Tour Our Wood Deck With Metal Gazebo

July 14, 2009

Wood deck with store-bought metal gazebo.


I'm finally sharing our deck transformation! The whole deck came together recently after I tackled some exterior DIY projects. 

We. are. thrilled. This is the deck when we first built it five years ago: unstained large deckIt's massive, about 40 by 20 feet. I browsed through deck books and found exactly how I wanted to stain it. We used a dark red stain on the deck and handrails and white on the railings. 

Our table and chairs set live in that section:
large deck with dining table I love the redwood and white combo on the deck.

Just a little bit of advice -- wait as LONG as possible to stain pretreated wood (months). We did not know this and did it almost immediately after the deck was built. NOT a good idea. Now we have to restain it every year. 

Oh, and we will be switching to a gas fire pit -- the wood version makes me too nervous on a deck. 

So anyway...the deck now looks like this:
large deck furniture layoutOh good heavens we LOVE IT! We have wanted to build a pergola for years now. The sun is beating on the deck pretty much all day long, and it is very uncomfortable all summer. 

But this pergola is even better than a wood one -- we can close it or open it for shade:
deck with white railingsThe deck furniture is exactly what I wanted for this space. 

I mean, couldn't be more perfect:
reddish stain on deck It was $450 for seven pieces. It is soooo comfy. I wanted to do rust, olive and brown colors out here, and the umbrella we got is a rust color. But of course I can't find any pillows that work now, because everything is gone out of the stores! 

I've seen exactly what I wanted all summer but now they are all gone. (Do I need to remind the stores it's still July?) So I got what I could find -- some rust and some green and brown:furniture under outdoor pergolaAs hubby said, "We can use the red ones in the fall and the green and brown ones are more summery!" Ummmmm....who is this man?? What kills me is he's RIGHT. :)
 
We have spent more time on the deck in the past four days than all summer. I dare say, the past year

We are in love:red stained deck white railings
The second part of the transformation was the part I started first. 

The back of our home is just an expanse of siding. Bor-ring:
deck with siding
And the back door was equally as drab:
bay window with door So I made some shutters out of fence pickets that match the front of our house:fence picket shuttersI love them!! I have been looking for window boxes EVERYWHERE and everyone is out of them. (Shocker.) I found two tonight but need a couple more...I'm checking around. 


I also painted out the trim around the back door, changed out the light, bought a new mat (that was my color inspiration) and added some potted plants to warm up that area:
patio door with mullions I cannot even tell you how different this space is now. It is truly another room. 

Our favorite time is at dusk/night:
deck with metal gazebo

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

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Comments

  1. my goodness...it looks amazing.
    when you are done with your house let me know....i will give you my address :)

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  2. Oh how I need this done in my own house. I can't keep up with you girl! Where do you get the energy?

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  3. Ha! I LOVE it! And I love me some infarrantly creative too! Can't wait to see what else you got!

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  4. Love it!!!! Makes me wish I had a house... someday!

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  5. This is beautiful! I love it with all the candles and lights...very relaxing!!!!

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  6. I want the pergola! In Houston it is way to hot to sit outside w/o some sort of shade. Wonder if I can find it down here?

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  7. it is PERFECT! and beautiful! I LOVE the desk and patio sets! I am most in love with the shutters!!

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  8. I am so jealous! You make me want a house SO very badly. I love your colors, furniture, everything! Seriously jealous. Pergola=simply fabulous. Great work!!

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  9. The furniture is just gorgeous and the pergola is wonderful. I really like the paint trim and the shutters. Everything looks gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Sarah it's so GORGEOUS!
    I love it all! Especially the furniture and the pergula.
    ~WOW! Awesome job! :)

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  11. I am speechless! This looks so good. I love how you happened upon all of your pieces. I think sometimes the accidental finds turn out better than the ones that we hunt and hunt for! It looks great...as always!

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  12. WOW! I love it all, but am really impressed with the shutters and door transformation - we have the same problem and are trying to sell our house....that would SO work for us. Thanx!

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  13. Wow! What a transformation! :) We're building a deck next weekend. Thank you so much for the tip about staining!!! I love your new furniture. Ours may be bare for awhile. ;) I know what you mean about everything summery being gone already!

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  14. I BIG FAT PUFFY HEART IT!!!

    Any tips on painting doors? Or do you have a link to one you've done before? I've never painted a door but think I want to...

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  15. gosh, I LOVE it!! and I think you got a great deal for 7 pieces of furniture! It all looks beautiful together!!

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  16. I'm back for a second look!

    I just got my Ballards sale catalog today and they have some AMAZING outdoor pillows in it.
    I know you like Ballards so I thought I'd share if you haven't seen it yet.
    Yours are pretty that you have shown though. :)

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  17. I LOVE IT!! I wish we had an outdoor space like that...maybe someday! Don't you hate that all the stores are getting rid of the summer stuff already & bringing in fall and *gasp* Christmas merchandise??!

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  18. Oooooo! I would LOVE something like this one day, when I get a house. And you're right -- the deck at dusk looks divine, though maybe adding a few more twinkling lights wouldn't hurt. ^_^ Just love it! (You give so much inspiration!)

