Reader Design Dilemma #2: Jacqueline's Chicago Balcony
I'm back with the next installment of my Reader Design Dilemma series! Jacqueline lives in Chicago with her partner, Jack and their sweet pup Ali. (Be sure to check out her new blog, Twenty & Dating!) They have this cute little balcony/back porch area off of their apartment, but haven't been sure how to use it.
While this balcony isn't quite big enough for entertaining, Jacqueline wanted an outdoor space where she and Jack could hang out and enjoy the nice summer weather. She was looking for some inexpensive, DIY projects to decorate this space and make it more usable.
Alright, Jacqueline! Here's what I'm suggesting for your balcony:
Outdoor Rug | Milk Crate | Fabric | String Lights | Succulents
Since this is such an open shared balcony, I know one of your hopes was to differentiate where YOUR space starts and ends. A great way to do that without creating physical barriers is by using an outdoor rug. This is a tried and true interior design trick when working with open concept spaces, both indoors and out! Adding a rug will help to break up the space and minimize the "bowling alley" effect that is has going on right now.
Because this is a space that your neighbors will occasionally need to walk through, any seating you have out here needs to be lightweight and portable. I found this awesome DIY milk crate stool project from The Eager Teacher. I'm suggesting three to sit side by side in the 48" wide space underneath your window. To modify this project for outdoor use, I would purchase outdoor fabric to upholster the tops with and also add a layer of plastic between your foam cushion and your fabric. You can use inexpensive plastic drop cloths for this, which can be purchased at any hardware or paint store. Since your balcony is covered and they won't be directly exposed to the elements, this should be all you need. The bonus is you can bring them inside when you have company for extra seating! I'm picturing these black milk crates with a fun print fabric like this.
Moving up to the ceiling, there's nothing that I love more than some twinkling string lights! Aside from giving some great mood lighting, hanging these across the ceiling will further help to define where your part of the balcony starts and stops. I would hang them perpendicular to your railing, like in this example from Bower Power.
The last thing you need to finish off your space are some plants! I recently came across the project from Emily Henderson. I love the simple way she attached her pots, just by double (or triple) wrapping them with string. I think you could use this same method to attach some small pots to the inside of your railing. You could also put a couple of tension rods across the outside of your windows and hang pots from there!
What's your favorite way to brighten up an outdoor space? Share your tips by commenting below!
Cross Quarter Club gathered on Sunday, October 18th in celebration of autumn and Samhain/All Hallows. Unforntunately, our workshop had to be rescheduled at the last minute, but we enjoyed the pavilion for the afternoon, sharing good snacks and good conversation! Anya Peters of Hedgerow Photography also did mini sessions for anyone who wanted them. Enjoy this photo recap of the event!
Our fourth gatherin of 2024 was held on Sunday, November 3rd at the pavilion at Yoe Park in Yoe Borough, Pennsylvania. This season, we poured our own soy candles into vintage vessels with instruction from Lindsey Dohm from This Little Light of Mine, LLC.
Exciting news: I was interviewed for a podcast! And not just any podcast, but Becca Piastrelli’s podcast, Belonging. Becca’s work has been an inspiration to me for many years, and it would mean so much if you’d give our conversation on the Sharing Table a listen!
Our third Midseason Gathering of 2024 was held on Sunday, August 4th at the pavilion at Yoe Park in Yoe Borough, Pennsylvania. This season, we tried something new and hosted a Club Social in addition to our summer Sharing Table tradition of a Garden Bounty Share. Read on for a complete recap!
Our second Midseason Gathering of 2024 was held on Sunday, May 5th at the pavilion at Yoe Park in Yoe Borough, Pennsylvania. Our workshop this season was was a plant walk and spring tonic oxymels led by Calyx Liddick from Northern Appalachia School of Herbalism. As always, we enjoyed a spread of seasonal snacks and drinks and our cherished Sharing Table tradition. Read on for a complete recap!
What could be more relaxing on a Friday evening than a sunset stroll around a beautiful garden, yummy snacks, herbal tea, and good conversation around a firepit? Nothing! And that’s why you should come to Cross Quarter Club’s Garden Walks at Little Farm Flowers East this year.
Looking for where to buy plants in York, PA? Here’s a list of my favorite independent, locally-owned, family run greenhouses and plant nurseries so you can support small business and your gardening hobby at the same time!
In my opinion, no party is complete without a little background music. Whether it’s a simple dinner with friends, the holidays, or any kind of celebratory gathering, the right playlist can set the tone and add a thoughtful touch. I’ve gotten a few questions and comments about the music I play at Cross Quarter Club’s Midseason Gathers, so I decided to share my playlists here!
