Young birds aren’t the only ones to survey the land from a fresh perch each spring. We tend to enjoy our own look around the yard—admiring the new growth and rejuvenation of the garden—from a personal perch on the backyard deck. This year, don’t overlook your ‘nest’: Start the season off right with these tips for giving your deck a dash of cottage-style charm.
1 Create the illusion of starry nights with a patchwork of glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling. Relax with friends, enjoy the twinkling and start dreaming. Available at toy stores like Mastermind, the stars are easy to remove and won’t damage paint.
2 Transform a basic black iron chandelier from a big box shop like Ikea with a simple coat of spray paint. A pale blue shade ulike Krylon’s indoor/outdoor paint in Peekaboo Blue injects a chic note of spring that plays up the soft blue sky.
3 Reuse and recycle old window screens (we spied them on neighbourhood garbage day!) by hanging them from the rafters. These distressed hanging screens frame the landscape beautifully while adding a vintage touch.
4 Soften your view—and give yourself some privacy from the neighbours—with a striped curtain that blows gently in the breeze. An added bonus? It helps shade the space on too-sunny days. Choose a weather-resistant sturdy fabric that blends with the surroundings, such as Sunbrella’s fade-resistant and water-repellent sheers.
5 Complete the cottage style look with a white lattice enclosure around the perimeter of your porch. The lattice provides a screen that lets the light filter through and doesn’t totally cut off your space, letting you feel as though you’re part of the garden.
Read more in Decorating & Design and Outdoor Living
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