One of my favourite places is my back deck. It is an extra-ordinary place that we enjoy both in summer and winter. We laze around in hammocks in summer and love to wrap up with a hot cup of coffee to enjoy the cooler days. It welcomes the stray bird that looks for shelter or the mommy mouse who comes knocking on my back door for a crust of bread. It reaches out into the back and you can literally touch the garden from beneath the eaves. Its where I gather seeds and mulch and build my compost or drop my boot after a hard day in the garden. I find refuge here when I’ve had a long and busy day. The happy doors are opened and the inside becomes the outside! Here is where my family gather when they visit. The chickens are allowed on the deck on special occasions and we deck the halls with bows of holly for Christmas.
This is a special place! I wanted to share this with you. It is very much part of my garden.
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Deck Build Sequence
I have to add these next few photos when we built this deck over 3 years ago. Oh yes, we really did alot of handy work around our house. This house was not complete when we bought it, so we needed to put in lots and lots of TLC to create the wonderful home we live in now.
This happened on the 19th of October 2008 when we took two days to build the 14m x 3m wooden deck. We wanted to create a deck that had that pier feel when you go to the seaside (you know that tar smell that goes with it?) It is rough wood but precisionly laid out. I love that farm house look (when things are not quite straight) but build with all the exactness of a high-tech building – know what I mean?? Well you will see the result!
[one_half]The wooden planks ready to go to the back!
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[one_half_last]Preparation is the name of the game! Trust me!
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[one_half]The lay out begins – accuracy is so important
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[one_half_last]Working all night to finish-I’m exhausted!
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[one_half]Day 2, preparing the screws was my job!
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[one_half_last]The next morning the deck was complete!
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[one_half]But we were not – the railing was next!
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[one_half_last]All done – but the garden needs my attention
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[one_half]A back deck full view from the garden
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[one_half_last]Totally scruffy and worn out but happy!
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If any of you want to tackle a project like this, my suggestion is to prepare – prepare – prepare! This will be the best advice I can give you. Rather spend more time on the drawing board. Measure then measure again! Then you will get the results that will create a precision and beautiful deck that you will be proud of.
Happy gardening xxx
13 replies on “From my back deck”
I couldn’t agree more on planning and preparing. It is always too late when you are in the middle of a building project to build your way out of a problem. Before I read the post, I scan the images and my first response way, “Aren’t decks the best?” Like porches a bit. Then I saw your first line in the post and see you think so too. You did a very nice job, all the work was worth it.
A truly beautiful deck. Decks bring so much more warmth to a space than the typical concrete patio, and your photos illustrate that perfectly. You’ve done a gorgeous job, and it really looks stunning with the house. Bravo!
Thank you so much – it was a true labour of love – and worth it! AND to have a talented hubby who it a jack-of-all-trades saves lots of money and you know the work will be professional.
Oh, I can see why it’s a favorite spot. It would be my favorite spot, too! Is that a swimming pool in the background? That would be a favorite spot, too! Is your porch screened in? I can imagine plopping down there with a cup of tea and a good book–listening to the birds and enjoying the breeze. Good post!
that looks like a wonderful place to hang out. i don’t think I could work with potting mix and have it all look so clean though – 🙂
another look at the art work on the end wall?
Wonder if your garden, or neighbours have trees with autumn colour?
That art work on the wall is all the rusty left overs and droppers all nailed together. It works so well with the ranch look we wanted to achieve. You should see our indoor chandelier – 🙂
We only have a huge Pepper tree hanging over our back wall and the Port Jacksons….. say no more.
Oh, your deck is beautiful! And it is extra special because you built it with your own hands. I loved reading your first paragraph. There’s a lot of love, family, and joy coming through in those sentences.
Very nice spot! One question: why do none of the pillars have trellises on them? I’d have different vines growing up every one of those. 🙂
Hmmmm I guess the ranch look is what we want and to keep the view to the garden clean. I’m not not a fan of creepy plants on a house. They grow too out of control and the work to get them down is not worth the effort. But I will get a trellis going once we take down the shadecloth (when the dividing wall goes up – eventually) and here I will have rambling roses or grapevines or something or both! 🙂
Very cool – well done 🙂
I adore your back deck. Such a relaxing place and everything is there…
Thank you – yes, all it needs is the hammock 🙂