One Room Challenge: Our Back Patio

Hello friends, and welcome to my second One Room Challenge, a six-week makeover challenge created by Linda at the Calling It Home blog. If you are not familiar with One Room Challenge, I hope you will go by and read all about it at Linda's blog. Every Wednesday for six weeks, 20 featured designers will share their spaces, and on Thursdays I'll be joining dozens of other bloggers as a Guest Participant! If all goes as planned, I'll reveal our new space on May 12th.

This time around we are doing a slightly smaller project, updating the vintage brick patio in our back yard. You can see my first-ever One Room Challenge, our kitchen nook turned Empty Nesters' Lounge, here. When I say "we," I refer to myself and my bestie (and hubby) of 29 years, Maurie. If you're new to Opulent Cottage, thanks so much for visiting! You can read more about me and our 1926 historic home here. 

If you are a regular blog reader here, you may realize that my ORC plans have changed! I originally hoped to give our master bedroom a much-needed total overhaul, but those plans have been scrapped for something a little simpler. Thank you all for coming along on another crazy ORC ride with me! I hope you'll find loads of inspiration for fixing up your own outdoor spaces. Here is a past photo of the space we are redoing, taken in 2012, before we acquired our outdoor patio set:

 

I cannot remember a year when we have been more ready to relax and enjoy our back patio and pool! It's been a roller coaster ride lately, and to top it all off, we are coming up on our daughter's graduation from college. My husband deserves kudos for not only working so hard to restore his health recently, but for being an amazing dad for the last 22 years. This summer is the perfect time for him to have a few months of well-deserved R&R. My goal is to create a bright, comfortable space for us to relax and have friends over to enjoy the summer months. With special emphasis on comfort! Our patio took a beating the last couple of years with our crazy weather here in Dallas, and it's certainly ready for a refresh.

Another thing I'm going easy on, other than the workload, is the budget! Fortunately I have quite a few things in my hoard that can be reworked and there's very little I need to actually purchase. 

Here's the project list:

*Refinish these pieces and finally make cushions that fit properly. Cat-proof cushions :) 

 

 

*Rework portions of our vintage brick patio to level it out (this is a big job, so it's more of a maybe)

*Ugh, this wall. You know, this ivy was perfectly happy for the last 12-plus years, even though during most of that time we were in a drought, and honestly I rarely watered it. Then last spring and summer came with two years' worth of rain, and the ivy started to deteriorate. By last winter, it was completely dead. Picky, picky ivy. I anticipate having lots of fun taking all of this down. Except the opposite. :(

 

*Make a coffee table that better suits the style of the chair and love seat, and gives us plenty of room for trays of yummy food and pretty flowers. Possibly something like this one from Ana White:

 

 

*This bench is another goodie rescued from the side of the road! It needs a refinish and a pretty cushion.

 

*Repaint/Reuse/Repurpose: One thing I really don't need is any more outdoor accessories. But some of the current items certainly need a refresh! I'm hoping they will feel new and fresh once they have had a date with Mr. Rustoleum.

I've drawn inspiration from so many sources this spring! Here are a few:

These colorful Pier 1 pillows just say Happy Summer Days to me! 

 

A vibrant red umbrella from World Market could bring some welcome shade on hot days

 

Swooning over this colorful Rio Mat from World Market!

 

Pier 1 always has the most amazing serveware, and could this Carnival Brights Collection be any more cheerful?!

 

We already own these Pier 1 lanterns in black, but I'm thinking they would be prefect for the season if I paint them white:

 

So with a little elbow grease and some good weather {fingers crossed } we should be in good shape to finish up in time for the May 12 reveal! Wish us luck!

Would you like to follow along? You can subscribe by clicking on the at my top right sidebar, follow on Bloglovin', or follow me on Facebook here or Instagram here. I would love to connect with you!

xo, Andrea

 

*This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click through and purchase an item, I may receive a small commission. Thank you!

Joining: Thoughts of Home on Thursday

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Leslie]

Sounds like you definitely have a lot on your hands! It looks like you're starting with a space that has plenty of potential, and I look forward to seeing how you change it, as I signed up to re-do our whole yard in six weeks (yikes!).

[Stacey]

Oh friend, I have no doubt this will be amazing after you put all of your creative touches to it. You'd better get to work on the ivy today because there's no telling what the wall is going to look like. You may have to paint it.

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

Oh I can't wait to see how this progresses. I adore the colors you've selected.

[Stephanie Olive and Tate]

Oh I am jealous of your ivy wall (or your previous ivy wall)! I can't wait to see this space at the end of the challenge!

[Michaela @ The Lodge on Haydon]

Your space is so cute already, as are your kitties! Love your ideas for it, can't wait to see how it transforms!

[Lisa @ferncreekcottage]

I'm excited to watch you make over this space! I know it is going to be beautiful! I'm participating in ORC for the first time....nervous!