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  19. Luuuurve it! Hahaha! That patio furniture is nice. So, when can I come over and hang out? I'd prefer to come at dusk :)

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  20. Oh.Momma. This is putting me over the edge. Our deck is a disaster. The sad thing is that if we could make it as livable as you have yours, it would make an exponential difference in our living space. I LOVE YOUR PERGOLA. It may be the answer to our problem of shelter on the deck. You should post the instructions you followed to build it. Sweet furniture deal, too. Enjoy! Oh - I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like everyone is just putting up with me! :)

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  21. oh.my.heck. this is gorgeous! I hope we can have a deck like this one day!

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  22. (Imagine hearing me say this in a higher pitched voice)
    FABULOUS!!!
    Did you hear it?

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  23. I'm glad you caught my humor. You'll have to check back in a couple weeks when the Hibiscus starts blooming. They are as big as your head.

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  24. Hi Sarah! I just found your blog. What fun I've had looking around! Your new deck is just lovely. I'm so envious of the beautiful scenery you have to look at while you are out there. Come by and say hi sometime!

    Karen
    My Desert Cottage

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  25. Oh girl, that looks so fabulous ! I know it must feel so great to have an extra room for living ! I especially love your trim on the rear door and that last photo is magazine worthy. Fantastic !

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  26. *squeal* it looks AMAZING! I am green with envy!

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  27. So your hubby is actually picking up on the things you talk about! My hubby said the word "accessories" last week and I almost fell over.

    It looks BEAUTIFUL! The back of my house looks similar except I have a brick patio that goes the whole length of the house.

    I saw window box type things at Joann's this weekend. Also, if you have a Tuesday Morning, they might have something too.

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  28. Great job. I would love to have friends to this space, such a lovely new "room" to add to your home!

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  29. The deck looks AMAZING! Great job!

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  30. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! I could live on your deck! :)

    (have you thought about making the window boxes? They'd probably be pretty easy to make out of wood and paint)

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  31. How nice it must be to sit out there at dusk...with a glass of wine of course! Beautiful!

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  32. Just happened upon your blog this week. Loving everything so far.

    Great deck project...it turned out beautiful!

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  33. Where did you find the furniture? I love it - sounds like a good deal, too!

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  34. Sarah, that looks fantastic!! I've been brainstorming over my small deck trying to find something to cover the space. I spotted a pergola at Lowes that's very similar to yours that I'm keeping my eye on. What a nice space you've created.

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  35. Wow, deck is gorgeous. Shutters are lovely. What a nice place to sit and have heart to hearts.

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  36. I love what you have done and I am definitely going to copy your idea and paint my back door and add some shutters. Thank you so much for the easy inspiration!!! Great job!

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  37. Absolutely fab!!! Everything is SOOOO nice!
    Congrats to you on a great job!

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  38. Where did you get the Pergola? It sounds great, I like having shade without having to huddle under the table umbrella. I'm in Houston too, way too hot to even think about sitting outside right now but I'd love a deck like yours. Lucky girl!!

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  39. It is gooooorrrrgeeeouuusss! Seriously. Love it. Just one question-

    When are you throwing the big bash so we can all come over and hang out?? ;)

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  40. Can you PLEASE share how you made those shutters? We are buying a house and want to put up shutters like those. They look awesome! Please share!!!

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  41. Wow!! It looks so inviting and cozy.

    What is up with all the stores out of patio stuff in July???

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  42. It looks wonderful! Looking at that makes me want to do something new on our deck. We never use it.

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  43. Absolutely beautiful - you did a great job! We moved last fall and don't have a deck anymore (just a little patio slab to work with) so I miss having a bunch of space like that :( Thanks for sharing!

    Have a wonderful day!
    ~Michelle
    (Treasure the Moment)

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  44. I love it!! It really is pretty and you know what I love most... the shutters and painted door trim! That really changed and enhanced the back of the house. Wonderful transformation!

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  45. It's incredible and I have some serious deck envy. What a big difference to the back door, just painting the trim. Looks great!

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  46. Looks awesome ... Appears I need to check out your awesome rooms another time!! I hadnt paid attention before

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  47. please, please, please tell me where you found your pergola! was it a kit? did you have it custom built? PLEASE EMAIL ME!!! We're looking for a similar solution and I LOVE YOURS!

    sdewoody@hotmail.com

    Thanks!
    Susan

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  48. Absolutely love your new deck! Our deck is small and as a result, we never hang out there. We always hit the screended porch instead. The key to a great deck, I think, is BIG and spacious. Ya'll did a great job designing your outdoor space!!

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  49. I cannot believe you got all those pieces for $450. People are going to ask if you got it from Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware. Seriously.

    If you have a chance, please take a look at my post from this Monday. I made an ottoman to use on our front porch. Would love to know what you think!

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  50. How did you make those shutters, please do tell!
    Beautiful job by the way!
    Tammy

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  51. It looks GREAT! I'm dying to know more about the shutters! The shutters and the back door trim really look great, it completely changed the look of your house from the back. Good job!

