March is finally here and it’s time to get a jump on outdoor projects. Last year we furnished our deck with dining furniture and decided this year we’d focus on the terrace level patio. There’s nothing like entertaining outdoors whether you are having a barbeque or celebrating a birthday. My husband and I often head outside in the evening to have a glass of wine after putting the kids to bed. With the twins turning six-years old next month, we needed to get a jump on transforming our backyard in time for the party.

How inspiring (and relaxing) is this space?

A pair of garden stools usher color into a clean, graphic black and white palette. Garden stools are readily available and come in every color of the rainbow. Seriously, just pick one. They not only offer a place to set a cold drink, but also provide additional seating when there’s standing room only.

Above, the color turquoise takes the lead in this outdoor oasis followed by the lush greenery surrounding the area. Red-orange is a complementary color to blue so the terracotta pots were a perfect way to add another layer of color to this scheme.

This outdoor living room had me daydreaming until I received an invitation to participate in The Home Depot Style Challenge Patio Edition and I graciously accepted. I’ve already started to pin inspiration images onto The Home Depot Style Challenge pinterest page. Click here to follow.

Home Depot is sending us an outdoor seating collection to style up, photograph, and write about it on their Apron blog. Pretty doggone motivating to finally get this thing done, right? My home surprisingly, as with most interior designers, is the last to see some love. Here’s what the space looks like now ::head hung low::

I know what you are thing, ” Whoa, she’s gotta long way to go.”

I’m thinking whoo-hoo!! I’ve got a blank canvas. YESSS!!!

I can’t wait to get started with this space and to share with you my process. Anything would look better than this, right? When it’s all said and done, I can hear the kids now, “Where’s Mommy?” You know where I’ll be, but don’t tell my secret.

Are you looking forward to outdoor entertaining this year? Where do you host most of your events?

IMAGES: House Beautiful | Sunset.com | Roger Davies | Unknown | My Patio