Friday, June 3, 2016

Bringing French Country Home : Patio Reveal


My French Country patio is taking shape. 
Flowers have been planted, boxwood in big pots have been trimmed,
and pillows have been fluffed. 


My goal this year was to give the patio more of a French Country feel.
So out went the twig fence and the heavy black iron table and chairs.
In came the white bistro set and a more open yet intimate space.


A thrift store mirror turned on a diagonal and attached to a trellis panel
gives the impression you're looking through a hole in the fence into a secret garden.


Where an old door once covered the fuse box, 
a weathered trellis now lends an aged look to the patio and repeats the trellis theme.


 It will look prettier when the flowers have filled out.


Another trellis was added to the house to frame the fountain. 
I recently planted a honeysuckle vine below the fountain, hoping it will twine around this feature.


A rusty fence, some lanterns and a pot of pansies edge one side of the patio.


I thought the colors of these pansies were so delicate,
as if they'd been tea stained.


A few accessories add a French farmhouse flavor.


And this cast iron lion-head planter provides a touch of elegance
although it looks like this asparagus fern is tickling his nose! 


A new addition to my "Ethan Alley" Collection -- a chippy little bench,
perfect for my herbs.


A birdbath welcomes feathered friends,
close enough to the patio for us to observe their joyful baths.


As dusk falls over the patio, it's time to share a glass of wine . . .


light the candles . . .


and switch on the string lights for a soft romantic glow. 


Mmm. It's a good night on the patio, French Country style.

***
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On a Personal Note . . .
Happy 1st Blogiversary to me!
I can't believe I've been blogging for a year already.
It's been so much fun and has given me a new challenge.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my posts and leave me a comment.
I love hearing from you and so appreciate your support and your friendship.

***

Linking with:
DesignthusiasmRedhead can DecorateRustic & RefinedDwellingsRose Chintz Cottage,
Between Naps on the PorchCozy Little HouseCoastal CharmCedar Hill Farmhouse,
A Stroll Thru LifeBella Rosa AntiquesElizabeth and Co.Savvy Southern StyleKnick of Time,
A Delightsome LifeHave a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonThe Vintage NestPeonies and Orange BlossomsPoofing the PillowsAdirondack Girl at HeartRooted in ThymeCharm of Home,
Shabby Art BoutiqueFrench Country Cottage



66 comments:

  1. Very pretty. The pansies are the perfect color. And it's lovely with the lights and candles. Even though we are in the south of France, we are north of you--about like the U.S.-Canada border--and it stays light until nearly 10 p.m. here.

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    1. Thank you. I'm so glad you like it. I'd love the long days in summer there but don't know if I could handle the darkness in winter. To live in France, I'd make it work!

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  2. Happy Blogiversary, Pat! Your patio looks super inviting, and definitely a bit French. Famous last words re: the honeysuckle....hoping it will twine around this feature. You'll probably need to prune it with a heavy hand, or you might be wishing you could kill it in a few years. My sister struggles with its aggressive behavior. ;)

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    1. Thanks Rita. Always nice to hear from you. Yeah, I've heard that honeysuckle can be exuberant but I like to prune. It's also in a mostly shady spot so that might discourage its wild nature a bit.

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  3. Oh I love it. You've done a great job. I agree rustic and romantic. Great combination!

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  4. Love it all! Especially how romantic it looks at night! Beautiful!

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  5. I love the mirror and the lion head planter with the tickling asparagus fern made me smile. Wonderful space!

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  6. I love the vintage tablecloth - everything is so beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Jenny. I just decided to start using my vintage tablecloths. What was I saving them for? Now, I enjoy them.

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  7. Congratulations on your one year blog anniversary. I found your blog when you shared a post at Vintage Charm. I hope you will share this post with us too. I love your patio with its French country look.

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  8. This is just gorgeous! I especially love the lion's head planter. Everything will look so romantic when the flowers and plants are full. What a serene spot for dinner, wine, coffee, reading...

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    1. Thank you Julie. Yes, I want the plants to be full NOW!

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    2. Thank you Julie. Yes, I want the plants to be full NOW!

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  9. It all looks so pretty and looks like you have your very own French cafe' right on your patio!

