We had a blast crashing Kelly Moore’s home last May; the full visit was delightful and inspiring. Recently she told us about some updates she’d made to her outdoor space, and we couldn’t wait to see the little deck haven she created.

The deck is a cozy, colorful retreat featuring outdoor drapes that frame the space, a hanging egg chair that invites you to curl up with a book, vibrant seating that adds playful pops of color, and an abundance of potted plants that bring life and texture to every corner. Together these elements create a welcoming, come-hither charm that feels both lived-in and thoughtfully styled.

One standout DIY is Kelly’s leaning pallet planter. She put it together using simple hose clamps from the home improvement store, turning a humble pallet into a vertical display full of greenery. A note about pallets: some are chemically treated while others are heat-sealed and safer for outdoor crafts. If you’re uncertain about a pallet’s history, sealing it with a safe, purpose-made product is a good precaution before using it for plants.

The deck flows down to a lower sitting area that includes more bold seating choices, a chiminea for warmth and ambiance, and a fire pit for gatherings. The layered seating and multiple focal points make the outdoor layout feel like a series of small rooms—each with its own personality but all connected by a cohesive style.

Plants appear in nearly every nook, from trailing vines to compact succulents. Kelly mixes traditional plant pots with unexpected planters, like an old metal toolbox repurposed as a planter. These unexpected containers add character and tell a story—small creative choices like that give a space personality and soul.

Beyond the visible pieces of furniture and plants, what makes the porch feel special is the thoughtful combination of textures and materials. Lightweight textiles, weathered metal, natural wood, and green foliage combine to create an outdoor room that’s both comfortable and visually interesting. The drapery softens the deck’s edges and provides privacy, while the seating choices keep the look fresh and fun.

This outdoor update is a great reminder that you don’t need a sprawling yard to create a memorable outdoor living area. With a few well-chosen pieces, some layered plants, and a couple of DIY projects, a deck can become an inviting extension of the home—perfect for morning coffee, evening cocktails, or unwinding under the stars.

We’re always on the lookout for inspiring homes to visit. For a short while we’ll be traveling through the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, so we’re especially interested in houses in and around Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; Greensboro, North Carolina; the stretch up toward Richmond, Virginia; and coastal towns like Bethany Beach, Delaware, Virginia Beach on the eastern shore, and Annapolis, Maryland. If you think your home would be a good fit for a friendly house visit, send a few photos and a general location to our email. We don’t need exact addresses at first—just a sense of region—and while we can’t promise to visit every submission, we’ll do our best to schedule as many visits as time allows.

Back on Kelly’s deck, if we pick favorites it’s hard to choose just one. The hanging egg chair feels like a memorable focal point—cozy, sculptural, and supremely inviting—while the toolbox-turned-planter highlights the charm of repurposing everyday items. Together they illustrate how a mix of thoughtful purchases and creative DIY can produce a space that’s uniquely personal.

Seeing Kelly’s outdoor oasis reminded us how small updates, clever repurposing, and a focus on comfort can transform an outdoor area into a true extension of the home. Her deck is a compact, beautifully styled example of outdoor living done right.