If you would have asked me a year or two ago, if I would be excited to write about our veranda transformation, I would have laughed hysterically. The transformation will leave you speechless.
We love to entertain, and we wanted a functional space outside to enjoy. I had in my head what I wanted the final product to look like, and it was two years of blood, sweat, and tears to make it happen. Our Property Manager, Chris, and his band of talented men did an amazing job on the entire veranda…one project at a time. I’m still blown away every time I walk outside.
BEFORE
It wasn’t just the deck that was transformed, it was the entire area around the veranda. This is the basic deck before. This view is looking out from the screened in porch.
This is the reverse angle.
And a little wider shot, so you can really see.
THE PLAN
Like I said, it was two years worth of project after project. The very first thing we did, I think it was even the first or second day we moved, was to cut down some of the overgrown trees.
The next project was to completely remove the fence, and build a new fence a little closer to the street to give us more space in the back.
Here’s the reverse angle again. We moved the fence line to the right another 5 feet or so. The following year, we had the pergola built. And of course, Hubby planted grass.
The deck is an older deck, so I gave it the first coat of paint/stain, which lasted the first season. We (and by “we”… well… you know)… chose Benjamin Moore’s Normandy paint/stain. It’s a beautiful blue/gray color. At hour two of me painting the deck, Hubby comes home from work and… well… let’s just say it wasn’t what he was expecting. But over time, he grew to love it. We had a professional paint it this year and you can tell. It looks much better.
AFTER
This is it. The pergola, the Colonial flag, the new fence, the grass, the new “conversation area”… everything.
Here is a close up. I love the outdoor rug from Grandin Road under the dining table. The fan hangs down from the pergola. It’s great for keeping us cool in the summer, and also keeping the bugs away when we are eating.
Here’s a full picture from the fence line. You can see how the deck flows into the conversation area. If you look close, you can see a string of lights hanging from the pergola.
We added hanging flowers which adds a great pop of color and summer to the outdoor space.
This is the angle walking out from the screened in porch. You can see the dining table and rug. I love how the blues and greens coordinate together.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people show different camera angles for before and after pictures that you have no idea of perspective, so I did my best to show you an apples to apples comparison.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Well, there you have it, that’s the grand tour.
Are you Inspired?
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If you enjoyed this tour, you will want to see the behind the scenes transformation from the Mud Pit to Built-in Bench and also the Relaxing Porch Oasis.
Love, hugs, and who’s joining me for cocktails on the veranda?
Love it! The transformation is amazing! What an inviting space it is now 🙂
Hi Limeade – Thank you so much for visiting and your kind words. Hugs, Holly
Wow it’s awesome!
Thanks Mindie! Hope all is well with you this week. Hugs, Holly
I’m on my way for dinner! You did an amazing job and I love the blues and greens together , too. (reminds me of the islands and peaceful happy days).
Hi Susan – I think after the graduation party and invasion, you are really going to need some quiet time and R&R over on our veranda. Stop by in person soon! Hugs, Holly
I would love to join you on this veranda! You guys did an incredible job! That transformation was amazing–it looks like a totally different backyard!
Hi Carrie – It’s still amazing to look at the before pix. Hubby saw them and was like… that’s really what it looked like? Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, Holly
Wow, what great spot to enjoy and entertain……love it!
Thanks so much Christine! Hugs, Holly
Oh man, that looks great! You guys did a good job. That looks like a comfy place have hang out this summer.
Hi Leslie – Thank you for your kind words. We are certainly enjoying the new space. Hugs, Holly
I am jealous, wish mine look that good. I know it was a lot of hard labor but looks great. Just wondering what kind of paint you used.
Hi Cathy – Thank you for stopping by! We used Benjamin Moore Normandy paint/stain. And a professional painter for the second and third coat. I did the first coat and it was pretty obvious LOL. Hugs, Holly
What an awesome to place to hang out. Great job.
Hi Carmody – Thank you so much for visiting! Come back soon. Hugs, Holly
What a beautiful place to just hang out & relax now!
Great job!
Hi Jen – It is very relaxing. Thank you for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
I love your new deck, or should I say, outdoor room….I’ll be over for dinner;) Enjoy your new space this summer!
Hi Kathi – I never actually thought of it this way until you said it, but it really is like another room to use. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Hugs, Holly
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the pergola! Beautiful transformation.
Hi Amanda – Thank you for your kind words! Hugs, Holly
A beautiful change! Sure to be the space for many enjoyable gatherings! Well done and just in time for summer!! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch
Hi Rosie – We really do enjoy our time out here, especially in the evening. Hugs, Holly
This is just a beautiful transformation and love all the photos you took showing the details. It looks like the Yard Crashers from DIY network visited your yard!
Hi Sue – Oh my goodness, you are way too kind, thank you. I wish… I keep saying that real life landscaping and work on the house is not complete in 30 minutes like one of those shows. Hugs, Holly
What a transformation! I love it… 🙂 Especially love your furniture! I would spend every spare minute out there! I’d love for you to come share this or any other DIY project at our link party “Motivational Monday”… on my blog! Great job!
Hi Kendra – Thank you for your kind words and invitation. Stop by again soon! Hugs, Holly
What a beautiful outdoor space! I’m sure you will enjoy spending your summer out there. Great job!
K.
Hi Kristi – The best part is the fan – keeps the area very cool even when it’s hot, and also keeps the bugs away. Hugs, Holly
What an incredible and beautiful transformation.! You did such a great job and you have wonderful taste! Love it.
Hi Teri – You are too kind, thank you so much! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
I love, love, love it> I can’t believe how much bigger the whole area looks since you got rid of the mud pit and made it a conversation area. I bet you spend many great evening out there!
