If you’ve been checking in with us here, then you know that we’ve been hard at work getting our home ready on the outside, for next spring. We loved sharing our front yard landscaping project {phase 1} with YellaWood®, and we adore a good project that we can continue to build on! {See more of our front yard project here!}
expectation
We just finished off our primary suite addition, and we can’t wait to share more of it with you when our final touches have arrived. We’re still waiting on a few things but at least we’re all moved in, so it’s a slow burn from here. In the meantime, that year-long process of all things construction in our yard, kind of left everything in chaos. And by kind of, I mean definitely… someone please send in reinforcements.
We’re ready to entertain out here again, but it needs a lot of help. Because from weeds to bad decking, construction leftovers, and more, it’s absolute chaos.
reality
I mean, it’s not horrible when you compare it to the initial view. When we found the home, it looked like this. We’ve come a long way, guys. But we were so busy completing the inside, the outside was definitely neglected this past season.
So here we are now, plus one cabana to the back of this view. We have adored entertaining here, but it needs a little cleanup after the tornado of the year-long process in building this primary suite.
To the center is our pool room, {our second addition after the basement}, and to the far right we have the kiddos rooms and basement on the other side of the house. To the left, you can see the entrance to the pool area from our primary bath {reveal coming on these spaces oh so soon}. There was a lot to contend with when we added this addition, from the septic backup area that was required with codes, to working around our existing pool and making it all look intentional.
But to my point, it left a mess in the back. We still have storm drainage to contend with, and most of all, this deck area needs a fix. When we finished off the pool room addition, we’d initially used {pricey!} composite wood for the back porch, and in theory, it should have been a great, permanent fit.
Until it wasn’t.
So that was kind of frustrating. Because these photos don’t do the hot mess that are these boards, justice. Let’s just say they haven’t aged well, and we’re not impressed. Especially since we spent so much on that material.
This porch receives constant sun. So within the first year of its installation, they began to warp. We were never happy with the quality. The boards burned our {more importantly, the kids and the dogs} feet every time we tried to sit or use it with the pool. It was like a game of hot potato as we passed back and forth into the house. No fun.
But the final straw for me, was this hot mess. People always think that composite is zero maintenance when it comes to an option for a deck, like a magical option for something you don’t have to worry about once it’s down. Every material has its pros and cons. But did you know that composite can do this? These tiny spots are mold. {Ew David.} We tried pressure washing and we’d think it was removed, only to find it immediately reappearing again. No dice, because apparently you have to scrub it regularly with a special solution and even then it’s not guaranteed to look right…
Let’s just say it wasn’t the right fit for us. Adulting and home ownership is hard enough, without feeling as though you have to babysit everything in your life. Since we had to rethink the configuration of our deck anyway, we didn’t really want to go back with the same thing. We decided it’s time for a fresh start.
We just laid the foundation for our spring garden in the front, so we’re getting ready for the back, too.
Enter YellaWood®. It’s a solution that just makes sense for us. We decided on YellaWood®, for many reasons, but we’re thrilled to team up with them to use their decking products!
We’re working with YellaWood SuperSelect® to build this new deck. From their site:
Made from top-grade lumber, YellaWood SuperSelect® brand KDAT products provide a unique combination of beauty and high strength. Hand-selected for small knots and virtually no bark edges, you get the high-quality look of composite decking without the high price tag. A deck built with these products is sure to be the envy of the neighborhood and the stuff of neighborhood legend.
Just a few of the reasons we chose this product:
• It’s ready to be painted, stained or sealed immediately after installation {yes please!}
• It minimizes the tendency to warp {our major issue with the last composite selection}
• It’s backed by a lifetime limited warranty, and pressure treated for protection against rot, fungal decay and termites.
• We love that we can add our own personality to this product, and customize it to work for the back yard with our fun set up! I can’t wait to share what we have up our sleeves with the final look.
We’re ready for a fresh look on our back deck! We started this last week on demo… and we’re getting ready to add a corner to that deck to make it feel more hospitable.
Since we now have space in the corner for more decking and a seating area, we can’t wait to fill it in for more of this look.
We’ve also started it right this time, with their awesome Joist Shield Decking Tape, to protect our new investment, longer. We love all the little things that will make a big difference over time.
We’re thrilled to give it a mini makeover of sorts for a refreshed look just in time for the cooler months, and hosting a few remaining holiday parties in our cabana!
We took that one on with YellaWood® too, of course. They’re all about five-star back yards, and we think this one is a testament to the power of an awesome product.
It’s our last outdoor project right before the colder weather sets in… so wish us luck! We can’t wait to get ahead for the big spring months where we love to entertain in the back. And get rid of those hot potato feet, at the very least.
We’re thrilled to get started so that we can enjoy everything more in the spring!
As always let us know if you have any questions. Stay tuned while we share our new creation. Have an inspired day!
{We partnered with and are sponsored by our good friends at YellaWood® for this post. For more info on our branded content please visit our disclosure page.}
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