2 min read
“We wanted to turn our outdoor space into an outdoor room,” says Country Living editor in chief Rachel Barrett of her underutilized Alabama cottage patio that had become a bit of a catchall for kids’ toys and grilling gear.
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Country Living’s editor in chief Rachel Barrett and her dog, Otey, welcome guests at the back entry.
Below, Rachel is breaking down all the ways she turned her chaotic backyard into a gathering space her whole family can enjoy.
Hang Breezy Curtains
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
An oversize antique wooden shield—originally purposed for her son’s bedroom—found a new home above the grilling station.
First, Rachel installed breezy curtains in weather-resistant fabric by Sunbrella to better define the seating area—and block out the intense late-afternoon sun. This is a great alternative to a fully screened-in porch, which would’ve required a costly renovation.
RELATED: Everything Rachel Wishes She Knew Before Renovating Her Mississippi Lodge
Play With Pattern
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Mix patterns within the same color palette to create a cohesive-yet-collected scene.
A mix of stripes and florals—all in a crisp cornflower-blue-and-white palette—add some much-needed color to the patio.
Create Hidden Storage for Easy Entertaining
Becky Luigart-Stayer for Country Living
A console skirted in the same easy-to-clean striped Sunbrella fabric keeps bags of charcoal and other necessities within reach of the grill but neatly hidden.
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Pretty Up Your Playhouse
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
An Adirondack chair offers a place for grown-ups to sit while kids runaround the yard.
To make the rest of the backyard feel cohesive, Rachel curtained her kids’ playhouse in the same durable striped fabric as the sofa cushions, while topping a wraparound bench and Adirondack chair with equally stain-resistant—and cozy!—cushions and pillows. “I needed a material that could stand up to two kids and a very mischievous dog,” she says.
RELATED: DIY Playhouse Ideas That Will Make Your Kids’ Dreams Come True
Don’t Skimp on Details
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Popcorn and soda are always called for when the rest of the neighborhood comes over for backyard movie night.
As Rachel’s two kids get older, it’s important that the playhouse’s vibes shift from a make-believe hideaway into the cool-kid clubhouse. Vintage signage, a magnetic dartboard, and a plethora of collected thermoses, all in her timeless red, white, and blue color palette, give it that sophisticated-yet-fun feel.
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
Matching light blue bags continue the yard’s color story.
The perfect finishing touch to her revamped backyard? A stylish cornhole board, courtesy of Maine-based maker The Muddy Dog, that sits at the ready for the next installment of her neighborhood’s cornhole championship league.
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
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