Welcome Spring: Creating an Inviting Outdoor Space

Image 2 Comments April 25, 2016 Maria

Happy Monday!  Last week, I decided I wanted to reclaim our screened-in porch from what had been a long winter and pollen-filled spring.  After a thorough power washing, it was ready to be transformed!

Creating an inviting outdoor space is relatively easy if you think of your deck or porch as a mere extension of your home.  The same elements that make the inside of your home inviting will make your outdoor area a relaxing retreat:

• Colorful throw pillows
• Outdoor rugs
• Throw or light blanket (for cool nights)
• Candles & Lanterns
• String lighting and/or lamps
• Art
• Accessories
• Tables for various purposes (dining, end tables, coffee table, & even console tables)
• Plants and flowers of various sizes and colors.

I made it a point to approach this space just as I would my living room or bedroom, wanting it to reflect our family and what we enjoy doing outside: dining, entertaining and reading.

BEFORE… The pollen is strong in the South, y’all!

AFTER: I stored all of the pillows and cushions in large, plastic garbage bags over the winter so they were ready to go!  No cleaning or anything required because I did it all last fall.

Our new puppy, Gypsy, thinks it’s pretty great to be out here!

A fun tablescape adds SO MUCH to your table.  Use elements from the outdoors like shells, sand, stones, lanterns, candles and more.  Vary the height of the objects on the table and mix up textures.  Here’s a close up of the one I created on our porch.

Ready for dinner on the porch – one of our favorite things to do in the spring!

Finally, I decorated our old console table with art and candles to create a vignette that adds interest to the porch and makes it feel more home-like.

In the end, creating an inviting outdoor area is all about mindset.  If you approach this space as an extension of your indoor space, you’re bound to create an area that seamlessly integrates into the rest of your home.  It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. Most of my throw pillows and even the furniture are from Target.  I used Pottery Barn to source interesting accessories for the tablescape, but went to Home Goods for other items.  Look around your own house….you’re bound to find something that you can use outside. (I repurposed our old living room console table and discovered it was perfect for the porch!)

Finally, I want to leave you with this lovely and appropriate quote from Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room…

I hope I’ve inspired you some.  Have a great Monday!

~Maria

Creating an Inviting Outdoor Space

Leave a comment July 13, 2015 Maria

It’s been crazy hot at times this summer, but other times, it’s been so refreshing to be outside reading, playing or even napping.  Creating an inviting outdoor space is relatively easy if you think of your deck or porch as a mere extension of your home.  The same elements that make your home inviting will make your outdoor area a relaxing retreat:

• Colorful throw pillows
• Outdoor rugs
• Throw or light blanket (for cool nights)
• Candles & Lanterns
• String lighting
• Art
• Accessories
• Tables for various purposes (dining, end tables, coffee table, & even console tables)
• Plants and flowers of various sizes and colors

I recently updated our screened-in porch decor with the mindset of, “This is another room in my home where we spend time and entertain.”  I made it a point to approach this space just as I would my living room or bedroom, wanting it to reflect our family and what we enjoy doing outside (dining, entertaining and reading).

Our porch has a dining area where we often have dinner during the warmer months and a seating area, where we like to read and entertain. I defined these distinct spaces by using indoor-outdoor rugs in complementary colors and patterns.

In the seating area, I added elements of home by incorporating plants, colorful throw pillows, tables and a tray complete with entertaining-ready accessories. (The decanter and wine glasses are acrylic, making them break-proof!) Mixing textures, (here seagrass tables, ceramic stool, canvas pillows) is a great way to achieve a more relaxed feel.

Plants made this area much more inviting and added an element of the outdoors to the scheme.  The plants create a natural connection to the outside garden and make them feel integrated.

The dining area is ready for dinner anytime with a beach-themed tablescape and chargers.

A fun tablescape adds SO MUCH to your table.  Use elements from the outdoors like shells, sand, stones, lanterns, candles and more.  Vary the height of the objects on the table and mix up textures.  Here’s a close up of the one I created on our porch.  For more ideas on summer tablescapes, check out Bring Home Order on Pinterest.  I’ve created an entire board called, “Summer Tablescapes” with beautiful images to provide all of you with some additional inspiration.

Finally, I decorated our old console table with art and candles to create a vignette that adds interest to the porch and makes it feel more home-like.

The, “Welcome to our beach house,” wooden plaque was a gift from my kids. I had to put it out here because this porch may be as close to owning a beach house as we ever get!

