BACKYARD BREEZE

BACKYARD BREEZE

By Cynthia Dyson

When it comes to rest and relaxation you can always find me sitting underneath my gazebo in the backyard with a glass of white wine, eyes closed while listening to some soft music after a long hectic day. Most days in my backyard I entertain, play with my beautiful dog Lovely, or take in some peace and quiet with a good book on the lounge chair, but no matter what I am doing my backyard always serves its purpose and leaves me longing for another day to enjoy a cool backyard breeze.

---

A TOUCH OF ITALY

I recently visited a friend who just had a pergola constructed in her backyard. She asked for my help decorating because she was unsure of the right type of décor to adorn it. So, I rolled up my sleeves, and we headed for one of my favorite stores, Target. I suggested string lights for illumination at night and it also adds a rustic feel to it as well, next I added drapery to give it a luxurious look. Since her backyard is surrounded by lush greenery, we added potted plants of various shapes and sizes with wonderful flowers to add some pops of color, next up seating, I went for a love seat and two end chairs that had a basic beige color for the cushions and patterns that played up the beige backdrop, a printed throw rug with fringe edges, a wooden coffee table and server cart to hold beverages and food. The final accents were an array of candles that are battery-operated and vases with lovely flowers. A friendly reminder that whatever your backyard landscape, always choose the right amount of furniture, fixtures, and lighting, because you don’t want to overcrowd your outdoor space with too much decor.

Image courtesy of Unsplash | Photographer: @randyfath

WE GROW WHERE WE’RE PLANTED

Image courtesy of Unsplash | Photographer: @ford_563

A fenced yard is more than just a barrier to maintaining privacy and security, it also functions as a blank canvas for your creativity. I love decorating fences because it allows me to add to the beauty of my surroundings. Here are some of my tips for decorating your fence.

• If you have a slat fence try attaching terra cotta planters, or steel buckets suspended on a sturdy rope, and add your favorite plants and string lights.

• If your fence is a slated wall, add hooks and attach baskets, you add an array of beautiful flowers, try adding: begonias, lantanas, fuchsia, million bells, petunias, and lobelias. If you live in an area where water is rationed then try adding fake flowers…shh! I won’t tell!

• If hanging flower pots and baskets aren’t your thing, how about a raised garden box, and your ground is mainly concrete, well try creating a raised garden at the base of your fence, and plant your choice of fragranced flowers, and decorative lighting. Doing this will add a lovely touch to your backyard.

LET’S TAKE A DIP

We all know that with summer comes hot and humid weather, and sometimes sitting under an awning or a backyard umbrella just doesn’t cut when we want to cool off. If you have a pool in your backyard then you know what the cool dip feels like in hot weather. Pools add a special compliment to any backyard whether you have a grand-sized or a charming mid-sized home, having a pool adds value and style. Ahh!, now decorating the pool area can be a bit tricky, one must consider size, design, elements (waterfall, or fountains) shape, and location. Most pools are set in the middle of a backyard, and depending on the shape and depth this can take up a lot of space. So here are my go-to tips for decorating the pool area:

• If your backyard is mainly concrete consider adding large ceramic potted plats alongside the back of the pool if your yard has a small retaining wall.

• If your pool area is large enough add a few lounge chairs this will enhance the look of your pool, and give a relaxed oasis feel to your backyard.

• If you have small children or invite visitors with small children, have hard top pool cover installed to cover the pool if not in use, or a child-proof fence installed around the pool perimeter. This will prevent accidental drownings, and give you peace of mind that your children or little guests are safe.

• I love raised pool decks, if you have one or thinking to have one built then consider adding a colorful cushion mat with printed throw pillows, on large or multiple planter boxes with bay, banana, and dwarf myrtle trees. For pops of color in the planter box add some: crepe myrtle, Japanese maple, Venus dogwood, and Higan cherry trees.

• If you have a small pool area, then try adding a couple of end chairs with decorative throw pillows and cushions and either a fire pit or coffee table. This will create a cozy comfortable look and feel to your beautiful backyard.

So, as the summer heats up, you now have easy, breezy tips to keep your backyard looking and feeling nice. Grab a drink, fire up the grill, or sit in relaxed solitude and do as Seals & Croft says in their song Summer Breeze: and let this summer breeze makes you feel fine, while the jasmines go through your mind.

Image courtesy of Unsplash | Photographer: @reednaliboff

---

MAGES COURTESY OF UNSPLASH | IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Randy Fath, Reed Naliboff, AND KF

Images are used for illustration purposes only.

Image photographers and Unsplash are not affiliated with and do not endorse DHMICON.COM, its writers, or blogs.