Happy Monday, Ladies!
I hope you had a nice, restful weekend. I would like to say that I did…but I would be lying…and that’s not nice.
I came down with a cold at the end of last week that zapped me of any energy whatsoever, so I apologize for not getting to share my “big” patio reveal with you on Friday. You must have been terribly disappointed. I know you were waiting on pins and needles! (wink)
I have mentioned several times that this patio has kicked my tail this summer. Well, it’s true.
I cannot tell you how many pillows and cushions I have purchased and returned because I didn’t like the way they looked with my patio furniture! If I had kept count, you would have thought I was verging on physco.
The problem began with our patio floor.
Do you remember our project at the beginning of the summer?
We turned our plain, ugly concrete patio floor into a beautiful (faux) tile patio floor by staining the concrete. Click HERE for the tutorial.
Before…
After…
It really turned out pretty, so why was it a problem?
Because it ended up being a little darker than I had expected, and my black patio furniture tended to “sink” into the dark brown tile floor.
So after about 87 pillow purchases (and returns), and 2 rugs later, it finally started coming together.
Here is what my patio looks like now….
The rug from Lowe’s and the off-white pillows from Pottery Barn really made my black table and chairs “pop”. I love the way it looks now.
To add a touch of off-white to the other side of the patio, I added the coffee table from my guest house that I got at Goodwill for $6.50. If you want to see what it looked like before I painted it, click HERE.
The planter on the table was my mom’s, the red plate ($1.00) and the basket/tray ($4.50) on the bottom of the table were both from Goodwill, and the candle used to be my sister’s. She had it for sale at a yard sale, and when it didn’t sale, I took it home. :)
This coffee table has the same paint treatment as the buffet table that I painted last weekend. I think both pieces help to lighten up the patio even more.
If you want to see my buffet table re-do, click HERE. To accessorize this table, I just pulled things out of my house. The tall “wish” jar used to be on my piano and was purchased on clearance at Gordman’s last year. The pewter salt and pepper shakers were a wedding gift, the lantern I got last year at Gordman’s for about 5 bucks, the white bowl was a purchase from a flea market, and the faux green apples I got from Marshall’s last year.
I struggled with how to decorate the table. I wanted to make a beautiful tablescape to share with you, but I just haven’t had the time or money to put it together. So instead, I just got these beautiful mums from Lowe’s and put them in this adorable double galvanized planter that I got from JoAnn’s. It was regularly $19.99, and it was on sale for $6.50! Score!
The galvanized planters bring a little bit of a rustic feel, and I love it.
I call it my “touch of Layla” (The Lettered Cottage). :)
I am still looking for ways to create a beautiful tablescape, but for now I am enjoying the look of my mums.
My favorite addition to the patio was my hanging lanterns! I have had these lanterns a couple of years, so adding these cost me almost nothing!
I just got this idea this week, and I cannot tell you how much it added to this space.
They are so darn cute hanging there!
I hung them from some iron hooks that I got at a yard sale two summers ago. They were gray and rusty and only 50 cents a piece. I took them home and painted them black knowing that I would use them somewhere someday.
The hooks were originally a little longer…
But I didn’t want the lanterns to hang too far out from the post, so my sweet hubby cut the end loop off with his hack saw, and it was perfect!
It rained this evening as I was trying to finish taking pictures for this post. Here are some pictures of the candles lit in the lanterns…
I love looking at my little lanterns from my kitchen window.
The pillows and cushions in my wicker chairs and on the swing are from Garden Ridge…
In the late afternoon to evening, the sun beams down on the table area. It makes it absolutely miserable to eat dinner!
That’s why I need my drop cloth curtains to block the sun! If you missed my post about how I hung these curtains, click HERE.
It works perfectly and makes eating so much more enjoyable!
Some of you have asked me if the drop cloths will mildew when the get wet. The answer…idunno.
It has rained the past two days, and when the curtains get wet, I just pull them all the way out to dry. So far so good.
I think they will hold up just fine, but if they don’t, I will be sure to let you know. :)
(At least they wouldn’t cost much to replace!)
I really do love the way it has all come together!
My hubster even said that it is the prettiest room in the house! :)
I am so glad I was able to get it finished before a little get together I am having at my house next week. (BTW, if you live nearby, you are invited! I’ll tell you about it later this week.)
I have more pictures to share, but I will save them for another post. It is getting late, and I need my sleep!
Thanks for stopping by!
