One of our priorities this year was to make our patio a place we could actually use and enjoy. Our other priority was to do it spending as little money as possible. It was a complete blank slate when we started. This is how it looked the day we moved in last June:
Our one “splurge” for the space was this sofa and two chairs we ordered from Target. After comparing it to other outdoor furniture, I still consider it a good deal. (And, as I mentioned before, you can order it by the piece, instead of as one bulky matching set.)
After getting the big pieces in place, my first trip was to my local garden center:
My success rate at keeping plants alive through an entire, hot Carolina summer isn’t the best, so I opted for a few colorful, *inexpensive* plants. I spent less than $50 total.
And, for the rest of the patio, I literally shopped our attic, garage and house. Several of the accessories I found just needed some fresh paint. I used one of my favorite colors to give them a lift:
Rust-Oleum spray paint in “Fern”
We touched up the garden stools (a Big Lots purchase a couple of years ago) after scraping last year’s peeling paint with a wire brush.
Remember the white mirror in our old master bedroom?
It also got a green makeover. I’ve definitely gotten the bang for my buck with this round mirror. I bought it (at Kirkland’s) ten years ago for the living room in our first house, and two new colors later, it’s still around.
I found this lamp base (originally a dingy yellow) for $10 at a thrift shop a few years ago. It has been patiently sitting in my attic until now.
We added more lighting with small eye hooks and this $12 string of lights from Target:
And, the rest of my color palette was determined by these fabrics I had leftover from other projects:
Before, during and after pictures to come. . .
PS—Thanks so much for your kind words about the Better Homes & Gardens article! I appreciate you sharing in my excitement. You all are very nice to me, and it makes me love blogging that much more ;)
Love the green color. Can’t wait to see it all put together. Hugs, Marty
Can’t wait to see it all come together. I am loving that green color right now.
Oh, I love that color green. I am sure it will be so inviting to sit out there and enjoy the summer. Excited to see it pulled together. {Great lamp!}
Obsessed with outdoor mirrors right now! Can’t wait for the reveal.
Your porch is going to look great Emily! My BHG arrived over the weekend and I skipped right to your article. LOVE! So proud of you girl!
René
That green color is awesome. I have the same problem w/ plants in the Carolina heat. Your patio looks like such a nice space w/ no accessories, I’m sure it’s gorgeous now. Congrats on BH&G, if I didn’t say it before. I haven’t read mine yet, but it’s on the ‘to do’ list.
I love the green spray paint!!!! Can’t wait to see everything when it’s all done!
~Stephanie
I love your green accessories! Excited to see it all come together.
What a great patio to begin with! I love the green paint. What is the mirror made of (the part you painted)? I would love to be able to re-furbish some things I don’t use anymore with some fun paint. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
Emily – Just wanted to say AWESOME job getting right back into the swing of blogging after having your twins. You’re such an inspiration to me and reading your blog is certainly one of the highlights of my day! I absolutely CANNOT WAIT to see the new photos of your little ones!
All the best,
Danna
Oh, what a teaser post! You’re killing me. Love it all so far – and what could be better for a Carolina home than that (awesome) dogwood lamp?? :)
Love the green color!! I can’t wait to see the finished result. I am redoing my patio and l love seeing others inspiration.
XO,
Kristy
http://www.idesignlove.com
Your patio is going to look great! I used Rustoleum’s fern green on my porch this year and painted pots for my deck. It’s such a pretty color. I live south of Charlotte and have a terrible time keeping plants alive on my deck, although my porch does a little better. I just have to remember to water at least once a day, especially with the hot days coming up this weekend!
Looking forward to seeing your patio.
We are in the middle of fixing up our patio, and I am loving your green color! Might just have to find a way to incorporate that as well :)
Love the color combos! I bet this is going to turn out amazing- nothing a little spray paint cant fix! I am dying for outdoor space!
-Katie
Athomewhenimwithyou.blogspot.com
cant wait to see the whole patio! love it!
