How do you enjoy your outdoor living spaces and what can you add to make it even cozier? Â It’s been so nice to have a new patio in the backyard and that ugly space that I had was really transformed with the addition of this paver patio, that connects my back door to the screened porch. Â Now it’s one nice big space with a beautiful sofa and chairs. Â I haven’t had major parties out here yet, but we have enjoyed sitting out there in the late afternoon when the sun goes behind the house after 4 pm. Â The weather is still majorly hot here in Atlanta, so it’s not a space I sit in during the day, but in the evening hours as the sun is going down, it’s ideal. Â I haven’t added an umbrella yet, but that’s on my list and I think that may happen soon.
Balsam Hill reached out to me about collaborating with them on their Light up the Night blogger event. Â They sell Christmas trees, but also some other home decor items, including fire pits, and they sent me a beautiful black and copper fire pit for my backyard patio. Â They also carry some pretty battery lit faux boxwood topiaries in urns that are perfect for adding ambience in your outdoor spaces. They are not completely weatherproof, so you’d want to bring them in when not in use, but they sure do look pretty out there.
Let’s take a look at my patio now!
You can see how pretty this Balsam Hill fire pit is with its black metal base and spark guard dome to keep the sparks from flying. Â The copper basin is really a nice patina to mix with the other patio pieces. Â The top has a big handle that opens up for easily adding firewood. Â You can get the spark guard and a nice cover for it as well, to protect it from weather.
It’s not quite the right time of year yet to enjoy a roaring fire, but I got a little one started to look ahead to Fall and all that it brings.
I can imagine how cozy it’s going to be sitting out here in late September and into the Fall/Winter months with a roaring fire throwing off some heat.
Enjoying this space is at the top of my list and I really think Spring and Fall will be my most favorite times on the patio.
You can see the boxwood topiary in a pretty gray urn adds a nice element to the patio as well, and it lights up at night. Â You can barely see the lights in these pics, but they are on.
This sofa (from AE Outdoors) is a great place to take a nap and I plan on doing that more often. This is my first full  year of having the patio all finished and I keep adding things to make it even more enjoyable and useful.
Adding a paver patio last year was one of the best things I did for my house and I am still so happy I did it.
Having a fire pit to enjoy will just be icing on the cake out here.
Imagine a roaring fire, with hot chocolate and some marshmallows to roast?
Takes me back to childhood.
This is a nice big patio, so houses my planters and a potting bench and extra chairs.
I decorated the bakers rack with a few of my inside plants to add to the ambience.
I love my little vintage planters.
It’s always hard to keep these planters alive, but we are getting quite a few afternoon showers these days. I hope it continues through August, which is always our hottest month.
Looking ahead to Fall and some cooler temps that will really make me appreciate the fire pit even more.
I can see some lazy afternoons and evenings spent out here, with a fire and beverage, enjoying the outdoors and relaxing.
Thanks so much for stopping by and seeing how I’m Lighting up the Night! Â I’m joining several other bloggers this week and would love for you to stop by and see how they got creative with their outdoor pieces too. Â This time of year is made for outdoor living!
Balsam Hill is offering a discount right now, so use BHSUMMERSHB30 for $30 off any purchase over $299 that you make with Balsam Hill July 21st through Aug 28th, 2016. *One-time use per customer, cannot be used with another coupon.
Note: Â This post sponsored by Balsam Hill as part of their Light up the Night campaign. Â
Hi Rhoda—-what did you do with the cocktail table that matches your patio furniture?
Rose, I still have it, there wasn’t room in the picture for both, so it’s off to the side out of the shot. I’ll definitely still keep it too and probably move things around with the seasons. The fire pit will be nice during Fall and into Winter.
Hi, I wondered if you ever solved the problem of your blog centering itself to the far left of the screen in a narrow column? After being an avid reader for years with no tech issues, my display of your blog started doing the same a few weeks ago. Yours is the only one to do it out of the dozens I read, so I know it isn’t on my end. I tried to email you privately, but the display cuts off the far right end of your email address. This is very frustrating, and I really hate missing your blog (it’s unreadable for me in such a small size, and I can’t see the pictures, even with my cheaters on!).
HI, Sandra, I have talked about the issue on here several times, but it seems that those having problems are running an ad blocker. I have an ad plugin that I use on my sidebar & it seems to be incompatible with those running an ad blocker on Chrome and Firefox. When the ad blocker is disabled, everything has gone back to normal for everyone I’ve mentioned it to. I hope this will fix it for you too!
Will there be an issue with heat from the feet of the fire pit on top of your outdoor rug? It looks lovely but I think I’d want to put the feet on top of a small pave or brick so it doesn’t suddenly become a hot time in the town at night. Your back looks lovely – much improved.
HI, Barbara, I will definitely be aware of that when I do start a fire there. I am not sure how hot those feet will get, but I’ll check it out. Thanks,I’m loving my patio too.
I love this space Rhoda, it’s one of my favorites at your place.
The new copper fire pit is gorgeous. We have one too and we enjoy ours a bunch.
Rhoda I have been a fan for a long time and I am always commenting on your Dad’s garden. I don’t know what happened but your blog comes up as a column now on my computer. I asked my expert (my hubby) and he said to ask you if you have changed anything. Please help I can’t see the pictures enough. Thank you.
Hi, Patty, thank you for reading so long! Yes, I have been discussing this for the last couple of months and several folks have asked about it. I have an ad plugin on my sidebar that I need to run and when it was upgraded, apparently there is conflict with those who run ad blockers on their computers on Chrome and Firefox. When they turned off the ad blocker, things went back to normal. Hope it works for you too!
Rhoda thanks for answering. I disabled the adblocker but it still does not come up full screen. I read at least 40 blogs a day and a lot of them have ads but yours is the only one I have a problem with and I love yours. I don’t know what else to do.
Well, shoot Patty, I am not sure what else to tell you. Can you try another browser? I know that is a pain, but I truly don’t have any other answers.
Summer nights on your patio would be a wonderful way to spend an evening, Rhoda!
It looks great, Rhoda, and you get bonus points for starting a fire in HOTlanta in the summer! Looking forward to seeing you in person at Haven in just a few days!
Such a pretty retreat and absolutely love the new firepit!
Your copper fire bowl and boxwood topiary look so pretty on your patio Rhoda! What a fabulous space to sit outdoors!!!
Your patio is so inviting! The fire pit is really nice and will be very enjoyable in a couple of months. I live in Atlanta, too, and am looking forward to some cooler days.
I first saw the rug you have on Kate Riley’s Centsational Girl blog. Now you have it, I have it on the outdoor porch at our mountain house, and my sister just bought it for her lake house! The colors are beautiful and work so well with other greens and blues.
HI, Kim, I love that rug and you’re right Kate has it too. I didn’t even realize mine was the same until I saw it not long ago on her blog. Always am drawn to these colors!