WOW! I couldn’t stop looking at these pictures…it’s so beautiful! You have such an eye! The colors are perfect (after all of that hard work) and the pieces work so well together. I LOVE the curtains too! Again, WOW! :)
Can you please tell me how you hung the lanterns? I have vinyl patio posts and not sure how to go about hanging my lanterns. I love this idea!!! Thanks!
GORGEOUS! I would love to have that in my own backyard! Great job. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Blessings,
Jill D.
Traci,
your patio looked lovely and inviting before and now it looks like a finished room. All the little details you added real complete the space….and that swing…I am so in love. Have always wanted a porch swing like that. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you get to feeling better. Have a blessed week!
It’s beautiful and so inviting! The curtains add such a nice touch – being perfect to block the sun, but just softening the ends of your porch when they aren’t pulled out. So pretty. Makes me want to put a porch on the back – someday! :)
Thanks for the inspiration!
It looks beautiful. Love the tables & all of the accessories. Good luck with your drop cloth curtains outside. I have a smaller dropcloth that I’m using as a tablecloth on my screened porch & after getting wet it’s starting to mildew. I’m hoping the dark spots will come out in the wash but I haven’t tried yet.
You’ve done a great job on that patio – now go find a glass of lemonade & take a break for the rest of the summer.
Yeah, I am hoping mine don’t mildew. :) If they don’t last, I guess I’ll have to use them as drop cloths! (hee, hee)
Be careful about using material that is natural fiber for outdoor curtains. I decided to get fabric to make mine, it was 10 oz. canvas, just like the drop clothes. Turned out beautiful, till we began to have extremely high humidity for Western Pennsylvania. In a matter of days, the curtains were completely covered with mildew, and the fabric even shrunk, because they have gotten shorter. Made me sick. Will make new ones this winter, but will use synthetic material.
Hi Marilyn!
Yes, I think it depends on where you live, which material you use. I have used natural fabric outdoors for years now in Kentucky and mold has never been an issue.
Thanks for stopping by,
Traci
Throw them on the washer with some bleach and they will come out fabulous!
I love it! I really like the lanterns especially from the kitchen window. I hope you had fun putting it together. Enjoy!
*Love* Love* Love! You’ve out done yourself again! I can’t pick just one thing I love…the whole darn thing turned out SO SO cute! It’s only 6:48 here, but I am going to be standing at the door of JoANN’s before they open to see if I can get one of those galvenized planters! I love the “touch of Layla” too! Thank you for letting us know where you got them! I’m happy you are feeling better, and getting a *little* sleep anyway! :)
Thanks, Lisa! I hope you are able to get the planters. There were a couple left when I bought mine. I’m tempted to go back and get them. :)
You’re efforts have turned out wonderful! Casual elegance outdoors… lovely!
Wow, Traci, it is gorgeous! I LOVE the whole setting of your home! I am squished on a tiny brand new treeless lot so when I see beautiful green SPACE like that I always notice :-)
Enjoy that lovely new space!!!
Blessings,
Melissa
Thank you, Melissa! I DO love all of my trees. I have two 100+ year old oak trees in my front yard that are priceless to me. If I ever move, they are going with me! :)
Can’t wait to visit with you at Relevant! Not much longer…
W.O.W. It really is an outdoor ROOM! What a fabulous space. It’s wonderful when a space evolves over time and becomes what you want. Great style!
Oh my — that turned out so beautiful!! Love it!
Love it all! I just want to sit out there and sip some lemonade! ENJOY it!!!
Thank you! I would love for you to come over for some lemonade! :0)
It’s gorgeous! All the details are wonderful, you did such a increadible job! You will have many special memories out there!
XO
Kristin
Wow Traci!! Your patio is so beautiful! Can we come eat there with y’all? :) Those lanterns are adorable. Love it all!!
I would love to have you over! Now that the patio is finished, I am ready for some company! :)
Honest to Pete, but you did a fabulous job. Your patio space looks Great!! Love it all!
Just stunning ! I love those lanterns and that floor treatment still takes my breath away. Wish I could be sitting out there with you right now ! What a special place to entertain and be with family.
xo
Kate
Oh Kate! I wish you could sit there with me too. I bet we could talk for hours about bloggy things. :) A you could even stay the night in my guest house. While you were in there, maybe you could add a few “centsational” touches. :)
Have a great week!
WOW Traci!!. It looks so great. I love the extra special touches you’ve added with the lanterns, mirror, ferns and buffet table. I also love how you added some additional landscaping around the patio. What a great summer project. It all came together so well.
