Time to show off what you’ve been working on! It has been raining all week, but I was able to get some pictures (with long grass because it’s been rainy) and of course, it was windy when it’s not raining. Oh well. I get too excited to hold off for perfect weather and for perfectly complete (that could be a few years).
As you know from
last week, I’ve been working on fixing up the bistro set I scored for $15 at a yard sale. It’s painted to match our existing patio furniture for extra seating under the grape arbor.
The cushions we have are brown for the most part except for the swing which has sage/tan and gold stripes so I felt limited by that. 🙁 But, I was able to find a fabric that looks good with everything!
It’s called Magic Carpet (walnut) by Waverly.
I wanted round extra-poofy cushions for the chairs. Goal achieved and then some.
Oops! It’s cushion overkill. But, it is what it is. No pattern and my first attempt at round, 3D cushions with piping. Not too bad but definitely Poofy. Tall. Unique. 🙂
I did document my DIY steps in pictures so if anyone is interested in some helpful round cushion tips, I will create a tutorial.
I sewed ribbon to sheers that I got here to tie to the grape arbor to disguise the imperfections…I mean create a romantic atmosphere. CHEAP source for sheers! $2.99/panel!
Before I continue, I have to point out what’s not done (because that’s usually what I see). 🙂
Don’t mind the “floor” of the grape arbor. It’s weeds and a mess right now but we have DIY plans for that when the budget allows. And next year I will be staining the wood structure..so please overlook that right now too. Oh – and Mr. DIY says the weed-wacker needs blades, so pretend you don’t notice the overgrowth at this time too, please. Plus rain every single day = long grass that needs mowed. 🙂 Now that I have that out of the way…
First, here was the grape arbor when we bought the house. Quite a rustic eyesore but potential beauty in those old vines regardless and a 50 foot mostly shaded area not to mention tons of grapes!
Here’s a close up. “Hello Chippy!”
Even at it’s ugliest, it was a beautiful space for my brother’s small wedding in 2008.
And a great space for shaded seating for my sister’s baby shower last year.
Mr. DIY (and family friend) built up the new wood structure around the old rusty iron skeleton, lifting and shifting the grapes in the process before removing the old iron poles. It’s about 7’x7’x50′ (except for the gazebo area). The grapes survived the stress!
Here are the after pictures with the new bistro set and sheers.
Too windy for candles in the candelier but we do have white lights at night that follow the lines of the gazebo.
And the grape arbor now ‘in progress’
Here are some pictures of the grape arbor and gazebo at night. So pretty!
Still a little work with the pavers or flagstone path underneath. It’ll look so much better after staining the wood structure, but what do you think so far? Care to join me for a glass of wine and relaxing under the rotunda? Perhaps with Keanu Reeves from a Walk in the Clouds? 🙂
And some new pillow covers for the existing patio furniture (and the swing fabric that I had to consider with the new fabric).
And my window boxes this year:
So...that’s what I’ve been up to. What about you? Feel free to link up!
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