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  52. Great Job Girl! Love the white railings with the stained deck. I think I'll try that on mine. Hope you get many mid-west months of enjoyment out of your beautiful deck! Jules :)

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  53. Absolutely LOVE it! All the shade you added makes it all very usable and everything looks so comfortable and inviting.
    Our back porch needs A LOT of work. So much work that we are going to leave it for the next home owner to do. ;)

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  54. Wowee that is gorgeous. I want to live out there! I love the furniture... it really does look like another room. You have such a great eye!

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  55. the deck is fantabulous!!!!!

    http://anhesty.blogspot.com

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  56. I just "discovered" you and have been lurking...woo hoo--we are both Hoosiers!!!!
    Some day I may just stop by for a peek at your place...(just kidding).
    Feel free to visit me too!!!

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  57. Love the new look! Have you tried Garden Ridge for outdoor pillows? I'm not sure if you have one of those where you live, but they have TONS of outdoor pillows...and they're all 50% off right now! Score!!

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  58. Wow! I LOVE the shutters and updated door! It really makes it more cozy back there! Great job!

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  59. I am so excited about this! We are re-doing our deck starting next week (hopefully), and I need all the inspiration I can get. I love how yours turned out!!

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  60. I LOVE the white with the red... might just have to "steal" your idea. We also didn't wait to stain our treated wood... OOPS! Does the paint on the rail hold up better than the stain? Looks GREAT!!

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  61. An amazing deck!! I came across your blog this week, I am looking forward to all of your home decor tips, you have a beautiful home.

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  62. Your deck came out really nice - it looks huge! Love the shutters you made and the door frame color - looks fab!

    Manuela

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  63. Love it! I wish I had a huge deck to entertain on. You're so creative!! :o)

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  64. Oooh I LOVE this. I have that exact doormat on my front porch. I bought it to match my red front door. We have a hot tub on our back patio that we've been wanting to incorporate into a new deck system but we also have a walk-out basement to work into the equation as well. I love what you've done!

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  65. Oh Sarah it looks amazing! I am so glad you love the pergola and furniture as much as I do. Looks like the perfect place to have lemonade during the day or a glass of wine with hubby at night. LOVE IT! Ok I need your staining tips....LOVE THE WHITE...I am so stealing that idea. Good thing we don't live too close to one another...we are going to have the same deck...LOL!

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  66. LOOOOOVE IT! That furniture is fabulous.

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  67. OH WOW! is all I can say. Loving your tranformation. We will be restaining our deck this weekend. I have been on the search for deck furniture, but like you said, looks like they have had their sales and now you really can't find any deck furniture anywhere. Loving that pergola too. I am going to email ya. Have a question for ya.

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  68. Oh.my.goodness! Your deck is beautiful! A dream! I'd love to have something similar! Good job!

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  69. It looks fantastic!!! My deck is covered in big-wheels and pool towels!
    Beautiful and so relaxing!

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  70. What a great makeover! It looks amazing! Well done~

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  71. Wow, it turned out great!

    Nancy

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  72. It is beautiful! We just built a pergola ourselves, and like you...have spent so much mure time outside than we did before. I love your furniture too...I'm still in search of a few more pieces...but don't want to pay much. I'll be posting my outdoor space tomorrow if you wanna check my blog!

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  73. Wonderful! That is a very inviting space, with so much to take in. I love it!

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  74. Hi my name is Staci. I found your blog not too long ago and like your ideas. I want to pass on a Kreativ blog award to you. Check it out on my site:

    www.designingandmotherhood.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-3rd-blog-award.html

    Keep up the good blogging creative work. Staci

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  75. Wow! That deck is sooooo nice! I want to steal that idea of the door and shutters....we have the great wall of white going on at our backyard too! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that pergalo- I hope you share where you got that too! I seen it on Infarrantly and I am in LOVE with pergalo's now- I didn't like them before I seen it this week! Thanks for sharing- I love your site- I am going to make your pillows this week!!!

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  76. Okay...well I obvioulsy like to look at pictures before I read! I need to learn NOT TO DO THAT! I thought I skimmed, but I didnt do that good of job! Darn it we no longer have a Menards! :( Well again, EVERYTHING looks GREAT at both houses!!!

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  77. Everything is amazing -- but the shutters in the back?!! Brilliant!!!

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  78. AMAZING! Love it! Love the furniture too and love the shutters! Awesome!

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  79. Your deck looks wonderful. A great place to relax, drink some lemonade and read a book.

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  80. I must first say that I am in love with your pergola, where did you get it?

    And second, the deck looks great, you did a wonderful job.

    Love It Love It Love It

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  81. Gorgeous! What a transformation! And I cant wait to try your beer cocktail on vacation next week!

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  82. hello, just came across your amazing blog! Love it!

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  83. Love your deck! It is beautiful! I know you are going to enjoy it.

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  84. Great job the trim paint and shutters really did add the right touch, so inviting, Kathysue

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  85. Do you have instructions on how you made the pergola? Or did you buy it? Our deck is DRAB and totally needs a pick-me-up (and some shade!). Thanks! Love all your ideas and inspiration.

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!