Outside Summer Tour
Welcome everyone coming from my friend Summer’s at Simple Stylings. Her home is always so fresh and beautiful, isn’t it? Have you seen all the tours starting at Marty’s (A Stroll Thru Life) who is the host of all the amazing tours? You should make sure to see them all. Welcome to all my regular readers too who aren’t new around here. Even for you, there is something new to see again today. A couple of weeks ago I shared my painted concrete front porch. (If you are new to my blog then you can find out how I got the lines so crisp by clicking HERE). Like I said on Monday I splurged on lots of planters and tropical plants with the hope I can move them inside again when winter comes around. I also added some more patterns and texture to our front porch and one of my goals was to rip out the big bush we had in the flower bed, which I finally did and I love it so much better now. It’s open and inviting.
Front Porch
This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. View my full disclosure policy.
As a reminder here is the before again:
It is a dramatic change:
Back Brick Patio
I wanted to show you as true to how we live on our back patio. I love adding color since we don’t have that many colorful plants in our shade garden and this way I can add some interest to the mostly green landscape. The peonies unfortunately don’t last long.
The striped runner is some of the plastic coated Ikea fabric I had left from my chair makeover. I love it because it is wipeable. I didn’t sew either and just cut it to size.
I painted some abstract art to hang along the fence. If you remember my Home Depot Style Challenge it wasn’t as colorful and definitely more staged. We don’t use the tent as much since it gets frustrating when it is windy outside which happens to be very often.
I’m a huge fan of hostas and ornamental grasses:
In the summer time I live in a bikini top with tank top, shorts and cheap plastic flip flops. No elegant outfits anywhere to be seen. The below photo about sums it up.
Last Friday I told you that I ordered some black and white striped cabana beach towels (click HERE) and they finally came. I love them and they are perfect for our lounge chairs:
The above 18 year old kitty sneaks out with me now if she can. She is the only one I let out with me besides using their enclosure aka catio (click HERE to see). She is my cat dog and actually listens. The others are too skittish and also starting to be confused. I just can’t take the chance. But they also don’t really want to. Miss Lilly cat is obsessed with hanging out on the patio with me now though.
And if you are new around here then you might also want to check out my inside tour that I shared on Monday by clicking HERE:
Soon I will also share more of what’s going on on our woodsy little patio. Remember when I shared it two years ago?
I also have a miniature cuckoo clock giveaway going on until Sunday. All you have to do is pin to Pinterest through the below widget.
In case you want to sign-up for emails and receive one of my abstract pieces of art for FREE to print then you can do so by clicking HERE. Good luck and check back on Thursday for my turn in Marty’s Summer Home Tours which is also going on this week.
Tomorrow you can continue with the tours at Refresh Restyle
I hoped you enjoyed today’s tours as much as I did. Tschüß,
i love how your front and back areas are so unified in style now- the striped front porch makes such a difference! and i want to come eat fruit in your backyard in my cheap flip flops! it’s such a beautiful hang out space!!
I love everything that you do – both spaces are really beautiful! And I think you’ve motivated me to get some new beach towels – most of mine are tacky princess and other little kid ones from eons ago – love yours!
Thanks Kris. And that’s exactly what my beach towels look like. Now that I have these new ones, I don’t want to mess them up at the beach LOL
Those stripes on your porch is amazing Julia and everything in your outdoor rooms is equally gorgeous as your indoors! I am so honored to share this Summer home tour with you! Cheers!
Same here, loved your tour and thanks again
I love, love, love your front porch, it is absolutely amazing. Those stripes are such a standout. Your back patio is a great space to hang out too and wow, can’t wait to see the wooded patio. Thanks tons for joining the 2016 Summer Home Tours.
Thanks Marty and thanks again for having me.
You’ve created such gorgeous spaces! I’d be sitting out there all the time. Love the colors!
Thanks Cristina, I do sit out there all the time 😉
Your front porch is so fabulous!! It would make me want to slowly stroll by and try to peek in the window, because surely the inside must be just as awesome! Love your great style, Julia!
Oh Julia, everything is so good! I’m loving the front porch transformation! The striped patio with all of the greenery is gorgeous and it’s so “you”! You have such a green thumb – I love all of the plants. It feels like a true oasis! And how amazing is that tablescape! Love your tour and your style!!!
What an amazing transformation! Your porch is so happy and inviting. Thank you for a great tour.
My Dear, both your front porch and back patio are stunningly styled. Great job!!!!
Julia, I need that black and white stripe umbrella and those towels in my life for the cottage. Love them! I’m on the waiting list for Walmart getting it back in…ugh! Such a fun patio tour. Always love everything you style!
xo
Thanks Shauna. I hope they get it back in stock soon so you can snatch one up. I will sit on my patio now and dream of your gorgeous Florida cottage and pool area 🙂
Love, love, love it Julia! Can I come hang out on that lush patio please???
Any time, I’d love to hang out over a glass of vino or bubbly
What a transformation on your front porch! The painted stripes are amazing and add so much punch. I would never think of painting concrete!
Thanks Jennifer, I finally love my porch now. Before not so much.
Lovely and inviting and colorful! Love!
Thanks so much Andrea
Oh I just love your outside space! Your back patio is just so gorgeous (and I love seeing Miss Lily, the cat dog) 😉 What a fab place to hang out. I’m gonna be popping by in my own flipflops, be right there! xxx
Oh I’d love if you could just pop in like that. I’m sure we’d have a blast.
Julia, your home is gorgeous! Love your style!!
Thank you so much Debbie
Your outdoor spaces are just fabulous! I still can’t get over the before/after of the front porch area. So good!
Such gorgeous outdoor spaces, Julia! I wish summer in Texas wasn’t so horrible and we could actually enjoy being outside! But seriously, it’s already so gross and hot and humid here – ugh! Your front porch is just dreamy, like a tropical paradise! Love it!
Thanks Brynne! I hate humidity and soon it will be yucky here too 😉
Love all the brights you added this year with the B+W. Your backyard is such a summer oasis! So beautiful my friend! xo
Thanks Kristin. I just wanted more color this year.
I love what you did to make the outdoor spaces pop. It really is incredible what you have done to make your outdoor space an extension of your home. Thanks for sharing your talents with us!
Well thank you so much Rob.
Wow, Julia, I m in awe. Every. Single. Thing is just perfect! Love, love your use of color and those patterned pillows are so fabulous. Can’t wait to see the inside. Love everything!!
Your backyard area is seriously so gorgeous. I love how you staged the table in these photos – so bright and pretty!