If you follow me on Instagr.am, this is kind of old news.  But I’ve gotta give the patio some love on the blog.

Paul and I have lived in our condo for nearly 6 (SIX) years now.  Hard to believe sometimes.  We have updated several things – remodeled the kitchen, added crown molding and replaced all the tiling and carpets (twice).  But one thing I had little hope for was our pathetic old patio.  I just couldn’t envision anything working out there.  All the furniture I looked at seemed too big to fit in such a small space.  And the neighbors were no help in the idea department.  All their patios looks like haunted houses with dying plants and spiderwebs.  So for all these years, it’s just looked like this:

Oh, it just makes me sad looking at that!  And notice the leaves from the damn eucalyptus tree?  Those are still an issue.  I have to pick up daily to keep them under control.  But at least while I’m picking up, I can do it in the quiet comfort of my fabulous, new patio space!  Ta-daaaaa!

Doesn’t it just make you smile?!

It all started when I read Tara Whitney’s blog about her backyard.  She had neglected it for years and when she revamped it, it became this great spot to just think and have some quiet time.  I first read this and thought “Well, yeah.  Must be nice to have a YARD!”  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I could also have a thinking spot.  Just a small space to find some tranquility.

So I mentioned it off-hand to Paul and he was all for it!  And the fun shopping began.  In fact, once I started shopping and learning more about plants, the ideas started sprouting (haha) and I didn’t want to stop!  I wanted it to be an oasis.  But I had to put the brakes on at some point so we’d still have a place to sit down.

Anyway, I just love everything about it (besides the aforementioned leaves and a few new critters who made themselves at home).

But we get to do this, like everyday.

It’s one of the spaces in my home I’ve become most proud of.

The front patio is next, but I’m really having to rack my brain for that one…