Hi Traci,
I love, love, love your patio. I’ve been so interested in your cement staining job. You did a fabulous job. My husband and I love it but he’s concerned that it won’t wear well. Since it’s been stained for a while now, have you noticed the furniture scratching it at all or does it seem to be sticking okay to the cement?
Becki
jeffhone@juno.com
Hey Becki! I am glad you like my stained concrete. I love the way it turned out, but their are pros and cons. Because the stain is dark brown, it shows more dirt than I would like. I have to clean it quite regularly. We were trying to stain it a tan color, but it turned out darker than we expected. However, it gives our patio so much more of a finished look. I think it looks very much like tile. It’s worth the extra effort to clean it to me!
I have not noticed much wear. There were a couple of pea size spots under the grill wheels where the stain has rubbed off, but my husband said we can just touch it up with some stain later. No one else would notice it but us. The stain has not rubbed off under any of the other pieces of furniture and I have moved them around quite a bit. So overall…so far, so good!
Wow! Your patio looks fabulous! I’m waiting for cooler weather before I set out to work on my porch, and I will definitely keep your patio in mind.
i love your patio. it is so beautiful.
i sldo tried your strawberry cream horn’s they were really good! the girl’s @work loved them.
i did post them and linked it back to your site! thank you so much for sharing !
Oh good! Weren’t they so amazingly easy! And they taste like little mini strawberry shortcakes! :)
Thanks for letting me know you tried it. It makes me happy! :)
Traci, it’s lovely! And I know you’ll enjoy this retreat when you come home in the afternoons this fall! Is there a table for some tea or hot chocolate by that swing to enjoy while you grade papers?!
Wow, it is just stunningly gorgeous. Would love to sit over coffee with you there.
Yes, that would be grand! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Love your visits. :0)
Oh I have been so busy this summer, I had company off and on (mostly on) for 2 months and then we did vacation too, so I havn’t been around. Trying hard to catch up today. Your patio is fabulous. I LOVE the floor treatment. It is just fabulous and all of your furniture, curtains and accessories are fabulous. I so hope you are all well. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
It is gorgeous! I can’t even begin to pick which part is my favorite! I love it all!
Gorgeous…what a great space. You should enter the Kirkland’s Outdoor Space contest.
Looks great, Traci! I have lanterns hanging from the posts on my screened porch, and I just love them–mine aren’t as pretty as yours, but they’re still lots of fun.
I am so proud of your patio. It all looks just wonderful. I hope you have enough energy at the end of the school days to enjoy eating out there!
Take care, sweetie! Love you!!
Your porch is so lovely. I especially like that you have added draperies for privacy and to block the sun.
Everything looks perfect.
hugs
Sissie
That is the most beautiful patio. I am so envious! I would love to have a covered patio, the sun really makes it so we can’t use ours in the afternoon. Your cushions are perfect for some color and the tables turned out great.
Brooke
Your patio came together gorgeously. Love the mix of black and white and the classic touches you took. From the “tile” through to the details. It turned out awesome.
Bernadette
ww.b3homedesigns.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness, I am sooo jealous! I LOVE it!!!!
Pat yourself on the back because you did a fantastic job on this project. Your family and friends must really enjoy eating and relaxing in this spot.
LOVE it! Looks so amazing! Just like a magazine! Kudos girl!
Wow, its soooooo beautiful!! All your hard work paid off!!!
WOW! STUNNING! GORGEOUS! AWESOME! B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L
You did an amazing job. If I were closer, I would be dropping by and having some sweet tea with
you on that patio!
I just really love it. Thanks for sharing
Marilyn C.
Wow I just love every detail! The curtains are a great touch. Really, really amazing space!
Wow, Traci…your patio is awesome! Such a dramatic change from before and I really like it! I love your new floor…doesn’t look too dark at all…looks fabulous! I feel your pain about taking back cushions…I’ve been known to make numerous trips when decorating a space.
BTW, if you have any issues with mildew on your curtains, I don’t think you’ll need to buy new ones. Just wash them in the washer with a tiny amount of bleach and I think you’ll be alright. I didn’t realize until just a few years ago that you can use bleach in the washer with off white fabrics…it just may lighten the color a little. Of course, you wouldn’t want to pour it directly in…
Even an all fabric bleach or that Oxy clean stuff might work. I love the way they look…great transformation!
