BKYD Life

Gather. Create. Grow.

Backyard Design

The Antiques and Garden Show

This past weekend was filled with a lot of events and activities. Some parents of school-aged children were scrambling to find the right solution for the class Valentine’s ~ only to realize that the stores were all sold out and they had to get creative. A recored crowd attended the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, AZ ~ could you blame them, it was 80* there! I heard something about a little football game in Los Angeles, CA ~ did you watch the Superbowl? And, the Antiques and Garden Show in Nashville, TN.

While the golf tournament was 20 minutes from my house, I choose to fly to Nashville for the Antiques and Garden Show. I have been to Nashville many times before and so I knew what a great town it is to spend a little time. The Show was downtown at the Music City Center, a beautiful convention complex.

Downtown Nashville, the building in the foreground is the Music City Center.

Proceeds from the event benefitted both Cheekwood and ECON Charities. Cheekwood is a botanical garden and ECON is an service organization local to Nashville. You can click the links to learn more about them. If you would like to learn about other botanical gardens, click here to read a recent article.

The speaker lineup was impressive. Martha Stewart was the keynote speaker and Bunny Williams was not only the Garden & Landscape Design speaker, she was also the Honorary Chair for the event. The Lifestyle lecture was given by the ladies of The Home Edit, Clea Shearer and Joanna Templin ~ have you seen their show on Netflix or read their books? And, the final talk was given by Alexa Hampton who spoke about the business of design. I attended Bunny Williams talk ~ stay tuned for an article coming next week all about that.

When I was not attending a lecture, I browsed the display hall. The organizers of the event invited many vendors from all over the US, I noted retailers from Georgia, Florida, California, Tennessee and some online retailers. Here are a few photos for your visual enjoyment ~

For more photos, check out bkyd.life on Instagram.

If you get a chance to attend the Antiques and Garden Show next year, I would suggest you go. There are so many ideas to getting the most out of your indoor and outdoor space. If you click over to the official website, you can subscribe to updates for the next show. Start making plans now and I just might see you there!

How to Transform Your Yard Into Your Own Getaway Spot

Many people with backyards and patios don’t spend much time using them. Perhaps it’s because the space doesn’t provide privacy or maybe it doesn’t have any inviting features. If this sounds like you, don’t let your outdoor space go to waste. There are many easy projects you can do to make your yard or patio into an outdoor oasis that you can’t wait to use.

Tackle Backyard Privacy Issues

Private space

For many people, the biggest deterrent to spending time outside is that there’s no privacy from the neighbors. Luckily, this is one of the easiest problems to fix.

  • Potted plants or hedges can both make great privacy screens.
  • If you don’t have the patience to grow your own screen, faux plant screens work, too.
  • If the faux plant look isn’t for your, it’s easy to build a basic wooden privacy wall.
  • Building a fence is another option: be sure to document the installation as this project could increase your home’s value.

Give Your Patio a Makeover

Woman sitting in a wicker chair in a garden, writing.

A deck or patio is the perfect place to sit and enjoy some fresh air. However, if your patio has seen better days, it’s probably not beckoning you to spend time outside right now.

  • If your current patio is beyond repair, start from scratch by building a DIY deck.
  • A deck in decent shape can be restored with a fresh coat of stain or an oil finish.
  • Get some comfortable furniture that you’ll actually want to use.
  • Better yet, make a porch swing to sit on.
  • Pick up a few large containers and plant some flowers or greenery to liven up the porch.
  • Put the finishing touch on your patio by using candles, lanterns or outdoor string lights.
  • Enhance the area around your patio by hiring backyard landscaping services to beautify your yard.

Add Kid-Friendly Features

Playing in the backyard

If you’ve got a family, making your backyard appealing to the kids is a great way to get them outside more often. These ideas can make your yard fun and educational at the same time.

