Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY
 |
| My garden. (above) |
So…it has been 2 years since I gave my deck a makeover…2 years and now I’m itching to makeover things at my tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills once again. Both indoors and outside. Let’s start with the garden and the outside.
This is my garden.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve done some much needed construction and freshening up of the fences, paved areas, patio, and deck…now it is time to think about a furniture and accessories update. Hmmm….
Best of friend AM, her nice hubby JE and their two adorable kiddies have been staying with me at my tiny little minuscule house. I literally scrubbed every piece of furniture and cushion outside on the deck myself to make sure it was nice and tidy for them. The kids have been playing outside in the yard, have been eating meals in my little outdoor dining room and AM and JE have enjoyed coffee on the deck too. It has been nice knowing that my outdoor garden is pleasant enough to really live outdoors! (I have been working like a kooky bird at work this week…coming home past midnight at times…so I have not been able to enjoy the time with them…all work and no play make Coco a tired girl!).
Anyhooooo…these are pictures I took of my garden last Saturday evening before the family arrived. My garden. Lots of plants, a patio with flagstone pavers and river rocks strewn about, a nice little bird fountain, lots of market umbrellas, big huge banana plants and flouts (I think that is what they are called)…and my dark purple impatiens and white impatiens.
Oh did I mention, I had the guys put in new outdoor lighting so at night everything is illuminated just right.
The outdoor decor has not changed at all since a blabbed about my outdoor deck makeover almost 2 years ago.
Need some new ideas. Need to incorporate COCOCOZY fabrics and pillows outside too. I’m letting my teak furniture go grey…I was oiling it up to keep it that brown boat teak color…but now I want it gray…it may take a season or 2 for it to get there…and then what…?
 |
| My deck that you’ve seen a million times has pretty much been the same since I gave it a makeover in summer 2010. (above) |
 |
| Some China Mums in white and some other green florals on my patio dining table in a mercury glass hurricane lamp that is doubling as a vase…I love a green and white flower arrangement for outdoors. (above) |
 |
| My bird bath…note to self…add water so birds can bathe! The birds get a nice view of the tree tops and the hills – not too shabby for a bird rest stop! You are welcome birds. (above) |
 |
| Dog Mr. Boo with a cone on his head from the vet standing in my (his) garden. (above) |
Thinking…
What do you think…should I revamp the deck and take a more modern approach? I am going to change the colors and the textiles most definitely but should I replace the furniture with something a little more sleek? What should I edit out of my garden and what should I put in? Or should I put my energies elsewhere? I am so over cooked with work (my regular executive job), work 2 (COCOCOZY textile collection), work 3 (the blog)…taking on another project is a bit daunting and plus there is so much to do on the inside of the house. Breathe…calm…I’m stressing myself out…maybe I should just relax and enjoy and invite a few more friends over for champagne and call it day? Love to hear your thoughts. Are you doing some sprucing up this summer or do you plan to just kick up your heels and relax?
Do tell.
Happy Friday!
xo
Coco
P.S. I recognize that this “dilemma” is a total #firstworldproblem! I know people have bigger worries than whether to makeover their garden…so if you chose to just look at the pictures and enjoy, and don’t want to read about why I am going back and forth over this and that seeming nonsense…I totally understand. 🙂
Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY
Stop working so hard and enjoy what you have, it looks great. Maybe get coco textiles weather proofed so your design shines on you.
You can have first , second or third world problems to deal with if you choose too, it’s no ones business! Haha. I am all for evolving areas and rooms, i love change and a bitbof a freshen up is like a vacation. I love your deck area, it appears relaxing and very cozy. A few splashes of colour woukd be great, maybe change the furniture around. That’s how I would freshen it up. yes lets see some fabulous coco cushions!
Invite over some GF’s and have some champagne and berries. Look around at all you have and acknoweldged your really blessed with beauty and safety. Then the next day call me and I’ll come over and help you mayber redirect your energy to some other spot in your house or my favorite – repurpose what you already have! Now that’s abundant living!
Stephanie, Design Muse
GruVe Interiors, Cape May, NJ
Ive got deck redo/ stain/ re-style plans this month. I love your deck, and you really don’t have to change a thing… just maybe change accent colors if you must.
Enjoy it.
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Just play in it! For me this year is the year of the party! Also a very busy thing to do, but lots of fun and great for your soul. I invite many smaller groups of people for dinner or drinks or BBQ. Feeling very connected and people love getting an invite. Besides if you live in it more you’ll feel more in tune with how you want to change it in the future.
Yes a first world problem, but who cares, it’s your blog, website etc and you are allowed to post about what ever you like. Although that said, I think your garden is lovely, it’s definitely in keeping with the house and looks like a lovely spot to enjoy a cuppa, glass of vino or BBQ, maybe some new potted plants, or flowers, soft furnishings etc… but otherwise I’d leave it as it xx
we have teak patio furniture and stopped oiling it…mainly because we were lazy…and I LOVED the look. Very rustic and perfectly aged.
