A Timeless Renovation, Part One: Backyard Makeover
Written by Michelle Adams, Photographed by Marta Xochilt Perez
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Lonny editor Michelle Adams shares how she gave her tired yard a resort-inspired upgrade.
Michelle’s Inspiration:
Grand Hotel
Our family has vacationed on Mackinac Island since I was a child. The island’s historic Grand Hotel, decorated by Carleton Varney, is famous for its front porch—the longest in the world at some 660 feet—and its design, heavy on Chippendale style furniture, geraniums and green stripes.
Blackberry Farm
I’ve long admired Blackberry Farm, a resort in the Great Smoky Mountains set on a 4,200-acre farm. The tranquil setting and iconic crossbuck fence served as inspiration for our home.
When my husband and I purchased our new home in the spring of 2022, we made the decision to live on-site during construction in an effort to save money and attempt to feel settled. We set up our home in our walk-out basement and quickly realized that the best place to escape the loud noise and construction chaos was in our backyard. So, by default, our yard immediately became my design focus (obsession, really) as it was a big blank canvas where we spent all our time.
One of the features that attracted us to this property was, in fact, the yard, as our home backs up to a beautiful wetland area. Since the wetlands can’t be built on, the views are spectacular year-round, and the setting feels serene. The landscaping and pool, however, left a lot to be desired. So, in June of 2022, I embarked on a season-long project to transform our outdoor space.
Fence
To get started, my first priority was to keep our dogs safe by fencing in our yard. For inspiration, I looked to Blackberry Farm, a resort in the Great Smoky Mountains that has a pond which resembles ours and a white crossbuck fence that’s used throughout the property. After a great deal of hunting for a similar fence (and a few scary-high quotes from local contractors), I stumbled upon this option from Vinyl Fence Wholesaler. To keep our pups safely inside our yard, we attached chicken wire to the back of the fence, which is thin enough that it isn’t visible from the house.
Next up, I could hardly wait to replace the existing chain-link pool fence. Our city requires pools to be completely enclosed in a four-foot-tall fence that can’t be climbed from the outside, which meant that our crossbuck style wouldn't suffice and that we'd, in fact, need two fences in one space. This presented a design challenge, since a double fence line could look awkward and busy, so I knew I wanted our pool fence to have a minimalist design. With some research, I found a style that I loved by a fantastic brand called Walpole Outdoors. Since it was out of our budget, I picked up a truckload of cedar from a local lumberyard and had our landscaper build something similar. We installed green-coated wire mesh on the outside of the fence so that it couldn't be climbed, which conveniently disappears at a distance, just like the chicken wire.
Landscaping
To help block the view of the double fence line and add a bit of privacy in the pool, we planted a row of arborvitae along two sides of the pool, just in front of the fence line. On the third side, I chose to add a bit of height with some Apollo maple trees, which turn a spectacular orange in the fall. Our landscaper also lined the pool with a row of pea gravel and black mulch to help define the space, and we added hydrangeas and boxwoods along the fourth side of the pool to dress up the main entrance. During the long winter months, the arborvitae and boxwoods remain green, which is another reason I chose them. After everything was planted, we installed drip lines to ensure that our new plantings would survive our hot Michigan summers.
Outdoor Furniture
When choosing outdoor furniture, there were several practical considerations I wanted to keep in mind:
Uniform Look
The pool can be seen from most rooms in our home, so it was important to me that our outdoor furniture look cohesive. While I’m certainly not a fan of furniture sets indoors, I tend to break that rule when it comes to the outdoors. Matching outdoor furniture and repetition of pieces, such as chaise lounges and umbrellas, can lend a resort feel, especially by a pool.
Timeless Design
As with the rest of our home, I wanted to be sure the furniture I chose for our pool had timeless appeal. I also loved the idea of making our pool look and feel like a classic resort, which made me think about the summer vacations I’ve spent with my family on Mackinac Island. The island’s famous Grand Hotel, decorated by Carleton Varney, has an eclectic mix of Chippendale-style furniture, red geranium patterns, and bold stripes. My search for a similar look led me to the Calcutta collection designed by John Caldwell for Brown Jordan. The collection’s Chippendale-inspired design and green finish echoed the Grand Hotel’s aesthetic and paired nicely with the hotel’s geranium and stripe motifs. Add in a few umbrellas, and we had ourselves a backyard resort! What’s more, the Chippendale style has been popular since the Eighteenth Century, so I knew I wasn’t investing in a fleeting trend.
Comfort
Beyond the visual aspect, comfort was important, and the Calcutta collection delivered. The chaise is easy to adjust, and the cushions are firm and good for long-term sitting. Admittedly, I’m typing this from a chaise right now... I’ve essentially moved my office poolside for the summer! Likewise, the collection’s 36” round bistro table has become my go-to spot for Zoom calls (on which everyone assumes I must either have a fake background or I’m dialing in from a resort).
Weight & Quality
We live in an area that often has powerful storms with high winds, so it was important to me to find outdoor furniture that wouldn’t blow around the patio or into the pool. I was drawn to the Calcutta collection since it’s made of high-quality cast aluminum and the pieces are substantial. (The chaise lounges weigh 63.5 lbs each! But don’t worry, they have wheels.) During a recent tornado, our furniture held its ground. (Now if only our power would come back on…) Similarly, the sturdy HexWood Contract Umbrellas and 95-pound umbrella stand offer stable sun protection on windy days.
Nature’s Palette
In an effort to keep our pool and yard feeling serene, I chose furniture in a shade of green to complement the trees and chose white umbrellas, cushions, and a white fence to mimic the puffy clouds overhead.
Without further ado, I’m excited to share the reveal!
Before & After
From left to right: Calcutta Adjustable Chaise With Wheels in Bay Leaf finish with cushions in Sea Salt, Calcutta 20" Round Cast Top Occasional Table in Bay Leaf, HexWood Contract Umbrella 8' Hexagon in Sea Salt, and Standard Umbrella Stand with Wheels for 2" Pole - 95 Lb in Chalk.
Cast bamboo patterns add subtle texture to the seat and back, while tapered legs and a lower x-stretcher continue the exotic bamboo pattern.
Our property backs up to wetlands, giving our neighborhood spectacular views year-round.
A previously unused space has now become our go-to spot for breakfast, as well as the occasional Zoom call.
The table’s basketweave pattern creates charming sun dapples throughout the day.
The Calcutta Arm Chair is my favorite piece in the collection, with a design that looks great from every angle. The chairs and accompanying Bistro Table would also work well indoors as a breakfast table.
The view from our living room. Because our pool is the focal point from most windows in our home, it was important for our furniture design to be streamlined and cohesive, and for the double fence line to be minimized by landscaping.
Get The Look