  • If you don’t have a playset or swing, consider putting one in.
  • Something as simple as a sandbox can provide hours of fun for little ones.
  • Adding a garden provides a great learning opportunity as well as healthy, whole foods.
  • A garden can also involve children in meal planning and cooking.
  • Use your backyard as a learning opportunity for children. There are several fun activities you can encourage, such as stargazing and building bird houses.

If you’re lucky enough to have a patio or backyard, make sure you put the space to good use. Adding privacy features, making your yard kid-friendly, and revamping your patio will completely transform your outdoor space into a place that feels like true getaway.

This article was written by guest writer, Carrie Spencer of The Spencers Adventures.

Do you have an idea for an article for BKYD Life? Please send us an email at hello@bkydlife.com, we would love to chat about it and maybe you, too, can be featured!

Friday 5

The month of May sure did fly and it’s time for another Friday 5. Today, I would like to share with you 5 Instagram accounts that have inspired me to gather, create and grow in my backyard. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Living with Landyn

Landyn has great style and uses her backyard daily. She has a pool, pool house, a garden and chickens at her home in Nashville. She shares helpful tips and ideas for adding potted plants to your patio decor, not to mention the meals she and her husband create on their many grills and outdoor cooking spaces.

Here is the link to her website and here is the link to her Instagram.

Danielle Walker

Danielle shares her journey of health and healing through food. She gives us a glimpse of her family and their home in Northern California. Danielle is the author of several cookbooks that I thoroughly enjoy. They include recipes that can feed several and some are grill friendly. As a matter of fact, I am making a meal from her Eat What You Love cookbook tonight. We really enjoy the Grilled Shrimp Summer Harvest Salad with Basil Vinaigrette, if you have the cookbook it can be found on page 155.

Here is the link to her website and here is the link to her Instagram.

Wendy Bellissimo

Wendy is a designer of home, baby and pet products. If you don’t have something in your home now, you may be ordering or looking for her designs in stores near you. She lives in a gorgeous home on a California hillside with her husband, four beautiful daughters and several sweet dogs (and I think she might have a cat or 2). She shares her backyard frequently on her IG stories and it looks like a great place to relax at the end of a long day.

Here is the link to her website and here is the link to her Instagram.

Brooke Giannetti

Brooke also lives in California. She, also a designer, and her architect husband, Steve Giannetti, have a small farm in the Ojai area. You can find inspiration for flower gardens, vegetable gardens and all sorts of farm animals on her feed. Brooke and her husband are the authors of 4 books that detail their journey on their farm as well as within the design and architectural world. After following their IG for awhile, I want to move to the country and get some mini-donkeys!

Here is the link to her website and here is the link to her Instagram.

Lylah Ledner

Lylah is local to my hometown of Phoenix, AZ. She and her husband have a sweet space of garden beds and goats. A few years ago, Lylah began using her garden beds to grow elements for natural skin care products. She uses the goats milk for yummy caramels that I love to include in Christmas packages every year. Lylah is also fantastic at building community and uses the space at her small farm for events and farm dinners among the garden beds. My husband and I recently attended one and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening, meeting new people, drinking wonderful wine and devouring an incredible meal.

Here is the link to her website and here is the link to her Instagram.

So that’s my Friday 5 for today. Please feel free to reach through email and let me know if you have any ideas for future Friday 5’s. have a fabulous and safe weekend!

Garden Sheds and Retreats

Do you have a garden shed? I have been seeing so many on Pinterest (you can check out all the ones I have pinned, here) and would like to put one in our yard.

Here are just a few images that I have saved for inspiration…

So, tell me about your garden shed. How do you use it? Is it just utilitarian with garden tools and supplies or is it a destination in your backyard? Can you relax in it? Maybe you use it as a home office? Do you have electricity? How about a way to cool it in the heat of the summer or warm it in the winter?

I need to decide how to incorporate one in my backyard. They are so charming and add so much character to a space. I have a small yard so I will need to be careful of the ratio of sizing to my space, but with that in mind the details are what do it for me. What do you think? Reach out and let me know your thoughts.

