My ugly backyard turned dream space lands the cover!

 Oh My!!! 

Turning our ugly outdoor space into a French courtyard was a dream 

home improvement project of mine.  Even my friend, magazine editor and creator

Matthew Mead, like it so much that he decided to shoot it for his new special issue.

Upstyled Home Outdoors 

I was blown away when I recently learned it landed the coveted cover shot!

This special issue by Country Sampler will be on news stands when Spring

arrives in New England, sometime near the end of April.

Until then, here are some of Matthew's images from this splendid outdoor issue.

 When April arrives I will be more than ready to fling open my french doors

to head outside if we get an extra warm and sunny day.

Fluffing up the day bed, and putting the umbrellas back into position will be 

first on my list of things to do.

The kitchen garden will not yet have been planted, but this 

beautiful photo of our charming garden shed and simple vegetable garden

will remind me that in just a few months time, the tomatoes will be ripening

on the vine.  The weather will be perfect for sipping cool drinks and enjoying

the courtyard and the garden terrace.

In other pages from this issue, was this great outdoor feature. 

Are you like me, always wishing you had a potting table?! 

I love the simple idea of stringing lights between bamboo stakes 

to give it extra whimsy and charm.

 Harvesting lavender will be on my list of things to do as I had

planted a border along the house in the courtyard. 

 For those of you with country roads to pedal along, 

how about planning a fairytale picnic one day?

I think this would be a special thing to do with kids or grandchildren.

 Country tables in backyards and on porches are always ready to host an outdoor party.

Spiffed up with linens and garden bouquets, this one under an arbor is especially appealing.

Light wines and farm stand fruits show off

the best a summer time gathering has to offer with easy country style.

Matthew's images show how effortless entertaining in summer should be,

and how beautiful our spaces can look with just a little attention to details.

(I love that green door in the background!!)

Our courtyard was used every single evening as a gathering place

at the end of the day.  One by one we would meet outside and take in the 

soft air and enjoy the scenery as we sipped our cocktails and club sodas.

Maybe this is the year that you dedicate the time to create a gathering 

space for you and yours....or simply just for you!  

I have seen the preview of the magazine, and its truly the best!

I will be offering some as free giveaways once we get closer to spring.

(above, my photo of an everyday kind of 5 o'clock happening)

Maybe because we live in New England that I love my outdoor living so.

I try to make the most of being at home, and this new space enhanced that ideal.
The collage below shows the basic steps we took to create the courtyard.

Decide which space you want to makeover and then 

apply some of these inspiring ideas from the pages of Matthew's latest

special issue, Upstyled Home Outdoors. 

( PS. For those of you who want to order online, there is a link to do so

from the Country Sampler site.  But mind you, it could be 6-8 week delay

from when it hits news stands.  However if you are in a rural area without access to 

magazines, then this link could be the answer for you. Click here to order.)