As soon as the snow melted we were on top of getting our backyard set up for summer and I am so excited to share the result! Last year we landed at our #SamuelFamilyFixer in Michigan halfway through summer and it was just too too short of a season. We had no furniture, outside of a couple odd inflatables, so lounging by the pool wasn’t even doable (and not like we had much time with the impending renovation). So this summer we were ON it… we knew we had to replace all the tile around the top of the pool as it was constantly falling off and our pool looked like it was missing a whole lot of teeth so that was first on our list.

Then when it came time to furnish the largest outdoor space I’ve ever furnished, it was daunting for sure. I’ve worked with CB2 before and use their furniture all the time (you probably have noticed) so when they said they wanted to do a story on our outdoor space I was ALL in. The only problem was that two weeks before the scheduled shoot our pool and backyard looked like this!

We had 4 days to pick tile so my options were VERY limited. I needed to find something local, in stock, white (my only stipulation), one that is rated for pools in freeze/thaw conditions AND it had to fit in the same footprint as the existing tile (i.e. be the same size). NBD! We went to a local showroom called Virginia Tile and they had almost exactly what I had in mind and I was able to get it in 2 days time. PHEW! It was porcelain and non glazed (which meant it would stand up to the harsh winters), white, and fit into the current spacing. Done and Done (limitations can sometimes really make for the easiest decisions).

In a perfect world the only thing I would have changed was instead of three 2″ square tiles I would have done one 2″ x 6″ but we found the winner and two days before the shoot, after the tile guys finished, we had two giant tanker trucks pull up and fill the pool with water.

And then the angels sang….

The trees exploded with green just a few days before as well and it all feel right into place. Now we have been reveling in these long hot summer days by the pool and it’s become the gathering place I could only dream of.

SHOP THE LOOK! (and right now it is all on sale. up to 40% off!)

Sunset Teak Lounge // Basket Planter // Round Sun Shade // Lodi Sun Lounger // Terrazzo Side Tables // Terrazzo Coffee Table // Bongo Side Tables // Bizert Outdoor Corner // Bizert Outdoor Armless Chair // Moda Terrazzo Dining Table // Pink Bistro Chairs // Lineal Planter

We’ve been having most of our dinners out here now and I couldn’t be happier about it. So much so that I am not even thinking about the having to cover all this up for winter. NOPE, REFUSING TO THINK ABOUT IT! 😉 Happy Summer!

Oh and have you seen me over on CB2? To see more of my backyard and to read through the interview click here!

My dress is a couple seasons old but you can find similar here at Nordstrom or here at Need Supply

This post was done in collaboration with CB2, photos by CB2