dine.

 

This table isn’t huge, but is the perfect size for the two of us to dine or to sit and relax while we watch our dog play.  I made the placemats a long time ago and the dishes were a Christmas gift from my mom in the early 1990’s.  They were purchased from Best Products, now out of business.  Who misses Best Products besides me?

1990's dishes from Best Products.   I miss that store!

 

The seating area off of the deck leads to our Greenstone patio.  Greenstone was mined in Lynchburg until 1969.  All of the patio furniture was cleaned on Saturday after I finished working on the deck.  It was pollen encrusted and looks so much better now.  The Virginia Tech and Wisconsin chairs were a birthday gift from Mr. SP a few years ago.

Patio and deck ready for summer.  Furniture was cleaned, the deck wa stained, and flowers were planted.

 

We’ve had some much needed rain the past few days and even though I’m thankful for it, I’m hoping for some sunshine this weekend so that we can enjoy our outdoor spaces.

 

If you’ve always thought that Balsam Hill was just for Christmas decor, your mind will be changed when you see their products used in summer spaces in 23 of my blogger friends’ homes.  I’ve enjoyed the spaces shared earlier this week and also look forward to seeing what will be shared tomorrow.

 

Welcome Home Summer Tour with Balsam Hill

Please take a moment to visit my friends who are also sharing their home for the summer tour today.

Thursday

Concord Cottage

Our Southern Home

Fresh Idea Studio

Cupcakes and Crinoline

Sweet Pea  (That’s me!)

Don’t miss the ladies who posted earlier this week and be sure to visit those who will post tomorrow.

Monday

From My Front Porch To Yours

Lilacs and Longhorns

One More Time Events

Prodigal Pieces

White Lace Cottage

Tuesday

What Meegan Makes

Artsy Chicks Rule

Sondra Lyn at Home

Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer

Restoration Redoux

Wednesday

All Things Heart and Home

Setting For Four

House Of Hawthrones

Girl in the Garage

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Friday

Top This Top That

Serendipity Refined

Mrs. Hines Class

Knick of Time

Sharing With:
Between Naps on the PorchConcord Cottage, Stone Gable, Sand and Sisal, Yesterday on Tuesday, A Stroll Thru LifeSavvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog,  Common Ground, Imparting Grace,  Shabby Art Boutique, The Bold Abode

35 Comments

    1. Thanks, Robin! We are looking forward to hosting a few barbecues this summer. I’ve really enjoyed this tour. Thanks so much for organizing it.

      Paula

  1. Your deck looks gorgeous!! I like all the different seating areas you have but those Adirondack chairs are my favorite. Such a pretty color!

    1. Thanks, Megan! The Adirondack chairs are definitely the most comfortable seats. You’ll have to come to the lake one day and enjoy sitting in the two that are on the dock.

      Paula

    1. Thanks, Mary Beth! We really enjoy our outdoor spaces. My husband uses them more than I do because he spends a lot of time sitting on the patio watching our dog play in the backyard.

      Paula

  2. Your back deck area is gorgeous! I love how you have different areas you can choose to hang out in and those planters you got from Balsam Hill are awesome! I had no idea how large they were until I saw them in your photos. Very impressive!

    1. Thanks, Pam! The planters are large. I intended to use them on my front porch but they were too large for that area. They are perfect on my deck and the great thing is because of their size, they can easily be seen from the street. We have a lot of walkers in my neighborhood and they like to look at my flowers.

      Paula

    1. Thanks, Tammy! I love the urns and will admit that I’ve already thought about what I’ll plant in them this fall.

      Paula

  3. Paula, Your deck looks so beautiful and I LOVE the urns, flowers, deck, and sitting area. It all looks so inviting and so relaxing. Beautiful!!! hugs, Lisa

  4. Your deck and patio area are so beautiful, in a gorgeous setting. I like all the layers that you have to work with. The urns are the ideal look for each side of your door.
    Longing for a home like yours….

    1. Thanks, Meegan! I am in love with those urns and think that they’ll look great in all seasons.

      Paula

    1. I was thrilled when I found that patio set, Christy! I may try to get it painted this weekend if the weather will cooperate.

      Paula

  5. why is that our outdoors spaces take so much time and effort to get ready for the season? I guess the effort is really worth it though. you backyard patios look like such a tranquil, serene spot, and quite enough where might even hear naughty and nice playing around. Happy summer. enjoy the well deserved break.

    1. Thanks, Laura! I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather clean an outdoor space than anything inside the house. 🙂 Now that it is ready to use, I intend to take advantage of it.

      Paula

  6. Your porch is so beautiful and welcoming! Love your gorgeous urns from Balsam Hill! Your back yard looks so relaxing an tranquil!

    1. Thanks, Pamela! I am definitely ready to enjoy some time outside. School ends today for me and believe me, I hope to be out there this evening!

      Paula

  7. Love those Adirondack chairs Paula! Those are the best! And your entry looks so pretty.
    Your entire back seating area is so peaceful looking! What a relaxing place to spend time.
    OH! I recognize those glasses also!!! 😉
    xo
    Nancy

  8. I’m on my way over to sit with you at your gorgeous patio set with a glass of iced tea!! I love your deck and urns – so pretty and summery! Happy Summer Paula!

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