How To Mimic The Breezy Look Of Sarah Keenleyside’s City Deck

As cohost of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds, Sarah Keenleyside can always be counted on for a dramatic backyard makeover.

When it came to tackling her own Toronto backyard, it got personal. She and her musician husband, Justin Rutledge  created a breezy backyard with zones for lounging, dining and a little gardening too. Scroll down for our best advice on how to get the look in your own outdoor space!

The first step for Sarah was considering how she would use the backyard in the evening. “We start with dinner at the table, followed by some lounging on the deck, then, as the evening progresses, we might wander over to the firepit and congregate,” she says. “I really like the layout and having that sort of flow.”

Get Sarah’s laid-back look in with these items below!

Concrete Dining Table With Wood Legs

Sarah’s table juxtaposes a solid concrete top with wood legs, for a look that’s sleek, elevated and functional.

Atra Concrete Dining Table for 8, $1,299. Article.

Wicker Pendant

To up the contrast, Sarah painted this Ikea wicker pendant black and ended up affixing it to the fence (which hides the wires). The scale delivers major impact while being cost-effective.

Torared Pendant Lampshade, $40. Ikea.

Pair Of MCM-Style Wire Grid Chairs 

Sarah’s cage chairs are vintage Italian designs with snap-off leather cushions. This version has a faux leather cushion and a grid design to conjure the same mid-century modern vibe. Plus, you can keep them out all summer!

Holly Wire Metal Side Chairs (set of 2), $360. Wayfair.

Black Metal Coffee Table

This lightweight metal table can stand up to the elements, and the lip helps keep items from accidentally being pulled off by kids or pets.

Kuehl Detachable Top Cross Legs Coffee Table, $270. Wayfair.

Circular Tray

Cutout handles make this sturdy wood veneer tray easy to set down and pick up when ferrying drinks to the deck from the kitchen.

Round Tray, $71. Urban Accents.

Textured Planter

Houseplants can serve as an alternative centrepiece to cut flowers. Place them in a pretty textured planter to dress up a table.

Gradvis Plant Pot, $10. Ikea.

Firetable

“A fire feature in the backyard extends those shoulder seasons and becomes a defined central meeting area.” This round version follows the contours of the curved herringbone concrete brick walkway.

Concrete Belmont fire table in Ash/Taupe by Dekko, $3,695. Jardin De Ville.

Woven Sectional With Wood Legs

Pale upholstery and wooden legs make this sectional feel more like an “indoor” piece of furniture. The woven details have a tropical, boho vibe that’s perfect for summer.

Chicago Wicker 6-Person Outdoor Seating Group with Cushions (includes coffee table), $1,280. Wayfair.

Metal Cage Basket

A metal basket offers airflow: Sarah stashes overflow items like blankets and extra pillows in it.

Fine Line Metal Round Basket, $149, West Elm.

Tapestry Pillow

One of the things that sets Sarah’s sectional apart is that she opted not to accessorize with “matchy matchy” pillows in typical themes (cue the palm fronds and batik). Instead she uses indoor pillows, like this muted tapestry pillow, and brings them inside.

Serafina pillow in plum, $68. Tonic Living.

Knotted Pillow

This creamy outdoor pillow has an artisanal, handmade feel and the neutral tone is perked up by texture.

18″ square decorative pillow, $35. Rona.

Boho Pillow

This graphic pillow combines high contrast stripes with swingy fringe tassels.

Mylah Cushion, $19. Structube.

Navy Stripe Pillow

For a hit of nautical style, mix up patterns and layer in the classic maritime combo of navy and white. This lumbar pillow is made of high-performance indoor/outdoor fabric and is kid and pet friendly.

Fontana Indoor/Outdoor Lumbar Pillow in Navy, $39. Tonic Living.