Love the green. Can’t wait to see more updates! I went to a garden party last night and instantly became super obsessed with the idea of an outdoor living area. I really need to up the ante in that department.
http://leeanderin.blogspot.com/
I absolutely love that green. I have a favourite Le Creuset pot that is a similar tone. Can’t wait to see it all come together.
the sneak peeks are great! Can’t wait to see it all put together :)
Very excited to see how it all comes together!
Love that green…I have been using orange as an accent in my yard this year. Amazing what a can of spray paint can do to freshen up a few old accessories. Looking forward to seeing it all come together!
My sister has the same outdoor furniture from Target and she loves it! I can’t wait to see the whole space come together.
*** YOU TURKEY, YOU!!!
YES, that’s what I said!!! ~~~ I was actually READING/LOOKING S*L*O*W*L*Y, savoring the moment of the BIG REVEAL and YOU are waiting til TOMORROW????
Geez, girlfriend, how the heck do you think I’m gonna get thru the rest of the day?????
I just recently “redid” (sort of… mostly w/ fabrics!) OUR patios and pool area, and was soooooooo excited to see what one of MY FAVE DECORATORS did, & HOPEFULLY get some other/new ideas, too!!!
Oh well, I still luv your blog and am still happy for all your blessings… buuuuut Em, SHOW US YOUR REVEAL!!!! And hurry!!! (Prettttty please????)…
Big hugs,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Isn’t spray paint the best? things van just keep coming back for a new life! I currently have two cans of that green in my drawer, just waiting to be sprayed on something:)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Your big trees and mature landscape are so beautiful Emily! Love, love the green! Excited to see it all finished!
Such a gorgeous blank slate – can’t wait to see how it all came together!
It looks like it’s going to be great…can’t wait to see! Can’t believe you’ve been in that house a year already! BIG year in the Scott house! :)
ps — picked up BH&G yesterday just to see you….holy huge spread rockstar!
I am in love with the green, Emily! So fresh and fun… I know you’ll ALL be enjoying that space! Can’t wait to see more. :)
Heidi @ Decor & More
I am in love with the green, Emily! So fresh and fun… I know you’ll ALL be enjoying that space! Can’t wait to see more. :)
Heidi @ Decor & More
I am in love with the green, Emily! So fresh and fun… I know you’ll ALL be enjoying that space! Can’t wait to see more. :)
Heidi @ Decor & More
I am in love with the green, Emily! So fresh and fun… I know you’ll ALL be enjoying that space! Can’t wait to see more. :)
Heidi @ Decor & More
Loving the green. Can’t wait to see how it all comes together!
Cliff HANGER…I was so excited to see the outcome…LOL Love what you have so far.
LOVING that green -cant wait to see more pics!
We have that same outdoor furniture from Target – LOVE IT! What a great space to begin with, can’t wait to see it after you’ve had your hands on it :)
Gorgeous patio Emily! And you mind find it funny to know I was sweating my bootie off today on the stair master reading your article in BHG!! Such a great article! :)
I love the green! I was just saying to my sis that I wanted to paint my nightstands fern green. I am thrilled it comes in a spray paint!
Can’t wait for the big reveal! Everything looks great so far! I love how you shop your house. It inspires me!
BTW, when you spray paint things, do you just spray outside or do you set up a place so the paint doesn’t go all over?
I am in love with your blog!! I saw your article in bh and gardens, and was so impressed with your home and I love your style. Congratulations on your twins. I will be reading from now on. I can’t wait to see your patio!
I have that same patio set and love it! Congratulations on your beautiful new babies…precious!
I love your new house and I’m looking forward to what you’ve put together for the patio.
Looking forward to the reveal! I love the green color and will be amazing with the fabrics. :) I have also had my eye on the outdoor furniture from Target. Love the look!
Oh, the suspense! I am a newbie here and I LOVE IT!
Can’t wait to see the big reveal!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
That lamp is amazing! What a great transformation…I am now on the lookout. :)
I looooove that lamp. You got me putting my Thrift Stores back on my To Browse List. The space looks great (I saw the After in another post).
I forgot to tell you in the post above that I love how you used the ice cream stools as tables. Great way to repurpose!
Nice blog with photos but the information you are providing is less about Outdoor Living Areas
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