Rancho Dressing

January 2014: Begun at the very end of 2013, our kitchen deck’s new dressing looks pretty great. But it’s only the latest iteration of this space; I’ve been dressing and re-dressing this deck for years now. Over that time the function of the space as a living/dining area hasn’t changed, but the elements, although somtimes similar, sure have. Here, looking toward the front of the deck, an old workbench is topped with an assortment of potted plants and decorative items. Underneath, providing both decorative and actual support, are several concrete forms. In the foreground, my thrift store painting-decoupage bench adds a much-needed hit of color, while a newly acquired metal school table waits for diners to pull up a seat. Most of the plants on the workbench have been deck inhabitants for awhile, and they’ve grown considerably …

… looking back in the opposite direction it’s really apparent: Those euphorbias have doubled in height since they were installed in 2012. Across the table I’ve added a sturdy fiberglass bench; centered across the bank of euphorbias is my thunderbird-supported vintage birdbath. I love the simplicity of these pieces in the space and think it’d be a great spot for a cocktail and snacks until the weather warms up in spring. While editing these pictures I thought I’d look back at other deck-related posts and see if past solutions still satisfied me; I was surprised at my reactions. I was also surprised to know that my first post about the deck was in 2009! Weirdly, I was still under the impression that this blog was still only a couple years old. Sneaky ol’ time keeps surprising me … Join me for a quick look at this space through the years …

September 2009: Our newly constructed deck was the setting for a Labor Day dinner with friends. Bamboo filled the concrete troughs at the back end and white vinyl sofas sported colorful suzani covers. Not bad, but that screen’s a view blocker. Of all the pieces shown only the gray vinyl bench in the foreground still lives with us. To read the original post — including menu recipes — click here.

April 2010: It’s a little over 6 months since that first small party and we’re having a big birthday bash for our friend, Terry. In honor of the occasion, the deck is, er, decked-out in spectacular fashion. Note the painted wood screen wall on the left in the topmost photo; it’s since been taken down. And, except for the gray vinyl bench and a few odds-n-ends, not much else is still with us. The party was a success; read about it by clicking here.

April 2011: Although this photo was taken from a post published in 2012, it was actually shot in 2011 by L. A. Times photog, Irfan Khan, during the Riverside Flower Show & Garden Tour. After 2010’s big party I decided to pare the deck’s dressing down, way down. Plus, I nixed the scraggly bamboo, replacing it with small cactuses; deleted all but a very few pots and plants; I permanently painted the white vinyl sofas. By the time I learned that we’d been accepted for the tour a year later, the space was simple and much less frenetic. Click here to see the rest of Khan’s photos, the Rancho has never looked better!

June 2012: The deck area has changed from a party hang-out to a dining spot in a year-and-a-half. The cactuses in the troughs have been replaced by fence post-like euphorbias, while at the other end an assortment of potted plants stand-by. A colorful runner jazzes up a gray workbench/table; metal chairs, stools and the gray vinyl bench offer seating. Of the pieces here, only the metal chairs, the rolling dolly and the potted plants still occupy the space. See more by clicking here.

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Which version of RR’s deck dressing did I enjoy the most? I think 2010’s iteration was my favorite overall. I distinctly remember the fun of moving all those elements, stacking them, looking at them, then moving them all again, over and over until I was satisfied. I remember how much fun planning the party was and how everyone seemed to enjoy themselves so much. Now, of course, all that moving and stacking has to be done for me by others … and while it’s still satisfying, it’s not quite as much fun as doing it myself. I appreciate my helper’s efforts, don’t get me wrong, but I used to spend hours outside doing it by myself, without worrying about getting it right the first time because the crew’s only going to be around for a short time … Hey, that gives me an idea: I’ll celebrate the deck’s current dressing and my helpers with a small gathering in the space! I’ll post on it, and include recipes, when the time comes.