My article, The Joy of Slow Decorating, was published in the Winter 2023-2024 issue of Verily Magazine. It was an honor to be commissioned to write about a topic so close to my heart. I feel it is my best piece of writing on the subject of interior design to date. My hope is that it will inspire others to find contentment
At every Cross Quarter Club gathering since the beginning, we’ve put together a spread of seasonally-inspired snacks and drinks. Over the last two years, there have been quite a few recipes that were a big hit! I thought it would be fun to compile all of the most requested recipes in one place for future reference…
Our first gathering of the new year was held on Sunday, February 4th at the beautiful and historic Quaker meetinghouse in downtown York, Pennsylvania. Our workshop this season was botanical needlefelting led by Debbie Mancuso from Teaching Museum for the Fiber Arts and Textiles in Felton. As always, we enjoyed a spread of seasonal snacks and drinks and our cherished Sharing Table tradition. Read on for a complete recap!
Winter has held a different kind of magic for me in the years since I started prioritizing slow and seasonal living. The simple act of observing the changing seasons really helps me to feel more present and grounded. It’s the small, precious things, like the feeling of inhaling my first breath of frosty air as I step outside each morning…
I first met Jennifer Lubman after CQC’ers Sharon and Mel told me about her adorable garden shop in Shrewsbury. Jenn's eye for design is evident in the evolving, seasonal displays she curates for the store, featuring unusual plants, preserved florals, and all manner of garden-inspired home and gift items. It’s like having our own miniature Terrain, here in York County!
Our fourth and final 2023 gathering was held on Sunday, October 15th, at our favorite park pavilion in Yoe, Pennsylvania. We met at 2 pm and enjoyed a lovely fall afternoon with a dried wreath workshop led by Jennifer Lubman of Muhly & Cedar, followed by charcuterie, hot apple cider, and the sharing table. Read on for the complete recap!
On a Friday evening in late-September, we had our last Garden Walk at Little Farm Flowers East for the year. The garden was showing off its beautiful autumn colors and textures. The weather was perfectly crisp but not too chilly. The firepit was roaring and the s’mores and herbal sodas were delicious.
Sharon and I weren’t originally intending to have a garden walk this month, but we decided to offer one as a make-up rain date for those who couldn’t make it last time due to the crazy weather. I’m so glad we did! This time we started a little bit earlier to make time for extended introductions
Five years ago, we decorated this nursery for our first daughter. Now, we are getting ready to turn it into a “big girl room” for our second. Before the crib goes up to the attic for storage and we officially bid farewell to the baby years, I wanted to capture this moment in time.
Our third gathering of 2023 was held on Sunday, August 6th at our favorite park pavilion in Yoe, Pennsylvania. We met at 4 pm and enjoyed a beautiful midsummer evening with our botanical eco-printing workshop, first harvest dinner, and a garden bounty share. Read on for the full recap!
Nestled into the rolling hills of eastern York County, Pennsyvlania is Flying Fibers Wood & Lavender Farm owned and operated by Jeri Robinson-Lawrence and Irina Lawrence-Mathias. Jeri and Irina are a vibrant and hardworking mother-daughter duo, on the farm and in their business.
This summer, we’ve started something new for Cross Quarter Club: Garden Walks at Little Farm Flowers East. Our first one was held this past Friday and it turned out to be such a lovely, relaxing evening!
Eco-printing is a great way to get started with the world natural dyeing. Using plant materials, such as whole flowers, flower petals, leaves, vegetables and nuts, you can easily create beautiful botanical printed fabric at home.
Last night, a few of us from Cross Quarter Club took a field trip to Conestoga House & Gardens in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and I loved every minute. Wandering the picturesque grounds together felt a little like being transported to Europe for an evening…
Our second gathering of 2023 was held on Sunday, May 7th at our favorite park pavilion in Yoe, Pennsylvania. We had the best afternoon filled with locally grown flowers, good conversation, a full spread of seasonally-inspired snacks, hot tea and dessert, and the first ever CQC Member Demonstration by Little Farm Flowers East.
When you are first getting into foraging, a common recommendation for trying new-to-you edible plants is to make a pesto out of it! I certainly didn’t invent this concept, but I had fun coming up with a flavor combination using wild plants readily available during spring in my bioregion.
The sharing table has been a part of every Cross Quarter Club gathering since the start. It’s an idea that fits within our club values, but the inspiration actually came from my grandmother. Today, I’m sharing the story behind the sharing table and why it’s so meaningful t to me.
Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know Sharon as both as a flower farmer and as a real kindred spirit through Cross Quarter Club. Sharon is one of the most kind-hearted people I know and I thought it was high time to put her and her beautiful flower farm in the spotlight!