The 13-Year Itch: Our Pool Deck Evolution
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If you have been following along with our house remodel, you know that some projects happen in a weekend, and others… well, others take over a decade. Our backyard falls firmly into the second category.
The Real Thorn in My Side: The Decking
We originally had cool deck…which sounds great in theory for the desert heat. In reality, we redid it twice. Twice! And no matter what we did, it just kept cracking and chipping. It felt like we were constantly patching a sinking ship.
The Big Pivot: Travertine
This year, we finally decided to stop throwing good money after bad. Instead of a third round of cool deck repairs, we splurged on travertine. I am already in love with the decision. Not only does it elevate the whole look of the backyard to that organic, high-desert aesthetic I am obsessed with, but it’s incredibly low maintenance. No more scanning the ground for new cracks every morning.
The Furniture Refresh
With the floor finally looking sophisticated, the “inherited” furniture was officially ready for retirement. I managed to score some incredibly reasonable pool loungers at a local outdoor shop (which, sadly, has since gone out of business—RIP to a real one).
For the cushions, I wanted to find that perfect balance between personality and longevity. We went with Sunbrella fabric in a subtle pop of color. It is enough to feel intentional and bright, but neutral enough that I can swap out my accent pillows whenever the mood strikes without a full design crisis.
And of course, no pool day is complete without a few practical finds. I recently added those floating wine glasses I shared on social—they are officially my favorite hostess gift that I ended up keeping for myself!
The “Slow Design” Reality
The funny thing about seeing a “finished” reveal is that it hides the messy middle. My umbrellas? Those are Costco faithfuls we have had for years. The “new” dining chairs? Resale scores from years back.
This wasn’t a one-and-done makeover; it was a 13-year project in the making. It’s a mix of high-end splurges, budget-friendly scores, and things we have simply owned forever. It’s not perfect, and it certainly wasn’t fast, but it finally feels like us.
Shop the Desert Chic Look
Curious about the specific items that made this 13-year transformation possible? You can find my favorite pool finds and furniture sources below: