A New Backyard Oasis Helps a Military Lawyer Cope With Her PTSD
A lot of things can trigger April Inglis’ post-traumatic stress disorder. As a military lawyer of 20 years who spent a good amount of time in places like Afghanistan, she confronts triggers throughout her daily life in Ottawa, Ontario. But there’s one place she doesn’t have to worry about any of it: her new backyard.
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As someone who has PTSD and crippling anxiety EMDR therapy has helped .
I’m so sorry . Sending you healing vibes and positive thoughts .
Beautiful Backyard! Your landscape ideas were perfect for this location and your lifestyle. My husband was the lead landscaper on this project and each day would share how it was progressing, thank you for sharing your story!
Beautiful project, feel so happy for her, blessings
What a lovely space you created. I love the lights especially behind the curtains.
First of all Thank You For Your Service. You have the most precious dog and the most beautiful yard I have seen. I am in Afghanistan right now and I understand how important it is coming home to a safe and wonderful environment. You have given me the inspiration of one day having an oasis when I purchase my own home. God Bless and enjoy your oasis.
I've always wanted a bed-type feature in my backyard, but how does something like that handle the elements?
Thank you for sharing your fulfilled inspiration for a beautiful backyard. So enjoyed seeing your design. Enjoy!
Beautiful and comfy. Enjoy
You are amazing - I think you have a new career! Your taste is exquisite!
Beautiful story along with the beautiful yard!
April, I so enjoyed meeting you & Toffee! I wish you continued healing in your beautiful oasis!
So beautiful. Hoping April finds the peace she deserves.
Does anyone have a link for the outdoor lounge bed?
@brownem
Hang in there and come back to us safe. Best wishes to you.
This is such a gorgeous back yard. I love what you've done - so inspiring. And little Toffee is so adorable. All the best!
First, Thank You for your service. I love your beautiful backyard design. You have some really great ideas that came together nicely. Blessings!
It looks wonderful April. I've often wondered how fabrics used outdoors last with weather conditions relating to UV rays and rain …. sometimes being wet for days. I imagine waterproof fabric well sealed to protect cushion fillers and also the actual mattress .... What kind of fabric please? Do you need to take some things indoors when it rains? I would love to do the same but don't have any storage space indoors. Thank you very much for sharing. Best wishes to you always!
I truly love what you did with your backyard, it compliments your beautiful personality !!! Thank you so very much for your service . Enjoy your gorgeous retreat and adorable dog for many, many years to come.
It's beautiful and enjoy your peaceful new retreat!
April,
This is a beautiful and serene oasis. You have a natural talent for design...just lovely...love, love, love it!!!! (Thank you for your service!).
It's a beautiful spot you've created. May the two of you spend many well- deserved peaceful days there. Thank you
Beautiful. Thank you for your service.
OMG! such a calm and beautiful space , love it !!! But Please gimme tips who do you tackle the winter, should move all these lovely furniture and day bed in ?? just curious
Bless you, April! It's astounding at how beautiful outdoor spaces created with Mother Nature can heal our inner most Being in such a passive and digestible way.
Thanks for your lovely compliments! Outdoor fabrics do very well outdoors. I leave them outside all summer. There are two indoor pillow types in my garden, the blue back rest pillow, which is made for indoor beds, and the two solid lime green cushions on the daybed. I bring those in when it rains. The most important quality of outdoor pillows is that they have zipper covers so you can take them off and toss them in the wash! I also used inexpensive ikea curtain panels for the curtain wall and they just go right in the wash if they get dirty and when I bring them in for the winter. Also sew Velcro at the bottom in both corners and in the middle of each panel and glue and staple the other side to the fence or bottom rail of the privacy screen so they don’t fly around in the wind. The wicker ottoman needs to be covered in the rain. I put two of the blue chairs on my front porch for the winter and the others in the basement. The dining benches fit under the daybed platform and the table upside down on top of the daybed platform. The canopy came in for a wash and I put an outdoor furniture cover over the daybed to keep the bulk of the weather off them all. The chairs could also go in there on top of the upturned table and under the cover if u have no place inside. I wash the pillows and store them in space bags to minimize the bulk so they take up less space inside and fit under beds or in closets. Hope that helps.
Did you have the planters built strictly with wood? Or are they block and covered with wood? I am looking to build planters in my yard.
Your yard is beautiful and calming just to look at. The love you put into your design shines through. What a lovely space to use day or night and share with friends. The space is divided into usable areas that flow together well. What pretty plantings and colors you chose. Thank you so much for sharing.
Her home is very friendly and comfortable.
Beautiful place, beautiful lady, beautiful pup! Thank you Ms. Inglis for sharing your wonderful space!
Nice job, very relaxing, you should be proud : )
Every element is beautiful - the planters, the hardscape, the furniture, all of it. Great job.
I also thank you for your service. You deserve this serene and beautiful spot to call your own. Very well done. May you and sweet Toffi spend many happy years here.
What is the brand name of the outdoor heater?
This is a beautiful backyard and your dog is adorable. I hope that your space brings you joy and peace.
Nancy
Beautiful area love that BBQs are good anytime... Thank you for your service.
I really like the unifying effect & definition of the black fence. Could you share the stain or paint colour you used ?
This was Stormguard stain in Carbon it coloured both the cedar and the pressure treated fence panels equally well. I sprayed it on and brushed it in as i went. But i would brush it onto the top rails as the spray didn’t last well over the summer with the squirrels running on it with their little claws! The rest is doing really well.
Loves you share your little oasis. Thanks for your great service Blessing from Jerusalem