Oudoor Garden Inspirations for Outdoor Living

I can never get enough of gorgeous outdoor inspirations - especially when

there's a gorgeous garden and greenery to go with it.  Isn't the backyard

above just gorgeous?

The white curtains in the background are so romantic in the summer breeze.

The lavender fabric is also a perfect color to complement the surrounding

greenery.

Indoor lamps really make this gorgeous garden setting look polished and chic.

Chips and salsa on a barrel...

Colored glass vases make this garden pop.  At night, all you

need are some tea lights in the vases for it to give a soft

magical glow with color.

The fabric makes this dining area so cozy.  Candles really

top it off.  I can just imagine what this would look like at

dusk.

What a great difference just a pink runner an pink flowers can make!

Love the pillows on the hammock - it really creates

a pop of color and gives the scene an exotic look.

Photos from DIY magazine

Super Creative and Inspirational Outdoor Spaces for Summer Living

Since we're in the full swing of summer, I thought I'd do a post on creative

and fun outdoor spaces for summer living.  I really adore what was done

with this long and narrow space (could have been really awkward). The rugs,

flags and plants really make it feel exotic and cozy.

As many you of know, I adore color and this image really got me excited.  

It screams fun and makes you want to have your friends over to hang out.

I also love soft spaces.  White fabric always soften a space

up and the runner with the stencils on it is gorgeous.

Fiesta time!  What a great way to serve cocktails in the backyard.

Have a small cozy deck you don't know what to do with?  Have no fear.

This cozy little nook is decked out with comfortable chairs and accessories.

Most of all, I love the light bulbs strung around for some ambiance at night.

A floor length table cloth can really dress up any table.  The added 

lanterns above make it a fun and festive space - a little pizzazz.

There a gazillion containers other than ice chests you can use to put your

chilled drinks in to serve.  Here's a great example using an old planter.

Here's another old bucket.  But what really caught my eye are the prepared

drinks inside.  Juice or water filled with mint leaves and sliced lemons and

strawberries.  You could use cucumbers as well.

Here's a gorgeously romantic outdoor space that seemlessly blends

into the indoor living space.  The drapes around the outdoor space

make it feel like a room in addition to the chandelier.

Outdoor Spaces by Pottery Barn

Easy ideas and inspiration for casual outdoor living

Pottery Barn has a line of books including this one that

focuses on outdoor ideas that are what I call "Chic Casual."

Casual spaces that look chic.  

Any particular inspiration that inspired you above?

Photos from Do It Yourself magazine

Moroccan Outdoor Flair

I don't know about you, but I absolutely adore Moroccan architecture

and design.  This was a budget patio makeover for a space that

previously looked very bare.  Morocco has this air of mystery and

allure to it.  The makeover is super fun and filled with color.

A lot of the materials were reused vintage pieces or common items

easily purchased at a store that were repurposed.  Add paint and

some fun Moroccan tea glasses and voila!

This little fountain is definitely one of the highlights of the

makeover.  Love the upholstered bench next to it as well.

Here's another home with a patio that has gone with a distinctly Moroccan

 motif.  Moroccan furniture is very unique in its low flat design and fabrics

 that come in a myriad of colors.

Another modern interpretation of Moroccan outdoor

living with colorful lanterns.

I love this very layered and "lived in" look.

The great think about Moroccan decor is that it's

easy to mix textures, fabrics and accessories.

I love what the ownders did with their gazebo.  They

outfitted it with low, streamlined frames and covered

the sitting area with Moroccan mattresses and tons

of throw pillows and throws.  The colors are bright

and fresh. 

Morocco Chic

Found this fabulous book on Moroccan decor.

For more Moroccan inspiration, this is a fun

book.

In the meantime, spring and summer are just

around the corner.  Hopefully this post has

jumpstarted some ideas for outdoor living.

Photos from HGTV and Domino

Outdoor Beach Living, Decks and Porches

It's been raining for over 2 weeks in San Francisco so can you

blame me for thinking of warm weather, beaches and outdoor

living?  I imagine many of you also could use some sunshine

about now in your lives as well.  So here's some monday

inspiration. 

Having a porch or deck such as this with such a view would

be an absolute dream.  Can you imagine living in a place like

this? 

Quintessential tropical living with beautiful rattan furniture.

This place is absolutely amazing!  Did you see all the woodwork

on the ceiling as well as the floors?  I adore wood so I can't

help it.

This sort of railing is perfect so it doesn't block

the view.  What a great place to hang out.

Talk about a sweet place for tea, cocktails or daydreaming...

The colors of this porch with blend right in

with the clear aquamarine of the sea.

This is true island living with all the gorgeous

woodwork and plantation doors.

I'm totally drooling over the sofa. 

Colonial chairs with a gorgeous daybed for

outdoor living.  What more could one ask for?

What fun pops of color to bring some fun to a porch.

Now this is a pretty cool and cozy outdoor deck.  The

kitchen is built right around the sitting area complete

with a fireplace.  If I had a room like that, I'd hang out

there all the time :)

Using benches is an interesting idea

for a deck.  It's nice and simple.

I just couldn't stop staring at the plush

pillows.  What a place to to kick back in.

Hope this has brought you some sunshine

this week.  I can keep dreaming that

some day I can live next to the ocean...

Photos from Coastal Living

Green, Rustic and Romantic Backyard Spaces

Sorry about the delay, internet connection went down at

home yesterday. Trying to get it fixed.

In the meantime, we've been having some great weather in

San Francisco the last few days. The weather has inspired me

to do more posts on outdoor living and backyard spaces.

The space above is rustic, charming and romantic. Can

you just see the space at night lit up with lanterns and

candles?

I think some of the most romantic things about

Paris are its wide boulevards, gorgeous architecture,

cafes and of course little romantic vignettes like this

little balcony overlooking the street. One doesn't always

need a lot of space to make special little place.

When I was young, I loved tree houses. Who am I kidding?

I still love them. Wouldn't it be dreamy to have a tree house

like this in your backyard? Complete with drapes and a bed.

I love it.

This is such a relaxing porch by the sea. I

could totally lounge here with a book all day.

If you don't have a porch but a courtyard instead,

it can definitely serve a similar function and space.

An inviting place where you might have tea or prune

your plants.

Talk about a fresh and romantic space for dining.

Here's the same space without the canopy

between the trees.

Nothing like a white table setting with

candle light for romantic ambience.

I love the idea of putting sconces on the trees.

The pink table cloth really adds color to this space. I love

all of the plants and the cute chairs as well. Looks like a

wonderful place to have a summer meal.

The Natural Shade Garden

The green and romantic spaces above led me to

think about shade gardens. There are certain

plants that grow wonderfully in the shade and

make for very pretty gardens. I've picked out

3 books on Shade Gardening if any f you are

interested.

Shady Retreats: 20 Plans for Colorful,

Private Spaces in Your Backyard

Making the Most of Shade

Hope you are all having a

wonderful summer thus far.

Photos from We Heart It,

House Beautiful, AhParis and more.