Hi Cynthia – Thank you for your kind words, we really do love our new space! Hugs, Holly
Wow, is this gorgeous! Love the rug under the table 🙂
Hi Sinea – Now that you mention it, I remember seeing that rug and cutting the picture out of the catalog to coordinate some of the other colors. Hugs, Holly
Hello Holly, Please, pretty please come to my house and work your magic! I absolutely love what you did. Stopping by as co-host from Wonderful Wed Blog Hop. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Hi Carrie – Oh goodness, you are too kind. It really was two years of hard work to pull it all together. Hugs, Holly
This looks fantastic. I am completely inspired as my backyard is a mess!! Great post. Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.
Hi Anu – Our yard was a total mess for two years, so it will come one day my friend. Hugs, Holly
It looks fabulous, Holly! Thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us!
Hi Kristi – Thank you so much! Hugs, Holly
It turned out amazing! Thanx for linking up!
Thanks Pamela! Hugs, Holly
Hi, I am blog hopping from your link at Sincerely, Paula’s, thanks so much for sharing your transformation progress. This outdoor space looks amazing, I understand the turmoil of undertaking such a large project. I am currently one year in on my own garden transformation, no quite as grand as yours as my garden space is a lot smaller. It is such a big investment of time and money, it’s important to take your time and incorporate as much of your wish list as you possibly can. I agree with not cluttering the space too much and your idea of a few select plants can only enhance your beautiful outdoor space. Congratulations on a job well done xx
Hi Linda Dawn – Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. You made me very happy with your kind words. Good luck with your space transformation. I know you understand the amount of effort and pain and frustration but it’s all worth it in the end. I like to let things sit awhile before adding to them, which has made our work a little longer than most. Come back to visit soon! Hugs, Holly
Wow! You’ve been doing so much work on your back patio space, and it all looks lovely! The veranda is the best part! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Hi Alison – Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your kind words. It was a lot of hard work, but well worth it. We love our space. Hugs, Holly
Wow! I would love to let you loose on my backyard! It looks like such a cozy, relaxing and inviting space. Such a wonderful transformation!
I found you through the BeYouTiful link up.
Jess
CheapSkateBeautyBlogger.blogspot.com
Hi Jess – You are too kind. I don’t know what I would do in someone else’s back yard. It was a lot of head scratching, that is for sure. Thank you for stopping by and have a happy day! Hugs, Holly
I love this!!! What a great transformation!! Thanks for sharing at Happiness is Homemade, you are being featured on Sunday so make sure to stop on over again!
Hi MOD – Oh my goodness, you really are too kind, thank you for the feature and of course I’ll be by! Love your party! Hugs, Holly
I made a new Pinterest board or two I can pin more to from this post again! So happy for you and the family to have this nice space now.
Hi Sue – So glad you were inspired! If you are ever in town, come by to see us and our new space!!! And many thanks for pinning! Hugs, Holly
Whoa, this transformation is AMAZING! I bet it was a ton of hard work! My hubby and I are hoping to attempt something similar this summer to our backyard – thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Hi Erica – Thank you for taking the time to stop by and say hello and so glad you were inspired! Good luck with your project! Hugs, Holly
Just lovely! I believe we may have used the same deck paint as our deck was a ‘hand me down’. I now call it my Caribbean blue deck. And your pergola pic may be used as the motivator for my husband to do a much talked about pergola! Enjoy your beautiful, restful place!
Hi Laura – The blue is so peaceful and tranquil. Good luck with your project and thank you for visiting! Hugs, Holly
Wow! What an awesome transformation and a now wonderful place to do all that entertaining you love! This looks beautiful and it’s just in time for summer. Enjoy your new space. Thanks for linking up with us at The Makers!
Hi Corey – Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! Hugs, Holly
Turned out beautifully!! I, too, have a deck, but it is not at ground-level and I miss not being able to have that extra grassy space, too. I also have a pergola and I enjoyed seeing how you put yours together. Shared! Visiting via SITS, too.
Gorgeous! You’ve inspired me to get mine finished!! And ready for the party!
Hi Helen – So glad to inspire! Can’t wait to see your finished project too!! Happy day!!! Hugs, Holly
What an awesome transformation! Looks like it was worth every ounce of hard work. It’s just lovely, Holly! The previous owner of our “new (<1 yr to us) house left us with two God-awful, peeling baby poop brown stained balconies. I serious,y hope to have the time and funds available to at least make one over this year. Your blue deck is great inspiration . (I'm leaning toward an aqua floor on the upper balcony. MHH isn't so sure he likes that idea…yet.*wink*) Looking forward to browsing more of your creativeness on here. 🙂
Hi Kimberly – Wow, good luck with your project and especially turning MHH onto the blue floor! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
I missed this Holly when you first posted it, and just ran across it featured on Katherine’s Corner~Wow!! Simply stunning! I know you are thrilled and smile every time you go outside! That’s funny about your paint color, my husband generally hates things when I first do them, then after a week he loves it and raves! Enjoy your summer under the arbor!
Hi Jenna – We really do love our space and how everything turned out. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Holly
I love your pergola. I can’t wait until we finally get one. I also like that you have a conversation area and an eating area. So much room to entertain!
Hi Andrea – Thank you so much for stopping by. It was worth the wait to finally have our outdoor space and we love it. Hugs, Holly
Love, love, love all of it!! Question – how does the rain effect your ceiling fan that is attached to your pergola?
Thanks for sharing!!
Tracie
Hi Tracie – Great question, it is an outdoor fan, so it’s totally fine in the elements. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Holly