#deckdreaming

[corbinrestoration]

Morning Light & Midwestern Dreams (Inspired by Hennepin County Deck Projects)

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how much time we actually spend outside when the weather’s good — and how often I wish I had a better spot to soak it all in.

Don’t get me wrong — I love our backyard. It’s peaceful, big enough for our dog to roam, and the trees put on a whole show in the fall. But our current deck? It’s… fine. A bit wobbly in places. A little too small for when we have more than three friends over. It creaks when you step just right. Or wrong.

I’ve been toying with the idea of doing something more intentional with it. Not just a repair — a true upgrade. Something that fits how we actually live now, not how the last homeowners lived ten years ago. I want space for a grill that isn’t squished in the corner. Maybe even a lounge chair where I can read on those rare quiet mornings.

This weekend, after mowing the lawn and staring at the deck like it might answer my questions, I ended up looking up local deck contractors. I figured it couldn’t hurt to see what folks nearby were doing. That’s how I found this page from Corbin Restoration — all about their work in Hennepin County. It’s here: https://www.corbinrestoration.com/service-areas/hennepin-county

What pulled me in wasn’t just the polished project photos (though wow, there are some beauties). It was how thoughtful they seem to be about Minnesota weather — like how the snow and summer heat age certain deck materials differently. Living in Coon Rapids, we get our fair share of both extremes, so that hit close to home.

They talked a lot about helping people choose between wood and composite decking — and that hit a nerve for me. I’ve been going back and forth on that exact issue. I love the feel of real wood. But I also really love the idea of not staining and sealing it every few years. Especially now that our weekends are booked solid with soccer, birthday parties, and the occasional hope of sleeping in.

One detail I liked from their Hennepin projects was how they tailor decks to different styles of homes. That matters to me more than I expected. Ours is a mid-century ranch and I don’t want a deck that looks like it belongs on a new build in a different part of town. I want something that feels cohesive — like it’s always been here, just waiting for us to use it better.

I even caught myself sketching a little mock layout Sunday evening — nothing fancy, just playing with ideas. A wider platform with room for both dining and lounging. Maybe a pergola or a trellis for some climbing vines (and yes, I did fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole after that). A few built-in planters for herbs and wildflowers wouldn’t hurt either.

Am I ready to pull the trigger on a full rebuild yet? Not totally. But this idea of building something for us, something that reflects who we are now and how we live in this space — it’s stuck in my brain like a song I can’t stop humming.

And honestly? I like the sound of it.

#deckdreaming #backyardgoals #CoonRapidsHomes #MinnesotaLiving #deckinspo #MidwestStyle #CorbinRestoration #HennepinCountyDecks #outdoorlivingideas #homeprojectthoughts

[southshoredecks]

Confessions of a Serial Project Abandoner (But This Time Is Different?)

Opening Line: I have a graveyard of half-finished projects: a painted dresser, a “soon-to-be” succulent wall, and a stack of reclaimed wood that’s been “future shelves” for two years. But THIS summer, I swear I’m building a deck. Maybe.

The Problem: Every YouTube tutorial makes it look easy. Then I remember I once assembled IKEA furniture upside down. I need a plan that doesn’t end with me crying over a pile of warped lumber.

The Discovery: South Shore Decks Corp.’s Services page was a wake-up call. They list exactly what goes into a pro build—site prep, 3D designs, permits (wait, permits?!). It’s overwhelming but also weirdly reassuring. If I do DIY, at least now I know the steps (and when to call for backup).

Takeaways:

“Custom design” isn’t just for rich people. Some of their projects are small but smart (like a corner deck for tiny yards).

Maintenance is included. Did NOT realize some builders offer yearly checkups.

I could just… hire them. Radical thought.

Closing Thought: Bookmarking this page for when I inevitably accept defeat. Or for inspiration if I miraculously follow through.

[corbinrestoration]

The Deck I Didn’t Know I Needed

Lately, I’ve been staring at our sad little backyard slab—the one we’ve been calling a "deck" for years—and wondering if it’s time to stop pretending it’s fine. It’s fine. (It’s not fine.)

The problem? It’s too small, the wood is perpetually splintering, and last summer, my kid tripped on a warped board and face-planted into a bowl of potato salad. (RIP, picnic.) I started researching deck ideas, but everything online felt either wildly over-the-top or depressingly generic. Then I stumbled on Corbin Restoration’s custom decks page (this one), and suddenly, I had vision.

What caught me:

Built-in seating. No more dragging chairs around.

Multi-level designs. We could actually zone the space—eating area here, lounging there.

Materials that don’t hate Minnesota weather. (Looking at you, warping pine.)

Now I’m sketching ideas in a notebook like some kind of backyard architect. Maybe this summer, we’ll finally have a deck that doesn’t feel like a Tetris fail.

[deckoroutdoor]

The Deck That Could Finally Make Me Host Again

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how my backyard is basically a sad, underused rectangle of weeds. We moved into this Colorado Springs house two years ago with grand plans for summer BBQs and stargazing nights… and then reality (and a very persistent prairie dog) happened.

But last weekend, my neighbor threw a party on their new deck—nothing fancy, just a simple raised platform with string lights—and it hit me: I need this. Not just for parties, but for morning coffee with Pikes Peak in the distance, for letting the kids draw with chalk without worrying about splinters from our old, warped boards.

While researching, I stumbled on DecKor Outdoor Living’s homepage. They had this gallery of decks that looked lived-in—not like those sterile showroom images. One photo showed a family eating tacos on a cedar deck, sauce drips and all. Real life. (Found it here: Expert Deck Builder in Colorado Springs)

It got me thinking: Maybe we don’t need some sprawling multi-level monstrosity. A clean, mid-sized deck with built-in benches could be the sweet spot. Something low-maintenance but warm—composite decking that won’t turn into a slip-n-slide during hail season? Noted.

For now, I’m saving screenshots of decks with planter box edges. And maybe bribing that prairie dog to relocate.