In the coming months, I will do my research and make some decisions. For now, I want to consider a custom built versus a pre-made, or kit, option. I will let you know what we decide.

Planners are Planters, part 2

Here is the link if you need to reread part 1. In part 1, I created a list of ideas you might want to include in your backyard plan. Remember you need a plan to get the most out of your space and time in the backyard. You may have, even, thought of more ideas for your backyard than I listed as possibilities. If you did, that’s great. I’m glad you were being creative and thinking outside the box.

Now, with your list, let’s start creating zones. Let’s start with the big items. If you are putting in a pool or play structure (or both), you will need to decide where they should go first. Think of things like are they visually pleasing? Do you want to see them from a certain window inside the house? What spot in the yard makes the most sense? Do you need gas, electric or water lines, then make those as short as possible and place the pool or other large item in close proximity to the source.

Maybe you have a small space and you don’t want or need items like a pool or play structure. What you really want is a garden, a place to eat and a place to cook in your backyard.

Those zones fit perfectly together. You could even put a lovely table in the midst of your garden beds. As you can see in these two photos ~ the garden beds are on the edges of the yard while the table is in the middle. What a fantastic way to enjoy an evening, with or without company!

If you need any other assistance planning your backyard space to incorporate all that you want, I would suggest reaching out to a professional. You can find options online or locally. Yardzen is a great online option. Check out their website for details. If you want a local option, you can visit a nursery in your area, some have designers on staff. Of course, asking friends and family for recommendations is always a good place to start!

I hope this helps you start planning, not just what elements to include in your backyard plan, but also what you can accomplish in your backyard. You can grow your own food to nourish your family and friends. You can gather in community to share a meal and stories of the day while creating fabulous memories. After all, the backyard was meant to gather, create, and grow!

5 Ideas for Budget-Friendly Backyard Structures

Have you been itching to give your backyard a makeover, especially after being stuck indoors so much lately? “But doesn’t backyard remodeling cost a fortune?” you may ask. It doesn’t have to.

The good news is your vision can become reality on a limited budget. Changing or adding some backyard structures is a great way to give your outdoor space new life — and it can be budget-friendly if you do it right. Here are some ideas for affordable backyard structures that will create the perfect at-home outdoor retreat. 

UPCYCLE PALLETS 

Stacks of pallets to make backyard structures

Ah, pallets. They’re perfect for DIY projects since they’re super easy to work with (even if you’ve never attempted a DIY project before). They’re extremely inexpensive – you could even score some for free if you’re lucky. Plus, you can use them as they are or give them a fresh coat of your favorite paint. Upcycling pallets is also an environmentally-friendly way to beautify your yard. Here are some ideas for upcycling pallets into backyard structures. 

1. Pallet Planters 

Save space and money by using pallets to create vertical planters. Growing vertically offers a way to enjoy some of your favorite plants while maximizing growing space and taking up less room. Pallets make great raised planters too. 

2. Pallet Furniture 

Pallet outdoor sofa and pergola showing backyard structures

Need new patio furniture? Wood tends to age well when it comes to outdoor furniture and is extremely durable. With pallets, you can create anything from sofas to tables, rustic to fancy – the options are plentiful. Since pallets are so inexpensive, if furniture goes beyond your DIY talents, you can use the money saved to get furniture made for you. 

3. Backyard Storage 

Outdoor pallet storage area

Need a useful yet attractive storage unit for all your backyard odds and ends? Pallets are an easy way to create a variety of storage options. From shelves to bins, benches to worktables, pallets can easily take care of your storage needs at a fraction of the price. 

DIY FIRE PIT 

When it comes to budget-friendly backyard structures, you’re allowed to think big. You can have a safe, sturdy, and good-looking outdoor fire pit on a budget. Fire pits are always a great idea, no matter the season. From cozying up on cold nights to throwing steaks on the grill, you can’t go wrong with a fire pit. Here are some inexpensive options to get you started. 

