Happy Wednesday everyone. It’s still winter here in Calgary, and we’ve got a long way to go until it’s over, until it’s spring.
But nevertheless, I can’t help myself…..thoughts of spring are still rolling through my mind. I came across this fabulous piece from Houzz, as I subscribe to their email. It’s a wonderful article about “backyard retreats” and I so wanted to share it with you. You can find it here.
I’m particularly fond of the last little retreat, #8 – the one that looks more like an English cottage than a backyard shed. Which one is your favourite? (Leave me a comment at the end of my blog about which backyard retreat is your favourite and you could win a beautiful fabric bundle, coordinated to Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018 – Ultraviolet. More on this later.)
Who wouldn’t love one of these little “outbuildings” in their backyard? Here in Calgary, though, because of our climate, it would likely only be warm enough to work outside from May through October ish; and even then you’d NEED a baseboard heater of some kind. I often imagine – stitching and writing and sewing in that little gem for six months of the year! Wouldn’t that be lovely?
But, besides the weather, there’s one teensy tiny other issue. Our backyard is filled with critters like him:
And mice, that I never see. I know they are there because I feed the birds and mice love freefall birdseed.
Would all these critters want to move into my little backyard retreat with me? Would I have to share it with backyard vermin? Would I find mice nestling in my bundles of fabric? Ewwwww!
THAT would definitely send me screaming and scrambling back to the safe confines of our house, never to enter my lovely shed again. In my dreams, vermin do not exist!
So, take a minute to look at the Houzz.com piece and tell me which is your favourite backyard retreaet. You could very well win a lovely bundle of fabrics, photos of which I will share with you all soon.
Take good care of yourself. Talk again soon.
Kim
luv all the birds!!
I love the look of #3, and the purpose behind #8
5. Fairy-tale cottage fulfills my childhood love of all the stories I treasured growing up. I learned a lot of morals, values, and principals while visiting faraway lands and cultures through these writings. This retreat represents a ‘living dollhouse’ to me where all my childhood wonders could come to life.
Oh my goodness Julia! What a beautiful comment…I love the way you relate to these little retreats. Thank you so very much for taking the time to comment.
Wow, my favorite is #7. Cozy art studio
Kim can we have the outside of 1 and inside of another? I would love to have #5 FairyTale cottage in my back yard so I can look out my window and dream. But I would love the interior of #7 as a great work space.
Yippee! Of course you can have that Marilyn….anything you want. Thanks so much for your great comment.
I love the #7 retreat for the reason that is had lots of great natural light and a spacious countertop for many projects! Doesn’t get better than that!
Thank you Mary. It’s so wonderful that you took the time to leave me a comment. Really appreciated.
I think #7 Cozy Art Studio would make a great quilter’s get away.
Okay so maybe, I like 7 because of the very clean exterior lines, but my heart LOVES #8. It is so very welcoming.
It is Yvonne! So, sweet. Thanks for your comment.
I loved #7 Cozy Art Studio. The light and space would be fantastic for quilting.
I’d choose #7 I love the idea of a small quilt studio. I could work there all season long (with A/C and a heater)
While I love the look of your favorite #8, I think I would want #7 because of all the light from the Windows. Actually, any of them would be a fun little retreat to have in my backyard. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win.
Hey Debbie! Yes, any of them would be a lovely addition to one’s backyard. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.
Number 7 is my favorite! I would love to have my own space to sew, but right now I sew in the dining area of our house.
One day Verna, you will have your own dedicated space for your lovely quilting. Thank you so much for your comment.
Hi Kim
I am partial to #6 the rustic guest cabin. It looks cozy and welcoming to me. Love the veranda.
I lobe. Number 6. It would be perfect in my backyard and make a great little hide away for my quilting.
Fantastic article and those little Houzzes are fantastic. I’ve narrowed my choices down to two – #3 The Kitted-Out Caravan – this would allow me to use space to sew in or have a guest house for family/friends. The second is #7 – the Cozy Art Studio. With high desert climate we have, I don’t know if I could use it ALL winter without some amenities but I really like it. Thanks for the wonderful view of these cozy little backyard hideouts.
Hey Rochelle! Nice to hear your “voice” again. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment.
I would love #6 bc it looks like the perfect place for my daughter and her husband to stay when they visit. I would have the grandkids all to myself to spoil and my daughter and her husband could enjoy some alone time.
Oh my goodness! I never thought of that benefit Amy. Yes, you could have the grandkids all to yourself. Thank you so much for your input.
My favorite would be #7 Cozy art studio because my quilts are my art
Me too Anna. My quilts are my art as well. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Number 7 it has lots of light
I think the craft studio with a porch (#1) is the perfect mix of work and relaxation. When you need a break from the crafting, you can head out to the front porch to relax. I definitely wouldn’t mind having one of those in my back yard!
It’s so beautiful JR.
#7 The Art Studio would be perfect. I agree that they aren’t very practical for us in most of Canada due to our long winters but it always nice to dream.
That’s exactly it Kim. It’s the dream of it all. Thank you so much for leaving me a comment.
Love your blog and all your free projects.
I would love to have #8 Little house.
Hi Kim! Thank you for sharing this article with us. I love #7 because of all the light. It would definitely need heating and air conditioning, but so does my basement studio space that I use now.
Hey Sharon! Lovely to hear from you. I also use my basement for a studio. It’s warm and cozy, but sometimes I long to be working outside. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment.