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  10. I really enjoyed having a peek into your French Country patio, Pat. You have some unusual and wonderful pieces which really lend an old fashioned appeal. Love it! The patio is lovely all lit with lights. Thanks so much for sharing and linking. Wishing you a delightful day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thank you Sandi and a delightful day to you too. So nice of you to stop by for a visit.

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  11. your patio is quite lovely and your dog is so cute thanks for sharing have a great week

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  12. Such a lovely spot.
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  13. What a lovely garden you have! Thank you for sharing. Blessings, Martha

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  14. With my backyard still a HUGE work in progress, I am just going to close my eyes and color me into yours! It looks wonderful, peaceful and the perfect place to sit.

    Have a great week Pat!

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    1. Thank you Christine. I've been following your progress.Seems like it will never end. You're welcome in my garden anytime.

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  15. Came over from Bella Rosa Antiques to see the details. So much vintage goodness! Sometimes I wonder what people think when you buy something like your many treasures - "What the heck is that lady going to do with an old, rusty fence?" Oh, just wait and see!

    Thanks for sharing what you've done.

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    1. Hi Marcie. Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope to see you again soon. It's hard to resist the rusty stuff isn't it?

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  16. Happy Anniversary! Your yard looks beautiful and I think I have the exact same tablecloth! I love the looks with all the lights and lanterns lit. So pretty!

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    1. Thank you Pam. I love those old tablecloths. I know in France it would probably be white but I like the vivid colors. Glad you liked the lights.

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  17. What a beautiful patio! That lion planter is my favorite!!

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    1. Thank you Meg. I love the lion too. I think we should come up with a name for him! French, of course! Any ideas?

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  18. I found some of those tea stained pansies in blues and white..they are so nummy, like an old painting. This little garden spot will be fun to watch as the season deepens. Thanks for sharing, Sandi

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    1. Thanks Sandi. Those tea-stained pansies in blue and white sound so pretty. Wish I had found those too.

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  19. Pat, the french vibe to the patio is growing. Love the iron pieces you have included in your decor. Sylvia D.

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  20. Definitely has that French bistro feel to it! Your night time pics are fabulous and the space looks so inviting! I hope you get to spend a lot of time out there this summer after all your hard work putting it together.

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    1. Hi Lori. Thank you for your sweet comments. I'm practically living outdoors now.

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  21. It's so pretty out there, Pat. I love your fountain and I bet that honeysuckle will cover it up in no time! Your table is very welcoming and I love the lights.

    Thank you for sharing this at Thoughts of Home. :)

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    1. Thanks Stacey. Someone warned me that the honeysuckle will take over the house. We'll see. So glad you liked the patio.

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  22. I love each and every one of your touches. Such a charming patio. Thank you for so faithfully joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You are a treasured blogging friend.

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  23. Oh that last photo is mesmerizing! I see a lot of things I want to copy when I get my new deck built. LOVE!!!
    :) gwingal

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    1. Thanks Nikki. I love your comments! Good luck with your new deck.

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  24. You have such lovely, relaxing areas you can enjoy.
    Happy TOHOT.

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  25. Pat, Congratulations on your 1st year blogiversary! Your garden area is so beautiful and Roxy and our Miss Molly could pass for twins. Our little fur babies always make our places more enchanting, don't they? Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you for your good wishes Carol. They mean a lot to me. Roxy sends sweet licks to Miss MOlly.

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  26. Your patio looks lovely! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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    1. Thank you for visiting Sherry. So glad you like the patio.

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  27. It's all just lovely pat. The honeysuckle is going to be wonderful around your fountain. I have a very similar rusty fence around my rose garden and I love it! Watering cans, love them; any size and shape! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  28. Thanks for stopping by for a visit Jann. My pricey honeysuckle from the nursery is turning yellow. Yikes! But my cheapie one from Home Depot is doing great. Go figure.

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  29. Oh, don't know how I somehow missed this post as I follow your blog regularly... found it through our Thursday Favorite Things party... love your patio!! What a delightful place to sit, love the party lights! Featuring your patio this week on the blog!

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    1. So glad you found this post Angelina! Looking forward to the feature this week. Thanks so much.

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  30. So happy to have found your blog, thank you for coming over to mine and introducing yourself. I have loved looking around your garden, hope we get to chat a lot more. Susan x

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  31. Thank you Susan. I so appreciate your taking the time to visit. I feel like I've found a new "pen pal" and look forward to getting to know you better. Hugs,

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