Botanic Bleu: Spring Deck Refresh

Warmer weather means sitting on the deck...

For morning breakfast, mid-day break from gardening, lunch plein air (outdoors), mid-afternoon nap, perusing catalogs, reading Grantchester mysteries, romantic dinners, late-night star gazing...

All of these are spring deck refresh moments that can stretch into H O U R S that exhibit French style living. Savoring every activity without rushing to the next thing on the to-do list creates moments in time for L I V I N G.

I have just about mastered the mid-afternoon nap, but need to work more on late-night star gazing.

The other kind of Spring deck refresh, French style, is to refresh the living spaces and to inject French style elements.

The old redwood bench is past refreshing. Built more than 30 years ago, the wood is rotted and beyond repair. Lots of memories about this home-built bench...

On the hillside is an old concrete bench that has a rusted spot on the top of the bench. As I looked at the old redwood bench on the deck thinking about replacing it, I wondered why I had never thought of using the concrete bench in its place.

Sometimes you just have to see things with a new perspective.

The detail on the supports add French style that I love. Moving this concrete bench to the deck has just been added to the to-do list.

One of the hallmarks of French gardening is the use of symmetry like the two concrete planters with hostas on either side of the glass-topped vintage Singer sewing machine iron base. A metal watering can and a creamy ochre clay pot on the table top add more French details.

Adding a short white limestone stone wall this Spring is another bit of French style. Things still to do include cleaning up the debris from the stonework, weeding the area, regrading the soil behind the new limestone wall, and repositioning the extension cord used for outdoor lighting.

Time for another mid-afternoon nap just thinking about all these to-do things...

Hostas thrive in the concrete pots on the deck that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. It is time to divide these plants, another thing on the to-do list.

More French details include a white urn in the living room that is visible through the window and a blue and white French script lumbar pillow for lounging on the chaise.

Sitting outside to read Country Living, UK, the only magazine subscription that still comes to my house, is one of the ways to while away the hours in living. Articles about raising animals, sustaining environmentally-friendly gardens, and spotlighting artisans of dying traditional arts are delightfully written and informative.

Part of the fun in reading this magazine is translating the British English into American English. Love that the English use the term spotty where Americans say polka dot...

Like a spotty sundress... Doesn't that phrase catch you off-guard a little? In a fun sort of way...

Plus the featured houses and decor are different from the styles seen in most American publications. A fresh take on centuries old architecture intrigues me.

A footed flower pot holds blue sage that attracts bees and butterflies.

Potting the rest of the starter plants of blue sage and cleaning the French style slatted deck chairs are also on the still-to-do list for refreshing the deck.

Another mid-day break from gardening is needed. Bring out the lemonade.

If the winter is mild, the blue sage flowers will return next year.

Adding potted topiaries on either side of the French doors of the garden house is also on the to-do list.

While there are still Spring deck refreshes, French style, to do, rest assured they are not keeping me from Spring deck refresh, French style, L I V I N G.