Good luck – can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Lovely corner of the world! Let it evolve…let the plants grow…let your furniture grey….add some of your gorge pillows….and then just kick back and completely enjoy. Inhale it. It is you…let it be.
A relaxing, time budget idea is to move the outdoor dining table onto the pathway area.
Pea-gravel under dining tables is much more fun, like in Europe.
Then just move the outdoor sitting area around. A few of your pillows and it’s done.
Hi Coco,
Ooof! Poor you, sounds like a rough week. Hope your friends stay for the weekend so you can spend more time with them. Re your question, I do love all the modern outdoor furniture in the shops right now, but your stuff is also beautiful and classic, and isn`t that more your style? Why not keep using it, but I do have an idea for you, ok, you mentioned that you are going to add some throws and pillows from your own line but what about taking your umbrellas and having your seamstress sew new umbrella tops (don`t know what else to call the material part) out of your own material, you could even make the inside and the ouside two different patterns, if you are feeling wild and crazy you could even add a trim, like the umbrella styles of the 60`s & 70`s….hmmm… maybe there is a new product line for the CocoCozy empire in this idea. Or you could switch up your umbrellas to awnings like in your “2 lovely outdoor spaces – an elle decor exclusive post“ but of course using your fabulous material and another CocoCozy product could be born, and why not some chic hammocks! Maybe you would have to treat the material so that it doesn`t get mildewy being outside. But I am sure all the beverly hill-ers around you will be ringing your door asking where you got that oh so fab awning or super stylish umbrellas. This would give you a nice change to your backyard (however it looks great now) along with your accessorizing and use the rest of your time enjoying your summer! Just an idea.
Have a nice weekend.
🙂
mikky
http://www.todaloos.com
Let it all go grey, less work more play! Throw some of your fab cushions on the chairs and pour a champagne! The only thing i would change is remove the iris looking thing from the garden where the bird bath sits, but thats about it!
As a designer I totally get your itch to switch things up! I think your backyard is just beautiful and if I were you, working with your insane schedule and balancing all that you do, I would just refresh it with new throw cushions, perhaps a few new accessories. Make it feel new to you! It really does not need anything at all though, if you ask me!
I love the idea of letting the furniture go grey though
Love your beautiful patio! Add some CocoCozy pillows and your done! Love your blog! Enjoy your slice of heaven!
Annette F
My advice is to make a few small changes if you’re feeling the itch, but I think your basics are fabulous as is. Perhaps break up the matchy-ness of the furniture by changing the dining room chairs. Maybe a small fire pit would be a nice touch for evenings? And def add some CocoCozy textiles!! We love them!
Tiffany
tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.com
I love your outdoor living area! The chairs and sofa are great! Maybe you could change the chairs and table? I think the dining chairs are what’s making it feel more traditional. They don’t seem to go with the other furniture. Maybe do one color of flowers in your beds. That seems to streamline things a bit. You should totally weather proof some of your fabric and have some pillows made! That would be so pretty! It’s beautiful the way it is, but I understand the desire to spruce things up. Nothing wrong with that!
Coco I would simply add some of your fab pillows and have cushions made for the teak pieces. The only thing bothering me at all is the lone umbrella….room for a round table? Lovely space to spend lots of time with friends.
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I think the space is beautiful the way it is but I understand you wanting to change it. I am a designer also and I get these impulses all the time! Maybe do what some of the other comments mentioned….add your touch with your textiles, and then sit back and relax! Love your blog!
I would love to see the two spaces divided, one are for dining and the other for lounging. I love two colors, grey and white with a pop of a color. I would simplify first and then add what you love. Often by dividing we see what needs to stay and what needs to go.
I would love to see a bar cart of some type for serving drinks. I bet it must be dreamy at night, even when you come home after a long day at work!
Lanterns would be fun too….if you do not already have those.
pve
I really like the idea of your turquoise accent colour with greying furniture. I think your garden looks lovely as is but I also understand the need for a bit of change. Perhaps a bit of colour change, in the annual flowers and cushions along with some rearranging will satisfy your need for a project without actually causing you stress.
I also agree that moving the table off of the deck and onto the flagstones below could be a fun change. Or maybe if there is room you could move a chair over to the other side of your garden. Maybe you just need to enjoy your garden from a different perspective. Hopefully you’ll be less stressed soon!
Oh I love your cottage! It is so nice and inviting. I think if you want a little change, which I also love from time to time, simply swap out a few accessories, lanterns, or throw pillows, using bright summer colors. It will be fun and easy! …and if you really are up for something different, try to feng shui your space. It is lots of fun!
Love your patio & the comments given. I think we all think alike. I agree…. REST and relax in the beauty you have. The beautiful pink bouganvilla is all alone in the corner. Bring in pops of the same pink color onto the sofa pillows and another potted plant.
Agree with the idea of 2 sitting areas: dining & sitting
I’ll be available to come for champagne. :0)
Love it! I would not go for a major change….Oh, and I love your blog…. Have a great week!