I hope you all have enjoyed our little Backyard Retreat Series!!
If you are new here, WELCOME! 
You can catch up by clicking on wooden awnings and a shed/shop to see the first two projects in our series!
We’re moving on to the Arbors and an Extended Patio!
When we bought the home, it already had a very nice deck (this pic shows us power washing…getting ready to re-stain)
but we wanted to extend our outdoor living area (especially since we’re on a large lot and there was A LOT of lawn to mow and take care of!).
This is where I wanted our extended living area to be…..
The plan was to remove a section of deck rail and extend the patio out.
The vision was coming to life, but, I had one BIG problem……..
PRIVACY FROM MY NEIGHBORS!
When we moved in, the homes on the lots behind us were not built yet and we did not realize how close we would be. How could I get privacy without building a huge wall?
***ARBORS***
Ours are mini arbors….a structure to hold curtains that could be drawn when we wanted privacy.
I felt the yard needed to have balance so we my brother built four of them! Two for the back and one each on the side yards.
We designed them to look like the wooden awnings on our back windows.
Holes were dug for the 4×8’s………
Cement was poured in the holes and the 4×8’s placed, leveled and set to cure. (A full tutorial can be available, if wanted! Just let me know!!).
After a couple of coats of stain, we were off to finish the patio!
One of our walkways was already created with pavers we purchased from Home Depot so we decided to continue that texture onto the new patio.
Electricity was added to the arbors so the patio could be enjoyed in the evening…..
The furniture was brought back out and we were living in our own little heaven! The curtains are from Target, the RE (Room Essentials) brand. So easy to hang and they wash like a dream! I just take them down every 6 months or so and bleach them! They come out great every time!
I love how the curtains blow in the breeze…..
but if it’s really windy, I just pull them back hooking them on some iron hooks I found at Hobby Lobby and attached to the arbor poles!
So, what do you think?
Before………
After…….
I couldn’t be happier! It has extended our living space twofold and we spend at least 9 months out of the year here!
But, we’re not quite thru…….
Next in our series is the one thing we should have constructed BEFORE anything else…….
The HOTTUB/SPA with it’s own deck!
Please join me next week when I’ll chronicle that construction!
Until next time………..
Linking up to these wonderful parties:
Blitzed on Pinterest @ Debbiedoos & On Sutton Place
Inspire Me Tuesdays @ A Stroll Thru Life
Tuesday’s Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Your backyard is like a gorgeous resort!!….I am loving the updates of your projects…it is so beautiful during the day and breathtaking at night!…I love how you put the drapes on the arbor!!
Wow! Your yard is lovely Angela! You’re doing an awesome job and I know how happy you must be to be making all this progress. Can I come over?
I love your new outdoor room, Angela! You certainly had a vision and what a lovely outcome. I’d be spending all my time out there, too. Unless it’s hot….I melt.
It looks amazing!!! I love your entire backyard and the oasis you guys have created. I also like how you keep those men busy working around there building things for you
Oh, that is so gorgeous, I would live outside too
Your arbors are wonderful – do you just have a pole of some kind to hang the curtains on? Thanks for sharing – I look forward to the hottub episode 
Angela- Oh my Gosh- That is just beyond fantastic. What a difference that made in your yard. It really has a WOW factor now.. LOVE it! xo Diana
Angela, your outdoor space is a dream! Gorgeous! I am loving your backyard series! You are such an inspiration to us!
Oh my goodness, Angela! This is more than a retreat – it looks like paradise! Gorgeous! I’m coming over! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
This is so incredibly gorgeous!!! I shared it on my Google+ so more people can see your stunning space! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Absolutely beautiful! A lot of work but a big payoff. I am pinning,
Have a great week, Ginger
I love how your arbors came out! I am thinking of building something similar (but maybe with thinner posts and a thinner rail) so I can put up curtains to create patio privacy. I am not much of a builder, am wondering if a project like this is in my league! Would I need a post digger?
We did not use a post digger. We just dug holes approx. 1 to 1-1/2 feet deep, filled with cement and leveled the posts. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I love it, it totally creates a room. Gorgeous. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Your backyard looks incredible. We all need a little privacy don’t we. I just found your blog through A Stroll Thru Life, and I am your newest follower. Would love for you to stop by my blog sometime.
Thanks, Patty
Your backyard looks so dreamy. I’m imagining a cocktail in hand relaxing for hours!
this looks awesome and with all of your pictures and posts i feel that my hubby and i could actually get some of this done ourselves, thanks so much!