My Tropical Deck Makeover
Just over a year ago, I was lucky enough to partner with Sunbrella fabrics to transform the seating in the backyard of our Los Angeles home. Reupholstering our existing outdoor sofas was such a simple thing that made for such a dramatic effect, so when we decided to team up once again and tackle my backyard in New Orleans, I was so excited and grateful for the opportunity.
To be honest, our backyard just hasn’t been getting much love. It’s very narrow, which makes designing a bit tricky, and it needed a little TLC to make it more inviting. The first step to fixing this problem was to extend the deck all the way to the fence, which leveled everything. We hired contractors to create this using tongue and groove wood flooring along with building the horizontal fence.
Once that was behind us, it was time to have a little fun with my favorite design feature—color! I took inspiration from our cottage home, which has pink siding, green floors, and blue shutters. For some added boldness, we chose a navy blue stain for the floors and went with a chocolate wood stain for the fence.
Even though it’s practically as narrow as an airplane aisle, I still wanted an outdoor sofa on the deck. I love to entertain, even if it’s just having a few close friends over for cocktails, and offering an outdoor space to socialize is such a great option for everyone involved, especially during Saints games. The sofa I chose is from Neighbor and it’s made with Sunbrella fabric. It was so easy to assemble and has a clean, modern vibe.
Normally a white sofa can be so tricky, but I knew that with Sunbrella’s performance fabric it wouldn’t be a problem. Sunbrella fabrics are not only comfortable, but they are also weather-resistant, UV-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, creating a longer lasting (and therefore more sustainable) result. You know what that means—bring on the cocktails and appetizers.
To finish off the deck decor, I chose pillows and a rug from Frontage, each featuring Sunbrella fabrics in colors and patterns that give off a tropical vibe. They tie in so well with my Bird of Paradise, another favorite part of the space. I added in a little more seating with two chairs, complete with yellow striped Sunbrella pillows and brought it all together with a green striped rug. The rug is designed for outdoor use, since it’s weather-resistant, but I’m definitely bringing it in during the wet stormy season here.
Even though we’re not always in New Orleans, I never want this home to feel second best. Finally giving the backyard the attention and design love it deserves feels like the last step in making this house truly feel like a home. Not only are we maximizing the space, but it creates an environment that’s conducive to connecting with our loved ones in a whole new way—and I couldn’t have done it without the help of Sunbrella.
