This post is sponsored by Sunbrella.

This little slice of backyard heaven has been a long time in the making, but it has actually come together at the perfect time. I had my moments of discouragement — when the backyard was a literal mud pit — and it was hard to believe this day would ever come. But now that life has slowed a bit been savoring every moment of our evening swims. With the arrival of the pool furniture and cushions we have been kicking our feet up and soaking in the memories being made.

Demolition began the first week in December. These projects take so much time and some days it was hard to keep my eyes on the prize. When everything is muddy and cold, you start to wonder if it’s all going to be worth it. I can officially say… It was worth it.

This is what it looked like back in May!

Before

Before the pool was “open” in July, we ordered furnishings, dreaming of someday laying in the sun. While on the hunt, I had my eyes open for pool furniture with the perfect balance of traditional and modern. That’s my sweet spot! So I was beyond thrilled to come across classic fabric options from Sunbrella paired with Frontgate’s more traditional furniture design.

Our Dreamy Pool Furniture

Chaises | Striped Umbrellas | Umbrella Side Table

Fun fact! Chris and I have only ever had white outdoor furniture. I’m obsessed with that brilliant white in the outdoors. With so many colors in our outdoor space – our red brick house, the spa blue-green of the pool, the bluish gray stone, and green grass – I knew our pool furniture needed to be black and white. Having a visual reprieve from all the color is what really ties this all together. Before the furniture got here, it all felt really disjointed and I was actually feeling doubtful if my vision would all come together.

The moment we set it all up with the white cushions and black and white stripe umbrella, it immediately transformed into a resort.

I so badly wish you could come lay in one of these lounge chairs for yourself. You can tell just from sitting on it that this fabric is high-quality, long-lasting–the secret sauce of material if you will. I went with the Sunbrella Rain Sailcloth Salt fabric. It’s the perfect soft white, but they have so many colors and patterns to choose from. The Sunbrella fabric is also stain-resistant so whatever option you choose is going to hold up to the test of time.

This fabric is somehow magic, I swear. I’ve been a bit nervous because September in North Carolina is rainy!!! And we don’t have any pool furniture covers yet so I wasn’t sure how these cushions would hold up… But let me tell you, it’s been raining almost every day and somehow these cushions aren’t sopping wet. They’re weather resistant and they are literally repelling all the rain we’ve been getting. I don’t know how it works but it works. We plan to get some covers for the winter months, but I’ve been resting easy at night knowing nothing’s getting ruined.

Black and White Striped Umbrellas

The Resort Stripe Black and White Umbrellas, also made with Sunbrella fabric, really tie this whole vision together. I love that they add so much height and character to the pool area. My favorite detail is actually the Endura-Teak finish of the pole. It adds so much warmth, and the pole itself is aluminum with a faux wood finish for a teak that won’t patina over time. For a 9-foot umbrella it’s surprisingly easy to crank open and close, so I’m popping them open whenever we’re out there. Luckily the fabric is fade-proof so that black will stay true for years to come.

Also, am I the last person to know about these side table, umbrella stands? It’s so nice to be able to lounge around with a place to set your mocktail. Couldn’t have dreamed up anything better than this.

A Gathering Place

Sofa | Oversized Loungers | Ottomans | Coffee Table

On the other side of the pool I really wanted to take advantage of the space and implement a gathering area. Having additional seating to sit around and chat is ideal for anybody who loves to host. Eventually (hopefully next year?) we plan to remove that interior fireplace and put in a big arched window. I think that will make a really beautiful backdrop to this cozy outdoor scene. The Carlisle Sofa comfortably seats three and we went with the same Sunbrella Rain Sailcloth Salt fabric. Really comfy and quality material.

Chris and I are cozied up on the Oversized Cuddle Loungers and wow are they nice. They have these cute curved arm rest cushions that add so much comfort and charm. There’s no bad seat in the house (or the outdoors?) because no matter where you’re sitting, there’s a place to kick up your feet and relax with the matching ottomans, all in the matching Sunbrella Rain Sailcloth Salt fabric. Remember, this is a backyard retreat so everybody’s getting comfy!

Bringing in the round, modern shaped coffee table was a great way to repeat the umbrella shape and connect everything together. I couldn’t be more thrilled with this space!

The Backyard of Our Dreams

You can really see the magic of this backyard from this upstairs window view. It’s just perfection how the black and white flows effortlessly throughout the yard. It’s almost like I planned it that way ;) From the black Adirondack chairs around the fire-pit to the Sunbrella cushions, to the black chaise lounges, to the striped umbrellas, all the way over to the black outdoor kitchen… It’s the perfect balance and contrast with the colorful outdoors.

Here’s the same view back in May!

Before

When we lived in Idaho we could have never dreamed up a space like this because it’s cold for so many months out of the year. With this move we really wanted to take full advantage of the North Carolina warmth and extend our living beyond the walls of our house. We’re still wrapping up a few loose ends out here but now that the pool furniture is in place I feel like we can kick our shoes off and celebrate–cheers!

Shop Our Backyard