Monday, May 2, 2011

Outdoor Decorating

The weather was just gorgeous here this past weekend.  Sunday we had the house power washed and it was finally time to take out all of the patio furniture.
We have our outdoor furniture stored in our shed and in our pool house.  The whole family worked together to bring everything out.
Once we took everything out, I started arranging the furniture.  With the new patio, everything is different.
We decided to move the seating area to the other side of the pool deck.  I love how it looks with the landscaping behind it.

That whole seating area used to sit here.  Now, with the new countertop area it no longer made sense to have the huge umbrella and chat area here.  Notice the umbrella in the granite.  If we kept the seating area here, the two umbrellas would be on top of each other.
What became clear is that we need to buy some more furniture.  We knew this already, but until we laid everything out, I wasn't exactly sure what we needed.  Now I have a better idea.
I found this set at a local outdoor furniture store.  Wouldn't this look great sitting to the right of the sliding glass door?  A few issues...one - this is the only fabric they stock it in and I don't know that I want browns and taupes... I wish it had a more neutral fabric.  Second...it's over $5,000!!!  I'll have to continue my hunt for the perfect sectional (or try to find it somewhere else for less).
We also need two to three counter height stools.

image from Hanamint 
Probably this one from Hanamint to match the small table and chairs we bought last year.
We also need better chairs for around the fire pit.  Those chairs are not in great shape anymore.  They were originally from Bed and Bath and are close to ten years old.  Not bad for cheap chairs.

image from Frontgate
Finally we need two nice chaise lounge chairs.  We threw out four slingback lounge chairs that had rusted and gotten gross over the past few years.  My only issue is where they will go.  The lounge chair area used to be where we just moved the chat area.  I'm going to have to spend a little more time planning out this space today.  Maybe it's just me, but I am shocked at the cost of outdoor furniture.  We have bought inexpensive furniture in the past (ie the outdoor chat area at the pool is from Target).  Unfortunately those sets really don't seem to last more than a few years (and we put all of our furniture away for the winter).
Next step in conjunction with adding more furniture...adding some color.  Way too much grey already.  I'm looking forward to picking a color scheme.

What do you think so far?  Any outdoor decorating going on at your home?

-Judy


I've been featured over at At The Picket Fence.  Please stop by and take a look.

38 comments:

  1. YOur yard and patio areas are stunning. Love the fireplace and the bbq. The chat area is beautiful. Can't wait to see what all you find and how you decorate. Hugs, marty

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  2. Judy, your patio is amazing... as I am painting the kitchen cabinets and waiting for paint to dry, I was also cleaning off the patio and putting things out, It's still raining here haven't had much pretty weather. Soon I hope to be planting my window boxes and finally enjoying things.. can't wait to see what you come up with...have a great day

    Pattie

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  3. Hi Judy! I'm so glad you popped over first thing this morning and found your little "surprise" from us. :-) We meant every word! And, can I just tell you that every time I see your outdoor spaces my jaw drops open? I mean, everything is just gorgeous and I know that you will pick all of the right pieces to enhance what is already so amazing! :-) We had temps in the 70's yesterday but back to 50's today...yuck. I can still live vicariously through you though!
    Vanessa

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  4. Wow, what an amazing back yard you have!! The landscaping is absolutely gorgeous. This almost makes me wish I had an outdoor space to decorate. Can't wait to see what new furniture you decide on!! The one in the picture is beautiful, but $5000? Yikes!!

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  5. Your backyard is incredible! I would excited too if it were mine! Wow! When are you having all you followers over for a big splash:)

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  6. Oh, my...what a beautiful home, yard and patios you have. Have fun with choosing just the right things.
    xo bj

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  7. Congratulations on your feature At The Picket Fence. So well deserved, your home is stunning and your talents are exceptions, as well as your always gracious comments and visits. Hugs, Marty

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  8. OMG, STUNNING!!! What an awesome space for parties! I can't wait to see what else you do with it :)

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  9. I love the new seating area. It just looks so inviting. That is a big space to furnish! Just beautiful. Last month I bought some lounge chair cushions from Pottery Barn to update the worn out ones, I am a little disappointed, they are already fading! We have high winds where I live and I have to really be picky on what I buy so that it doesn't end up in the pool from the winds. Outdoor rugs are everywhere now, and well priced, that might be an option for grounding some of those sitting areas. It all looks beautiful, love the bbq area.

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  10. I brought out my outdoor furniture this weekend, too, Judy, but mostly for my open house to kind of fill in the patio more {especially since there are no real flowers to speak of yet}. I didn't clean them up yet, but it did look much better with everything out. Our main larger table has just about had it, but I'm going to try and get through this summer with it. Since we are looking to downsize I don't expect I will need anything quite this big in the future.

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  11. Amazing back pool and patio area. Crazy how much furniture it uses. Guess you can ask yourself what is really needed in furniture and then fill in with huge potted trees. Less expensive and with add height to the scape.

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  12. Judy your outdoor area is gorgous!!! All that entertaining space!! Love the fireplace - or is it an oven? and the firepit!

