Happy Thursday, friends!
You guys, today is Mades’ last day of school!
We go this morning for the awards ceremony and then as of noon, we will officially have the first Shull in SUMMER MODE!
Goodness, I’m so happy about this.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a little backyard blog post, so today, I thought I’d just share a bunch of random yard pics in honor or this kid…
…heading into summer break 🙂 .
I share the inside of my home during the fall and holiday season, but the backyard gets a little attention come May.
I would like to take all the credit for how lovely our backyard is but…Andrew gets all the credit, and I get to enjoy it. #winning
If you want the all the specifics details, make sure you check out my 25 KEYS TO MAINTAINING OUR YARD.
Here are some pictures (with just a few captions) from our backyard this year…
…come on out!
In full transparency, I bought a new rug from Pottery Barn in March and they keep pushing back the delivery date. Urg. As soon as my new rug is down, I’ll share a pic.
We eat dinner out here almost every single night, and I’ve been working out here several days this month too. I LOVE being outside!
All of my pillows are either from Wayfair or Pottery Barn.
We watch TV out here as much as we can too.
This year, we replaced the patio chairs…
…here were the original ones, and here…
…are the new ones. I bought them at Restoration Hardware.
It wouldn’t be May without my two floating friends…
We have loved the addition of the pool loungers this season too!
The plastic Adirondack chairs from Home Depot are my favorite backyard purchase. These chairs are light, indestructible, don’t fade, and really comfy!
And that’s a little backyard tour 2026 Edition.
If you’re like us and enjoying outdoor entertaining, make sure you also check out my 25 KEYS TO OUTDOOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING post too!
Cheers to backyard season, friends! (And cheers to last days of school too!)
I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Elspeth Mizner says
Such a beautiful oasis! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Diane Moore says
It’s my granddaughter’s last day, too. She will be join her little brother here with me two days a week again. I’ve missed her.
Your yard looks beautiful. I can understand wanting to be out there as much as you can. I love to be outside, but my flowers don’t do as well as Andrew’s 😉
maureen says
Do you leave your two blow up floats in your pool all season long?
Mix and Match Mama says
We leave them out until we head to Nantucket for the summer. They make me in particular really happy 🙂 .
Katherine Darlington says
you should do a post on your parent’s backyard!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s like a park!
Pamela G says
Just beautiful!!! We have a pool as well and I was wondering if Andrew has any tricks for having flowers/planters around pool? We live in Florida and when we have torrential rain (which is quite often), I always end up with dirt from my planters everywhere including in the pool. Just curious…thank you for sharing
Mix and Match Mama says
That happens sometimes here too. When it does, we (and by we, let’s be real, I mean HE) clean it with the scooper thing and then the pool vac sucks it up.
Paula Hobbs says
The backyard is stunning! There’s really only a few reasons to ever go inside at the Shull house!! Cheers to the last day of school for Mades!!!
Sarah DeWald says
Looks so beautiful! Do you have to take everything inside every night or do you leave it set up? I’m afraid weather would ruin my cushions so I bring them in and out every day.
Mix and Match Mama says
I leave it out! We pull the cushions in when we pack up for the summer for Nantucket (and then put it back when we return in August), and then other than the four loungers by the pool, we keep everything up year around. Around November-ish, we pull the lounger cushions in until spring. They’re all made for outdoor weather, so they really do last a long time.
Beth says
Your backyard looks beautiful. I like the new chairs too!
Patti K says
Your backyard looks so peaceful, I would be back there every day, all day long!! Are there walking trails in the woods behind your house? What a gorgeous place to live!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you! Where our property ends, it backs up to someone else’s. The trails you see are ours through our yard.
Sheaffer says
The backyard looks incredible!
Erin says
What is on the other side? I’m curious about the path I see!
Mix and Match Mama says
We have a fire pit area with chairs, we have turf and athletic equipment…and just more of our property.
Josie says
Do you still have/ use your batting cage and firepit?
Mix and Match Mama says
We sold the batting cage equipment and now, it has football tackling things inside on the turf (a sled, some sort of tackling dummy looking thing…IDK the proper terms, but Smith is out there all the time). We use the firepit a lot in the fall and winter!
Margie says
Your yard looks really cozy and inviting. Do you have any tips for keeping flies off of the food? When hosting, do you keep food inside or outside? The fly thing drives me nuts and guests need to go in and out of course but then flies get in the house. I’ve got these table spinning fan things from Amazon but curious if you have other ideas. I tried blowing a fan right at the sliding door entrance to the house and that seemed to work?? One of my guests looked cold though 😩😂🫣
Mix and Match Mama says
We use those table spinning things from Amazon! We have about four or five and put them on the table. That’s the best solution we’ve found. I lol at your last sentence!
