Patio Season {small updates}

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Roeshel

I love that the weather is warming up! We have a patio off of the back of the house which we utilize as an outdoor room in the spring, summer and fall. We spend a lot of time in this space, weather permitting. It’s not a pretty sight by the time winter ends. Blah! The Lowe’s Creative Ideas challenge this month is outdoor mini-makeovers. Perfect timing!

Trip down memory lane: When we purchased this house, we installed two sets of French doors. There were concrete sidewalks with ramps to the old ‘single’ doors. When we bought the house:

A few years ago, we installed a concrete patio…

but we never replaced the siding where the old ramps were located. (I also address the dirty concrete. Keep reading!)

I headed to Lowe’s with iphone pictures and measurements. The Lowe’s associates were super helpful in directing me to the siding supplies, advising what I’d need: a “J-channel” to match up/attach the vinyl siding. They even provided tin snips and a tape measure so I could cut it to fit in my vehicle.

Installing the J-channels was easy, just nail into place. Then we just a close-matching piece of vinyl siding (“heather”, also available at Lowe’s) and snapped it into place.

Finally! No more embarrassing eye sore of missing siding…it’s those little things that really bother the home owner more than anyone else, ya know and one that is so surprisingly easy and cheap, I’m wondering why we put it off. Hopefully with some age, it will blend in even better.

I moved all of the furniture and gave the concrete a good scrubbing (water + Krud Kutter). It cleaned off the surface dirt and mildew but not rust or grease. However, it looks a much brighter!

I used spray paint to freshen up some existing decorative accents, planters and a ‘grill cart’ and added some colorful flowers to planters and window boxes.

Some new things available at Lowe’s:

Outdoor area rug defines the cozy seating area…

Love this umbrella candelabra (misted with Rustoleum’s “Lagoon” spray paint to match other accents) and beautiful fat hanging flower baskets…

The sun sets on the other side of the house. Sometimes evenings are chilly. This wood burning firepit is perfect for a little heat (and roasting marshmallows)…

Cutest decorative owl candle holder…

When it’s warm and not raining, I start my day with a cup of tea here. When we entertain small groups and it’s warm, this is the party location…lots of family dinners/cookouts and since it’s right off the kitchen, hosting and clean up are super convenient. It’s also where we enter the house. Now it’s visitor-worthy, pretty and relaxing. C’mon over!

BEFORE

AFTER

More pics…

Next up for this space:

rearranging some of the furniture another time or two
pallet herb garden
canopied swing bling
patio pet bed
raised flower bed
grape arbor/gazebo path/patio is on the DIY list again (maybe this year?!)

Free Standing Pallet Herb Garden:

Patio Swing Makeover:

Sharing at Project Inspired.

See more fun DIY ideas at Lowe’s Creative Ideas, follow Lowe’s on Instagram, Pinterest and sign up for the Creative Ideas magazine and app!

*Disclaimer: As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Creators and Influencers network, I received a Lowe’s gift card to complete this project for a mini outdoor makeover challenge, however the tutorial images, instructions and opinions are my own.

DIY Project Parade and 13 Outdoor DIY Highlights

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Roeshel

It’s time for the DIY Project Parade! My favorite time of the week for sharing DIY home improvement and decorating projects, visiting friends, sharing ideas.

I have to tell you – I had the most amazing week meeting so many of my DIY blog {and non blogger} friends at the Haven Conference. I was seriously so star struck. Blog. Friends. In real life! We’ve virtually visited each others’ homes, shared and laughed and cried and seeing friends in person and hearing their voice (instead of their words in my own reading voice in my head) was truly a special treat. I even made new friends! The Haven team did an awesome job coordinating a super fun and interactive event. More on that and pictures as soon as I’m back home and caught up. I’m blogging from Atlanta, “ya’ll”. 😉 Oh, oh, oh! And guess who won $1000 worth of Purdy paint supplies AND a Home Depot garden crate gift basket full of goodies? Yep…this girl! Woo hoo!

Back on topic: Last week you shared your creativity. I’d highlight everyone if I could but you’ll have to visit the 6/17 DIY linky party for the complete list of links. Here are just a few amazing outdoor related projects that made me gasp with DIY delight {which goes something like this…”OMGosh! I’m so doing that! Why didn’t I think of that? I want that!” ::pin:: ::pin:: ::pin::}…

{please pin from original site}

Dawn from Creative Cain Cabin invited us to her welcoming, relaxing front porch for a little lemonade and some oohing and aahing over her beautiful outdoor retreat.

Northern Cottage inspired us to take a break from the indoor projects and to get some fresh air outdoors and dig in with her beautiful DIY potting table…

{wouldn’t that look perfect here on our barn patio?! yes, i think so! useful + pretty!}

*SNEAK PEEK ALERT*

Last year, our patio looked so pretty and fresh:

This year not so much (it looks like someone pulled out the patio furniture and walked away so far…oh, that’s exactly the situation).

