Saturday, May 29, 2010

Cheap Treats: Patio Project


I saw this ad for West Elm and literally gasped:


It is exactly what I envision for our future patio. The color palette, the contemporary design, the punchy green plant; I love it all!

However, we currently live in an apartment and we plan on buying our first home in a year or two. Therefore, I don't want to invest a lot of money in a 2-chair patio set when we will most likely buy a bigger one in a few years. So, I need to make due with what we have...which isn't much.

Currently, our balcony consists of two faded camping chairs {one blue, one red} and a black, plastic bowl filled with nearly-dead herbs. Chic, no?

Alaina totally inspired me when she shared her gorgeous deck makeover.



Seriously, how fabulous are those chairs? And she bought them for $6 a piece! *jealous*

I'd love to get a punchy rug like that, but it's just not in the budget. For now, I'll add my favorite color, turquoise, by way of citronella candles. They're certainly not as pretty, but I'm a big fan of the $5 price tag {and the fact that they keep nasty little bugs away!}.

What I can afford to purchase are some new chairs, flowers, planters, candles, and possible a few other outdoor decor items. Oh, and I'm also going to try this crazy idea I heard called "actually taking care of my plants". My goal is to spend less than $100 for the complete makeover. Here's the breakdown:

3 Planters {IKEA}: $35
2 Chairs {Home Depot}: $20
Table {already have}: free
Citronella Candle: $5
Flowers: $25


Total Cost: $85


Oooh, I'm $15 under budget. Maybe I can convince the hubs to let me go $10 over budget so I can buy that fabulous rug?! ;)


How are you sprucing up your outdoor spaces for the new season?


Any suggestions on where to snag some fabulous {and thrifty} outdoor home decor?

8 comments:

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

I'm working on re-doing my porch! Thanks for the ideas!

I'm your newest follower!

Becca said...

Hey Natalie! Funny you posted this because we just bought some new patio furniture! We didn't go for high budget either since this isn't permanent. I'll post pictures soon probably, but I'm planning to add lots of flowers for color.

carissa said...

seriously, so very adorable! love it!!! i can't wait to see yours! i'm so anxious to go ikea - i've never been - ahhh!

MCherie said...

Where is that great rug from?

Lovely Little Nest said...

Thanks, everyone!

The rug is from Pier1 and it's still on sale! We actually decided not to get it after all because I finished decorating the porch this weekend and it looks so good we don't even need it!

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

Hmmm I bought my items for my outdoor patio at walmart and pier 1. I usually just paint something I get in a more interesting color, so it appears to be more original.

www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

Alaina @ Live Creating Yourself said...

Wow! I am so flattered you featured my deck!! Thank you! It's so fun sitting out there. I love all the colors. Can't wait to see yours!

Alaina

Kristina said...

Well, so glad you asked. :)

Hubs and I are actually in a months-long process of painting our house exterior (early pregnancy has put that project on the back burner for the past couple of months, so only the front is done!), and we still need to do the porch area.

Picture this: dark gray house paint, white trim and porch railings, turquoise door and shutters, light gray porch floor and steps. Fun bamboo "rug", new wooden chairs, plants, and a white medallion to hang on the wall.

Yummy!

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