The Calm before the Storm

Easter weekend in the Bay Area was absolutely gorgeous,

 so gorgeous in fact that it motivated us to get out and set up our backyard so we could enjoy the sunshine and warm weather.

It was fun and came together rather quickly.

Every year we set it up a little differently.

 

The past few summers we have set up a beautiful chinoiserie style tent we purchased at Z gallerie which created a cozy outdoor room.

 

We would love to have a professionally landscaped backyard but have yet to accomplish that.

 

Years ago we laid old brick (from a demolished old building in San Jose) in sand which develops a lot of gorgeous green moss over the winter.

 

A few years ago we found some more vintage used brick off a building in San Francisco and hope to expand our existing patio this year.

 

We intend to get rid of the grass and push it back all the way to the roses and edge it with boxwood.

The first section to be filled in will be off the dining room where we have placed our outdoor dining set (in the grass)

 

You may have noticed that we relocated our Sunbrella curtain panels from the front entry.

We are currently in violation with our Homeowners Association and are waiting to see if they will allow them.

  

I purchased this unique chandelier a few years ago from Atelier de Campagne.  I adore the oyster shell detail on it.

 

Once we decided to expand the brick off the dining room we relocated our dining set to this spot and found the perfect branch to suspend it from.

We put up the umbrella, which matches our tent, currently residing in my mom's backyard which was used for the prop shop sale.

 

  

I bought a set of 4 concrete basketweave pots at a garage sale and have used them for a pair of gorgeous white hydrangea plants I scored at Costco and a pair of olive trees.

  

I also picked up a pair of bamboo director chairs at Marshalls a few weeks back and have placed them about for extra seating.

 

 I can't wait to say goodbye to this useless strip of grass and staighten out the curvy border!

  

These are the doors to our master bedroom.

I've ordered another pair of Sunbrella striped panels to match the ones off the dining room.

I found the perfect french rods to go with them at West Elm.

So, this is what our yard looked like over Easter weekend.

 

It was so nice...

but come Monday,

 

it all changed and it's been storming ever since!

Rain Rain go away, come again another day :)