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Sunday, May 30, 2010

I Am Getting Inspired!!

Since the weather is changing to a nice summery warmth my mind is going to my backyard.  I truly love my backyard, but as with any area in one’s home it can always use a little sprucing up. I keep a file of backyard inspiration images that attracted my attention for various reasons. As I have told you before the back of my home is painted a different color than the front. The front of my home is soft yellow, white with small amounts of black. In the backyard I used cool greens and blue. I wanted a cooling down effect with our hot summer temperatures. Let me show you some of the images that are inspiring me right now.
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So cool and crisp looking. Notice the boxed pillow frame in the stripe.  I am going to remember this as a fun look for pillows inside or outside.
54015-historic-hue-r-x[1]White wicker looks so crisp with the addition of the cobalt blue stripe.
courtyard-l[1] I like how this long narrow space was divided into two sitting areas. If this had cobalt blue pillows I think it would have such a lush cool affect.
EK2[1] Candlelight always makes everything look inviting to me.  If you add stripes to the mix it becomes perfection. In all of these pictures I am visualizing my blues and greens in place of the colors that are pictured.
tropical-1-l[1] 
Love,love,love this door. I am going to try and figure out how to incorporate it on my fence gate in the backyard.
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I know, I know this is not an outside area, but their is so much inspiration for me in this picture. I love the large  almost monogram looking print on the back of the chairs. The blue hydrangeas and the white porcelain pieces made me think of my window box that is cobalt blue and it has green ferns and white hydrangeas with tips of blue in it. The black legs of the chairs and the black table reminded me of all the old black wrought iron gates in my backyard leaning against the cool green walls. You see there are lots of places to get inspiration for the outdoor spaces in your home.
house beautiful
This is perfection to me. I just purchased some cobalt/navy cushions with off white cord welting for my white wicker. The flowers on the table are like what is in my window box. Oh how I would love a lamp out back, I am working on that idea. I am also going to add a couple of blue and white porcelain pieces with my cobalt and green pots. I love it when it an idea starts to come together after being in my brain for so long.
larkins-4-de[1]I loved this image for the use of boxwoods and water features. I have to have water features in my yard. I do have a pool so that is a feature in of itself. We have connected a fountain to the pool that floats in the middle and adds a nice ambiance when there is no swimming going on. I also have a small bubbler in my yard that I will share with you on another post that is so easy to make. You can do it in a couple of hours. Now that is the kind of DIY project I like. No paint involved, just water, rocks and plants.
A couple of other elements in this image that I love is the lantern and the overhang on the door. I also like the outdoor shutters. I have shutters that my honey made for me to go with the window box.
I hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend in your backyards. Whether it is with friends or family, or if you are planting or barbequing have a great time!!
 “Enjoy the Process”
Of: Making your backyard your very own sanctuary.
Happy Memorial Day!!
Kathysue

24 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Kathysue, what wonderful inspiration photos. I wish we had a pool to spruce up. Only a little deck with a view of the woods. I love that photo with the ivy on the wall. I would love to do that on our house, but it can take over very quickly if not kept trimmed. If I had a gardener to do it for me I would probably attempt it, but alas there is only me doing the gardening. Enjoy the rest of the holiday...Kim

Yahnay said...

Its such a good idea to paint your home different colours at the front and the back to create a different atmosphere. Love your outdoor inspiration. I wish it was summer here in AUS too!!!! As we speak I am about to go for a walk in the freezing cold morning... But your beautiful pictures have definitely got me thinking of some great summer ideas. :)

Kat said...

I love the wicker porch with the blue ceiling to keep the "haints" away - that is just perfection to me. And surprise, Kathysue wants to incorporate a lamp somewhere ?:) Love your inspiration photos. Hope that you are having a wonderful long weekend! Hugs, Kat

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

I hope you are having a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend! These are such wonderful inspirational photos...I love them all!

Hubby has been outside all day getting the pool and yard ready for tomorrow...can't wait!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Allie and Pattie said...

Love those pics Kathysue- the indoor chairs are stunning. Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend!
xoxo Pattie

Bring Pretty Back said...

Kathysue,That just intrigues mu! A different color for the front and back of your house! How do you come up with all of these ideas! I am a candle fanantic myself, I actually used to own a candle company, I sold it 5 years ago this month. OH! That striped door! can you imagine how happy you would be when you lookat at it! I zagree100%! A post on pretty and comfy! Absolutely!
Have a pretty night,

Kristin

Raina Cox said...

