The Deck: A Light Fixture, A Galvanized Planter, A Trellis, and some Flowers

As I mentioned in my last few posts, I've been really trying to make our bland and boring deck more inviting this year. I've been working on one little area at a time, starting with a small section of wall behind our outdoor dining table.

 

Here is an old picture of the little spot I'm referring to:

It all started when I fell in love with galvanized steel planters.



Image Source - Rejevenation





Image Source - Pottery Barn

They are easy enough to find online - but locally? Not so much. Just when I started to lose hope I started to notice some galvanized items coming in at Homesense. That's when I happened across a set of three long, rectangular, galvanized planter boxes. Dreamy.

 

{Dear Homesense: You are a girl's best friend. You always come through in times of need.}

 

 

 

I placed the largest box along the bottom of the boring, old wall. I thought a trellis with some kind of climbing vine would be nice. I found a narrow cedar trellis and was able to pop it right into the planter box.

 

 

 

 

 

In the box I planted some sun-loving, white annuals as well as one pink Dipladenia to climb up the trellis.

 

Homesense also saved the day a few months ago when I came across a lantern-style exterior light that is almost identical to the one we chose for the front of our house. There was only one left in stock so I grabbed it - hoping and wishing that it would fit next to our exterior back door. We needed something to replace the bare bulb (yes, I'm hanging my head in shame) that's been beside our back door since Alex installed it in 2010.

 

I tried to clean all of the pollen off before I took the picture. Um, I think I missed some.

 

 

The last thing I added to the little area was a tree in the corner. I've had the tree for several years now. The poor thing has had three near-death experiences so far. Miraculously though, I was able to bring it back to life once again. Check out all of the new growth. Oh yeah.

Even though our backyard still has quite a few eyesores I thought that a few pretty things might distract people, especially me, from noticing them.

 

It's nothing too spectacular, but it's a start.

 

P.S. I'm really loving the galvanized steel with the wood and the black. For someone who used to only ever pick light coloured everything - I'm starting to learn that sometimes contrast can be a good thing.

 

P. P.S. I'm taking Cooper to swimming lessons tomorrow morning. Does it make me a bad mother to admit that I feel  completely ridiculous bopping around the pool singing Old MacDonald Had a Farm with 20 other adults? I know I teach kindergarten and everything but usually I am alone with the kiddos when I'm singing, dancing, and doing other embarrassing things. :)

 

P.P.P.S. Only ten more teaching days left and then Coops and I are on summer vacation. Lazy mornings, two cups of coffee, play dates at the park, popsicles and ice-cream sandwiches..... oh I just can't wait!