Creating my French Style Courtyard

Often all it takes is one image that sets my mind to thinking.

The simple outdoor courtyard below was one of the inspiration

photos I collected when I was imagining my outdoor space.

 This image from Martha Stewart has the simplicity of design

and the vibe of the European country lifestyle I admire.

Making such a space in our own yard would be my intention.

One designated for outdoor dining or early morning cups of coffee.  

  The rear of our home has just such a space that I though would convert nicely to this idea of a French courtyard.  I had piles of cobblestones just waiting for me to use them, and so this weekend it all came together. Although I started the project on Saturday, and did a lot of back breaking handwork and digging, Mr. Maison Decor came to the rescue on Sunday with his dump truck and skid steer and made my dreams come true very quickly!  He has an excavation business and its super handy at times like these to have this equipment and knowledge of how to set the stone and all that.  He first removed the grass that was growing in the courtyard area.  We leveled out a space in front of one of the stone walls to create a dedicated grilling area.

This would be the grill station, and hubs would put down the two large slabs

of blue stone for the grill to rest upon.  

This is me supervising hubby. He was doing an amazing job!

By the end of the day we had set up a cobblestone courtyard that we 

had leveled out so we could set up our dining table.  Then we put down a weed barrier

fabric and on top of that the tiny pea gravel was sprinkled over that.  The bluestone

was perfect for the grill and my two large black urns were dragged over to their new spot.

I have taken those urns everywhere I go! One was even in front of my old shop.

We worked our butts off and today Colin and I are going to level out the pea gravel

a bit more and put the dining table into position.  Its a big step forward in the 

courtyard project, but still more things have to happen.  A pair of French doors

that lead to the back yard will have to be installed, as well as another wall trellis

for the big blank backside of the house.  Only one window is on the north side of

the house out here so it feels awkward.  One trellis has been installed and I think

I need to put up one more.....I am back out into the yard to plant some lavender 

and add some mortar behind the cobbles to secure them.  

One more thing that is headed to the courtyard!

 I found it on Craigslist and it is an antique garden arbor.  

Woo Hoo! Not exactly sure where I am putting it, but I am 

picking it up today! Look for another exciting courtyard post tomorrow!! 

At least I am excited, lol. Its the little things in life that get me that way.