I simply adore porches. I do not have a porch. I wish I did. Porches invite you to slow down…sit, rest, soak up some fresh air, replenish. They invite guests to sit, stay, connect. They invite couples to swing, hold hands, savor the moment. They invite families a cozy place to unwind, share and be together. I mean really, what’s not to love about porches?

Please, come, take a tour with me to some amazing porches I found on pinterest!

How fun to be able to sit and visit with friends who stop by…

A porch and a fireplace…I’m in love…

I could see many evenings spent here with my family…

Love the brick…

Yes, even in snow, I’d love a porch like this…just set a portable heater by my feet!

Beautiful stone…

I could so see myself enjoying this porch in my retirement years…

A good book…

Quiet morning reflections…

Holding hands with  my love…love the turquoise…

A warm cup of cocoa…

If you are lucky enough to have an amazing porch…I invite you to pause today and enjoy it!

This incredible water feature by Caviness Landscape includes 3 waterfalls, a beach entry and boasts a Color Kinetics light system with 16 custom-programmable light shows that tie into the waterfall/lake setting.

Naturally, and it does look natural!, there is a swim-through grotto that has a swim-up bar, kitchen, dry grotto area, plasma television and sound system.

All functions of the pool, waterfalls and extras are controlled by remote; would you expect anything less?!

This project is set on over 80 wooded acres.  If only we had more acres per house in our subdivision!

Special thanks to Kathy from Caviness Landscape for sharing these great images of their impressive project with us!

This is not your average sport court! With gorgeous landscaping and carefully chosen design elements, the small 24′x35′ space in this family’s yard was transformed into a beautiful and functional courtyard.  Family members had different goals for this space; the sons wanted a basketball court, Mom wanted an outdoor yoga studio and Dad envisioned catered events in a distinctive garden.  Everybody got what they wanted!  Take a look:

The coloring and pattern of the court surface let it blend seamlessly into the sophisticated garden of this family home.

I’m sure it is no accident that the ivy resembles goal posts- every detail was considered.  The candelabra shaped pear trees soften the stone walls without diminishing usable space.

Room for spectators along the custom tongue and groove cedar fence with granite columns is a thoughtful addition to the sport court and useful when the easily removed basketball goal is out of sight when Dad’s entertaining clients with a garden party.  (Yes, easily removed!  Love that idea.)

The court is surrounded by the residence on this side, I love the decorative balcony.

This fence work is beautiful and I just love the addition of this curved gravel path against the straight lines of the home and court.

I think this is the most romantic sport court I’ve ever seen…

Many thanks for this outdoor living tour to  Adam Ardoin of Landscape Studio in metro Atlanta, GA.

It’s COLD and snowy here and NOTHING, no NOTHING sounds better to me than floating in a pool.  In my dream, my adorables can swim unaided (Read: me not being panicked lest their heads dip under water) and they can frolic at one end while I float around in my foamy lounger at the other end sipping my Diet Coke.

Sounds nice, right?

While I’m at it, I’ve also got killer abs, the words “Miracle Suit” are unknown to me, and a pool boy runs at lightening speed to replenish my Diet Coke.

But I digress…

Today, we’re going to play a fun little game: I’m going to show you 6 magnificent pools in the Hamptons of Long Island, and you get to choose your favorite.  While it’s not possible to “give” you the pool of your choice, I’m happy to send you “the thought of” the pool of your choice and in some realm of existence that’s exactly the same thing, right??

So here we go…

Pool #1

Sleek and sexy.

Very Miami South Beach boutique-y hotel.

(I’ve only walked through such hotels at a gallop, the whole time terrified management would boot me from the premises for being oh so very uncool.)

Pool #2

Pool House, friends.

With a fireplace at the opposite end.  An interesting and surprising touch!

Pool #3

Mmmm… waterfront infinity pool….

… with a waterfall

Nice.

(but can my foamy float fall over the waterfall?!?  You know I’m going to have to ask someone.)

Pool #4

More waterfront infinity action…

Similar concept to the above…

I like this white trellis there.  And the flow-y grass makes it all look so natural.

Pool #5

Only 1 photo of this pool, but the pool house is pretty killer.

Pool #6

Hmmm… Water view…

All those cool stone slabs on which to sit: completely out of the water, only legs in the water, half immersed in the water.  I like the options this provides.

And waterfalls to boot.

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So the choice is yours.  Be careful now and choose wisely!

These gorgeous pools are all the work of Pristine Pools of East Hampton, NY.  Many thanks for the use of their photos.

Here’s an aged deck that needs a little love:

I’m sure we’ve all seen our fair share of these.  But it’s great outdoor space.

When cleaned with Thompson’s Water Seal Heavy Duty Deck Cleaner and treated with Advanced Wood Protector in Rustic Red color, it transforms into this:

Doing my best Vanna White “Voila”!

Can you believe it’s the same wood?

I can’t get over how miraculously different it looks.

The window baskets add the finishing touch, don’t you think?

Giveaway

Now if you have a deck that needs a little spruce-up or know of anyone who does, the good folks at Thompson’s offer one case of their new Concentrated Deck Cleaners and one case of their Advanced Tinted Wood Protector.  The winner can choose honey gold, rustic red, natural cedar or nutmeg brown – it’s a $125 value!

Just leave a comment by Thursday, May 6th and you’re in.  Winner must live in the United States.  Please feel free to forward to anyone who has a wood deck – this is great for preventative measures too.

Good Luck and many thanks to Thompson’s Water Seal!

***UPDATE*** RLR won the giveaway!