All Decked Out! (Tour of our deck)

We, the truly Canadians, are the biggest weather fanatic. After enduring the most classic and long winter, we impatiently wait for summer and sunshine immediately connects with us. This year is also not an exception, with the hint of summer in our ravine; we have been totally plugged out with our outdoor surroundings in our newly built deck. Set against the backdrop of the sparkling waves of pond where the water is shimmering with the heat haze and leafy ravine splays for miles, our deck is a ready-to-go stage for all of our outdoor activities and entertaining. 

My mind often boggles to think how many efforts it went in to build this place from a house to home. We have been contemplating to bring in this major change in our outdoor space ever since we moved in. Finally we could get an actually believable space (almost 500 square footage) last year in which we could relax, have privacy, entertain and where my husband can also catch a cat nap after a long day ;). So, come on, let’s walk out to the back door and tour our patio/deck which is our happy place that we crave at the end of each summer day.
 

Unlike regular wooden decks, we decided on composite decking for almost ZERO maintenance and high comfort place to relax. Composite decks offer the same beauty of wood without the any downsides. No paint-no stain, adaptable and Canadian weather resistant for years to come. We also picked safety tempered and shatter resistant glass railings to create a modern look without blocking our ravine view. It also holds up the extreme temperatures of Canada.

Stunning vignettes are a key ingredient in any of my décor so why should our outdoor be any different ;). A contemporary outdoor setting for dining in style is a must. Thrown in here are some glass accessories and few low-maintenance plants and flowers to complete the look.  

Though, it gets ridiculously hot in summer and to keep Mr. Sun at bay and cool off, we have installed a gazebo from Lowes. It occupies the perfect amount of space to protect us from rain or rays. Gazebo contains net curtains with zip for us to recline or doze off on relaxing afternoons while protecting us from those unwanted bugs at evenings (though we have hardly found any).  

Each piece is outdoor friendly here yet sophisticated enough to use indoors when the weather gets colder. I have extracted the very best out of what I already had indoor. I strongly believe in relying on your imagination and style rather than deep purse for all those seasonal decorative changes. 

The best highlight of our deck is the light. At the stroke of a dusk, the patio instantly becomes a party hub with lush green view. Dimmable lights, that greatly extend our outside living with ambience, can be easily operated from our smartphones on Wi-Fi. They set the perfect mood to take our deck up a notch on the welcoming scale even for the people who walk around the pond.

The space allows us to connect with Mother Nature. The feeling of being enveloped in lush greenery while sipping Tea or chilled cocktail in the company of chirping and tweeting birds (and frogs at night) is a cozy retreat for us from the pressure of modern life.

Be it a sunset or star gazing...many smile inducing and satisfying moments take place here on summer evenings.  

Multiple zones for relaxation and entertainment on the same level make the most of summer's laziest and haziest days comfy. A sweet bench here offers an extra seat for our guests or a makes a perfect place for me to slink away with a book in the evenings. The deck also provides a set of stairs that leads to our walk out basement. (we have a built in barbeque and another outdoor space underneath the deck, where the major work is wrapped up, will hopefully share the space with you all soon.)

 

So, if you ask me for my summer plans, relaxing is the only task on my to-do list this summer so far. And this year, with this summer entertaining oasis…looking forward for another season of barbequing and grilling outdoors. Until we meet again, stay connected lovely peeps, toodles.

Mother Nature.....to it's finest! (Ravine Backyard behind our home)

 

Right now, we are in the deepening gloom of the coldest February ever recorded. An unusual cold weather and chilly temperatures are leading to many frozen messes around the city. But hey, we are Torontonians and we should not despair but deal with it ;)  Let's not go on my ranting on the cold  and continue with today's post. Hopefully it will bring the spring soon :)

 

Today, you are on a journey of our backyard. Taking you closer to the mother nature we are blessed with every dusk and dawn.

 

Before we carry on, I must highlight how it begun. Ever since we decided to relocate, first priority for "him" was the ravine extended to our backyard, I was never happy with that thought of his. You might misconstrue, I love mother nature and its beauty but the only daunting thought I had was to survive with the wild life along with mother nature was not appealing. After intense discussions and endless debates we concluded to go with it. Now, that we followed his intuition, I feel lucky to have this piece of heaven as a part of our home to be loved and cherished in all seasons.

 

Sharing few shades for all of you to fall in love with!

 

New Pond  - under construction ( November 2012)

The beginning look was something like this, pulled one picture out from tons of pictures we took when we used to come on this bare land and try to find out an exact piece of land of our proud new home. That was some feeling of excitement to visit the newly building neighbourhood. (this place is almost 2 years old on today's date, but I still like to call it new)

The first spring/summer (2013)

When we used to visit the under construction premises, I often felt traces of nervousness looking at the ravine but ever since we have moved, it has started to unveil dramatic views and visually soothing scenes in that ravine.

The sight of ravine and sound of water gives immense pleasure from the family room, the bedroom suite, and the kitchen.




Our ducklings on a fall morning (2013)

We used to spot baby duckling and geese so often, we thought they will migrate once we move to this new place  but inverse to our thought, they visit us repeatedly in all seasons (except few winter months) and enhance the beauty of our beautiful pond. They were first given the names of the days of the week, but once they outgrew in many, my son had to take aid of the name of the months to call them. Not only these, we often find few of our wildlife friends such as deer, wolves and coyotes out in the woods.

Winter 2013

Yes, this is the same frozen place in the winter 2013. Captured after a "rare and vigorous" storm as they called it.

 

 

Fall 2014

Sharing you the other end with the vibrant colours of fall and snow covered blanket clicked at the same spot.


Winter 2014

If you have fail to notice by now, let me apprise you with the walkway/trail around the pond. The best place for walking, jogging or chilling. Even though it gets bitterly cold in the neck of the woods for few winter weeks, we still spot few dog lovers sauntering in that snow. Once the warm days are back, the place gets bustling and busy.

 

We take endless rounds on warm days. A great path to go on a stroll with alluring nature. The stroll is a proven healing therapy for us after a long day of work.

We also have brought the fall colours in our home with few captures in the woods. It will be revealed with the tour of our family room in near future.




Pond turned into skate arena ( January 2015)

Hockey lovers in the neighbourhood take the advantage of this frozen pond. To our surprise, they take the trouble shoveling the snow off the pond and make their own natural ice pitch to enjoy their game. It feels so lively to see them playing in fresh, crisp winter air!

 

A panoramic view of a beautiful spring morning!

The best part is I've been able to feel different seasons at different times of the same day.

It's impressive how different the same place can appear in few hours of a day.  When I peek through my bedroom balcony, it is so mystical in the early morning when the fog is still hanging around on top of the pond and by the noon the sun shines to its brightest and it gives you the feel of being on a beach. Now, I have always felt the need on sunny days to stay outdoors for hours and enjoy the beauty of nature.

 

Many ideas are shaping up in our mind for an extended deck and plantation to create a tranquil space to relax and entertain over looking this beautiful view. Hopefully over the period we will manage to create something that is still lingering in our dreams.

 

I am thankful to Aj, who spelled his reassuring mantra on me and persuaded me to be able to feel, see and witness mother nature to it's finest! Winding up the post dreaming spring and of course those ducklings back in the pond soon ;) 

Until we meet again, toodles!

 

Linked @ Colours Dekor