Spring Greening, Gardening & Fresh Air

It’s not often I post outdoorsy content as a decidedly indoorsy interiors enthusiast. That said, my connection to nature is critical to my well being, and it is only growing deeper as I age. Today we’ll consider spring greening, gardening, and fresh air reflections.

Spring Greening, Gardening & Fresh Air

I live in a hamlet near a forest preserve with creek, and each home is sited on one to four acres. Our property has three acres with dense forest at the back and great expanses of lawn on all sides. In the photo above, you can see my secret garden toward the back with its hedged privacy.

This amount of property demands attention in every season, and it mostly feels like a privilege to care for it. We love walking the trails adjacent to our property that wind around a lovely creek and bloom with wildflowers.

Full disclosure: I’m more of an indoorsy type and keep it very simple. I placed comfy, good looking chairs (below, on our former patio) on the front porch, transformed our deck and railings with paint (above) before adding Adirondack chairs, and created a secret French courtyard with pea gravel over a former basketball court.

If I can do these things with my limited skills, I can only imagine what magic you can work! Our first ACTIONABLE IDEA to try?

Did you see my post about how we’re adding to a bath to this home?

Adopt a Fresh Perspective of Wellness

I plan to measure “wellth” this spring and summer in part by the amount of time spent sitting on the porch with a book in a comfy chair.

I plan to minimize the multitasking (gardening while listening to personal growth podcasts while planning what to make for dinner). More listening to birdsong and deep breathing.

In our former home, I spent plenty of time in our French country courtyard with its potted lavender, boxwood, and herbs. There are things I miss about that lovely area we customized just for ourselves and a few things I don’t.

I have mentioned how my rest there was consistently disrupted by intrusions. Not by wildlife, but humans. I guess that’s why this next idea stands out.

Create Space for Seclusion

No matter many how many times solicitors, scammers, and strangers showed up in my courtyard (even during the height of the pandemic), I couldn’t seem to NOT be shocked or startled. There were instances of aggressive behavior where I was forced to flee and call law enforcement.

There were enough intrusions in our “sleepy, safe, suburban neighborhood” that I nearly gave up on courtyard sitting. That’s the thing about a welcoming garden…a few too many paths to access our little sanctuary.

I guess it helps to have a few things you don’t mind leaving behind when you’re a serial mover like me.

To be safe, think privacy panels, locked gates, security cameras, and fences to preserve your patio peace. You would never suspect that in our former neighborhood, solicitors and threats would be so commonplace.

Love Green for Your Oasis?

There’s something so calm, lifegiving, and natural about soft sage and French green in the garden.

Sometimes a color story from inspiring images will spark creativity. In this moment from Vivi et Margot below, French green, grey stone, and pops of lavender set a glorious tone. See THIS for serene paint color ideas to get the look.

Muted sunny golds and aged terracotta can also be magic with green:

At times, you can find that warm sunny stone right here in the USA:

Spare Style Works for Outdoor Spaces Too

Gardens and lush vegetation take time to grow, but airy outdoor living spaces can be soothing and elegant. I love Erin Fetherston’s style, and her lovely California home’s outdoor dining space has that minimal luxe look that feels understated and easy to maintain.

Even a big rustic bowl of succulents for a small balcony, little patio, or wee porch space can be beautiful. Window boxes and gardens blooming with flowers are wonderful for gardening types. But even a few containers that are easily cared for may be enough for non-gardening types.

Jenni Kayne also knows her way around spare yet beautiful minimal luxe simplicity. Here’s a taste of what you can expect from her gorgeous book PACIFIC NATURAL:

I love container gardening since I can move things around creatively depending on the mood!

Outdoor Sheds

No matter how you feel about shabby chic, a backyard storage shed that morphs into a potting station along with reading nooks or hideaways can be magical.

No room for a she shed? Maybe there’s a spot for a party maker like this:

See more she sheds in THIS.

Perhaps the actionable part of this idea is investing in a good book about creating a she-shed or tiny guest cottage…start HERE.

Spruce Up Planters

Maybe your “oasis” can begin with helping a few potted plants or flower baskets live larger in pretty containers. Here are a few I own, and while they aren’t pieces I can leave outdoors across the seasons, I have found ways to use them indoors as well.

And do get creative about your conception of “container.” I picked up this old non-functional vintage bicycle at a yard sale, knowing I would use it as a garden sculpture and for its basket to hold flowers.

Keep your eyes peeled at estate sales and local yard sales for vintage and Old World style containers that have aged to perfection like these:

Inspiring Books to Help

If you are familiar with Patina Farm (a dream property imagined and created by Brooke and Steve Giannetti), then you know!

That property boasts too many outdoor oasis moments to name!

Take a peek at the indoor and outdoor moments of inspiration:

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Score the Look of a Modern French Bistro

Is it possible to create an oasis moment outside in one fell swoop without spending a fortune? Oui, madame. Imagine yourself bringing Paris to your balcony, terrace, deck, or even indoors.

I love the modern black containers on our front porch which flank the front door and look awesome year-round. Whether its ferns, trailing blooms, or evergreens at Christmas, these planters elevate the ordinary.

Sometimes just a simple addition can get your gears moving.

If you love minimal design and softer colors, this friendly-priced slightly coastal arrangement may appeal – the aqua stripes are so soothing, and I have the Malta lanterns myself and have purchased them as gifts – folks love em!

View a Lovely Backyard Makeover!

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p.s.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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