Hey Everyone!! It’s Spring and I finally decided to get a jumpstart on the outdoor space before it gets too hot. I’m usually guilty of waiting till the last minute and then can’t get too much done because it’s … Continue reading
The weekend is here and I can’t be more happier!! I’ve had quite a few projects going on at the same time and now I can start sharing them. Phew… believe me …. all along I was getting excited. This … Continue reading
Cheers to a wonderful new week ahead of us. I’m excited for two reasons, one – I’m headed to my first bloggers’ conference and two- I’m looking forward to meeting many of my blog-buddies and enjoying all there is to offer and learn. Before I head off, I wanted to share one of the most fabulous make-overs by a FBF. Last week while I was in the midst of perusing my Facebook newsfeed I stumbled on a picture of her outdoor zen-spot. You know me – I’m always enthused to see beautiful Rest-Havens and when I spotted Keisha’s outdoor creation I had to share it with you.. Thank you Keisha for allowing me to share your haven. Grab you coffee, tea and vittles because you’re gonna want to see all what’s in store and see how she created it. Let’s look at where she began.
I know you’re probably excited, like me, to see how she did it all on a budget of $500.00 – Let’s begin where she started. Keisha cultivated a personal vision for her garden and began to think of ways to incorporate her style while maintaining natural elements for a zen-oasis. The space was no where near easy to work with, and having a tree in the center was even more challenging, so she decided to make that her focal point and build around it.
Her desire was to have a warm, welcoming area to enjoy entertaining her family and friends for outdoor festivities. We all know that pallets are free and there are many, many, many projects you can use them for. Keisha took full advantage of the freebies and that laid the ground work for her oasis to be created.
With some help from her father and a friend, they dis-assembled them and made the floor for her raised deck.
Lots of sawing, cutting, measuring and patience went into this project, but as you see, it was well worth it. Here you can get a visual of the framework and how the pallets became the wall around her space
More pallets are assembled and laid to encompass the tree
Bricks are lined to design a pattern
She added flagstone for another natural element in the space
Filled the area in with small stones and gravel
This bench was a roadside special. Luckily she found it and gave it a new life (keyword – BUDGET)
Old bowling balls spray painted silver are being used as garden art
She used red mulch around the tree for a pop of color
She stained the pallets to weatherproof and give them color
Next up was adding the plants. She found an old ladder to use as a plant stand and the boarder pallets were used as as planters
Nestled between these two sunshine yellow adirondack chairs is a table she made from a tree trunk
Isn’t it gorgeous!! I love the redwood color and blended with the jewel tone vase was pefect
What a warm, welcoming environment she created. By being creative, resourceful, diligent and patient, she was able to achieve her goal and accomplish a zenful retreat for her after work and weekend entertaining.
Using pallets as the gateway separated the haven area from the garden, while still balancing the artful flow into the haven.
Last but not least – it was time to add the cushions and pillows for the seating area. She covered foam and added an array of brightly colored pillow to finish the space.
A piece of driftwood is another artistic element added to the area.
I hope you all stand with me and give Keisha a round of applause for creating such a restful retreat – all on a budget of $500.00!!!
Meet the beauty behind the brains of this creative garden Zen Oasis..
And she did it her way…..
Do you have a project that you’re working on and would like to share with my other readers? If so, email me and you’ll be my next featured guest. Also be sure to follow me on the blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest
Until next time lovies!! Remember – it’s not what it costs but it’s how you style it.. Create your own style and design on a dime
Smooches!!
Every Spring I get excited about sitting in my “She-Rest Haven” and love finding little items to decorate with. I try to change a few items every year just for a bit of a new look. This year instead of focusing on the small items to place around – I became inspired by a shower curtain I picked up from HomeGoods a few months back. It was in the clearance aisle marked down to $10.00. The beautiful bold print caught my eye and I thought it would be great in the gazebo with the nice subtle tones of the greens and blues.