1. Paver Fire Pit

Backyard fire pit with a stick roasting marshmallows

All you need are pavers for the floor, retaining wall blocks for the wall, and sand to sweep across the pavers to lock them in place. This quick, inexpensive fire pit can be completed in a weekend. Begin by laying a ring of blocks, then install the pavers inside as the floor. Be prepared to channel your inner mason because you may have to round out some of the pavers to create a circle. If so, use a masonry chisel and hammer. Don’t forget to wear eye protection and heavy gloves. Safety first! 

2. Pond to Fire Pit 

If you’re thinking of getting rid of your Koi pond – don’t. Consider a transformation instead. Unused backyard ponds are the epitome of inexpensive backyard structures as they require very little money (and effort) on your part. Simply layer the bottom with sand, cover with rocks, and pile on the firewood. As long as your pond is lined with stones or concrete and is the right size, you may just have a new place for friends and family to gather.

THROW SOME SHADE 

If your backyard sees a lot of sunshine during the day – maybe even a little too much – you might want to consider installing a shade structure; especially if you live in areas with extremely high temperatures. Trees are ideal, but they’re not always possible. Plus it may take a few years before you can enjoy some real shade. Here are some backyard structures that give shade without blowing your budget.  

1. Penny-Pinching Pergola 

Pergola as one budget-friendly backyard structure option

Pergolas are great because they allow some sunshine to sneak through the beams while also providing a bit of shade. Save money by using reclaimed wood or beams. Not only is this an extremely affordable type of budget-friendly backyard structure, but it looks great too. Consider planting ivy or climbing roses to grow onto your structure to provide even more shade and add some height. 

2. Shade Curtains 

Curtains aren’t just for indoors, they’re perfect for outdoors too. Repurpose some old curtains or purchase inexpensive material to hang over and around a basic structure for quick and easy cover from the sun. Another benefit – you can swap out the material for a different color whenever you get bored. Shade curtains also provide privacy that other shade structures don’t.

REPURPOSING 

If you take a look around your backyard, you may see some random items that you no longer use or that are losing their “shine.” While you may see junk, I see items that can be given a new purpose. Repurposing items you already have means not having to spend any more money – all you need is a little elbow grease. We touched on repurposing some items above, but here are more ideas. 

1. Wheelbarrow Planter 

A wheelbarrow planter as one type of backyard structure

Got an old wheelbarrow hanging around? Clean it up, give it a fresh coat of paint, throw in some soil and your favorite flowers, and turn it into one of your new favorite backyard structures. You could even leave the rust on for a vintage look!

2. DIY Water Features 

This may require some creativity on your part – go wild! The most random of objects can be repurposed into personality-filled water features or fountains: 

  • Hanging watering cans 
  • Rustic windowpane with water falling like a waterfall 
  • Old teapot pouring water into a wooden barrel 
  • Old gutters 
  • Terra cotta pot fountain 

FIXER-UPPER 

A young woman outside building a backyard structure

Sometimes your existing backyard structures just need a little TLC. Perhaps your garden shed needs a fresh coat of paint or a new (reclaimed) door. Does your porch need more pops of color? Consider covering your outdoor furniture in inexpensive fabric or adding colorful cushion covers (DIY, of course). Maybe some of your garden pathway pavers need replacing or could go in a different direction? The point is, the problem isn’t always as big as it seems. Sometimes, something small can make a huge difference. 

Budget-Friendly Backyard Structures: Think Outside the Box 

No matter how big or small your plans are for your backyard, you can achieve the outdoor oasis of your dreams on a limited budget. A little creativity goes a long way (so does some elbow grease). Remodeling your yard could even become a fun activity with family and friends – call in some favors, ask for help when you need it. It might take some time, but your affordable backyard structures may soon be the envy of the neighborhood!