My Backyard Through the Years

Backyard Decorating Ideas - Love this huge outdoor sectional sofa for the patio kellyelko.com

My 100 year old home was a neglected mess on the inside and out when we bought it.

No grass or plants or patio except for a few overgrown scraggly shrubs – an empty slate.

My friend Stephanie of Brooklyn Limestone is featuring my yard today to kick off her “Take it Outside Beautiful Backyard Blogger Series” so I thought it would be fun to take a walk down memory lane and see the process of where my backyard is now and where it’s been.

Beautiful outdoor tours kellyelko.com

Here’s what it looks like now …

Love this beautiful bluestone patio with sectional sofa and beautiful container plantings kellyelko.com

We put in the bluestone patio and planted two trees – they’ve really grown and provide beautiful shade (see more of my current patio HERE).

I love having the sectional – it fits so many people and it’s the perfect place to nap.

Cozy outdoor sectional sofa - love the coastal pillows kellyelko.com

Go big or go home. Huge whiskey barrel planters are big enough to fill with palm trees – they really define the patio and make the yard feel like a tropical oasis – margarita anyone?

Huge barrel planter filled with palm trees create a beautiful separation between patio and lawn kellyelko.com

My bar cart is a must for summer entertaining.

Outdoor bar cart - perfect for entertaining kellyelko.com
Love this outdoor furniture - the comfortable sectional combined with concrete coffee table kellyelko.com

One mainstay of my yard are my old mop bucket planters.

Mop bucket planter - love the succulents kellyelko.com

This year, I made a giant wood flag and hung it on the side of my garage. See how to make your own HERE.

Love this huge outdoor DIY wooden flag! kellyelko.com

Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see the changes over the years …

 

Before the sectional, I had a mis-mash of furniture. I loved it but wanted something larger.

I still have the glider – could not part with that!

Eclectic outdoor patio - love the vintage blue glider kellyelko.com

Love the old blue porch glider and galvanized bucket planters kellyelko.com

Years ago, I turned this $6 thrift store dresser into the world’s cutest planter – you can see how I did it HERE.

I love adding unique objects to my planters like this little ceramic garden orb from HomeGoods tucked into my rosemary plant.

LOVE this old dresser turned into a fun outdoor planter kellyelko.com

Here it is all filled in.

It’s since fallen apart – I’ve been on the hunt for a replacement.

Dresser Planter - such a fun idea for the garden kellyelko.com

Love this old mop bucket planter kellyelko.com

More old mop buckets and galvanized pails line my back steps.

Mop bucket and galvanized bucket planters kellyelko.com

Another staple in my yard is my step ladder bird bath nestled among the hydrangeas.

Love this little old step stool bird bath kellyelko.com

Last year, I planted huge green giant arborvitaes and limelight hydrangeas in the very back of my yard.

They are growing like crazy in such a short time! Read my tips on growing limelight hydrangeas HERE.

How to Grow Limelight Hydrangeas kellyelko.com

My yard is an ever evolving work in progress.

 

Two things I’ll never change are my abundance of hydrangeas and peonies.

How to Grow Hydrangeas

When to Prune Hydrangeas so they Bloom! kellyelko.com

Peony Growing Tips

Peony Planting Tips kellyelko.com

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21 Comments

  1. I just love your yard! How well does the furniture hold up with hot humid summers though? Seems every time I use a piece of furniture in the yard that it quickly becomes too worn/dirty looking to be used.

  2. Love your backyard, it must smell wonderful. When it isn’t so hot it is a great place to relax.

      1. Two thumbs down on mopping here, too! 🙂 A friend had a mop bucket and I hunted till I found one and have really enjoyed mine and get compliments.

  3. Your yard is gorgeous! I remember your blue planter dresser!! I think that’s how I discovered your lovely Blog 🙂

  4. Your yard looks like an oasis! It’s beautiful.

    Do you happen to know the paint color of your home’s exterior?

  5. I love the feeling of your backyard Kelly. The dresser is such a fantastic idea and adds a touch of fun. Nice work my friend! Take care, Melinda

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