I figured the bold paisley fabric would make perfect pillow cushions for the Better Homes & Garden outdoor set I purchased a few years ago on sale at Walmart. The set is still in great condition, however, the seat cushions show wear and are not firm anymore, not to mention the fabric has seen better days. Two years ago I recovered the back cushions made some floral throw pillows from scrap fabric.
It held up pretty well, but the seat cushions just bothered me. I saw how another blogger buddy, Brandi, painted her cushions because the color had faded and they looked really good. I thought about doing the same, but mine were just a bit too flimsy and needed stiffening.
So I bit the bullet and made the decision that it was time to really kick it up and get the cushions reupholstered professionally. I found the perfect outdoor fabric that complimented the shower curtain fabric and headed to the upholsterer’s home to get started. A few days later I was picking them up and they look fantastic!
In fact – I think they look even better than when I first purchased them (especially as for the color scheme of them), here’s the original fabric (booooooring)
I know…..not that exciting… but hey – I got the set at a fantastic price and it was sturdy.
You feel me?.. besides…. the fun part is always changing it to reflect your style.
The two colors were blended perfect and I love the new look. It actually looks and feel like I have a new set. Ta-daaaahhhhh!!!
So much prettier ….. I wanted to add another twist of color and saw a delicious orange/pink fabic (with these little fish pattern) and thought that would be a fun pop of color. A bit of tropical blue mixed with some orange crush made a nice contrast for the pillows and kinda reminds me of rainbow sherbert.
I’m so thrilled about the new look.
Found these dainty tealight chandys at Ross’s Dress for Less for &6.99 ea
I couldn’t resist the yoga cat I found at AtHome store
This flower pot was a thrifted item for $1.50
The little vintage tin I picked up from Goodwill for $1.00 holds decorative napkins. Mixing old and new items gives a space a bit more character
I kinda have a secret fettish for collecting these type tins. They’re so useful in so many different ways and they add a decorative touch around your space. Here are more of my At Home goodies… (I think I’m about to get hooked on that store)
and at night it looks even more enchanting..
Recovering the cushions saved money and I’ll have this set a few more years. I can’t wait to hang out in here with my besties – just us girls listening to some music, having some sips and dips and simply “chillaxing”. How’s your “get ready for Summer” going? You’ll see me post more about my “Rest Haven” this summer, but in the meantime – as always – “Happy hunting while Thrifting your house into a home!”
Smooches!!
While most bloggers are gearing up for fall new looks and colors… I’m still holding on to summer like a kid kicking and screaming “Don’t go” – grabbing on his mommy’s leg when she’s leaving…lol..
I can’t help it.. I love summer.. So I’m sharing, I guess, my final makeover for the garden. I found these mirrors at a yard sale for $5.00ea. I had no idea what I was going to use them for when I bought them, but I figure, at $10.00 bucks – I’ll find something. They were sturdy mirrors made of some type of hard plastic and quite heavy. I left them outside for a few days (not intentionally – during heavy rainstorms and saw they withheld it) so that’s when it hit me… They could be my outdoor mirrors. I’ve been wanting a mirror in the garden, but outdoor mirrors are so expensive (WHY?????) Here are the pair of mirrors – I really liked the scrolling on top but the color…YIKES!! talk about ugly… blah….
So with my trusty paint can in hand.. I gave them a new look…
I know it’s not a fall color – but I don’t care.. I love the summer look.. and besides.. it’s still 90’s here and I’m loving it.. even though the leaves are beginning to fall.. (I’m dreading it..)… but anyway, I’m just going to enjoy my mirrors in the garden for the next few weeks..
For a whimsical touch, I used Martha Stewart’s gold paint to outline the scroll detail.
Pretty huh??
I may not keep it here, but I do like how it goes with the bistro set (and it blocks the view of the dead tree). I’ll worry more about that next summer, but at least I have my outdoor mirrors. ☺️
To see other mirrors in the garden inspiration .. Check out my Pinterest board and remember to follow along with me pinning away! Until next time… Tah-tah.. Smooches