Our Back Patio Brings Exactly Two Boys to the Yard.

At last! Our back patio. The post on our back patio. My back patio post.

I’ve been soooo excited to share all of the beautiful outdoor furniture pieces and patio accessories that my lover Article gifted us last month. You know I wanted to get this up earlier, but it’s been raining for 57 months straight, so I had to wait for that TINY SLIVER of time to get out and photograph it all before the monsoons come again. Which is now until the end of time apparently.

Let’s talk about outdoor living and style and all the things! And how I style (do I sound like a d-bag saying that?) my patio space, because it’s TINY, and I desperately need it to feel somewhere between the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and your grandma Gladys’ sun room. And we’ll get there. It’s only May, so chill your face.

This is my view 96% of my spring, summer and fall life. When it’s not raining. Don’t hate me.

Let’s start with the table and chairs! That TABLE, every time I look at it I weep. It’s called Teaka, and it’s certified teak with zero chemical sealants. I looooove the light, faded wood tone. When it rains it has a warmer, deeper color, which is stunning, too. And it SMELLS good. Maybe that’s just in my head.

Before this table, you might remember I had a darker wooden patio table with a hole in the center for an umbrella. This table doesn’t have a hole in the center, so remember that if you need shade. But under this pergola that Aaron built last summer? GOOD LAWDY LOU, I die. Just perfection.

(However, Article does carry umbrellas and umbrella stands, if you’re in need.)

And the chairs. They’re steel, yes, but not metal-y! They’re called Caya Dining Chairs in Dahlia white and I’m OBSESSED with their clean, polished, but breezy patio look.

When Aaron sat down in one the first time he goes, “Okay yes. These are real. Heavy duty. But still easy to move around. I’m gonna love these. You look radiant by the way.”

Just kidding on that last part.

I put simple white cushions on mine, just to soften up the look, but honestly they’re boom dig without. If you’re into sheepskin pads, they’ve got these!

And we need to discuss these mustard ottomans.

O.

M.

G.

I didn’t realize I needed patio ottomans in my life until I rested my legs on one to read a book outside I nearly bawled my face off with glee. And they’re weather resistant! And the kids are obsessed. Win.

And I love little cozy accents like a soft ALPACA throw on an outdoor sofa. And while I don’t typically go for darker, bolder colors, I actually think it works with all the softer neutral tones. LOOK AT ME ALL DESIGNERY LIKE. (in my head)

Okay so this was morning time ^^. And you can’t see it with the naked eye, but the sun’s about to come up just over the trees in the upper right hand corner of this photo, and the light was so soft and warm and glowy and I had to photograph it! (<—said like Julie Andrews when she’s telling the Reverend Mother how the mountains were calling to her and she just had to be a part of it! Just like that. I’m sure you got that.)

Let’s talk about this baw-daw lantern. You know mood is essential to any outdoor living. GIVE ME MOOD OR GIVE ME NUTTIN’. (I’m not yelling at you.)

This is the Bori Natural Lantern and I.just.love.it. It’s a stylish rattan weave (which is so hot right now) and you can move it around any-old-where you want! Hang it. Place it on the ground. Take it with you in the yard. Take it with you in the bathroom. Listen, you do you.

It’s battery operated also, hollaaaaa.

Here I am doing what I do. Pouring rosé. Lord help us all.

So I want to talk a little bit about color. (don’t x out!) I’m personally a fan of warm, earthy monochromatic tones. I want the overall look to flow, but still have a bit of whimsy and quaintness to it. (seriously don’t x out!) So when I look for planters and table accents, like at thrift stores and estate sales and garden centers, I like to find pieces with a matte finish. Nothing overly shiny. Unless it’s a worn brass or gold. Or a tiny pop of shine here and there. It has to be just right. I’m picky about shine, leave me alone!

And you can’t evaaaah go wrong with wooden stools outside. This one is the Tana Stool and it totally matches the Teaka table and I cry.

I put it right next to the pergola beam because it offers some height dimension for all my plants. You know me and plants. GIVE ME PLANTS OR GIVE ME NUTTIN’. (I’m not yelling at you.)

Look, they totally hugged on their own!

No, really! A non-prompted hug between siblings, caught on camera!

Right there, in front of your very eyes!

. . . probably not though.

The rug I found at World Market, and what I did was pull colors from the Article accessories (like the mustard ottomans and the blue-green alpaca throw) and tie it with the tones in the rug. So like, when you have that much color going on in the rug, even muted, underneath everything, I like to go neutral everywhere else. Neutral for the BIG stuff, and then pops of earthy tones everywhere else. And plants. Always decorate and pimp your space out with plants.

But that’s just me and I clearly have jungle issues.

Wait, kids – you forgot the scissors!

And there we have it. I feel like for a small outdoor space, we really nailed that charming lush but clean garden slash resort slash grandma sun room feel. And I’m never leaving it. Wanna come over? I’ve got rosé.

(Massive thank you to Article for gifting us such timeless, natural outdoor pieces that fit our space and lifestyle so beautifully. If you want to see more of what I’ve partnered with Article on, you can peep our bedroom, and our much-asked-about Sven leather sofa!)

(And another thing – they’re having their annual Memorial Day sale through June 2nd. Loooots of fabulous outdoor goodies up to 25% off. So peep that!)

And if you have any questions about anything, ask Aaron because I’m on vacay. I KEED I KEED.