BEFORE & AFTER: A Pretty Patio Makeover
I rarely entertain. I’ve never been much of a hostess. I suck at it, actually. It requires a certain amount of “pretty spaces” so you’re not embarrassed about your house when people come over. And you also need to be organized and prepared.
Well, I can’t do anything about the “organized” part, but I definitely can do something about the “pretty” part!
We have a big backyard with a patio, but would you invite someone over if your patio looked like this? Hardly!
BEFORE
Dirty, dark, and dingy.
But after this week, here’s what it looks like now!
AFTER: A Pretty Patio Makeover!
Doesn’t even look like the same patio, does it?! It looks great!
(Minus my neighbor’s NO TRESPASSING sign, that is…).
This table used to be so pretty (I hand-painted pretty flowers on it after finding it next to a dumpster).
But the dark shaded tree that we just cut down caused mold and moisture that would never dry. And the whole table was ruined. *sob sob*
I wanted it to be pretty again, along with the whole patio and be a place where we could entertain and just relax outside as a family.
So I planned some outdoor improvements. But I also wanted some yummy-smelling candles to light up in the new space.
I bought two of the Pumpkin Apple Harvest, which is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, with a pinch of brown sugar. I love scents that remind me of the fall season, don’t you?! It’s one of my favorite seasons!
(Just be sure not to put them in kids’ rooms, and to always follow instructions on using the candles very carefully!).
I wanted to repaint my table in a soothing teal color, so I chose Quiet Teal exterior paint for the table and the door.
I wanted to create a small little insert in the middle of the table with the candles.
I tried to get the kids to help, but you can see how enthusiastic they were about candle crafts…. HA!
Anyhow, I wrapped them in jute around the neck (securing with hot glue).
Then I pulled the jute through the middle a few times.
I wanted to add some fall leaves around the candles, so I used this old wreath I had gotten last year from the thrift store and pulled out some of the leaves and stuffed them down in the middle of the table’s hole.
Hard to believe this is the same table! And look at that rug! ICK!!! Thank God for pressure washers……
BEFORE
AFTER!
It turned out great! I love the little “fall feel” the candle centerpiece gives!
I think I may do a stencil on the table later, but for now, I just love the simple, fresh color of the turquoise. Ahhhh….soothing…
I think the door turned out nice, too! It matches the table. I plan to stencil some fun wording on the bottom!
BEFORE
AFTER!
The lighting will be getting upgraded, too.
(See the painted Welcome mat HERE).
This is what the patio looked like as we were getting that intrusive tree cut down, which caused this space to be moist, molding, and always gross.
I can’t wait to sit back here and have friends over!!! I still have more work to do (surprise, surprise), but this patio is clean now, with great scented candles to set the ambiance!
AFTER!
My family came up over the weekend and we grilled out.
(P.S. I couldn’t wait to show off my new FRED SANFORD “junk” tee shirt for them! They’re an exclusive of this blog and you can only buy them HERE).
It was nice to finally have a place to chill, guys!!!
So is your outdoors space pretty and ready for entertaining?
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Love your t shirt too!
Pretty teal and it looks great as an outdoor color!
You did a fantastic job on your patio! You also have two really cute little men. 🙂
I don’t have the back yard makeover problem. It’s just me living here and with my dogs and birds happily making noise, and none of my friends want to spend time at my house! Sure they come inside to see whatever I’m working on at the moment and that’s great but no one seriously wants to stay. I ‘m actually hosting a gals card game – at someone elses’ house and the really sad thing is that they asked me to do it!! So my house is clean but only for me and the “kids”.
Mintchip
Awww…how come they don’t want to say?! Do you get lonely there by yourself? You’ve got some great animal friends to keep you company, though. One day I “dream” of having a clean house, but then I also know that it means my kids will be grown and gone, and that’s a sad thought, because I’d miss them! 🙂
My friends don’t want to stay in my house for long periods of time because my 3 Chihuahuas run around and bark at everyone. They just want to play but I can’t stand the barking and all the activity! Then if everything has quieted down my Macaws start screaming – they want to be part of the action too and they live to bite. Most people I know do not have such noisy pets and the startled faces are something to see. So, for others my house is not a calm relaxing place to be – for me alone it is very happy and quiet.
Mintchio
You know, seems you chose your pets over the friends, and if you’re ok and happy with that it’s ok!
Loved the makeover. Looks like fun was had by all. You have inspired me once again.
A nice makeover My favorite pic was the last one where you and your family were enjoying it 🙂 Gave me a good smile.
Aww, that’s so sweet, Sarah! We had an awesome time! It was crazy that we have never been able to use this space until now!