In our Style Challenge series, we ask some of our favorite bloggers from around the web to surprise us with their ideas for creating a stylish and functional space using Home Depot products as a starting point.

We were pleased as punch when Courtney of Courtney Out Loud agreed to join forces with us to turn his small, urban backyard into a peaceful oasis. We knew that his killer style and modern edge would turn out a beautiful space perfectly suited to the Northern California aesthetic. Courtney takes us through the process of transforming his small patio into a special place for relaxing and entertaining. He shares some of his decorating ideas, and a few gardening tips he picked up along the way.

I can’t help myself but at the first signs of warm weather, I start daydreaming about dining alfresco, garden parties and lazy weekends spent soaking in the sun. Then I have a reality check remembering that (1) I live in Oakland/San Francisco, so after 6 p.m., it’s chilly; (2) I live in an urban condo with a patio, not an estate with an English garden; and (3) I have yet to spend a weekend doing nothing since moving into our home four years ago.

Like most urbanites, my partner and I found prioritizing outdoor space as a “must have” on our list when looking at homes, but when we finally did buy, the overwhelming task of pulling the interior of our home together took precedence over the exterior. It wasn’t until almost 2½ years into living in our home that we tackled the patio. In our first attempt, we primarily focused on foundational items such as patio pavers, replacing the gravel that perpetually found itself scratching our hardwood floors with moss and installing irrigation. I created what I thought was going to be the ultimate outdoor space for lounging and relaxing….and it sat unused for almost 1½ years until The Home Depot kindly invited me to participate in the Style Challenge: Patio Edition.