Hi there everyone!
Welcome to Summer simplified. A group of gals along here with myself in blog land are sharing how to simple summer outdoors this season.
I admit, I wasn’t quite ready to jump start into summer yet. Only because I didn’t want to get my flowers quite yet. I have told y’all a thousand times I am a plant serial killer.
With that said, you are not going to see that many. I even went ahead and bought a hibiscus tree for $10.00 that was on it’s last leg. It thought maybe I would have better luck with something half dead.
Where there is life, there is hope!
You may notice the deck railings are a different color this year. I decided to try my hand at gel staining them. I loved working with the gel stain when I did an interior door inside. You can see how to age a door to look like wood here.
There is a nice variety of color choices. I used rustic mahogany by Minwax. I also used a stain mitt that made the job even easier. No mess, no stress. The ease and clean up was a snap. I love that it does not drip and dries quickly. I have seen gals use the gel even on garage doors and kitchen cabinets.
You may also notice that is a different fire bowl in the middle. Back in the fall I purchased an Allen and Roth one from Lowes. I noticed when I took the cover off, the paint was all chipped. It wasn’t even 6 months old. I called Allen and Roth and they told me to take it back and they would refund me in full. I purchased a metal base one with a stone table. Hopefully I have better luck with this brand.
I recycled some pillows I have had for a few years that I once used on our Spring front porch, I believe last year. I went with blues and greens on the back deck this season. You can see my porch pallet sign is still out there. It is getting aged and weathered looking. I like it that way though.
This is a view from the other side showing the lower deck. Not sure if I ever took an angle this way.
Ceramic owls 
But as you can see it is a great area to entertain. We have plenty of cozy seating now. Last fall I created the cozy deck and I couldn’t be happier to get rid of the huge table that was once on the upper half. You can see our previous summer porch here. The table we never sat at. Now we actually use all of outdoor areas.
These few plants ought to be dead in no time. I give it to mid July and they will be bye bye. I have learned not to invest a whole lot in flowers.
You can only imagine how mess it gets back here come the fall time when leaves start to drop. I have also learned instead of going out there every day to blow off the deck, I simply let it pile up and go out once a week. I basically drown in leaves….NO JOKE. As pretty as it is, is as messy as it is.
Rooster planter and solar light on deck came from LTD commodities.
If you missed my front porch a few weeks ago with my diy tarp curtains, you can visit that here
Thanks for stopping over today. Please take a few minutes to visit some of the other fabulous ladies sharing their summer simplified ideas.
The new diy deck string lights project here
Thank you for your visit today!
I share all things, thrifty home decor, crafts and a recipe or two on occasion.
I always get asked about the Owl stools..here is the direct affiliate link to purchase.
Owl stools
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Day 4
Debbiedoo’s
Craftberry Bush
At The Picket Fence
On Sutton Place
Day 3
In My Own Style
The Wood Grain Cottage
Maison de Pax
Love of Home
Setting For Four
My Soulful Home
Day 2
StoneGable
Duke Manor Farm
Savvy Southern Style
Southern Hospitality
Shabbyfufu
Day 1
Driven By Decor
Garden Therapy
Empress of Dirt
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Debbie, you do have some great seating areas outside to enjoy. That was nice that you got your money back from Lowe’s. Fingers crossed you don’t kill your plants. 🙂
I can definitely rival you for being an expert plant killer so I hear you! I got a bunch of summer hanging baskets for $10 each over Memorial Day weekend because that’s about all I’m willing to spend for something that I know won’t make it through the summer 🙂 You have a beautiful porch Debbie (and the surrounding is beautiful too!) – thanks for sharing it!
oh come on. the hibiscus is still alive. give yourself a little credit. 🙂 i just love those ceramic owls.too cute. happy summer
Love your outdoor space Debbie so pretty!!
Love your outdoor space!! Those trees so close are wonderful. I have an upstairs deck over a bedroom , the deck pan has been leaking and we have to replace the boards and seal the pan. Any comments or suggestions as to how to make the pan waterproof? I’m not sure how your is constructed?
I don’t know Crystal. That is out of my expertise lol.
Debbie I love your beautiful deck decor, your new railing color and yes, even your half-dead hibiscus. LOL!
Love everything – especially those owl garden stools!
Your deck and patio area look great! I would never have guessed that you battle leaves like me. It’s worth it though when you get to enjoy some shade. I love all the color in your outdoor decor!
I love it all. And how come I never noticed before how awesome your deck rail is? I want it.
Debbie
Your deck is so pretty and I want to recommend a flower that will survive and thrive and grow to be beautiful on your deck! It’s called portulaca, my plants are gorgeous and I have them planted in all my pots on my deck. The reason I love them along with being so hearty but the remind me of crepe paper when I was in kindergarten and they open and close. I will send you pics when they are all open but my favorite deck plant of all time!
Debby
Debbygoesshabby.blogspot.com
Yes, please! That sounds great. I will look into that plant. Thank you.
I enjoy plants SO much and it saddens me to hear you keep saying that you always kill them. I think you have to tell yourself another story regarding having plants. If you really want to have success with them get some books and read about what different ones need to thrive. You will be successful with some and not with others just like the rest of us who love growing them. That doesn’t mean you are a failure! However, if you just plain don’t have the patience to care for them, that’s okay, too. Just hire someone to come place plants in your house or on your deck and come every week and tend them. That may be extravagant but if you want plants around you and just don’t want to be their care-taker, it might be worth it. I think you must be clear within yourself about whether you enjoy spending the time and effort to grow plants successfully or not and stop blaming yourself! Because anyone can grow plants–anyone who really wants to and loves spending the time to care for them. But it’s no crime if you would rather spend your time doing something else. Also, it’s no crime if you don’t mind not having any plants! It’s really okay either way–it really is! Now go have some fun on your deck, whether there are plants or not!
Naomi, I think you just hit the nail in the head. I love the way plants look, but I don’t love spending time and tending to them. My Mom loves gardening, and my Grandmother did as well. I guess I would rather do something else lol. P.S. Most of what you see is dead already lol.
Oh I love the owl stools…and it all is so welcoming. I wish I could hang out here with you. 🙂
I love what you have done with your deck areas!
As far as your plants go, you need to get something called Soil Moist.
Add some of that to your pots & stir into the soil. They will hold the moisture longer, so your plants won’t die.
Also pick out some hardy perennials that are drought tolerant. You would love the succulents. I almost never water mine!
I always enjoy seeing what you are doing around the house. Keep up the good work and try not to kill anymore plants! he he he
I actually resurrected a few recently lol!
You are too hilarious about the plants! I hope you have better results this year. Thanks for keeping it real. 🙂
Love your space and decorating ideas Debbie – what a beautiful relaxing space! Love those owl garden stools too! Happy summer friend!
Hi Debbie. I’ve just recently joined your blog and really love your ideas. Your deck looks so inviting. I have to tell you, though, that I have the same problem with plants. I’ve only had success with perennials. Plant them once and they are your friends for many years. Just water and also feed once in a while. I always forget to feed, but they still stay beautiful. I added a lot of good stuff to the dirt first before planting, like good compost, vermiculite for drainage, a couple worms for good measure. If I plant an annual, forget it! It’s dead in a month. Thanks again for the great ideas!
I actually do ok with those too Nina. My clematis comes back beautifully every year. Thanks for being here.