Now THAT is what a patio should look like. That is absolutely stunning!
Wow Traci. You’re patio is so gorgeous. I just love it. It was pretty the last time I saw it but I just love everything you’ve done. The lighting, the rugs, furniture, plants are all fabulous. Your pics came out great. Just love the evening views.
I wanted to let you know I’m having a giveaway and hope you come by and enter. I blogged about it on Fri. I listed others I found in blogville since then.
Hugs and love, Tracy :)
This is just so pretty. The tiling is great but I was drawn in by the inside touches you brought outdoors. Love the fabric panels, the white buffet, the chandelier, the accessories, the furniture arrangement, and the pops of black. :Yes, I studied it all. :) Nicely done.
Pam
I love the patio makeover! It is gorgeous.
Good luck with the job this year! We just started back to school here and trying to get into the swing of the new routine. :)
Traci! It is just beautiful and so functional too. I love the lanterns and the other lighting. I just want to come over and sit.
You did awesome..now go take a nap…since I know you don’t have anything else going on ;) Take care of yourself and try not to overdo it.
Big hugs,
Melissa
It’s absolutely gorgeous! You did an amazing job! Love it all.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Traci- I love your patio transformation. It looks so inviting…you did a fantastic job!
Absolutely love the makeover of your patio-what a difference you’ve made-Simple but elegant and it has a very soothing appearance-May you and your family have many wonderful dinners out there and make lots of special memories!
It looks absolutely beautiful!!
LOVE the reveal!!! ♥
One question… what is the SIZE of your patio. We’re wanting to add on to our current patio slab and furniture-wise, yours is about the size I’d like to aim at. Thanks!
beck
I absolutely love the your patio!!! What a great transformation! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it for many meals and just sitting and relaxing.
amazing! it looks so cozy! -denise
I LOVE your back patio!!! It is so calm and relaxing. I would spend all my time living outside if I had that in my backyard. Just beautiful!
I’m soooo in love with your porch makeover…love the look…it’s just my style!!! I’m an outdoor gal and my screen porch is my fav spot. Hop over and enter my GIVEAWAY…I think you will like it!
Blessings,
Linda
LOVE LOVE LOVE! I was browsing for ideas for my patio re-do and this is great, you’ve done a beautiful job. Thank you for the inspirations!
This is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! It makes me long for the day we build a patio. I imagine dinner under that chandelier with the curtains billowing in the breeze and the lanterns lit would be NOTHING shy of magical! How wonderful!!! Beautiful job!
I love the faux tile. I plan to do this next year to my screened porch. I also noticed your mirror hung on the brick. I also, would like to do that, but am not sure what I need to hang it with. What did you use? Thanks!
Your patio looks fantastic after the makeover! If you don’t mind, I would also just like to say something about your mum’s photo. It caught my eye immediately and I said to myself: wow, there’s just something really special about this lady. It is a stunning photo and I can see the Godliness in her. How lucky you are to have had such a mum.
That is one wonderful patio! It’s definitely another “room” for you!! I think I missed where you got that rug, too. I’m going to attempt to paint some furniture white once I get moved and will have a rental house to play with decor-wise. Lots of wood floors so need a nice carpet :)
Blessings!
It looks amazing! Great job…inspired me to do some work i’ve been wanting to do–just was thinking it was all too expensive! :)
Hello,
I found you on Pinterest. Quick question: what is the color of your wicker settee and chairs?
Are they black? Did you paint them?
I love this porch. Beautiful!! I have a black metal table and chairs set and I wanted to get a sitting area to match. I thought about black wicker since I can’t find a reasonably priced metal settee and chairs.
This is absolutely stunning!! It’s my inspiration for giving our porch a makeover! Thank you for posting all of the tutorials!! You have done a truly fabulous job!
Just lovely, Traci! You should be proud of yourself!
You know – I keep coming back to this piece on your blog because it has really been the inspiration for me to step up, and start doing something. I love all your ideas, but your backporch in particular because it is so very similar to mine. You are so crafty and ingenious with your ideas. I want to just thank you for your inspiration, and your continued sharing of your knowledge, told in such a way that makes me feel like I can do it too! I think that’s the secret to a blog – easy to read, step by step, and a great attitude (even when things aren’t so easy!), is what keeps me coming back. Thank you for sharing your life, your boys and your husband that allows me to keep on truckin’, so to speak!
Maybe one day, I’ll get brave and have a blog of my own to share. Til then –
thank you again.
g
Geneva!
