fbpx

Blog

PATIO STYLE CHALLENGE 2014

March 3, 2014

I’m sharing some exciting news today and it has to do with one horribly ugly eyesore in my backyard.  Why have I never posted any photos of my backyard, you may ask?  Well, if you knew the state of my back deck, you wouldn’t post any photos either.  Take a look:

 IMG_1572 IMG_1574 IMG_1575   IMG_1579

(I would like to state for the record the previous owners hung that butterfly plaque.  Just wanted to get that out there.)

IMG_1576

Where to begin…. the painfully worn wood deck in desperate need of a new coat of stain?  The lack of privacy or shade?  The emptiness, the sad boring state of it all?  Oh, I don’t know, how about starting right here (cue the Psycho music):

 IMG_1583

I live on a sweet little street, where all of my neighbors take care of their homes.  It’s quite nice, actually.  But there is a large property directly behind my home (like 2 acres) and the homeowners have a huge, I don’t know, garage/shed/boathouse structure.  Their house sits up quite a bit higher on the property, but I’ve got a nice unobstructed view of their outdoor storage.  And I would like to obstruct it.  My neighbors have hidden their view in all kinds of creative ways– really tall fence/lattice like structures, mostly.  See below:

IMG_1584

Home Depot knew nothing about the sad state of my deck situation when they asked me to participate in their 2014 Patio Style Challenge.  I like to think the yard Gods were whispering in their ears, telling them I need a nudge to finally make this a beautiful, fun, and functional space to spend all summer.  Thank you, Home Depot (and yard Gods!).

tumblr_inline_n1aub4U7tG1stey22

If you’re not familiar with the challenge, Home Depot provides a patio set to a handful of bloggers and asks them to create a space around it.  The project has to include DIY’s (my favorite!), and my space, as well as the other participating bloggers’ spaces (and they are an inspiring bunch!), will be shared on Home Depot’s blog, The Apron.

I’ve been hard at work coming up with project and design plans, and while I don’t want to give the project away (where’s the fun in that?), I thought I would instead give you a list of problems I’m planning to tackle.

1)  Address the worn stain

2)  Privacy

3)  Make it pretty

4)  Make it a comfortable space to entertain

5)  Address the bad lighting

6)  Did I mention make it pretty?

And that’s all you get, people!  If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see a few little teases as I start pulling everything together.  These DIY’s may be some of my most ambitious to date.  Wish me luck!

And in the meantime, check out the Home Depot Patio Style Challenge Pinterest Page, where all of the participants pin ideas and inspiration for their makeovers.  I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with.

And now for a shameless plug.  There are only a few days left to vote for me in the Better Homes and Gardens Blogger Awards!  I’m a top 5 finalist in the DIY category (you guys, I have pinch marks all over my arms– I still can’t believe it!).  I would so love if you voted for me.  It’s the home stretch, people!

Have a wonderful week!

xx,

Jen Signature photo JenSignature_zpse63747c4.jpg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. I realize you’ll need to use products from Home Depot for the challenge but you might consider looking into a product there that is similar to Sherwin-Williams Deckscapes. It’s a paint/stain hybrid. I used it on our deck last summer and really liked the coverage and color options. I plan to use the same on the hot tub privacy surround we installed last fall. The pressure treated woods needs awhile to cure outside so I’ll be able to tackle it this spring. Okay, who am I kidding? It’ll be the hottest day of the summer when I get a whim to start working on it…

  2. […] We’re hoping to finish the new stain this week, and move onto the next phase– the privacy issue.  Remember the eyesore? […]

  3. […] weekend!  I’ll be spending the whole thing outdoors finishing up my deck makeover for the Home Depot Patio Style Challenge.  It’s gonna be goooood (or so I […]

  4. Tara Tailer says:

    Your deck looks like the deck we had at the first house we purchased. My husband power washed it then sanded, stripped and stained the wood. It was a lot of work but the results were fantastic. Of course a new patio set always makes the space look more inviting! What a great offer from Home Depot.

  5. […] I mentioned a while back that the Home Depot asked me to be a part of their Patio Style Challenge.  They provide a patio set, and I makeover the space.  And I had plenty to work with.  Shall we take a brief walk down memory lane, just for old times’ sake? […]

back to top

@jenniferstagg

shop

We're a full-service design firm and home furnishings shop built around the philosophy that a well-designed home should be beautiful, personal, cohesive, and complete. We think home is the most important place on the planet and when you live in a home that is perfectly you, it changes your life. Don't believe us? Stick around. We're confident we'll change your mind.

hello there!

Follow Along

@jenniferstagg

Hey, let's be friends

Exclusive projects, discounts, and extra goodies all in your inbox. And don’t worry- your email is for our eyes only.

Let Us Show You Around

home

about

blog

contact

shop

Services

portfolio

careers

tutorials

guides

youtube

podcast

our home

PRESS

| privacy policy

| terms and conditions

copyright © 2023 stagg design | All rights reserved