The Hygge Ranch Resort Preview: Furniture Shopping For Al Fresco Living
““This post is in partnership with Overstock & Safavieh because I love em & know you’ll love em too!””
Y'all... I don't have the words to even begin to put together for this post... and this ain't even a full reveal or a behind the design. For the past 6 or so months, we decided to finally cross off a major task from our exterior projects to do list - our deck!
Here's the thing... working on the deck wasn't just about the deck... it was about creating an al fresco lifestyle. This project was, first and foremost, always about bringing the hygge outside. While we'd always had a deck, because it didn't feel like an extension of our interior spaces, I didn't really appreciate or enjoy it. I would always joke that I wanna do more than just sit on a folding chair... because that was literally all I could do. And after all of the work that would go into upgrading the deck & adding a pergola + so many other details, the last thing I wanted was to resume just sitting on a folding chair. So once we made the decision to tackle this project, I simultaneously began doing what I do best - shopping!
If you can't tell by the title, this isn't a deck reveal - that's coming soon tho! - so much as it's about the hygge inspired al fresco resort lifestyle that we'd be creating by completing this deck. The deck is dope, don't get me wrong, however the lifestyle transformation is in the furnishings.
re·sort
noun
a place that is a popular destination for vacations or recreation, or which is frequented for a particular purpose.
A resort is defined as a place that's a popular destination for vacations or recreation. This is what I wanted for us - for the backyard to be our recreation destination... a hygge inspired destination.
What Is Hygge Inspired Design?
By now you should know that I have a pretty specific design ethos - hygge inspired. The Danish concept of Hygge is finding happiness in the little things & creating moments of bliss. It represents warmth, happiness, coziness, and gratitude.
Hygge isn’t a design style, it’s a lifestyle.
Hygge design elements include cozy textures, natural materials, lighting, soothing scents, and a connection to the outdoors. Because the outdoors are an innate part of a hygge-inspired design ethos, creating this kind of aesthetic outside would mean leaning into the already existing beauty of nature... then paired with what are typically interior deign elements.
Shopping Outdoor Furnishings
To bring the indoors out I leaned into 3 pillars of hygge design -
natural materials
cozy textures
greenery*
I began my shopping on the Overstock site in Autumn, planning for this very season, however also planning for a year round al fresco lifestyle.
* Note: greenery referring to plants, flowers, etc. to also compliment a hygge inspired palette
For our living area, I selected the SAFAVIEH Outdoor Living Fristal 3-Piece Living Set.
The 3-piece set - a 2-piece sectional + table - features a sleek, modern design that will compliment our new exterior design... with the slatted design & built in end tables mirroring the open design of the pergola, the all-weather eucalyptus wood construction introducing a contrasting warmth to the deck, and the crisp white cushions adding a fresh coziness associated with private beach resorts.
“Eucalyptus is a rot and water-resistant, all-weather solid wood. Natural oils found in eucalyptus make it a durable and long-lasting choice for patio furniture.”
If you've followed along with any of my designs at #thehyggeranch, then you know I always strive to create a cozy corner whenever possible. The deck deign would also have zones of with varying degrees of coziness.
Shop Safavieh Outdoor Seating
For our lounging area, I selected the SAFAVIEH Outdoor Living Newport Adjustable Lounge Chair in Black & White Stripe.
I was never a chaise girl, because I'd always associate chaise loungers with being poolside... and since we have no pool... why do we need a chaise, right? My husband & daughter, on the other hand, have always wanted one. Operative word being one. Every inspiration space I'd seen included 2 or more loungers, and for our small family who never entertains, we'd have more seating than we'd even know what to do with. So after finding very little inspiration for single loungers and/or loungers without a pool, I decided to be my own inspiration.
A chaise lounge is the perfect piece for capturing vacation vibes right at home...even if it is just the one. Be it on the deck, or eventually in another cozy corner of the yard, this particular chaise would be the perfect addition to #thehyggeranchresort and our al fresco lifestyle.
Shop Safavieh Outdoor Lounging
Also in eucalyptus wood - can you tell I have a type? - the Newport lounger features a slide-out tray for drinks, phones, or whatever else while you relax, 4 positional adjustable back for a customizable experience, and cart wheels for easy mobility to get in or out of the sun. I decided to go with the black & white stripe design for its timeless & chic appeal. This same black & white design is threaded over to the sectional set and the black & white throw pillow.
Natural Materials: CHECK!
Cozy Textures: CHECK!
Time for the greenery!
Most of what we've grown out here, for the season, isn't full grown yet... including our new lemon tree. While I know it'll take some time before it's actually bearing fruit, I knew I still wanted the look of a citrus tree... like something to look forward to ya know. Imagine my excitement when I found out that Safavieh, in addition to a multitude of other artificial plants, had artificial lemon trees! EEEK!
Adding artificial plants outdoors is not uncommon. For me, this wasn't about created more greenery for greenery sake. TO BE HONEST... we have a pretty scenic assortment to work with while we figure out our landscaping. This was a great way to introduce visual texture & a pop of color that threads back to the soft line decor elements, like the pillows. And like I said, it also allows up to visual what will eventually be the start of our citrus grove... something for our baby lemon tree to aspire to be.
Creating An Al Fresco Lifestyle
Just adding these few items to our newly completed deck has already elevated our lifestyle. Al fresco living is all about creating an outdoor oasis... an environment that invites you to spend more time outside. I now spend at least one hour outside working away from my desk, my daughter will spend hours outside switching between lounging & running, and my husband cooks about 70% of our meals now on our grill or smoker.
Having the right furniture to support this lifestyle was key in actually getting here.
Material things don't make the experiences. They only enhance them. And our new Safavieh outdoor pieces have definitely enhanced the way we view, use, and appreciate our backyard. Don't believe me? Check out my preview reel of the space... which, at the time, wasn't even complete yet! Literally from the moment we packed up this shoot, we went back to work to finishing this entire deck area! The fact that it looks and - more importantly - FEELS complete is largely because of the exceptional quality & style of our Safavieh pieces.
I've said it once... twice... and now thrice...
THIS ISN'T THE DECK REVEAL and yet if I had to stop right now & say "The Hygge Ranch Resort is Done!" I would completely stand ten toes down in that statement. We're spending more time outside - individually & as a family - we're enjoying nook & cranny of the space, and it finally feels like ours... and not just someone else's home we bought. This is the al fresco living that I envisioned for us when we put an offer in on this house - to enjoy the our exterior spaces with the same energy we enjoy our interior spaces.
Now when the girlies saw "we outside" I concur... except, I'm still at home & I love it here!