What a sweet, sweet comment! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I am glad you have found inspiration from my blog. It is such a blessing to share my life and ideas with my readers. I definitely feel like I am receiving more than I am giving. :)
Bless you!
Traci
I have been trying to find drop cloths that are soft looking like yours, are yours canvas? Or heavy Cotten?
The ones I have found are light gray, canvas and come in 6oz. 8 oz or 12 oz weights. Any details you can give would be super helpful! You did a great job on your porch!
I got mine at Home Depot. I’m not sure what the weights of the drop cloths were. I’ve never looked at that. :) Hope that helps a little.
I am in LOVE with your dining set!!! Wherever did you get it?!?!
This is just fabulous. You took some drab concrete and made something simply gorgeous! And what style you have! I want to read more from your blog!
I love it Traci! I want to come hang out ASAP;)
I love your porch with the faux tile! I have had it on my to-do list for a year. What kind of tape did you use? Painter’s Tape?
Your “new” patio looks amazing. I love making old things look new! The great news is that your patio is still one solid slab of concrete that can be lifted and repaired if ever necessary! I hope it lasts you a very, very long time!
Love your patio!! How wide are your posts? 8, 10 inch square? Thanks
Rustoleum makes a water proofing spray for fabric that will work well on the outdoor curtains.
This is beautiful! I’m totally using your patio as inspiration to mine. :)
I’m just stumbling upon this now. I would love to know how the stain has held up after all these years. Is it something that needs redone? We power wash ours at the beginning of each summer, this may be something we should consider doing!
Hi Amanda – Thank for writing in …. really, it’s help up! Just keep it clean and maintained each spring!
This is absolutely stunning! I love what you have done. I am about to start (ok, will help my husband) stain our concrete front and back patio. The back patio is just like yours minus all the beautiful decorations. ☺️ Your beautiful decorated space will be my inspiration. Thank you very much for sharing your creativity. Enjoy!
I think you and your husband did a fantastic job…everything looks so awesome! And, reading about your patio adventure was like talking to you face to face..very interesting and entertaining (loving hubbies black socks,etc) LOOKS VERY PROFESSIONAL…KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
I love the way you were very creative and it looks beautiful. I also painted my backyard all around the pool area and it came out beautiful .All my neighbors like the whole outcome. I wish you the best!
Wow!! I am SO inspired! This is ABSOLUTELY…. BEAUTIFUL!!!! Kudos to you!! It looks fantastic!!!
hi, i love it i would like to be there right now.i will definitely do it in my backyard.did you make roof over your patio by your self and the swing did you made it by yourself too?
Thank you! Our back porch was already on the house when we bought it. It was screened in with doors, but we removed them and created the columns. My dad built the swing for us.
Is your patio cover wood or alumawood?
Wood. :)
Your porch is absolutely gorgeous! I’m thinking about taping off “tiles” and staining my front porch. You mentioned that the next morning you could see brush strokes so you used a rag on the stain. Did you have to blend the entire cement surface with the rag? I’m not sure what to do with the brush strokes. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for helping me out too!
Hi Terri!
I am trying to remember what I did because that was about 6 years ago. :) I think that I just used the rag on the places I saw the brush strokes? I can’t remember if I did the whole porch. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
I love your back patio! It is absolutely the look I am going for at my house. I would love to know if you had the patio laid and the cover built yourself. We are getting ready to do this to our back patio but find it is pretty expensive to have a cover built.
The back concrete patio was enclosed with sliding glass doors when we purchased the homes, but we didn’t like it. So we tore down the doors, and built the four columns to make our back patio open. Thanks!
I really like what you did with this patio. It is exactly what I am looking to do at my house. I love the swing, table, and curtains (just an extra pinch of privacy and sun shielding). Curious how the curtains are holding up? What sort of climate are they in year round?
Warm Regars,
MB
Hi MaryBeth! This is our back patio on the house we lived in seven years ago. I had the curtains up for a couple of seasons, and they held up well. They were easy to clean with just our outdoor hose. We live in Kentucky, so we get ALL the seasons. :)
Hi there!
Love love love your porch! We just added on to ours, giving me an additional 23’x12’ to work with. I’m curious about your wood pieces, do you leave them out Year round? We live in Dallas, so our winters aren’t bad.
Thank you, Stephanie!
And yes, I left my wood pieces out all year long, even though we have all four seasons. The covered porch left them pretty protected.
Thanks for stopping by!