Expanding Our Living Space

Making our patio comfortable and very usable was a goal from the beginning of fixing up this space, I also wanted to have it be hip, clean, and crisp looking. Some of the furniture I had, some was bought at IKEA, other things had been collected overtime. I wanted to do a post about it because it turned into a VERY FUN project thanks to my friend Angela who helped me shop and arrange things too. We are both huge fans of Pinterest. Inspiration started with an outdoor space that I pinned 6 months ago where everything was taupy (is that even a word?), creamy, white washy, with lots of containers with green plants.

Here it is after!

Here are some before pics, of course, I wish I had taken a few more.....

                           We moved EVERYTHING off the patio and swept it clean.
                         This allowed us to think of things in new places and start fresh!

Here I hung hooks from Anthropologie that spell CALM. 

Hopefully the word speaks to me AND

the kiddos too! (wink, wink) Actually I love the verse in Psalms that says

"He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves". 

 Life has felt like a storm since last September, but I love

 this awesome reminder of what HE does for us! 

I have never cared for the three modular, square columns that adorn this patio area.  They are structural so not able to knock these beauties down.  I thought about planting vines that would grow up and cover them, but I thought maybe it would start looking like a jungle!  So one is covered with this bookcase from IKEA.  I love how it looks, doing the job nicely of hiding the ugly!

The art print and paper is from Emily at Jones Design Company

And the cool baskets were a steal at IKEA. These hold sunscreen,

garden clippers, and magazines and books.

I have had this blue sunbrella fabric for over two years now, and finally had it made into cushions for the chairs.  My mom found the fabric up north for quite a steal.  They are nice and thick and with zippers so I can wash them when needed.

The mirror is from IKEA, the hurricane a mother's day present from the kids several years ago, and the plants from Roger's Garden.  I have never seen a topiary Olive Tree!  I love it and hope it is not too finicky.

So far so good!  Wheeled white cart below the mirror was bought last fall at The Barn in Big Fork, Montana.  This antique store is a favorite when we visit the lodge.

The ceramic table was recently purchased from Redlands Estate Sale.

Thanks Angie for spotting this and encouraging me to check it out!  Love it...and love that it is old (30+years) and that it was cheaper than the new ones that you see everywhere now!

This oval basket works great on the patio.  I have had it for a while now, but hadn't found the right place for it inside the house.  Love it with this simple boxwood that I found at Roger's Garden.

Across the pool sits this little table and chairs with thick stripey cushions.  All items from IKEA,

including the stripe tray, another "ty Angie" purchase.  Can't wait to get an umbrella for

over this table so it is enjoyable to sit! 

Last thing to do is get the stripe fabric on this bench seat made into a cushion.

Angie also has a couple more ideas for the area to the left of the wreath

.

Curtains were a further attempt to cover those columns!  Kids have really enjoyed doing plays from the pool side and pulling the curtains shut to create a stage.......

Thanks for sharing in my excitement in creating this outdoor living space.

Now if that pool will just warm up a bit before we head to Montana!