We haven’t made a lot of structural changes to the outside living spaces since moving in almost 11 years ago; just cosmetic. We spend a great deal of time outside. We have thrown the occasional party; the set up is great for entertaining. But nothing much lately.
I have been tempted to heat the pool because it’s been so warm but will hold off until May. It’s a lot of water! So I wait until I know I won’t have to keep reheating it.
There are three doors that open to the deck: two bedrooms and the dining room. We did repaint it from brown to blue/grey to go with the pool. And replaced the cushions with my choices, which are now quite faded. The wicker chairs are original; husband has taped the arms where they are starting to unravel. I would like to replace them all but as so much else, they’re livable as is.
Looking up from the pool with the outdoor kitchen:
We also replaced the frame of the gazebo once and the canopy several times. The table and chairs are from our old dining room and really aren’t meant to be outdoor furniture. But again, they do work. I would like to replace these too eventually.
The far end of the pool with the fire pit. The plastic Adirondack chairs came with the house. I bought the loungers early in the pandemic because the ones that came with the house were junky, had no wheels, and didn’t lie flat. The new ones match the curve of the wooden hammock stand behind them.
We do use it year round! Well, I do - husband developed an allergy to the chemicals several years ago so is prepared to deal with rashes when he goes in. We actually have an indoor two person Jacuzzi tub, but (1) it takes almost the entire hot water tank to fill it and (2) we have a hot tub outside! And (3), it’s a pain to scrub down.
I live in the upper Midwest and the indoor/ outdoor rug in our screened porch is 4 years old and has done fine. Of course it is covered but the windows have only screens. ( very little snow blows in).
First of all, @Marilyn , that pool area is gorgeous!! Regarding the wicker unraveling – here too. In 1999, we bought vinyl covered “wicker” – actually, metal covered with vinyl and then woven to look like wicker. After 26 years, it’s worn through, unraveling, and just looking crappy overall. Hence our new outdoor furniture which still awaits assembly. I plan to give away the wicker stuff on Buy Nothing.
This is our second home. There’s a long deck that extends from one end of the house to the other, with seating the whole length. Chaises at one end, then a “wicker” love seat, chair, ottoman, and coffee & side tables. At the other end (photo3’ we have a small fire table and two chairs, plus a dining table. H put a cover over this end so we can use it when the weather isn’t so great. We can sit any place and see out over the water.
Down below we have Adirondack chairs by the rockery, and in front of the “cabin” is another are with a wood-burning fire pit and chairs for gathering. Our opportunities to use this fire pit are few as there are burn bans every summer now.
We bought this home 11 years ago, and it is indeed our happy place. Big enough to host the whole family, but easy enough to take care of inside. H spends a lot of time gardening.
Eagles, otters, deer, elk, squirrels, birds, and bats. The damn coyotes and raccoons are the negatives.
I don’t know where you live but one of the best things one can plant for wildlife is a type of oak. Otherwise, I would contact your local government water and soil department. They often have good ideas for local areas.
This porch is a major reason I can’t leave this house. It’s something like 12x32 with 12x20 under cover. The roof has skylights to throw light into the house and we also have a ceiling fan that helps to keep the bugs away.
There aren’t enough emojis to show how much I love your porch, @Mom22039, AND your trees/landscaping. I wouldn’t leave that house either. It doesn’t happen to be on a remote island, does it?
We just did some furniture rearranging today so I’ll post a couple of pics. Weather is getting hot again so I probably won’t be sitting out there until the sun goes down.