Such gorgeous inspiring photos.

Thanks so much for visiting La Lamp Shade!

Raina
If the Lamp Shade Fits

Unknown said...

Beautiful inspiration in each one of these pics! I know how you love stripes, so you must find a way to incorporate that striped door somewhere....just the bit of whimsy that you love! I'm coveting those dining room chairs...the fabric reminds me of the Lee Jofa fabric that was used in the Preston's dining room in Sex and the City....very cool. Have a great holiday with the family, Kathysue. What ya cookin?
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com

ashlina {the decorista} said...

ok....can i just tell you something so funny. i clicked on your site and started reading the post...then i got into a conversation with my sister, and i came back to it...as i started scrolling down through the photos, i thought to myself "omg! i have to save these and post them for kathysue, this is totally her style" and then i got to the bottom of the post and realized ITS GOOD LIFE OF DESIGN....hello.
i am so out of it, i just laughed out loud to myself...im such a silly goose...
but i wanted to tell you so you would know, im always thinking of ya. xoxo my striped fabric fanatic sistah!
happy weekend my love.

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

How interesting, having your house painted a different color in the front than the back, makes complete sense when I think of it. If the backyard is blazing a cool color would help...Janell

Barbara von Enger said...

Where would we all be without Colour? I so love the firdst images - the sensuous shades of blues.
Indeed, you have also inspired me with these beautiful and sunny pictures. In the tropics everyone paints their house in a different colour, it's a nice way of bringing colour to your heart and house;-)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Kathysue, your back yard is so pretty, I can't imagine that it could be improved upon. I love how inviting it is. Your fence and pool area are just fabulous. Great ideas here. I just need to really get some work done in ours. DH is way too busy. I need a man. lol Hope your weekend is a super one. Hugs, Marty

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Thanks for the sweet note that you left for me. As always, loved your post . Have a great day with family and friends today.

Unknown said...

There isn't a photo here that does not completely inspire me as well. So great, all of it!

Unknown said...

Yes! summer is coming! and what you did here is really great. the way you decorated your backyard is really amazing. if you want to add some great outdoor pillows in that beautiful backyard of yours, you can visit my site http://www.outdoorcushionspillows.com/
thanks!

Leah said...

I am getting inspired too! That fourth pic is my fav!

Come check out my latest project!

Cashon&Co said...

i really like that striped umbrella with the two chaises and all the candles. isn't that gorgeous? i have a few of the chinese garden stools outside. they are great to pull up as extra seating, or put a drink on them. When I have parties I put out my big lanterns around the pool with candles in them and it is really pretty. a pain in the you know what to get them all out and clean and lit, but once a year it's worth it. :) happy memorial day dear. I hope its wonderful!

Unknown said...

All so beautiful, especially the laste one with the wall of green!

Eddie + Jaithan

Beach House Living said...

Images 1 & 2 of the blue work for me but that striped door is so fun. I would likely paint one in blue and white of course. The last photo love the room but ivy is so invasive I'd would paint a mural of ivy instead. Ivy while it may look charming it literally takes life from trees, wood fencing and cement...ugh.

Marcus Design said...

Kathysue, this is such a great post!! And I think you and I may be sharing a brain because I die over your inspiration photos! I love the candle light in the fourth photo, and the use of that sweet little garden stool. And the boxwood hedge in that last photo!! To die for. Thanks so much for leaving a sweet comment on my post :)
Nancy

xinex said...

Beautiful inspirational pictures, KathySue. I love them all. I love water features too, it is very relaxing. We have 3 countains shooting into the pool plus water gushing continuously down the slide in addition to having a fountain on the back porch and a smaller one by a sitting area next to the pool dining room. They all make the backyard very relaxing. I can't wait to see your bubble thingy....Christine

La Dolfina said...

I love love love the last image!!!!!!!!!!!
It's so cozy and inviting... pure perfection in a small space :)
Love this post!!!
xo

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, I see we both have outdoor spaces on the brain this week. I love all your inspiration pics too. I want to see your backyard, so tell me if you post it! I'm working hard this week getting my deck all fixed up. Can't wait to actually use it now!

EDYTA & CO. INTERIOR DESIGN said...

The image at night with candle light and lights coming from the inside of the house- It's devine
Oh Ill take a few of those :)
Beautiful.
Hope you had a great memorial day weekend!!

xoxo
Edyta
http://edytaandco.blogspot.com/