Fenced-in Veggie Garden

March 30, 2017 Katrina Sullivan

We built a Raised Garden bed, in hopes of growing our own veggies to enjoy during the Spring and Summer months. The first year we had it, it was fantastic and it was so much fun to walk into our backyard and pick tomatoes and snip herbs. We planted bell peppers, peppers, herbs and too many tomato bushes! The tomato bushes were no joke. For the past two years our garden has sat empty whomp whomp. Last year we opted to grow a few herbs indoors. This year the plan is to start growing our own veggies again. But we've hit a snag.

Last year we got a puppy, the sweetest chocolate lab ever. He's a total sweetheart, but he's still in full on puppy mode and has no problem digging up bushes and plants (he's ruined his fair share, trust me). In order to even be able to plant veggies in our raised garden bed we had to decided what to do to keep anything we plant safe.

The plan? We've been talking about fencing in our current garden, leaving space for a small walkway and adding a small door that allows us to access the garden.

I wasn't sold on the whole, build a fence around our little veggie garden. While I love the look of fenced in gardens, I thought our existing garden would be to small to 'good' fenced in. Thankfully, I found some incredible inspiration!!

image via Rugged Life

The garden below is much grander and larger fenced-in garden, but it seriously gives me...maybe one day I'll have a garden this big vibes!

image via This Old House

image via Mother Earth Living

This is project I would like to tackle once I wrap our small patio design plan. Wanting to build your own backyard raised garden bed? Are you wanting to build a rasied garden bed in your backyard, its easier than you think. Hope over to this blog post and see how we built our garden bed in our backyard.

My Small Patio: Modern Design Plan

March 17, 2017 Katrina Sullivan

A few days ago, on Small Home Style I shared design ideas for small patios, to help create a lovely outdoor space. In my backyard we have to patios a large patio perfect entertaining and family dinners. Our second patio is small and right outside our bedroom French doors. While rebuilding our house, we installed French doors and a small patio. I loved the idea of having a smaller more intimate patio for my husband and I to enjoy. The patio has been pretty much empty, except for an old small cafe table and chairs on it that we don't use (it's not right for our space)

Before starting my design plans, I thought about our intended use for the space. My goal is for us to enjoy coffee on the patio on weekends. At night I envision us using the space to unwind talk, listen to music and drink wine. I want this patio to feel comfortable and like an extension of my home. This space has been untouched / unloved for three and a half years and I'm so excited to finally create a space that we'll use.

My plan is to create a patio space that feels like an extension our home, by bringing the outside, below is design inspiration for my small patio along with the design plan.

Small Patio: Modern Design

image sources: 1. Fritz & Gignoux 2. Today's Garden 3. Chic Little House 4. Better Homes & Garden 5. Sugar & Charm

SOURCES: 1. Standish Loveseat 2. Stripe Throw Blanket 3. Modern Planter 4. Faux Plant Terrarium 5. Edison String Lights

Here's how my patio looked two years ago and trust me not much has changed. Our tree has grow in larger, creating a pretty canopy framing the French doors. We recently planted Happy Wanderer Vines on each side of the French doors. The flowers are a pretty purple color and the vines are Evergreen. Thankfully, the vines will sty green year round even when not in bloom.

So far for my patio, I've purchased the Standish Sofa and Coffee table, planted the vines. Up next, we'll work on DIY trellis, hang string lights and add planters. I plan on sharing my small updates on Instagram and the blog.

What do you think of the design plans for my small patio?

Small Home Style: Big Style Ideas for a Small Patio

March 13, 2017 Katrina Sullivan

I’m so excited Spring is right around the corner! The weather in Northern California has been amazing the past week. Sunny skies for days. Over weekend, I spend a lot of time outdoors cleaning up our outdoor spaces and working on my small patio. We have two patios in our backyard a large one off our back door, (link to my patio) perfect for entertaining and a small patio off our master bedroom french doors.

While working on cleaning up my patios, I was inspired to share design ideas to maximize a small patio and give it big style. Thursday on the blog, I’m sharing my design plans for my small patio a space that we haven't touched since re-building our home.

Just like small spaces inside can be tricky, outside spaces can also be challenging. However with space planning and selecting furniture that suits the space well, a small patio can easily go from so-so to wow.

Outdoor spaces should feel like an extension of your home. Think comfortable, inviting and lived in, just like your home. Before diving into the design plan for a small patio / deck, decide how you intend to use the space.

Big Style Ideas for a Small Patio

ONE: Layer in Plants. Just like interiors come alive with plants. Small decks, porches and patios look so much better layered with plants. On a patio bring in various size planters, on a balcony hang plants from the rails. The more plants the merrier.

image Meine Kleine Oase

TWO: Go Vertical. Use the your wall space and grow vertically! Wall pocket planters are super easy to install and plant in and look amazing in small spaces.

THREE: Bring in Ambiance. Layer in lighting overhead and all the ground with outdoor string lights and large lanterns placed on the ground. The patio below is lovely and is giving me loads of inspiration for my own small patio!

image via Popsugar

image via Lei Living

FOUR: Layer in Pattern & Texture. As I mentioned above treat your outdoor spaces like your indoors. Use rugs, pillows and blankets to make your patio feel cozy and inviting.

image via: Aeasthetic You

image via Apartment Therapy

FIVE: Go big with Lounge Furniture. Having a small patio doesn't mean you have to fill it with teeny tiny furniture. Instead use larger lounge furniture to fill a small patio or build a long bench.

image via Houzz

image via West Elm

I'm so excited to finally start tackling my small patio this Spring, I put together my favorite Modern picks for small patios. Looking for Modern Planter ideas for your patio, then this post is for you!