We have one more week of school and then it’s SUMMER! Where we live in The Northwoods of Wisconsin is known as Lakeland because of all the lakes in our area. Living in the middle of a forest on the shores of a lake makes a beautiful backdrop for the Summer season and a reason to spend most of our days outdoors. That is why my outdoor spaces are so special to me.
I’m excited to share our porches, patios and outdoor spaces as part of a blog hop hosted by my talented friend Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home. She has gathered together an amazing group of 20 bloggers sharing their Spring to Summer spaces. I’m honored to be a part of it. You can find links to the entire tour at the bottom of this post.
If you are coming over from Thistle Key Lane, welcome! Weren’t you inspired by her style! I always am!
Spring comes late where we live this far North. This time of the year we are still waiting for our gardens to grow. We’ve only had our hanging baskets, pots and other flowers out for about three weeks having waited for the last of the frost to end.
I have begun decorating my outdoor spaces, but it is not in it’s full glory yet.
The first space I always decorate is our front porch. I shared our porch a few weeks ago in this post. I went with a green and blue color theme and white geraniums, taking a turn from my usual red ones. Last year I used greens, whites and reds. This year I kept the same green decor and mixed in some new blues.
I am using this same color scheme for the rest of my front yard spaces.
I like to set up lots of seating areas in our front yard for a couple of reasons. One is curb appeal. I like the welcoming feel it gives to the front of the house to have seating ready to invite guests to sit and linger.
Along with white geraniums this year, I’m using pansies in purple, yellow and white.
My kids spend a lot of time out front playing basketball, throwing bags or playing catch in our circle drive. So I like to have spaces to sit and watch them play.
Our main house, detached garage and guest house curve around our circle drive. A garden island is in the middle of the drive. We keep a grill by the front porch of the guest house and grill out most evenings while watching the kids play.
Our backyard is another area we love to hang out in. With the lake view, fire pit and grass lawn, there is lots to enjoy. I haven’t touched the back patio yet this year. We are about to remodel this area. Be sure to subscribe and follow along so you can see the progress as we make decisions about plants, furniture and a built in grill.
I moved the table we usually have on the back patio to the front yard. I read a wonderful book for my White Arrows Home Book Club this past month called The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell. It’s about being neighborly. I don’t have a turquoise picnic table, but I had this table needing a new spot so I moved it to the front. Want to know what I’m reading next? Join my book club! Subscribe and get the announcements each month and read along with me!
The dock gets a lot of attention in the Summer. I love to sit on the dock and watch the kids swim, visit with friends or enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day.
Off of the dining room is our back porch. We eat out there often in the Summer.
Our Master Bedroom also has a small porch that is a relaxing space to sip my morning coffee and listen to the loons on the lake.
Thanks so much for coming on my outdoor spaces tour! If you are following along in order, you are off to visit Welch House 1900 next! Prepare to be wowed by Larissa’s home!!
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So many pretty places to sit and enjoy. My favorite would be the gorgeous table overlooking the lake, that is where I would hang out all day.
I do love to sit there! So much to watch and listen to. So fun to tour with you!
Such a lovely and welcoming space! I adore your flowers in vintage picnic baskets. So charming!
Thanks so much Laura! Happy Summer!
Your outdoor spaces are always fun and extra cozy.
Enjoy your day
Cindy
Thank you so much Cindy! Fun to tour with you!
You have so many fun outdoor spots to decorate, Kristin! And yes, think our long-awaited for summer is finally starting to arrive; it’s about time! Love that gingham green and white rug and the color scheme you’re running with; right up my alley!
Thanks so much Lora! I am loving the color change this year and that rug is such a favorite!
I always enjoy coming over and viewing your home and what you have styled. Your outdoor area looks so pretty. Enjoy your summer!
Thank you so much Terrie! So fun to hop with you!
What a fabulous place to enjoy your rare warm temperatures. I’m sure you enjoy every minute outdoors. The green picnic baskets are adorable.
Thank you so much Katie! Yes, I was in a sweater and jeans today! But warmer days are coming!
I love your picnic baskets of pansies! It is a pleasure to join you for the hop this week!Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Always love hopping with you too Cecilia! Thank you so much for the love on my picnic baskets. They are so fun to collect!
Hi friend! Your outdoor space never disappoint! It all looks so lovely! So happy to join you on this tour! Happy almost summer!
Thanks so much Kelly! Love hopping with you!
Oh so nice
Thank you so much Jo-Anne!
Kirstin,
Your beautiful house in its idyllic setting always makes me think of the movie, On Golden Pond. All of the outside porches are inviting for summer activities and vacation time adventures. Your outdoor furniture and color schemes beckon us to imagine a lazy summer in the great north woods. The picnic baskets are perfect decor for your log home. Your house could be the setting for a period movie of a time when professors took their families to a camp lodge for the whole summer…. Dirty Dancing comes to mind.
I always enjoy visiting your house and surroundings.
Happy summer,
Judith
Oh how I adore your comment!! I hope that is how people see my spaces. That they make my readers relax right through their screens! Thank you sweet Judith!
Everything looks wonderful especially those fun green picnic baskets.
Thanks Carol! They are fun to collect!
So charming!Hugs!
Thank you Maristella!
How wonderful to have so many cozy and magical spots to sit and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Scout looks quite at home as well. We have a Scout too but she’s a donkey. We chose her name from the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Our Scout is small but mighty, curious, strong and sassy – LOL. Is that how you chose your name?
Our Scout may be the most happy go lucky animal on the planet! She bops around and is so playful and fun. I bet your donkey is a doll! I can picture her!
Kristin this is just being on vacation every day. Love the beauty of your outside spaces, and the green and blue color combo is perfect for your woodsy outdoor areas.
After looking at all your photos, I think the mountains are calling my name. I love your home Kristin with so many fabulous outdoor spaces to enjoy, I would spend everyday outside.
Every time I do a blog hop with you I immediately feel like going on vacation Kristin! I love all the vintage touches you’ve added to your outdoor spaces and how you’ve layered so many different kinds of texture too. Your home always feels so warm and inviting in every season. It’s the perfect place to cozy up and get away from it all! Hugs and happy summer, CoCo
Kristin it is truly Camp Paradise with all of your amazing outdoor areas, all with a different amazing view and adorably styled. I am loving your blue and green scheme, it looks amazing! That Walmart rug is gorgeous too!
Thanks so much for joining the hop. Enjoy summer in your wonderful Northwoods!
I just knew I was going to see some more of y9our fabulous vintage pieces! That cooler is fantastic and then, the pansies planted in the old picnic tin is perfect! Your green and white is great for the out of doors, blending with all of the green that you see in the plants and trees around you!
I always enjoy hopping over to see what you’ve come up with. I love the green color scheme you have on the porch. It is really refreshing. The table outside looks like a really nice place to sit and enjoy a meal.
Thanks so much Angelina! Fun to hop with you!
Kristen, this is such a small world. When you mentioned having a table in your front yard, I immediately thought of The Turquoise Table. Kristin is from Dallas and lives now in Austin. I met her almost 2 years ago when the book launched. Enjoy your pretty front porch and the summer.
Kristin,
Your outdoor spaces are so dreamy and beautiful!! I love how you used the blue and green color scheme! It feels very relaxing but elegant and inviting! Everything was styled to perfection and I enjoyed your tour so much!!
-Larissa
Thanks so much Larissa!!! Fun to hop with you!
I fall in love with your home every time I see it! My dream is to someday have a lake home on Lake Michigan. Love your relaxed summer vibe. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen
Thank you so much Kathleen!! Love your dream!!