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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 21, 2014

Deck Makeover Reveal!

Eons and eons ago I started a blog. OK…it was actually only 4 years ago but it feels like EONS ago!

This was pre-At the Picket Fence days and I was so excited that it  gave me an opportunity to remember that I could string sentences together and use words with multiple syllables since at that time I was up to my eyeballs in sippy cups, potty training and putting together tracks for Thomas the train.

entertaining on the deck atthepicketfence.com

And on that blog all of those eons of years ago I wrote a post called ‘Deck-o-rating’ all about how I was decorating my deck for summer.

I thought I was sooooo clever using that title! 😉

But I was hiding something…

Composite Deck Makeover from atthepicketfence.com

All of the ‘deck-o-rations’ were covering up a space badly in need of repair.

Actually it didn’t just need repairing, it needed to be destroyed! It needed to be torn off and then have me dance on top of it’s sad remains. Are you getting the picture that I really didn’t like our deck?

But new decks cost a lot of money and we knew that what we were wanting in particular, a composite deck, would definitely require some penny pinching.

So, even though the deck probably should have been ripped off soon after we moved in we had other more pressing issues to deal with inside the house and it got pushed to the bottom of the list. Summer after summer went by until finally this year we were ready to rip that puppy off and welcome a beautiful new deck in it’s place!

Here’s the deck BEFORE…

old deck

And here it is AFTER!

Azec decking makeover atthepicketfence.com

Isn’t she beeeee-u-ti-ful??

before and after deck makeover

No more wobbly railing with pieces that fell off every time you walked up the stairs.

composite deck stairs atthepicketfence.com

No more brown railing with brown posts attached to a brown floor.

old deck2

Sigh…I just love that row of columns.

black deck posts and railing atthepicketfence.com

No more pressure washing and replacing old boards and staining.

Or risking injury every time we walked across the floor.

old deck 3

We used Azek decking and selected a color called Walnut Grove.

I promise it wasn’t because of my obsession with all things Little House on the Prairie! 😉

Azec decking

And there was just enough room in the budget left over for a new table set and thanks to an awesome Memorial Day sale we found one worthy of gracing our new deck.

composite decking makeover atthepicketfence.com

I’m kinda sorta obsessed with it!

wicker outdoor patio set atthepicketfence.com

Don’t you think it warrants being kinda sorta obsessed over?

outdoor summer entertaining atthepicketfence.com

 

On the other end of the deck we have enough room for a more casual seating area and most evenings you will find my hubby and I sitting here with a glass of wine after the kiddos are in bed.

 

outdoor seating area

You know, there is something so incredibly satisfying about sitting on a deck that you waited years for.

The one that you wanted the moment you saw the dilapidated old version attached to your new-to-you house.

The one that you scrimped and saved for.

deck makeover atthepicketfence.com

Delayed gratification is a wonderful feeling, wouldn’t you agree? 🙂

Vanessa signature

50 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Outdoors, Summer

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Comments

  1. Julie @ Restyle Relove says

    July 21, 2014 at 3:13 AM

    Your deck is beautiful! First thing I noticed was the amazing decking floor in such a pretty colour. And those chairs look so comfortable I’m sure you could sit there all day! Totally worth the wait. x J

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 6:08 PM

      Thank you so much Julie! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:18 AM

    Your deck is absolutely beautiful! I cannot wait to do the same to ours. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:22 AM

    Love the deck. Can we see the pretty wicker grouping on the other side of the table??

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 21, 2014 at 7:18 AM

      Hi Michelle! I’m so glad you said something because I had a photo of the other seating area all ready to go but forgot to put it in the post. Oops! 🙂 It’s in there now so come on back by if you want to see it. Thanks!
      Vanessa

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        July 21, 2014 at 7:45 AM

        I love the way you put it all together. It looks very relaxing and very good use of space. Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
  4. Ann says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:29 AM

    This is amazing. I have your old version still on the back of my house. I want composite decking SO BAD and hope to install next year. I am saving and saving but my deck is huge so it’s going to be pricey. Love all your choices. So happy for you!

    Reply
    • June says

      July 21, 2014 at 6:54 AM

      Ann,

      I don’t know what part of the country you live, but my friend got an amazing deal last winter at one of the big box stores for composite decking. Might be worth checking.

      june

      Reply
  5. Marty Walden says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    It looks beautiful! I completely understand your joy! Our new deck has brought so much beauty to the front of our home and greets visitors in a perfect Southern way! Love your new furniture, too!

    Reply
  6. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    Vanessa–I love it! And I’m just swooning over those amazing chairs. Great job–enjoy it!!

    Reply
  7. Carol Reddin says

    July 21, 2014 at 7:39 AM

    It is a beautiful deck! Love sitting on the very comfortable chairs watching my grandchildren! Mom

    Reply
  8. Sonya Barker ~At Home with The Barkers says

    July 21, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    Such a gorgeous makeover! We are doing those deck repairs currently and I am ohhing an ahhing over yours. That table is perfect. Enjoy it ~Sonya

    Reply
  9. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    July 21, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    The deck is gorgeous and I agree, the new table and chairs are stunning. I totally love them.

    Reply
  10. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:07 AM

    Love the new deck! Beautiful combination of colors! I’m pinning!
    Leslie

    Reply
  11. Barbara Ann says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    Love it all. Have a great summer on your new deck. But can you share where you got your chairs to the patio set? It would go perfect with some of my pieces..thank you
    Barbara Ann http://Www.etsy.com/shop/ barbaraannscreations

    Reply
  12. Cheryl Ann says

    July 21, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    Very pretty…the black adds so much! Good job! Cheryl Ann

    Reply
  13. Denise and Lesley says

    July 21, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    Vanessa, the deck is absolutely beautiful! Yes, such a difference using the composite material. So worth the wait! Your photos are gorgeous as well! We loved spending time with Heather at Haven. Hope to see you soon!