Allison says
It’s beautiful, be right over!!!
Frances Ryals says
Your backyard is perfection!! I would be doing all the things outside, too! Thank you for sharing!
Patty Anderson says
What do you do with all of the things you’ve replaced? Your backyard is gorgeous. I’d love to vacation there, lol!
Mix and Match Mama says
We use the pillows until they’re too gross to re-use. A friend of ours wanted our patio chairs. 🙂
Ari says
How does Andrew manage to keep the patio furniture so clean?! Here in AZ, anything on our patio gets sooo dusty. I try to get out there with a blower at least once a week, but I feel like I need to be washing chair cushions and power washing the travertine daily, haha.
Mix and Match Mama says
He blows off the patio every single morning. It’s one of his “daily chores” (you can take the boy off the farm…). Every spring, he removes the covers from all of the cushions and washes them with bleach and then lays them out to dry and then we put them back on.
Wendy Aguillard says
Love love love your backyard! Where did you get the rug under the table? I bought rugs last year and don’t like them. 🙁
Mix and Match Mama says
Pottery Barn…but it’s not current.
Elizabeth Hadley says
WHERE DID YOU GET THE FLAMINGO??? I need it!
Mix and Match Mama says
Amazon 🙂
Carol says
Beautiful backyard! Question. Did you have a pool when your kiddos were young? If so, did you have a pool gate? What safety features do you recommend? We’ve toyed with the idea of a pool, but I worry about the grand kids and safety.
Mix and Match Mama says
We built the pool when we built the house (12 years ago this month!). We’ve always had very high locks on all of the exterior doors, chimes and alarms when doors are open (it still says “exterior door open” when you open one), and for a time, we had one of those pool alarm things.
Rebecca says
Any idea where your chaise loungers outside of the pool are from? Would you recommend them? Is there enough cushion? Have they lasted years? I tried to search your blog and couldn’t find them, but I appreciate all your tagging!!
I just tried your cherry cobbler last night (found it easily from your tags having bought the ingredients a bit ago)! It was a hit!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re Restoration Hardware! We have had them YEARS. The cushion covers come off easily and we wash them every year at the beginning of the season. They are fabulous!
Anna says
Do y’all struggle with mosquitos?! We do even when the companies come spray!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re not great here, but I know there is a mosquito spectrum.
Lisa C in Richardson says
Your backyard looks like a wonderful place to chill. How do you deal with mosquitoes when you’re on your patio? I love our patio but those mosquitoes are a nuisance!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh I hate mosquitoes. Sigh. They typically stay down closer to the creek in our yard and don’t often come up by the patio. We have a company come spray monthly…it helps but doesn’t eliminate them. Mosquitoes are terrible.
Kerry says
Such an inviting and relaxing space! I live in the CO Rockies, so our weather is way too extreme for outdoor TVs, but I’m fascinated by (and jealous of) climates where they can work! I’ve always understood how you protect the one on your porch, but hadn’t noticed the one under your office facing the pool. How do you protect that when you do have rainstorms (or your occasional snow/hail/sleet event)?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s covered by the balcony above, so it stays really protected.
Kerry says
Cool! It’s so wild to me that that’s enough. Wind/snow blows sideways here from all directions so we could never get away with that. Very jealous!
Dana J says
Love your backyard…looks so inviting!! Do you have any links to any of the patio furniture? I love your table and chairs!!
Mix and Match Mama says
It is all from Restoration Hardware!
Kristen says
Here in New England our pool season is only two months, lol. I wish I could put floats in most of the year and keep furniture out. I have to savor it.. it’s such a quick season for us!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
You have the most beautiful backyard! I love being outside when my fountain is on. It’s so peaceful! I bet your backyard sounds amazing with your fountain and pool fountains!
Paula Hobbs says
Do you have a poolside bathroom? I can’t believe I never thought about that until today. I love that the grill area is away from everything. Very well planned out.
Mix and Match Mama says
We do! And THANK YOU!
Terry says
Your backyard is lovely – looks like the place to be! Perfect for your family and friends! The patio is especially great with all the seating and a place to get out of the sun for a bit. Very resort-like! Thank you Shay for sharing with us!
Karen in VA says
Shay,
Stunning back yard. Andrew did an amazing job and please thank him for all his hard work. It really has paid off. Thanks for sharing!!
Lori R says
Our schools are done next Thursday. I love your new patio chairs!
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re almost to the finish line!
Mer says
Link to the Nantucket coffee table book please?
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh gosh, it’s an oldie. It might still be on Amazon though!
Kate says
I would never be inside!