This Home’s DIY Backyard Pergola Is One of the Coolest Outdoor Chill Zones We’ve Seen

Name: Karie Jamison, husband, two kids, and one cute bunny
Location: Trabuco Canyon, California
Type of home: Attached Single Family Home
Size: 1850 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My husband and I (along with our two awesome kids and one super cute bunny) set out to completely remodel our home recently. We wanted to make each room smarter, more functional, and a place where we can chill.

I’m a graphic designer with lots of ideas and my husband can pretty much do any DIY handyman-service, so our partnership made our renovation much easier. I’ve become quite the maximalist over the years because I love collecting “things”… from art, to vintage Pyrex, to a massive plant collection (both indoors and out).

I also believe that color has the power to bring joy. So our home became a blank canvas when we remodeled. We tore down walls, built a fourth bedroom (with some help from structural engineers), remodeled the kitchen and all the bedrooms, and created an awesome DIY pergola hangout space in our backyard. Our ultimate goal was to design a creative welcoming vibe that you can “live in.”

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Artsy, Eclectic, Colorful, Botanical Bungalow

What is your favorite room and why? My home office is my favorite room because it’s a place where I can focus and get creative. We turned our huge sliding door closet into a reclaimed wood nook with a custom desk that fits perfectly in the space. We used tapered wood with brass details from Pretty Pegs. On the other side of the room, I used this odd angled wall to display and grow lots of indoor plant babies.

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? When we renovated our home, I really wanted one of those magical moving glass wall systems that completely open up to the backyard. We would’ve had to change the structure of our home to do so, so we opted for new windows and doors throughout instead. Someday maybe 😉

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I’ve been collecting vintage Pyrex for a while now and I recently purchased a cabinet to colorfully display them. We went with a “mid-century” inspired bookshelf from West Elm.

Any advice for creating a home you love? I would say, be yourself, don’t worry about current trends, and do what you love. Our home has so many bits and pieces that inspire a sunny, joyful day. And if all else fails, then add in lots of flora and fauna to spice things up.