Now that the weather has warmed, and we’ve completed some major renovations inside (we’re shooting the kitchen tomorrow!) it’s time to turn our attention outside again. Last spring/summer was mainly spent learning how to maintain a pool and trying to make what was already here a little nicer by adding in pretty plants and furniture. Much of the yard needed help, and Micah has the grass looking great at this point. Last summer we cut down a big willow tree that was wreaking havoc on the pool and attempted to paint the decks (more on that in another post…).
We’re ready to focus on the exterior of the house and elements in the backyard that can really improve the time we spend back there which is A LOT during the summer. Many of the projects we hope to tackle will take lots of money, time, and sweat. (Hello new fence, decks, siding, windows…the list unfortunately goes on and on.) But I believe that small changes can help improve the form and function of any space, and so I decided to set out and improve something that had been bugging me for a while.
I don’t really like screens. Screens on windows, screens on doors…I get that they have their function and the three weeks out of the year that it’s nice enough weather in Missouri to have fresh air coming in the house, I really appreciate them. But those other 49 weeks I kind of loathe them. They cloud the view out of windows and make them much harder to clean. They become another door to open every time the dog wants out and seem to fade and show wear so quickly with the weathering elements.
Plus, the screens on our three back doors leading to the pool had just seen better days. I bet they were original to the house. They were tired, broken, and just not doing anything visually but masking the glass-paned doors and dating the house. I knew the three screens needed to be replaced, but new doors just didn’t seem to be the right answer for me. I liked the idea of a functioning screen, but I’ve never liked the look of them. Enter Plissé Retractable Screens. All the function, but without the bad form.
A single door screen that is functional yet practically invisible? Sign me up.
The screens shipped in a small box in the mail, and Micah only needed to put the four sides together and then screw the screen frame into the sides of the doorframe. Plissé creates the screen according to your custom measurements, and they were really helpful in making sure I got everything right so we’d have the perfect fit the first time.
I love that there are no longer any visible screws, and the whole look is just so much cleaner, allowing the doors to be a nice, classic feature with all the modern function.
One thing often leads to another, right? As soon as we removed the screens I knew we needed to replace the doorhandles and deadbolts. Another small project that just brings joy every time you open the door…
It’s a nice start to our exterior renovations, one that only took a few hours and is an affordable investment for the quality and function you get. With our first pool party this weekend if it ever stops raining I’m excited to have one less obstacle amidst the hustle and bustle of entertaining. I want to know what projects you’ve been tackling outside. Do you have any big renovation plans this summer, or are small victories on your list?
Sara says
So does it pull back and hide when you aren’t using it? I’m looking for a solution on my front door. Don’t want to cover it with a storm door but I like having the door open when I’m expecting guests.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Yes, it does! You can see about an inch of the side when it’s pulled back but it’s not enough to notice and it comes in lots of colors to blend with what you already have going on. 🙂
Norah says
Ingenious product!
I’d love a post on what you do about pool safety with your kids, and if you’re planning anything new now that you’ll have a baby in the house. We just installed a pool fence which is not pretty but felt necessary for our child and for peace of mind when friends’ kids visit. I’d love to know how your family deals with the water safety issue.
🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
It really is ingenious! Water safety is definitely huge. With three doors that lead to the pool there is a lot to monitor. We make sure our kids have their floaties on when we’re back there and the doors all chime with the alarm and have three locks, two down low and one up where they can’t reach. The new door knobs we just got are a lot fatter and the kids can’t open them on their own yet. 😉
We’ll see what comes with a new baby. It does make me nervous but I keep telling myself that millions before us have lived near water with little ones and teaching safety and putting the right things in place are the best things you can do. Good luck!
Haley@ Hint of Haley says
Yes! Someone understands the need for function AND beauty! My mom is very practical so things like this get overlooked a lot? We just moved and there are some things I would love to re-do, but with an itsy-bitsy budget… Um, we’ll see.
Can’t wait to see what you do though!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Yes, you definitely need both for great design. 😉 I say take it slow and spend when you can, try to focus on the things that will make little differences in your every day until you can splurge on the bigger things. Good luck!
Albertina || Mimosa Lane says
What a smart idea. I love this solution. it looks great too! Love your lion!
Laura Oka says
I think my dog would crash right on through with his first squirrel sighting. It’s gorgeous but impractical for anyone who needs an actual barrier.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha! It’s just as secure as the regular screen door we had, actually more so probably because the screen is like an accordion with built in stitching. I know how dogs can be though!