Outdoor Tour of Our Home
As you view today's post, I will be boarding a cruise with my family and friends! We are so excited. We haven't done a cruise since 1994. We will be stopping in Grand Cayman and Havana, Cuba. I do plan to do a post on the trip.
I will have limited access while away, but plan to catch up on the 11 hour drive back home.
Today's tour is all about outdoor spaces! I'm going to be sharing a bit of a look around the grounds and both of our porches.
I'd like to give a big shout-out to my sweet blogging friend, Amber, from Follow the Yellow Brick Home for organizing such a fun tour.
We absolutely adore everything about spring, summer and early fall. Those 3 seasons allow us to really enjoy our outdoor spaces.
If you are dropping by from Common Ground then welcome. I've been a big fan of Debra's home since I first started blogging in 2012. She is so talented and just adore her French Country style.
Let's get started with a look around our home.
Welcome!
We have officially been our home 15 years now. We built our home from a Southern Living house plan and love it to this day. We tried to find an old home to remodel, but it's hard to find in our school district. We decided to build a new home with historic characteristics on 7 acres. We adore living in the country, but are only 15 minutes away from the nearest town with conveniences. It's truly the best of both worlds.
We built a southern brick home with elements you would find in Charleston and Savannah.
In the last couple of years, we've painted the porch ceiling a haint blue.
Our home sits a ways off the road. Oak Leaf Hydrangea and other large flowering shrubs line the driveway and perimeter. It's definitely been a work in progress. We planted small plants and they've grown well through the years.
We have lots of flowering shrubs and have most beds underplanted with dwarf mondo. We did this because we didn't want to be a slave to seasonal munching. We still have a few beds that we mulch, but the overwhelming have ground cover which helps to drown out the weeds. Annuals are reserved for pots.
Azaleas are also around the perimeter.
Perennials are your friend!
I've been moving my herbs to this area. We also plant a few vegetables in this bed.
Lady Banks Roses are one of our favorite climbing roses. It grows fast and vigorous with no thorns.
This back terrace is still a major work in progress. It just hasn't quite found its way yet.
Here is a little nighttime view. The string lights have been amazing on the screened porch. They are about 9 years old!
Our oak leaf hydrangea are in bloom right now.
I recently cheated a bit by adding this pair of Faux Topiaries to the front porch. We absolutely love them!
Topiaries | Striped Rug | Hello Mat
We seriously live on our screened porch! Being in the south, mosquitoes are a big problem. We can really enjoy the outdoors without the bug issue. You can see more on this lemonade station HERE.
We eat dinners most nights at this table. Now, it's never this fancy! It's just bring your plate to the glass table! I will dress it up for company. Find details on this tablescape HERE.
It's fun to change the look for the seasons like this year's patriotic look.
If you haven't yet, be sure to plant some Knock-Out Roses. They are amazing. Lots of color and grow profusely! In a nutshell, we are big-time homebodies so we spend a lot of time making our house a home.
Shop our outdoor spaces below!
Up next on the tour is my sweet friend, CIndy, from County Road 407! One of these days I hope to meet in that she lives very close to my dad!
Check out the rest of the bloggers on the tour!
More Spring Decor Ideas
Here are more ideas on the blog for spring decor!
Simple Easter Centerpiece
Centerpiece achieved with faux florals & greenery, faux eggs, bunny statue, and basket tray!
Your home is stunning and the grounds are beautiful! Love the screened porch. So nice!
Hi! I love your home! The Abberly Lane plan is still my favorite Southern Living Idea House!! What brick did you use on the exterior of your house?
Thanks so much! It’s Spalding Tudor by General Shale. It’s a wonderful, classic house plan.
Hi! I love your porches – front and back. What Southern Living Plan did you model your house after?
Thanks! It’s the Abberly Lane.
Your outdoor decor ideas are really good. Enjoying the lush green beauty while sitting outside on those cute chairs can really make one’s day! These ideas have inspired me to try to include more plantation in my garden too!
Thanks so very much!!
