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Beginning in the Middle

Everything You Need to Refresh Your Outdoor Space

Decor· DIY· Outdoors

28 May

It seems like the warm weather is here to stay, and our dreams of gardening and backyard BBQs are finally becoming reality (cue happy dance). But this year is different than any other summer we’ve seen before — it looks like we’ll still be spending a whole lot of time at home, which makes it the perfect time to focus on sprucing up your outdoor space! Whether you’re looking for some outdoor DIY projects, searching for new furniture, or simply want to make a few small upgrades, we’ve scoured the internet for design tips, outdoor decor and furniture pieces we’re loving that’ll surely make all those summer days at home feel like the ultimate staycation.

Small Space? No problem.

We love the classic look of a bistro table and chairs in small outdoor spaces. They’re perfect for adding functionality to a smaller space where a larger table and chairs can’t fit.  There’s something about a smaller set that transports me to charming European cafes, and makes enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning with a pal or having a romantic candlelight dinner at dusk feel like a little escape.

Shop our small space finds

take the indoors out

We hear people talking about bringing the outdoors in, but why not the other way around?  One of my favorite tricks to creating an inviting outdoor space is to incorporate indoor pieces into outdoor decor.  Before dinner or your next backyard hangout, bring out some fun art, pillows, lamps, and planters to create a homey atmosphere in your backyard.  When we’re done for the night, we just bring it back inside.

Outdoor Sectional Source

Shop our indoor/outdoor decor finds

Light it up

Sure, nice furniture and professional gardening can look beautiful and all, but these things aren’t really necessary to create a space that looks beautiful and feels comfy.  Some of our favorite outdoor must-haves are the least expensive.  My go-to? Lighting!  A $20 string of lights can transform even the tiniest outdoor space into a cozy escape.  We did this in the backyard of our German Village Airbnb and our guests have been loving them.  It doesn’t just stop at string lights, though.  Solar landscape lighting, pendants, lanterns, candles… you can never have too many lighting options! Pro tip: Use Nesting with Grace’s puck light trick to turn any hardwired or plug-in light fixture into a cordless, battery operated fixture in minutes (it’s GENIUS).

shop indoor/outdoor lighting finds

Shatterproof dinnerware… Need we say more?

Shatterproof glasses and dinnerware have come a long way.  Opt for dinnerware and glassware that won’t break to keep your outdoor time worry-free. 

Shop our shatterproof dinnerware finds

Tackle an outdoor project

We love the challenge of an outdoor makeover (plus time spent under the sun!). Try installing pavers over old concrete, building a slated pergola, installing solar lighting (hint: it’s easy!), or adding some color with flowers.  These projects can transform your space in a big way and if you’re lucky, improve your home value, too. 

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Deep in design mode these next few weeks as we not Deep in design mode these next few weeks as we not-so-patiently wait to close on our next project (!!!) It’ll be a mix of all of the things we’ve been doing for the last 7 yrs, but also something we’ve never done before. ☺️ Any guesses??

#theblondevic
Design + reno: @beginninginthemiddle 
📸 @alliepal
Those in between spaces need love too 🖤 #theblo Those in between spaces need love too 🖤 #theblondevic #beforeandafter 

Thanks for perfectly capturing this for us @alliepal 🤗
Same view, 4 years later ♥️ #theblondevic #bef Same view, 4 years later ♥️ #theblondevic #beforeandafter 

📸 @linea.photo 
Styling: @ma2thewjg 
For @hgtvmagazine
Just a family, posing for a photo, trying to stay Just a family, posing for a photo, trying to stay still and smile all at once ☺️ Thank you for your shares and likes and kind words on our magazine feature this week. Feelin the love and so grateful for your support! 📸 @linea.photo for @hgtvmagazine
Late afternoon light brings out all the pretty gre Late afternoon light brings out all the pretty green in our kitchen 🖤 We DIYd the reeded detail on the island with thin wood dowels and a pin nailer! #theblondevic 

📸 @linea.photo, styling by @ma2thewjg for @hgtvmagazine 

Cabinet color: Behr Black Sable
Surprise! We have a spread in the March issue of H Surprise! We have a spread in the March issue of HGTV magazine and our living room MADE THE COVER 🎉 @ma2thewjg and the styling team worked their magic to bring springy vibes & lots of fun color into #theblondevic, and @linea.photo captured everything beautifully. So thankful we could bring this home back to life, and excited we can share it with all of you! #hgtvmagazine #victorian
We swapped another switch in our house to a @lutro We swapped another switch in our house to a @lutronelectronics Caséta Smart Dimmer Switch, which allows us to control our lights remotely from the Lutron app, set lighting schedules, and create “scenes” that automatically adjust multiple lights in a room — no matter if we’re home or not. Our parlor chandelier dims down to 15% around sunset every evening (we also have our kitchen pendants set to turn on at 6am so we never have to walk into a dark kitchen in the morning!). The added control and convenience over our lighting is so nice, and being able to schedule them to come on/off throughout the day gives us extra security when we’re not home! #turnonpeaceofmind #sponsored
All new, but make it look old ☺️ #whitecapecot All new, but make it look old ☺️ #whitecapecottage #beforeandafter

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