In the end, creating an inviting outdoor area is all about mindset.  If you approach this space as an extension of your indoor space, you’re bound to create an area that seamlessly integrates into the rest of your home.  It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. Most of my throw pillows and even the furniture are from Target.  I used Pottery Barn to source interesting accessories for the tablescape, but went to Home Goods for other items.  Look around your own house….you’re bound to find something that you can use outside. (I repurposed our old living room console table and discovered it was perfect for the porch!)

I hope I’ve inspired you some.  Have a great Monday!

~Maria

We’re Taking the Party Outside: Patio and Porch Summer Prep

Leave a comment April 10, 2015 Maria

I think it’s finally safe to say that the warm weather is here to stay! It was a tough winter and I know we’re all excited about the arrival of spring, especially those of you in the Northwest. One of the things I most enjoy about the spring temperatures is the ability to eat dinner and read outside on our screened-in porch. So, this week I got our porch ready for the summer. Whether you have a porch, patio or deck, there are a few things to do to get your space organized for summer use. Here are some tips and inspiration for getting your outdoor space decked out for margaritas and grilling!

• Clean the area. You can do it by hand with an old-fashioned sponge and hose, but some people prefer hiring someone to power wash the entire outside of the house, including the deck and porch areas. If you opt for power washing, make sure to ask about the chemicals they use for cleaning. Some companies use harsh bleaches that can remove paint and discolor outdoor furniture. It’s always good to ask. You can also rent power washers from hardware stores. Here’s an excellent tutorial from Home Depot on how to choose the proper unit for your specific surface and needs (and, no, I wasn’t paid to publish this!):  http://howto.homedepot.com/videos/watch/1553785590001/Pressure-Washer-Tool-Rental.html
• Clean outdoor furniture, cushions and pillows.  Wipe or hose down furniture and cushions that have been sitting outside or collecting dust in the garage all winter. Check the care instructions on your cushions before using the hose, but most outdoor fabrics are made to endure water saturation (think rain). I have to plug an amazing upholstery cleaner here as well, because it really is awesome: BLUE CORAL Dri-Clean Plus takes out just about everything – I kid you not! I use it on rugs too, even though it’s designed for upholstery. Oxy Clean detergent is also a great product to dilute into water (1:4) and use on outdoor fabrics. Lay things out on a tarp or vinyl tablecloth in the sun to dry.
• Make sure your wood is sealed! This will prevent the wood from decaying, lengthen it’s life and help control splinters. It also makes your deck look more polished and clean. Most painters can do wood sealing, so start there. If your painter doesn’t do this, try deck companies. There are dozens of colors to choose from, so be prepared for that.

Once your space is clean, you can get to the fun part…decorating! There are so many gorgeous options at all different price points. You can spend as much on an outdoor sofa set as you can on an indoor one! Nuts, right? But, you can also head to Target for some quality, stylish items that won’t break the bank.   Target’s Threshold brand offers Scotch-Guarded cushions and throw pillows, and the prints are so versatile–literally something for everyone. Here are the easiest ways to update your outdoor spaces:

1. New, colorful throw pillows. Check out the following online sources: Target, Pottery Barn, Ballard Design, Frontgate and Home Decorators. They all offer great variety at various price points. All of these sources also offer outdoor furniture options. You can also check out discount stores like HomeGoods and TJ Maxx.
   
   

   Target Threshold products

2. A fresh coat of paint on metal and wood furniture. If your outdoor furniture is looking weary, a fresh coat of paint can totally transform it from shabby to sheik! Here’s a great video tutorial with a nice spray-paint option which has the primer built into it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZzTN2aUyQw

I am TOTALLY doing this over the weekend to my table and chairs. They are looking a wee bit sad and rusty after about 4 years of use. It’s time. And, don’t be afraid to pick a new color. Just because your furniture was black doesn’t mean it has to stay black. Think red, orange, turquoise or white instead (although white is high maintenance!).

3. A colorful indoor-outdoor rug. Indoor-outdoor rugs have come a long way in a few years! They are so great and can be cleaned out in your driveway with a hose. See all of the online retailers I mentioned above. I think Ballard Designs has some fantastic, affordable options that are just gorgeous.
4. Plants & Flower Pots will totally change the feel of a space! I have honestly never owned a houseplant outside of an orchid so I’m not the best source for advice one what to plant. But, I took the advise of many designers and bloggers who do know what they’re doing and decided to go to my local Home Depot and purchase some palms and a hibiscus plant. They really make the space feel tropical! I just hope I can remember to water them…
   
   
   
5. And now for some inspiration…  One can dream!

 

 

Happy Spring!  ~Maria