ORC Week 1- Bringing the Indoors Out!
The Spring ORC has officially begun! We have chosen our room and it is going to be a big one! We are bringing the indoors out!
Hi! Guess what time it is? It’s The One Room Challenge time! That’s right, that wonderful time of the year where 20 featured designers and 200 plus guest designers take one room and transform it into a dream space in six exciting short weeks. This will be my 6th ORC round as a guest participant and we have chosen to bring the indoors out!
If this is your first time on The Aspiring Home blog, Welcome! I am so very happy you are here. My name is Joy and I have been happily blogging and creating here since 2014. I have worn many hats over the years wedding designer/coordinator, event planner, event decor creator (I’m sure there is a better word but I’m going with this, ha!), Interior designer, and momma. The last is my most prized and beloved hat. I believe every house can be a home, a place of comfort, a place of rest, a place to build strong roots.
It is because of that belief I decided to take on my most challenging and should be the most rewarding room…The back patio and yard.
The Backstory
When we moved into our home in 2005 it was brand spanking new. We were so happy to move to our beautiful community and this house had so many positives. The backyard, although on the smaller side backs up to the golf course. In 2006, we chose to build a pool. Little did we realize that our kiddos would end up loving swimming so much that they chose to join a year round swim team. In 2010, we built an covered outdoor kitchen area that we use ALL THE TIME. Well, we did until the grill burners failed.
Summers are really tough here in south Texas and everything now looks tired and worn and as the weeks go by – I will elaborate.
Let’s take a look at the BEFORE
What needs to be done:
Change the counters in the outdoor kitchen
Take “L” part kitchen off
Replace sink and faucet
Build shutters for garage window
Paint ceilings
Paint columns and trim
Replace cool decking
Replace coping
Replace pool accent tile
Add fan under small patio area
Paint outdoor furniture
Sew new cushion covers for outdoor sectional
Create more defined seating areas
Add landscaping
Whew…a lot to do my friends and some of the projects are out of our skill set so we are going to rely on the experts quite a bit this time around.
Ready to see my inspiration?
When dreaming of how I really wanted the space to feel, the words Eclectic Southern Glam Oasis came to mind.
Oh my goodness! This is going to be stunning. What great bones this project has
Thank you so much! You are right, there is a lot of good already established now to keep my nose to the grind stone! 🙂
Hubba hubba! Can’t wait to see this space!!
Side note: I grew up near Houston and my family and BFF still live there. <3
What a small world!! Keep us in your thoughts since you know how crazy the weather can get here! HA!
Wow, that’s an exciting project, and a lot of work. I’m excited to see your progress. And a pizza oven, how great!
Yes! a whole lot of work…what was I thinking?!? LOL Hoping our weather holds!
Holy guacamole. What a space
Thanks Deborah, now to polish it a bit!
Oh girl! Let me just say….wowzers! What a fabulous space. It couldn’t be more perfect. Well….after you work your refresh magic, it will be super-perfect. Looking forward to following! ~~Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thank you so much Susie! I had a Home Goods “right place,right time” moment today! Could not believe what I found! Getting more excited about it and looking forward to following your progress!
Joy, your “before” is seriously my dream! What a gorgeous pool space you have, and overlooking a golf course too! But I know what you mean about things needing maintenance and updating, even the prettiest spaces have to be shined up once in a while and your plans for your backyard sound perfect! I will be living vicariously through you when you are done with this space and sitting by that pool!!
Thank you Lisa for your very kind words. I am excited to catch up with your living room progress!
What a gorgeous space to work with Joy! I love all things glam so I think we’ll be good ORC buddies..lol. We just put in a pool 2 years ago (http://beauteefulliving.com/garden-tours-outdoor-spaces-blog-hop/). I wish we had the space to add an outdoor kitchen (maybe a tiny version one day). I can’t wait to follow along your progress. Love outdoor space makeovers….especially this time of year! Good luck!
Your pool is fabulous, ORC buddy! I’ve got your space bookmarked to follow! Good Luck to you as well!
So. Much. Fun. Can’t wait to see how the outdoor kitchen area turns out!
Wow! What an incredible backyard you have as a starting point. Can’t wait to see it all updated!
You are right, the beginning of this project makes for an easier refresh to be sure. I am so happy you dropped by and I can’t wait to see your project progress!
What an amazing outdoor space!! I am so jealous of that pool, my hubby keeps planting trees where I want to put ours, lol!! I can’t wait to see the refresh, it is going to be gorgeous!!
Thank you Susanne! I cracked up about the tree planting! You maybe have to do some stealth midnight tree replanting… in the shape of a pool! LOL Thank you for stopping by!
I’m doing an outdoor space, too. Can’t wait to see what you’re up to in yours!
Good Luck and may the weather cooperate for your projects! I look forward to following your space!
You have such a cool backyard! I can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Thanks Jenny! It holds such happy memories already! I’m hoping the refresh will provide many more. 🙂
oooh! I love a good exterior makeover! Can’t wait for your reveal!
Fingers crossed this one turns out good! LOL Thank you Jessica!
Joy, I’m thrilled to be an ORC guest participant with you. Since we all know how hot our Texas summers can be, a pool is a necessity. I’m really looking forward to seeing your backyard update. Then we can come down for a pool party!
Thank you Carol,I’m following along on your ORC Project and I am all in for a pool party!