    Reply
  14. Kim says

    July 21, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    Oh, I love it Vanessa. I hope we can do something some day to ours.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:15 PM

      Thanks Kim!

      Reply
  15. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 21, 2014 at 12:36 PM

    Oh you and your family must be so happy to sit out there and enjoy your beautiful new deck and furniture…A great choice in the furniture..I would want to sit out there every morning and evening to begin and end the day enjoying the “new outdoor room”….

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:15 PM

      Thank you Shirley! We are definitely trying to enjoy it as much as we can before our Oregon rain returns! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    July 21, 2014 at 1:11 PM

    It looks wonderful, Vanessa! It was well worth waiting for. Love the dining set, too.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:15 PM

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply
  17. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:11 PM

    Love it!!! Looks wonderful 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:14 PM

      Thanks girl!

      Reply
  18. Heather says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:50 PM

    Wow – love that new decking and your new dining set is gorgeous!! Love your outdoor space Vanessa!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:14 PM

      Thanks so much Heather! Wish you could come over for a drink! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    July 22, 2014 at 6:10 AM

    Hi Vanessa, The new deck looks wonderful and I love the deck furniture! Enjoy your new space.
    xx,
    Sherry

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:13 PM

      Thank you so much Sherry!

      Reply
  20. Lisa @ Before Meets After says

    July 22, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    ohhh I love it! We are saving for a new deck too. I’d love to do the composite, but I’m not sure if that’s going to be in our budget. Our deck is so big that I can’t even imagine how much it’s going to cost! Yours is beautiful and I love all the new plants underneath too!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 4:13 PM

      Thanks Lisa! We were actually considering extending the deck until we got the estimate for that. LOL! Keeping it the same footprint definitely kept it within our budget!

      Reply
  21. martina says

    July 22, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    Vanessa your new deck is beautiful!! LOVE the color you chose for the floor and love those rails…your new table and chairs are beautiful too!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2014 at 6:07 PM

      Thank you so much Martina!

      Reply
  22. Jessica Griffin says

    July 23, 2014 at 9:11 AM

    This is beautiful in every way, Vanessa. As always, a lovely choice of colors and design.
    I hear you about the Thomas Trains. I can’t bear to give Will’s away!
    Hugs xoxo

    Reply
  23. wicker outdoor furniture Fort Lauderdale says

    July 25, 2014 at 5:05 AM

    I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!

    Reply
  24. Michelle Paige says

    July 29, 2014 at 4:05 PM

    So Beautiful! Love the columns. Enjoy!

    Reply
  25. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    I LOVE it!! I would never come inside! lol What a fantastic makeover. xo

    Reply
  26. Jonni Hecker says

    April 5, 2016 at 12:44 PM

    Hi, I love your deck. You did a fantastic job. I’m considering doing something similar to the back of my house and wondering if you’ve experienced any fading. Or any other side effects. In other words, are you still loving it?

    Thanks, Jonni

    Reply
  27. Leila says

    May 29, 2017 at 9:24 AM

    Hi – I stumbled across your blog from a picture of your deck on pinterest. I love it and am considering the same color scheme for our replacement deck. Do you recall what railing system you used?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  28. Judith Newman says

    August 1, 2017 at 6:00 AM

    I love the deck chairs. Can you tell me who makes them?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 1, 2017 at 7:18 AM

      Hi Judith! These were purchased at Home Depot a couple of years ago. 🙂

      Reply
  29. Catherine J. Evans says

    September 7, 2017 at 5:04 PM

    We are about to have 2 decks built after our old ones were destroyed by toppling trees. I see you used composite decking but am interested to know what materials your balusters, rails and posts are? I have looked at many, probably hundreds of photos of decks in preparation for our build but yours is the absolute, hands down, most unique design I have seen. I am seriously thinking of changing our plan which is black metal balusters with cedar rails to an all black design like yours. I LOVE IT!

    Reply
  30. Dixie says

    April 2, 2018 at 5:56 PM

    I keep coming back to this railing. Would you mind sharing what the maker is for this railing and the specific name?

    Reply
  31. michelle molitor says

    May 7, 2018 at 10:56 AM

    Hello!
    Can you please tell me the brand and color of decking you used? I love it! I need to make a decision on my own deck asap! How has it held up? Any fading or warping?
    Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 7, 2018 at 1:29 PM

      Hi Michelle! We used Azek Decking materials which is similar to Trex decks. The color we went with is called Walnut Grove and the railing is also from Azek as well. The only fading we have noticed is just a slight difference where our rug is next to the sliding glass doors. They have a great website with lots of options!

      Reply
      • michelle molitor says

        May 7, 2018 at 2:52 PM

        Thanks so much!!

        Reply
        • At The Picket Fence says

          May 9, 2018 at 1:09 PM

          Hi Michelle! Sorry I’m just now getting back to you but I finally have those colors for you. We used Sherwin Williams paint and the main body of the house is painted in a color called Cobblestones and the trim is painted in Alley Gravel. Hope that helps!

          Reply
  32. Fernanda Shamanis says

    June 20, 2018 at 4:32 PM

    I love the table and chairs. We are looking for chairs like this. Did you purchase this as a set? Can we buy the chairs separately?

    Reply
  33. Maggie says

    October 28, 2018 at 9:39 AM

    Love, love, love your deck. I wondered if you could share the dimensions. Would love to get a better idea of what fits on a deck of this size. Thank you.

    Reply

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