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  13. Wow,your outdoor patio looks stunning! Loved the furniture setting on the other side of the pool deck with the landscaping in the background.the fire pit, the bbq area, the landscaping... everything look awesome! Can't wait to see after you finish decorating with your magic wand!Have a lovely week ahead!~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

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  14. You have a beautiful backyard. I'm in the middle of a backyard makeover but here's what my temporary solution looks like: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2011/05/weekend-warrior-link-party-2.html

    I love lots of color. I think with all your gray you need some BIG pops of bright colors!

    Anna
    www.askannamoseley.com

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  15. Oh my, what a gorgeous yard and patio!! The stonework is just beautiful.

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  16. Your patio area is just beautiful. I would love to sit around there during a pool party.

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  17. I absolutely LOVE your outside area!! We have the same problem with not enough color going on outside right now in our new outside area. It's a hard compromise to buy things with color, but that are still functional (for us anyways...coming from Florida with all of the rain we get!). We started looking into buying new outdoor furniture and decided we'd just buy a piece here and there as we fell in love with it...because they are so stinkin' expensive!! We actually worked on this this past weekend too! I'm drafting up a post of it sometime this week.

    Love your area though, you did a great job with designing it!

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  18. Wow, what a gorgeous patio. I don't really know of many places selling outdoor furniture that have reasonable prices. Wish you luck. I would also incorporate turquoises, oranges, yellows, reds and greens to the decor. Pier one Imports has beautiful pillows that you could see to get ideas in colors.
    Good Luck.

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  19. You have the prettiest back yard. Your outdoor fireplace is to die for!

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  20. goodness...your patio is gorgeous! and the yard is just beautiful

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  21. That looks amazing! I am so jealous of your outdoor areas. Looks like it was made for entertaining big time!

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  22. Umm...have you SEEN your backyard?? It's gorgeous!! The trees, the curves to the landscaping, the stone work--everything is spectacular. Who cares what table and chairs you get!! :)

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  23. Wow wonderful patio!!!
    Your backyard!!!
    When can I come over!!!!??

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  24. Beautiful !!! I know you can't WAIT to enjoy your "new" patio this summer. I can just see kids in the pool ... grill fired up ... cocktails being enjoyed and perhaps a s'more or two being enjoyed by the firepit. Good luck with your furniture hunt. :) Becca

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  25. It's not just use. Outdoor furn. is ridiculous!!! We bought some stuff at Sam's Club & it's been great. We've had it for years but they don't have the same type stuff anymore. I found a Hannamint set that I wanted but it was $5000. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. After looking all over I found a set I really like online that was almost half the price. Good luck shopping! Everything looks so pretty!

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  26. What a gorgeous outdoor space! I would love to have the problem of buying more furniture to fill my space...sigh. :)

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  27. The yard and placement look great! We are going to do our yard over soon, too.

    I can't wait!

    =)

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  28. Okay. So. This is the second time I have tried to find out on your blog where you live!! What state?? The landscaping is so elegant. I love it. The outdoor space is also very spacious and spreads over a pretty large area, which makes decorating difficult. (One of those things that we women aren't given the right to complain about!!)

    The furniture that you considered would be beautiful and you do have a nice place to store it during the harsh weather times of the year. It might be worth the investment. I have learned. Cheap outdoor furniture just doesn't last and has to be replaced more often. Just something to consider. My thoughts. :)

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  29. I am in awe of your home and talents. Congrats on being featured...that is how I found you...and now that I have found you I am going to stick around. I am your newest follower. Good luck with the hunt for outdoor furniture:o)
    Cheers,
    Carrie

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  30. Your patio is gorgeous! I would want to spend the entire summer (& fall) back there. I'm amazed with how much green I see in your landscaping already. Our trees don't have that many leaves yet.

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  31. Gorgeous outdoor space Judy~ I am in love with your gorgeous patio and pool areas! :)

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  32. Um Judy...V and I are on our way over to hang out on your back patios...absolutely fabulous! ;) Seriously, wish we all lived near each other so we could hang out, sip wine and warm ourselves at your backyard fireplace. We appreciate you!

    Heather

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  33. Um I have to admit I didn't even bother reading your post the first time because I was too busy scrolling through to see all the picture of your BEAUTIFUL home and landscaping!!!! It's just spectactular! Now I'll go back and actually read it ;o)

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  34. Wow! Your patio is gorgeous! Insanely jealous of it. If you come home and find a random stranger lounging out by your pool, it may be me. I know what you mean about the outrageous prices for outdoor furniture. Occasionally I find quality pieces on Craigslist that just need new cushions. Since you're so handy with the sewing machine, you could try that.

    Congrats on the feature! Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Wow! All eye-candies!

    Linking this up with us made the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop better and more special. Thank you!

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  36. LOve, LOVE, LOVE this, Judy! :) Thank you so much for linking up at Inspire Me Mondays! I am featuring this post tonight! :) Hope you have a wonderful week! :)
    Crysta
    www.homemakerinheels.com

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  37. What a gorgeous space. i love all the options and architectural elements. The family and I will be over next weekend. :)
    Thanks for sharing on Motivated Monday
    Pam

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  38. Awesome work! Good job!

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