All I can say is that your house is spectacular, Cristy! I love the lush and green yard. It’s a perfect place to relax after a long day or week at work. I can imagine it at night — having a dinner party with family and friends. It is just amazing! Plus, I admire the plants. Thanks for sharing your home with us. Cheers!
Thanks so very much!!
Wow your yard is stunning! It is so lush and green! Your porch looks like the perfect place to relax.
Your home is gorgeous! I can see why you love it! Your front porch and walk are beautiful and then there is that gorgeous screened in back porch. I can see why you love to spend time out there! You have your back porch decked out for the Fourth of July! It was a pleasure to hop with you!
Your home is gorgeous inside and out Christy! It’s definitely one of those places you drive by and dream about for days after. I love how you have so many flowers planted in different areas and how they’re all quintessentially Southern. Thank you for the tip on the climbing roses. I’m always on the lookout for roses without thorns that grow well. Love every inch of your beautiful home lady! Hugs, CoCo PS: Hope you guys have such a great time
Oh Christy your home and landscape is a southern gardening girl’s dream! I just love this post, getting a better idea of how your beautiful home sits and the surrounding lawn and gardens. I always love visting “your southern home” and this time just might be one of my favorites. This post is also full of links to other posts I can’t wait to check out.
Thank you so much for joining the hop! Now enjoy your much needed vacation!
Loved seeing all your plants and pretty spaces!! It’s always so fun to see your screened in porch! Love the lemonade station and patriotic styling!
Christy,
Oh my goodness your home is an absolute dream!! I am in awe of how beautiful it is! Your outdoor spaces are gorgeous and I love your landscaping!
Larissa
You have quite the green thumb! I;m going to check around our house and see where I can plant the Lady Banks or knockout Roses. Goodness me they are beautiful. Loved the tour. Seems like a wonderful grown up retreat!
Christy, your home is gorgeous and that amazing screened in porch is to die for. Loving all your summer patterns mixed with the stars and stripes! Pinning!
Christy,
Your Southern Living house is the epitome of southern living. Your large screened-in porch is a wonderful place to live most of the year. Your brick fence in the back yard and the beautifully designed front walkway to the front porch remind me of the old homes in the historic district of downtown Huntsville, Alabama, my hometown. All of your garden plants also remind me of the gardens around those old homes. Seeing your home makes me nostalgic for Huntsville. Thanks for sharing your lovely home’s exterior spaces.
Have a wonderful time on your cruise,
Judith
Oh my goodness, Christy!
Your home is one of the most gorgeous homes I have seen in blog land. Truly a stunning home! It is so magazine worthy. Love it! Thank you for the tour. 🙂
Blessings~
Deb 🙂
Christy, I loved seeing the setting your home is tucked in! How wonderful to have 7 quiet acres. We have 2 1/2, but unfortunately our old house is right on the street side and it’s getting busier by the day:( The next house will be on a quiet, gravel road…hopefully sooner rather than later! You definitely have the best of the new and the old!
Your home is darling and your outdoor living area is amazing. I love your porches.
Your garden is lovely and what a pretty place to enjoy summer meals! It is a pleasure to join you for the hop this week!! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Hi Christy, your home is so amazing, and I would have thought it had been there forever; so gorgeous. Your porch is a dream of casual yet elegant southern living. So fun seeing it styled for the summer with a patriotic flair. Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy your time away!
Have a wonderful time on your cruise! Your home is just beautiful! I am in awe of your porch and all of the beautiful details. Thanks for the inspiration!
What an absolutely beautiful garden! Your brick walkways are breathtakingly beautiful!
Oh my! What a stunning home. I loved the Southern Living House plans. It’s all fabulous. I want to lounge on that porch and drink lemonade.
Loved the tour of your home and the gardens are amazing too. So beautiful inside and out.
Christy enjoy your cruise. I didn’t realize you lived on seven acres. The back of your home is lovely and the screened porch is great.
You always have it styled so pretty. Looking forward to hearing about your trip
Cindy
Your home is Fabulous! Thank you for sharing!!