BUT Kelly’s patio reveal at Eclectically Vintage is motivation to go out, fluff some pillows, move around some patio furniture and get the patio all primped and ready for summer. I’m the only one who hasn’t done that yet, aren’t I? I love her mix of eclectic and vintage (hmmm, where have I heard those two descriptions used together before? 2 happy words.)…

Keeping with the outdoor theme, Kelly’s DIY stamped garden markers (must see her clever garden container!) are super sweet…

Marji at Ashbee Design has this amazing daisy ladder in a corner on her porch and holy cow! It’s something we all need! Looks DIY-easy enough and it’s another way fun way to decorate seasonally! Love it! Must check back to see what she does for the 4th of July with it!

Okay, last week I shared a look at my DIY garden sign…

and last week, Shelley from Sew & Dipity shares the DIY garden sign jackpot with so many great ideas, inspiration and quote suggestions… for indoors or out!

Did you have a chance to stroll through Cathy’s front yard, i.e. cottage garden? It’s a story-book fairy-tale dream-come-true at My 1929 Charmer in the summer time. It’s beautiful…

Outdoor umbrella getting a little tired? You won’t believe the umbrella transformation by Katie at Creatively Living…genius!

Speaking of genius DIY’ers, Peggy at Pig Logs and ‘tater Berries shares how a tomato cage turned into a beautiful outdoor cage chandelier. It’s a beautiful makeover story…

YOU CAN DO THIS! Addicted 2 Home Decor makes repurposing an old lamp base into a beautiful DIY bird bath look super easy! So creative!

Summer get-togethers are so much fun, even a party for two. Have you seen the gorgeous DIY outdoor mini bar and entire patio from Barb at Turtles and Tails? This girl knows how to entertain!

My blog friend, Daune from Cottage in the Oaks has my favorite summertime porch this year. Inspiring and full of charm. I know you’ll do a double take. I thought it was an inspiring photo straight from a Pottery Barn catalog. So much summer decorating goodness…

Melissa from Daisy Mae Bell has a back yard that you won’t want to leave. Ever. In fact, I might head over there and camp for the summer. It’s amazing!

Have you been working outdoors or indoors? Let’s see what you’ve been up to!

<div align="center"><a href="https://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/" title="DIY Show Off"><img src="https://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac195/Roeshel/DIYprojectparadebutton-1.png" alt="DIY Show Off" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

1. Please use the button above or text and link to this post to share the linky love. Here is the link: https://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/.

2. Your post must be recent, shared at one DIY Project Parade only (not continuously) and be DIY related.

3. Include your name or blog name and project title. Add your permalink (not your blog url, but your DIY project post url).

4. Or email your link to thediyshowoff@gmail.com and I will add it for you.

5. This blog linky party is for DIY projects only. Links not related to DIY will be deleted. Please share your link one week only. Please do not link recipes, giveaways, linky parties, promotions or a collection of inspiration.

6. NOW you can “like” the links! What a fun idea! Most liked links may be included in a post of DIY Project Parade highlights later in the week, featured on DIY Show Off Facebook or Pinterest.

7. Visit a few other links to make some friends and to collect some creative inspiration!

*Don’t forget to enter to win*

Granite Gold cleaning kit & $50 Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card

granite gold products Bed Bath & Beyond gift card

DIY Show Off – Barn Patio Before and After Makeover

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Roeshel

Barn Patio Before & After

I’m so excited to share my barn before/after pictures. This space was completely un-usable, except to store/throw junk. Now it’s a functional clean party space hidden from the rest of the house and road. I’m still working on some additional DIY touches, but in the meantime, I think you’ll agree that the transformation is a HUGE improvement.

To keep costs low since this area is only used for occasional entertaining, we re-used a lot of the things we discovered in the barn already (and more DIY coming). We also obtained a few things from estate sales.

Before (left side):

The “barn red” paint was faded to a really ugly pink. The ‘floor’ was dirt with broken bricks/pavers. There were LOTS of spiders.

We took out the crumbling brick and concrete pavers that formed a broken floor on top of dirt, some broken glass and weeds. We added paneled siding to the back wall and painted (thanks to Butch for his help!). We poured a concrete patio (professionals did that part since it was a large area).

My husband framed the door and the wreath was on clearance at Joann Fabrics for $8.

I’ve had these old looking milk bottles for years … in the basement/storage.

I also have special plans for the short table (hope to finish it this week).

I love it. I changed my mind – it’s not all about entertaining. This is a great spot to relax! The wicker furniture was picked up at an estate sale. Isn’t the footstool the cutest? I didn’t even bother with repainting it. I loved it the light faded blue that it is. I did give the wicker chairs a coat of white spray paint to freshen them up.

I sewed cushion covers with fabric I bought at Goodwill. (I’ll spare you the nasty before picture.)

We found the old Coca Cola sign in the barn.

I made a table from a crate and old window we also found in the barn.

The other accents we got at estate sales (the book and gauge). The blue canning jar I confiscated from my brother. The bird house was hanging on the old grape arbor.

The only thing new is the birdie cloche I got at TJ Maxx a few months ago (how perfect for a barn!) and the white lantern (above).

I also ran out of time for replacing the hanging light bulb fixtures since I’m so indecisive. Paper lanterns for less than $2 on sale at Michaels (until a more permanent choice is made) and I already had the area rug too.