My basement doesn’t have AC or heat, so I use a wall heater and portable heaters to warm it up. With sub-zero temps the past few days I’ve stayed upstairs and put together a puzzle. I can hear my fabric calling me though!
Kim, not sure if this is where you want part 2 but this is where the link took me.
As much as I don’t particularly like green and love purple I would drop the purple because I would want that beautiful ultraviolet to stand out. OK I would probably drop the green too lol.
I would have to go with #8. All the light would be great and still a little space right out the door to think about the next project!
I want to go to Back to Nature retreat lodge. Only 1 hour from NW Calgary. They are only 2 years old but look like they are a great place to stay and enjoy nature.
Michelle – where is Back to Nature retreat lodge? I’d love to try it out.
I love the one with the 2 blue birds. it looks like it would make an awesome attic windows panel
7. Cozy art studio. Clean and bright! Perfect for being creative!
Hi, I love #8 for how pretty and welcoming it is but I love all the counter space in #7(good for quilters, lol).
Cozy art studio looks so (or should I say, SEW) appealing! Can just imagine the creativity a space like that would foster. Flooded with sunshine and yet close to nature. Ah, to dream!
I like # 7. Lots of light!
Great information and really informative blog. I love the little house.
Kim Laniuk
I love the #7 cozy art studio. As n Albertan myself I understand the cold weather being an issue, and as a farmer in the country I also understand the vermin problem I not only know about Mice I see them all the time scurrying around the farm..A quilting studio would be no place for Mice for sure. We can always dream of our own back yard oasis. Thanks for the article and let me dream for a while.
Terry, a kindred spirit for sure! Thank you so much for your input. I love it.
I love the garden living room. Number 8. The french doors opening up into nature is so divine.
I would eliminate the yellow group of fabrics as I really like the softer more pastel look of the other 3 groupings.
It’s getting to be a consensus! The yellow fabrics do not fit in.
7. Cozy art studio. would be my favorite, because of all the natural light. I’m getting to the age I need as much light as I can get. Thanks for showing us the web site with the fun back yard fun.
Oh my gosh Jenelle – me too! I need so much light now. Thank you so much for your comment.
I would leave out the yellow.
Kim this comment is about the fabric you showed on your Facebook page. I wouldn’t include the two yellow prints or the green and pink that have yellow in the pattern. I really like the purples and greens and might try just using those two colors.
I’m probably doing this wrong but I can’t find a blog place to comment on Stage Two so here it is. I would leave out the Yellow – just a bit too harsh for my tastes.
Amelia – you did it completely correctly. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. Yellow is out!
Commenting on the fabric choices for the ultra violet quilt, I like the look of the blue and purple fabrics the most. So pretty! My least favorite is the yellow “shoe” fabric. I can see the colors in it and they play well, but the print seems so different than the others in the line up.
Either way, beautiful fabric choices, and it will make a pretty quilt!
So JR, the shoe print is out!
#1 for me. Only I may spend more time reading on the porch than creating inside. Especially in the summer. I’m also in Calgary but I’m sure these could be insulated and heated. Maybe a small pellet heater in the corner?
Hey Dana! Yes, I’m sure you’re right – the little unit could be insulated and properly heated. Thank you so much for your comment.
Definitely #1 for me. Would love to take breaks from my art on that porch.
Yes..Sheila to sit on that porch! It’s like a dream I think.
I love the Craft Studio with a porch and would incorporate the beautiful light from the Cozy Art Studio. That would be a great combination!
Love #8, the Garden house. You would have a lot of light and flowers too.
You would Janet. It would be an exceptional little “add” to one’s backyard. Thank you so much for your comment.
Dana Vankoughnett Burgess I would for sure keep the shoes! Love that fabric. All these are lovely together but I would likely take out the purple second from the right (the colour looks a bit dull) I like the blue (fourth from the left in the purple pile) but might relegate it to sashing or binding.
I love the cozy art studio. It’s the perfect place to quilt. A little sanctuary right in the backyard.
I think that the yellow should be the one not used.
I think I would take out one of the pinks. Pretty much love the combo. Thanks.
Number 1 is perfect. The porch just makes the indoor space more inviting, but offers a place to unwind and enjoy the outdoors during a soft rain, or starlit night.
Sounds wonderful Vicki. Thanks so much for your comment.
I love #2 the hot tub would be great for me as I have fibromyalgia and a spinal disease.
Yes a hot tub would work well Starr!
I would remove the greens I love the pinks and the purples, the yellows would make them pop a lot
So, Starr, you would remove the teal colours – the turquoise? I love the pinks and purples too and maybe a little yellow would do the job.
I want #5 the Fairy Tale cottage, but I would DEFINITELY paint it light teal with a pink door and purple trim and roof! And a fluffy shag rug inside! I’d use it to meditate, I already have my perfect studio! 😉
Meryl Ann! We are so on the same page. You’ve painted a beautiful picture.
I looove the cozy art studio, but I’m head over heels for the garden living room!!! Wouldn’t we have fun having tea & chattering about quilts & such!!
Yes we would Lori! I can picture that now….so sweet.
Hi Kim, I am just now seeing your blog. There are soooo many beautiful retreats to choose from. But I am from Texas. So I am partial to my State. So I am going to have to choose the Big beautiful Texas Guesthouse Big Style Retreat with the Swimming Pool! Yes the Swimming Pool. And you are welcome to come at anytime.