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

Friday, June 13, 2014

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!

11 comments:

  1. Love anything galvanized! It's easy to find stuff like that around here. We just have to go to the Tractor Supply...haha! I dream about a Homesense in our little small town. Unfortunately,we have to make an hour drive to find one. Question though...what kind of lens do you typically use? Your pictures are always so crisp and clear! Do you use any photo editing software? If so, what?

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    Replies
    1. 1. I am so jealous!

      2. Thank you!!!

      3. Right now I have a Canon 6D and my go-to lens is the Canon 50 mm 1.4. For the longest time I used the Canon 50 mm 1.8 but I recently upgraded. :)

      I often take photos in raw format so I do need photo-editing software to upload and edit them. I start off by uploading them into Adobe Lightroom where I make any small changes like cropping / exposure. Lightroom is really user friendly! After that I open them in Photoshop where I add some contrast and colour - usually with a simple action. I love the Florabella Classic collection!!!

      I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions!!! :)

      Delete
  2. I finished up my school year on Tuesday, and was sooo glad! Enjoy your summer with your little one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Already?!?! You lucky duck. :)

      Have a great summer too!

      Delete
  3. The container you purchased is very nice. Best summer wishes for you and Cooper!

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  4. Love Galvanized buckets, floral cans, and any container of greyness in metals.
    Your planters look fabulous.

    A beautiful weekend to you and yours.

    Xx
    Dore

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  5. AnonymousJune 14, 2014

    I seem to have a love of galvanized metal this season as well. I purchased a large oval tray with rope handles and a metal lantern to go inside of the tray for my outdoor table. So pretty. I love your planters as well. My purchase, like yours, came from Homesense. I haven't stopped in in over a week and I am getting all twitchy. I always feel like I am missing out on a great find. What a minute, I think I have been brainwashed because what normal person thinks like that! Your deck looks fab with the new stairs and planters. Enjoy your lazy summer ice cream days. Kelly

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    Replies
    1. I got a little galvanized bucket with rope handles from Homesense! I've been using it to put all of our "junk" that we drag in and out every day (sunscreen, bug spray, wipes, etc.)

      Great minds think alike, hee hee!

      Oh yeah, and I feel exactly the same way about Homesense. I'm pretty sure that the ideal set-up would be if I lived next door. ;)

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  6. Hi, I've been reading the blog for a while but it is my first post :) Good job! But - you need a bigger container: the bigger it is, the more water it aumulates, the less chance of plats to actually survive :)

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