Deck Reveal
Its been a two year wait since moving into this house and several weeks of work this summer… but she’s finally done! We have a deck!!
Now mom has a spot to relax and watch the family magic happen! 😉
Yes, its huge! The land directly behind the house used to be another house attached. This left the ground hilly, dead, full of bricks and glass, and in general, useless. So, cover it up we did. We filled in two giant cisterns and started a deck slab. Next year we will add a pergola to the blank spot of house where the table is now. We will put a pool in down below and then the following year add another piece of deck to half wrap around the pool. It will be the ultimate dream area when we are finished.
We do still want to add trellis to the bottom to keep everything out, but that will happen this fall.
One thing that was super important to us when adding the deck was having some shade, as we have very little from the one small existing tree.
My favorite umbrellas?! From Abba Patio! (You can use code La10 on your order with them too!) The 11 foot red stripe is gorgeous! And so easy to use. We custom installed it with brackets we made, but it can go on a table or a base as well. This keep it so much cooler in the shaded areas!!
Next I need to find some outdoor rugs to tie in the different areas. Suggestions?? I’m being so indecisive!
Also, looking for an outdoor sectional. Maybe a hot tub?! 😜
The table and chairs are from Menards. The wood lantern is from Walmart, along with the orange striped pillow and turquoise planters. The beach bag below is from Amazon.
The kids table is Step 2 and an awesome thing to have if you have littles. We use it all the time!
Tip- use a beach bag or tote like the one below to hold your deck or patio essentials. We take it in at night and bring out each day. Super helpful to keep things corralled while not getting ruined being left outside. We keep sunscreen, bug spray, santizer, sunglasses, beach towels, a speaker, and anything we want for the day inside. So handy!!
XX,
Jess
Coffee Table Fix Up
It’s taken me over a year. But it’s finally done. I have a coffee table that I love, finally.
Before:
Perfect shape to hold lots of treasures, but outdated color and in rough shape.
After:
I sanded the table and then painted I’m gray (shock!) And then roughed it up. The top got a coat of a darker gray, and the whole table was finished with paste wax to protect it. I had to fix the drawer, but ended up keeping the old knobs. What do you think?
My Perfect Bedroom
On Apartment Therapy today I saw this gorgeous black and white chair by Ethan Allen. First I drooled (we all know how much I love black and white furnishings, right?) and then I headed over to the Ethan Allen website to check out their new lines.Â
More drolling ensued. Before long I had picked out what my perfect bedroom in the new house should look like.Â
The master bedroom in our new 1891 house is through a walk-through closet (very cool!) and is then sunken below a couple of steps. There are raw beams overhead, and even a little stained glass window on the wall with a peak. Yes, its very neat.Â
So, this Ethan Allen room that I spotted had my mind combining my love of shiny black furniture, black and white prints, and raw, rustic wood features. Here she is:
Gorgeous, no? Actually, the Ethan Allen website had a ton of beautiful images, ideas, and products! Check out more of the line here: http://www.ethanallen.com/shop_by_room/bedrooms
(No, I’m not paid or sponsored in any way by Ethan Allen. Although maybe I should be, becuase I’m in love! 🙂
Chair and Blog Love
Ross lovegrove chair, found at Chairwhore!Â
Love the chair, and now love the blog! Its an entire blog dedicated to gorgeous chairs. MMM. Check them both out here: http://chairwhore.blogspot.com/
Mid Century Bug
I have it- the mid century bug- that is! I am usually into vintage and antique just a bit older than MCM style, but lately I have been crazy for some of the furniture styles. I’d like to think that I am a good enough stylist to incorporate a bit of many styles to make an eclectic, yet cohesive home. A few things that I am loving:
The Marcel Bruer Wassily leather lounge chairs are calling my name!
This Barwa lounger would be so comfy on a patio or in the backyard, even better if it wasn’t purple!
This guy would be perfect painted black and sitting next to my new-old patio set in the backyard. Then I would have a place to lounge in the sun! (I am actually really thinking about this one!)
This is my all time favorite couch. I want one someday so bad I can smell the leather! 😉
I love these Platner style outdoor chairs. Actually, I like anything wire mesh or Bertoia-esque.Â
An a bit of an older note- I am still on a hurried hunt for a couple of these old style metal lawn chairs. Ebay is a bit too pricey, so if anyone out there knows of any for sale…keep me posted!
Any style, any color, as long as they are similar to eachother, because I am going to paint them red anyway!
Also, do you notice a trend with me and chairs? And currently with me and outdoor furniture? I really need to expand what I look at! 😉
Chair Love Some More
This weeks chair love comes early! I spotted this beauty on Apartment Therapy earlier in the week. The picture is of the store front of the Pico Modern Furniture shop. What a pretty place! And, great taste in chairs, I might add.
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The shop is described as unique and unusual. I love it already! And, I want the chair! 🙂
Our House- The Outside
When we moved into our new home it was getting cold and dreary out, and I have yet to post pictures of the outside of our house or our porch. Until now, that is. This weekend was so gorgeous outside that I took some pictures of the porch and the newly covered bench, as well as the patio furniture that I had time to repaint. Here we go:
The front view of our house.
The little bench by the front door and our red vintage lawn chairs! 🙂
Our gorgeous chairs!
And on the other side- our lovely vintage ice cream table and chairs!
Enjoy our sunny pictures!
All Things Can Become New Again
I have talked about this before, but just can’t get enough. Old things becoming new again. I love this idea. I especially love repurposing items when the new purpose is something completely different than its previous use. This has actually become pretty popular lately, so there is a lot of inspiration out there. I thought I would compile some of my favorite repurpose finds. I might even have to start a new project soon!
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These ideas are all great. The first picture is water skis made into a chair. I have also seen old surf boards used as shelves. The second is a shopping cart made into a chair. These would be totally cute on a deck or around a camp fire. The next photo is a library card catalog with added legs used as a coffee table. Then there is the side board dresser turned into a bathroom sink vanity. I love this idea. More storage and totally unique. The last is a side table made from suitcases. Great because storage is built right in!
Try thinking of new uses for old objects. Not only will your home be more unique and express your personality and taste, but it is greener for our world to recycle old items. Its a win win!
