From shabby--chic to lavish living, our backyard gets a major reno!
The summer I turned nine years old was the same summer we moved into our current home - the house in the centre of the cul-de-sac, with bay windows, hardwood flooring and, most importantly, an in-ground swimming pool. A simple two-story traditional home, next door to my grandparent's house and a block away from my elementary school. I remember it was the last day of grade three that we had officially moved in, and the first thing I did when I came home from school was dive into the not yet heated water.
“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.” – Henry David Thoreau
I think Thoreau was correct in his belief in the power of "the great outdoors", as years before my parents were the homeowners, Carmelina and I would often find ways to spend time in the neighbouring backyard if only for a few moments. Whether we threw a ball onto their lawn and asked to go get it, or lied that our dog had found a way in under the fence (we didn't own a dog...), we always had a plan to make it into to their backyard. We adored the neighbours' outdoor space with its tall, leafy trees and cedar hedges; it felt like an enchanting oasis. In the southeast corner of the property, there is still a white birch tree surrounded by perennial flowers and a moss-covered birdbath where my sister and I would once play pretend as princess fairies. Now, we make jokes that Carmelina and I knew the house and its backyard would eventually be ours, that we had a sixth sense, which made us feel so at home. Of course, back then, it had nothing to do with the power of premonition and everything to do with the curious mindset of a child lost in a new world.
Over the years, some things have changed; we replaced a cast iron bistro table and chairs for a family dining set, the brick patio floor upgraded to a concrete platform, and several trees were struck down during annual ice storms. However, we never cared to designate a summer to renovate the backyard, instead choosing to go on family vacation road tripping down to Flordia for two out of the eight weeks of summer. This year with our plans to stay at home for season confirmed by the pandemic, we decided it was time to give the backyard some tender, love and care.
Watch the video to see the full transformation of our outdoor space! As always, comment below any suggestions, and join the S + C community to be a part of the family!
Sincerely,
Sara
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