Long Weekends = Weekends Outdoors

I take every excuse I can to get outdoors (if you're a regular reader of my blog you already know this), but even more so on a summer long weekend.

Whether it's walking the beach at sunset, rollerblading a lakeside trail, horseback riding through the forest, or sitting on a patio having drinks with friends we really do need to take advantage of the short summer season we have!

We can't all get away for the weekend or a holiday and  taking that into account, why not turn your back yard into your own retreat?

Lonny Magazine has an amazing gallery of patio, deck and outdoor spaces. I have included some of my favorite and hope these inspire you to turn your home/space into your own holiday getaway space..that you get to enjoy everyday!

LOVE everything about this space...literally EVERYTHING!

The chairs, the brick wall, the coziness....and of course the Hermes blankets!

Love the idea of using tall shutters for privacy....and the wicker/rattan furniture, animal print rug & french doors....

That pool....

An outdoor fireplace!

The greenery, the brick patio and the huge expanse of windows to let the outdoors in...

Rustic stonework...

Wow....I could just wander and lounge in this atmosphere all day....

So fresh and lush....

Beachy....can almost hear the waves crashing!

A great day to night setting....

The modern pergola - like structure mixed in with the rustic details like the brick shed....

Have a seat and enjoy a latte while reading the morning paper...

Modern, Cali style....that enormous daybed!



Another perfect place for the perfect cup of coffee!



Literally a melding of the indoors and outdoors...feels like a Tuscan villa.

Cheers to a long weekend....I'm off to the lake and I hope you have the opportunity to get outdoors, relax and enjoy yourself!

RR

Simple Summer Beauty...

Snap shots of summer around my home and my second home.....Such beautiful simplicity.......

Whether it be flowers, summer's bounty of veggies, a quiet night in the backyard or a stunning sunset...I hope you take the opportunity to get outside, truly immerse yourself and enjoy the world around you!

RR

Patio Season Has Begun!!

Last summer got away from me and before I knew it, the snow was flying...I wasn't going to let that happen this year!

I got out my design magazines and this backyard patio/lounge in Style at Home Magazine has the feel and aesthetic that I am hoping to achieve...

My inspiration......

The clean lines, the simplicity, the greenery...

Hostas, cedars, herbs.....black, grey, cream and green...

I plan on also doing a similar fence with horizontal fence boards...

I love this gate/entrance way...I hope to also do something similar to this as well...

And with that......

My backyard makeover had begun! 

A HUGE THANK YOU to my brother, Mike McDonald, of Toronto who has his own home reno/construction business (website is in the works) for putting together this gorgeous patio that I use on almost a daily basis (weather permitting).

Mike dug it out ...wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load....and I was able to use the sod in other areas and the top soil in the flower beds surrounding the yard.

We put down gardeners 'paper' to help prevent weeds/grass growing up through...It was a very, very productive first day!

Then came the gravel....I ordered mine from Dirt Cheap in Kitchener. Mike wheelbarrowed every load from the driveway, levelled and then tampered it. Then, the limestone sand went on before the stones were placed.

And......VOILA!!

The stone is pressed concrete from Rona in Guelph and they get their stones from Triple H Landscape in London. I had really wanted to try and source as much as I could from smaller, local companies...and  was absolutely able to with great success!

Cheers! The first glass of wine on my new patio!



The monster fern is from a local nursery in Guelph.



The patio set (I'm still putting all the pieces together) is from The Bay. The coffee table is a rustic crate I found in my parent's neighbour's barn! I did the planters myself, with coleus from Meadowville Garden Centre in Guelph and planters from Home Depot.

This is what it's all about....a friend and I enjoying a summer evening (Canada Day to be exact) on the new patio....

Thanks SO MUCH again Mike...I LOVE IT!!

RR

Backyard Contest Begins!!

The Spring/Summer 2012 Backyard Contest has officially begun!

Like any good project, ..say oh...a Backyard Reno Project,..this contest will have 3 parts:

1. The Plan/Budget

2. The Implementation

3. The End Product and Follow Up

Each week for the next 3 weeks I will introduce each new stage of the contest, starting today with Part One...the all important first step.

It's really quite simple....in order for the Contest to "activate" the Rustic Retrievals Facebook Fan page "Budget" needs to reach 50 "Likes" by Friday June 8, 2012.

The Plan to help keep on track to this 'Budget', is for all of you to keep sharing Rustic Retrievals' Facebook updates, Blog entries, Retweeting tweets etc etc ....encourage your friends and followers to drop by our page, hit "Like" and they too can become part of the contest.

Some Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Pinterest and Instagram followers have already earned 'earlybird ballots' and I will continue to track each and every "Share", "Like", "Retweet", "Comment" etc.....

Each time you do so, you will receive a ballot for when the contest goes "live" and we'll begin giving away some great (and I mean GREAT) summertime, backyard and rustic themed prizes!

Best of luck to you all!!

RR

A Wee Teaser....

Rustic Retrievals will be having a Backyard Contest to kick off the Spring and Summer Season!

Details will be released via this Blog and the RR Facebook page later in the week. Keep checking back for details on how to win ballots to win some great prizes to help get your spring/summer decorating and entertaining season going!

Want to get an early jump on ballots!?! Simply click on the photo above, "Like" the Rustic Retrievals page and your name will be entered! To then win a second ballot....simply "Share" the contest teaser blog with your followers!

GOOD LUCK!!!

RR