The Hygge Ranch Resort Preview: Furniture Shopping For Al Fresco Living

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!

What's In My Cart: Garden Daydreaming & Planning The Hygge Ranch Jardin

Ya'll... this is the year I officially start gardening and I am super geeked about it. You guys have seen me talk about gardening before - both here on the blog and on Instagram - however this year work on #thehyggeranchjardin will officially begin... like with a plan. What do I mean? Up until this point the garden was (a) whatever we inherited when we bought the house or (b) a few seeds we tried out when we put out our new garden beds. There was no layout, there was seed planning... none of that. For the past 2 years now, while I have wanted to actively start gardening, other things always took precedence; however, not that we're nearing the completion of the deck reno, I feel comfortable moving forward with truly beginning #thehyggeranchjardin.

Design, ShoppingAlbie KnowsApril 16, 2023gardening, backyard, outdoor, the hygge ranch

The Hygge Ranch Backyard Update: Fences, Railings, and Decks... Oh My!

If you recall last year, I shared my plans for the hygge ranch backyard resort. Going into this new year of projects, we made a conscious decision to prioritize exterior projects. We're extremely comfortable with the current state of the home's interior, in that we wanna spend time just living in the house, not tackling projects around the house. Summer spaces are made in the Winter, so instead, we've been spending the majority of the Fall into the Winter tackling the next phase of the backyard renovation - our deck.

DesignAlbie KnowsFebruary 12, 2023the hygge ranch, sponsored post, backyard, outdoor

4 Ways To Extend Your Outdoor Season This Fall

As soon as Labor Day passes, most people take that as their cue to pack up their patios and backyards, marking that as the end of the outdoor season. By the time the calendar switches to Autumn, it's all about pumpkins and tablescaping... and while I will NEVER turn down the latter, I still have a lil more outdoor left here at the hygge ranch.

ShoppingAlbie KnowsSeptember 28, 2022fall, backyard, shopping, outdoor, overstock

Planning The Hygge Ranch Backyard Resort

After living with our backyard for a little under two (2) years, we've experienced all four seasons at least once, which gave us time to really think about what works & doesn't work. We've spent the better part of these two (2) years daydream planning our backyard and this year, we expanded our daydreaming to include our front yard. P.S. the front yard requires a lot let work which is why it's not as much of a priority - it just needs some more TLC for more curb appeal. My original iteration for the backyard design plan included a lot of the original design elements of the space. Now, a year later, a lot of the yard has changed... and so have our design priorities.

Design, ShoppingAlbie KnowsAugust 9, 2022the hygge ranch, backyard, outdoor, shopping

Shop With Me: Gardening 101

When we bought the house, we were blessed with a magnificent yard that was clearly loved. I shared all my outdoor design musings, which is all about furnishings & decor, but not the landscape. Since the first time I saw the yard, I knew I'd have my work cut out for me. Despite the anticipated work, I found myself excited to learn and to grow... pun intended. From being able to identify the plants in our yard to learning how to care for them, it's been a crash course in landscaping. The best part about learning something new — shopping!

ShoppingAlbie KnowsJune 11, 2021the hygge ranch, shopping, gardening, outdoor

Design Daydreaming: Bringing The Indoors Out

DesignAlbie KnowsMay 14, 2021outdoor, design therapy, shopping, the home depot, west elm, rejuvenation, the hygge ranch

Outdoor Entertaining Essentials

Summer is here! And whether you own or rent, live in a small space or a large estate, it’s time for some outdoor living! So often we talk about bringing the outdoors in, but now is the season for bringing the indoors out with comfortable seating and chic accents that are reminiscent of the rest of the home you’ve created.

ShoppingAlbie KnowsMay 30, 2019outdoor, summertime, decor styling, shoppingComment

Outdoor Living Shopping: Serena & Lily Summer Favorites

Memorial Day is around the corner which means summer is basically here! Right on time too, because thankfully most of the country is officially out of that weird winter/spring limbo we were having back in March & April.

Albie KnowsMay 21, 2018summertime, serena & lily, memorial day, holiday season, outdoor, free resource, favorites, shopping

Spring Into Summer Home Decor Shopping Haul

As I got ready to makeover our balcony for the One Room Challenge I did quite a bit of shopping from some of my fav retailers. So let's go over everything I bought so you can hopefully get inspired to create some indoor/outdoor Hygge in your home for the warmer months!

Outdoor Hygge Balcony Makeover: One Room Challenge Wrap Up & Reveal

I hereby declare this to be Tropical Hygge! You heard it here first...you're welcome! Aside from finally having our balcony in it's best state since we've moved in, making it a space where we can leisurely hang out & enjoy the outdoors, what I'm most proud of is that despite the limitations that come with renting, I knew I could transform this boring balcony into a super dope outdoor sanctuary. While there were some things I wish I could've done, I couldn't be happier with our new outdoor Hygge space.

Design, VideoAlbie KnowsMay 9, 2018one room challenge, spring, outdoor, youtube

Outdoor Hygge Balcony Makeover: One Room Challenge (Week 3)

You’ve seen the before tour. You’ve seem my inspiration board, design plans, & digital renders. This week I’ll be sharing with you my shopping!

I do have a few items that I’m still deliberating on but didn’t wanna hold up the design while I work through my indecisiveness. Plus it’s not like they’ll make or break the final transformation.

Design, VideoAlbie KnowsApril 19, 2018one room challenge, spring, outdoor, youtube

Outdoor Hygge Balcony Makeover: One Room Challenge (Week 2)

So now that we're in the second week of the One Room Challenge, while I already had my vision in place, this was when I really get deep into planning the space & making my concept more tangible.

Design, VideoAlbie KnowsApril 12, 2018one room challenge, spring, outdoor, youtube

Outdoor Hygge Balcony Makeover: One Room Challenge (Week 1)

I am both excited & anxious because never have an ever participated in the One Room Challenge! To be honest, every time it came across my radar I would think to myself, "One day I'd love to do that!" REALLY thinking, "One day when I own a house I'd love to do that."

While you can't knock down walls or swap out fixtures, there is a lot you can do to makeover your rental, transforming it into something that is uniquely you!

So when this One Room Challenge came around I said that there is absolutely no reason I can't participate!

I was already prepping to do different refreshes throughout our condo, with the balcony being my main focus for the spring, so that we could truly take advantage of having this outdoor area.

While I don't know that I'll be able to do everything I'd like, I think I've set some pretty attainable goals & I am excited for the next 6 weeks!

Outdoor Space & Patio Refresh

The client was looking for help with layout and furniture selection for the outdoor patio; and hoping to incorporate an eating area, with some casual seating if possible.

Video, DesignAlbie KnowsAugust 21, 2017outdoor, summertime, west coast transplant, dining room, youtube, nyc living, edesign, shoppingComment