Transforming Carrie’s Backyard: From Unused Space to Outdoor Oasis
Hey everyone! Today, I'm in Pensacola, Florida, visiting my client Carrie Freeman. She loves enjoying the parks around her home with her dog Maverick and her boyfriend Tori.
But there’s a catch—Carrie hardly uses her own backyard! That’s where I come in, ready to transform the space into something both functional and beautiful.
Table of contents
The First Impressions
When I first arrived in Carrie’s neighborhood, I couldn’t help but notice how unique and picturesque it was. Every house has its own distinct architecture, and everything is so clean and well-kept—it’s like a scene from a movie!
There’s definitely a coastal vibe here, but it also has this old-school feel, kind of like Charleston or Savannah. Plus, it’s so close to downtown and the water, and Carrie even has a small water view!
Carrie told me how much she and Tori love walking Maverick around the neighborhood, but they don’t hang out in the backyard as much as they could. She felt that if the backyard was more set up and comfortable, they’d use it a lot more. So, I knew this was a project worth diving into.
Identifying the Problem
When I first looked at Carrie’s backyard, I could see why they weren’t using it much. The layout was awkward—there was no clear place to set up a couple of chairs, and the pathway from the house to the garage just didn’t allow for a natural seating arrangement.
Our goal was simple: expand the space in a way that made it more functional and inviting.
Brainstorming the Design
Carrie and I sat down to review some design ideas. She described her style as modern, but after seeing the pieces she wanted, I thought it leaned more Scandinavian—though I’m not big on labels. Your style is your style, and it doesn’t always fit into a neat little box!
Carrie wanted to move away from gray tones and add some color to the space. We found some gray chairs with visual texture, pulled in metallics with side tables, and added some subtle pops of color.
When I suggested this approach, Carrie admitted she loves color but is scared of overusing it. I reassured her that we’d bring color in a way that felt balanced—not overwhelming.
Implementing the Design
With a plan in place, it was time to get to work. Carrie and Tori had already been busy—they picked out paint colors, laid new pavers, painted the fence, and even built an arbor! That’s no small feat.
Of course, Tori had the tough job—digging holes for the plants—but he took it in stride. While he was out there digging, Carrie and I got to focus on the fun part: arranging the pillows and accessories.
Today, I’m here to finish the design with new plants and accessories.
When I showed Carrie the updated design, she was thrilled. She loved the geometric shapes and the copper accents, along with the pop of blue. Of course, there’s more work to do—like adding plants and arranging accessories—but things are really coming together.
Styling the Space
I always say, when it comes to design, the furniture sets the tone, but the accessories bring it to life. We brought in succulents, pillows, and small planters to add texture and color. For this project, copper was the go-to accent color, so we spray-painted some of the gold items to make everything match perfectly.
Even though all the furniture was built to withstand outdoor weather, the accessories gave it that extra touch of warmth and personality. Some of the pieces, like candles and pillows, are things you can pull out when entertaining and then bring back inside to keep them in good condition.
A Lesson in Color
One of the best parts of this project was helping Carrie become more comfortable with color. She told me that this experience gave her a better understanding of how to use color without overdoing it. I’m confident she’ll be incorporating more pops of color in her future projects!
The Perfect Space
As the day came to a close, Carrie was excited about using her newly designed backyard. She envisioned cozy evenings with Tori and Maverick, enjoying the beautiful weather and peaceful atmosphere. And honestly, seeing Carrie relax in her new space made all the hard work worth it.
The design turned out exactly as we envisioned, with all the pops of color, the perfect Arbor, and that custom piece of art Carrie had commissioned. I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together.
This backyard is now a reflection of Carrie’s style and personality, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of it. What’s next for her? Well, Carrie’s got the rest of her yard to tackle, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
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