diy back yard cabana

We have some fun content today! We hope you’re ready for an exciting tour, because I don’t think we could love this space more, or be any more thrilled. We finished the cabana! The Covid Cabana, that is.

At the covid (co) Covidcabana (Covidcabana)
The hottest spot north of Havana (here)
At the covid (co) Covidcabana…

While we never quite came up with an appropriate name… {that felt kinda extra- so I adapted a song instead because I am, in fact, extra} and it definitely feels like an adult version of the handmade hideaway. 

{Pssst… here’s a whole series we’ve included, on how to build one of your own here!} 

This entire yard was a covid project, starting this spring.

If you’re familiar with our journey, then you know we’ve put a lot of work into the inside of our house. We’ve had various phases over the last four years. But this spring, stuck at home, it started with removing this crusty old fence on a one acre lot, and expanding the entire thing. {Our pups and children were oh so thrilled about it!}

But first, I DO have the ultimate before, before our pool was even restored. 

Then, we went with phase one of the back yard makeover, by expanding the dining area, and building a privacy wall to cover that horrible eyesore of a pool pump. 

We even did a considerable amount of landscaping, and came up with an entire plan for everything.

It was a game changer. 

We built this addition last fall, but it’s another glimpse of the before and after and the impact it had on the feel of our house.

We love that we’ve created such a fun gathering area in the back yard. 

And here’s another view of how it once looked, fence and all. It was so limiting and dated, we were thrilled to give it a fresh look.

So here’s what the back yard looked like the day we found it.  By the time we took possession at closing, the pool was black.

We had our work cut out for us in every single aspect of this home. 

And here we are now! 

While our acre lot has a lot of space, we wanted this area to feel more private. We love the feel of it all, and we adore the screened in porch area that the cabana definitely creates. We “broke ground” with the cabana in mid-July, and finished just in time to enjoy all the wonderful fall weather coming our way. Our plans slowly evolved from gardening pergola, to open air space to… well… this. We’re glad we took the leap.

This is another before, in a still shot from a video I captured of the kids swimming one spring. 

And the after! I love how far we’ve come. 

It’s been absolutely perfect for the start of football season, and movie nights with the kiddos.

It’s the perfect space for them to have friends over, too, especially now that they’re getting older. A little out from under our feet when they want a little space. 

But enough rambling… step inside! 

Yes, I am delirious. 

We loved bringing on a combo of really fun finishes that will both hold up fabulously over time {because they’re outdoor selections} and bring lots of fearless personality to the space. 

Furniture: 

• Swings – We took advantage of the sales this past spring, and jumped on these swings. 

• Sofa – We used a combo of these pieces here + here. 

{More on the amazing barn door below!} 

• Pillows – we’re all about the colors with these 1, 2, 3, 4

• Rug – We also added this rug for more great color and we love that if it gets too dirty, we can just hose it down. 

• Coffee Table – the perfect size for kids to gather around when watching a movie 

• Barstools – we figured this would be just perfect for all things outdoor seating. 

• Tray – originally from Pier One – now sold out. 

• Fridge – similar to this one – the color is perfect.

We also loved installing a “bar” in the area, which is a combo of TV, place for the kiddos to sit and eat, and a small fridge {shown above} for extra storage. 

Paint colors: 

We brought in a lot o fun shades with the amazing Sherwin Williams {with the help of Frogtape®!} – see more on that post, here.

To prep it all to paint, we started with wood exterior primer it took care of all those potential bleeding spots!

• Extra White is the main color you see here, we even used it on our main house. So for the privacy wall, house, cabana and more, it’s our go to, beautiful bright white.

• Mindful Gray – for the trim on the cabana

• Blushing – that pretty light pink color you see 

• Breaktime – for the blue stripes and other touches

• Convivial Yellow – that soft yellow on the ceiling – which tied in nicely with the rest

We love the way all the fabulous colors came together!

Of course we decided to add a TV to the space, and by we, I mean Jamin. But I have to say, he was right. It makes for some fun movie nights with the kiddos. For the shoot, this is a pattern from our planner – watercolor art by me. + be sure to check out our how to for abstract art + free printables, here!

Cabana Service button – We also had to have a cabana boy button from House of Go Lightly! We love all her pieces. 

Tile: 

The beautiful tile is from the gorgeous Jeffrey Court. We loved pulling from our own favorites for our cabana!

• Flooring – Castle Rock – it’s more of a nice soft grey with lots of variation for beautiful tones on the floor, which we love. 
• And the bar face is their Balancing Act Mosaic – which you may already recognize from some other projects we’ve tackled.

We’re absolutely crazy about this combo, and think they’re just perfect together.

Barn Door:

Isn’t this barn door the most scrumptious thing you’ve ever seen?

We adore Artisan Hardware  and have used them many times throughout our home. This time we were thrilled to use their brass hardware and this barn door. It’s an unfinished outdoor option, and I initially planned to paint it. 

And then it arrived and it was so pretty, we just couldn’t. We love the contrast of the wood with all the white in the space! You can call this our happy little accident, to balance out the bar on the other side.

You can also call me Bob Ross.

One of the beautiful options about Artisan Hardware that we love, is that you can pick custom designs, colors, and more. The possibilities really are kind of endless, and we adore the warmth this brought to the space!

This door actually opens to a small closet, which isn’t quite finished just yet. We plan to use it for floats and pool supplies and storing some things. Custom shelving {and more details} to come. But we can’t think of a more beautiful way to cover it!

Ahhh that hardware though.

We just love this view!

Oh yeah, remember Carl? {Pronounced Coral via The Walking Dead?} 

This is a prop Jamin has had forever, and I kept wanting to use him but I wasn’t sure where. I loved giving him a fresh coat of paint with Sherwin Williams and a new lease on life!

Isn’t he pretty?

Lighting: 

We’re obsessed with Kichler lighting. It’s no secret here.

• Outside lights – We love these Elias wall lights on each side for the exterior. {They’re BEAUTIFUL, and brass on the inside.}

• Hanging lights – We added these twinkler lights, which are perfect for little sparkles at night. 

And to keep it cool, this wall fan because we love their streamlined look.

I’ll be sharing more of a tour at night on our stories, so you can see how wonderfully cozy it is with all those beautiful lights.

• Lanterns – To up the ambience, we also added some of their portable lanterns.

They’re fabulous and last for hours with just a charge to give a wonderfully soft glow. And the best part? You can connect your phone to them to play music!

So this is our sweet kinda tiny, kinda not, cabana that evolved over time and ultimately became the covid cabana. 

{Her name was Lola… you’re welcome for the earworm.} 

We have to say, we love the newfound privacy and fun our back yard has unexpectedly gifted us this crazy season. 

And by gifted us, we mean we threw ourselves into projects to keep from going cray cray. 

But here’s my favorite part… 

Because at night, it really does feel like we’re on vacay in Havana or something. And my name is actually Lola. 

Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself because this project kept us crazy and also sane, all at the same time. And now mama wants to pretend like she’s traveled somewhere. 

To the left wall, down the hill a little, you can catch a glimpse of our handmade hideaway.

I just adore how fun it feels, lit up at night. 

Cheers to a job well done… we’ve come a long way with the whole thing, baby.

Thanks so much for dropping by. Have an inspired day!