Renovation
fromApartment Therapy
13 hours agoAn "Unusable" Backyard Is Now a Cozy, Year-Round Outdoor Sanctuary
A new pergola transformed a backyard into a cozy outdoor movie night spot and family gathering area.
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I'd see moms wearing jewelry with their kids' initials or birthstones and dream of the day I'd get my own. When my kids were in preschool, I'd make a holiday wish list of things I thought would help me up my mom game, like a stand mixer or a fancy sewing machine. My elementary-aged kids may have wanted the latest video game or baby doll, but I asked for spa gift certificates and expensive new boots.
Our entire family sits down to have a meal together several times a week. We ask each other questions, find out what's going on in our kids' lives, and share funny stories. Though mealtime can sometimes be chaotic, with bickering and typical exhaustion, we also relish in the limited opportunities we have to sit, face-to-face, and share a meal. We also have some family time on Sunday mornings, attending church together, and the occasional Friday night, where we can watch a movie.