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My Backyard Through the Years

July 25, 2016  Garden | Outdoors | Uncategorized

Backyard Decorating Ideas - Love this huge outdoor sectional sofa for the patio kellyelko.com

My 100 year old home was a neglected mess on the inside and out when we bought it.

No grass or plants or patio except for a few overgrown scraggly shrubs – an empty slate.

My friend Stephanie of Brooklyn Limestone is featuring my yard today to kick off her “Take it Outside Beautiful Backyard Blogger Series” so I thought it would be fun to take a walk down memory lane and see the process of where my backyard is now and where it’s been.

Beautiful outdoor tours kellyelko.com

Here’s what it looks like now …

Love this beautiful bluestone patio with sectional sofa and beautiful container plantings kellyelko.com

We put in the bluestone patio and planted two trees – they’ve really grown and provide beautiful shade (see more of my current patio HERE).

I love having the sectional – it fits so many people and it’s the perfect place to nap.

Cozy outdoor sectional sofa - love the coastal pillows kellyelko.com

Go big or go home. Huge whiskey barrel planters are big enough to fill with palm trees – they really define the patio and make the yard feel like a tropical oasis – margarita anyone?

Huge barrel planter filled with palm trees create a beautiful separation between patio and lawn kellyelko.com

My bar cart is a must for summer entertaining.

Outdoor bar cart - perfect for entertaining kellyelko.com
Love this outdoor furniture - the comfortable sectional combined with concrete coffee table kellyelko.com

One mainstay of my yard are my old mop bucket planters.

Mop bucket planter - love the succulents kellyelko.com

This year, I made a giant wood flag and hung it on the side of my garage. See how to make your own HERE.

Love this huge outdoor DIY wooden flag! kellyelko.com

Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see the changes over the years …

 

Before the sectional, I had a mis-mash of furniture. I loved it but wanted something larger.

I still have the glider – could not part with that!

Eclectic outdoor patio - love the vintage blue glider kellyelko.com

Love the old blue porch glider and galvanized bucket planters kellyelko.com

Years ago, I turned this $6 thrift store dresser into the world’s cutest planter – you can see how I did it HERE.

I love adding unique objects to my planters like this little ceramic garden orb from HomeGoods tucked into my rosemary plant.

LOVE this old dresser turned into a fun outdoor planter kellyelko.com

Here it is all filled in.

It’s since fallen apart – I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement.

Dresser Planter - such a fun idea for the garden kellyelko.com

Love this old mop bucket planter kellyelko.com

More old mop buckets and galvanized pails line my back steps.

Mop bucket and galvanized bucket planters kellyelko.com

Another staple in my yard is my step ladder bird bath nestled among the hydrangeas.

Love this little old step stool bird bath kellyelko.com

Last year, I planted huge green giant arborvitaes and limelight hydrangeas in the very back of my yard.

They are growing like crazy in such a short time! Read my tips on growing limelight hydrangeas HERE.

How to Grow Limelight Hydrangeas kellyelko.com

My yard is an ever evolving work in progress.

 

Two things I’ll never change are my abundance of hydrangeas and peonies.

How to Grow Hydrangeas

When to Prune Hydrangeas so they Bloom! kellyelko.com

Peony Growing Tips

Peony Planting Tips kellyelko.com

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Comments

  1. cassie @ primitive & proper

    July 25, 2016 at 5:48 am

    your backyard looks like such a great place to spend time as a family! love the fun quirky touches!

    Reply
  2. Janet Colwell

    July 25, 2016 at 6:41 am

    Love all your creative planters! What a beautiful, relaxing backyard. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Brooklyn Limestone

    July 25, 2016 at 7:21 am

    So good! Love how you’ve incorporated vintage touches throughout but it still feels manicured and inviting. Thanks for kicking off the series!

    Reply
  4. Melissa M

    July 25, 2016 at 9:41 am

    I just love your yard! How well does the furniture hold up with hot humid summers though? Seems every time I use a piece of furniture in the yard that it quickly becomes too worn/dirty looking to be used.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 26, 2016 at 8:51 am

      The furniture is new this summer and I bring the cushions in when it rains. It seems very well made and easy to clean.

      Reply
  5. Marlene Stephenson

    July 25, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    Love your backyard, it must smell wonderful. When it isn’t so hot it is a great place to relax.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 26, 2016 at 8:49 am

      The petunias do smell amazing Marlene!

      Reply
  6. Karen

    July 25, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Very inviting! I love the planter/chest idea and I have a mop bucket as well.

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 26, 2016 at 8:49 am

      Weird that I love mop buckets but hat mopping!

      Reply
      • Karen

        July 26, 2016 at 3:34 pm

        Two thumbs down on mopping here, too! 🙂 A friend had a mop bucket and I hunted till I found one and have really enjoyed mine and get compliments.

        Reply
        • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

          July 28, 2016 at 8:41 am

          Hope you find more Karen!

          Reply
  7. Cindy

    July 25, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    Kelly, I adore your yard, those mop buckets are awesome.

    Cindy

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 26, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Thanks Cindy – they are my favorite planters!

      Reply
  8. Laura Strack

    July 25, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    Your yard is gorgeous! I remember your blue planter dresser!! I think that’s how I discovered your lovely Blog 🙂

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 26, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Thanks Laura – yes that dresser was done some time ago!

      Reply
  9. [email protected]

    July 27, 2016 at 1:15 am

    Love your attitude of go big or go home!…Just love your new outdoor furniture….and I have a soft spot for your old set! Beautiful patio…gorgeous yard…and love that huge flag art!!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 28, 2016 at 8:41 am

      Thanks Shirley – my old furniture looks great on my friends porch!

      Reply
  10. Katy

    July 27, 2016 at 11:55 am

    Your yard looks like an oasis! It’s beautiful.

    Do you happen to know the paint color of your home’s exterior?

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      July 28, 2016 at 8:40 am

      It’s Creekside Green (Ben Moore) but it’s not the full tint. I can’t remember if I did 25% or 50% Katy!

      Reply
  11. Melinda

    August 2, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    I love the feeling of your backyard Kelly. The dresser is such a fantastic idea and adds a touch of fun. Nice work my friend! Take care, Melinda

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Creative Blogger Outdoor Spaces says:
    August 9, 2016 at 4:30 am

    […] couple of weeks ago, I shared my backyard through the years (cue the Kenny Rogers […]

    Reply

KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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214 shares