YOU GUYS! It’s finally patio reveal day! Our patio makeover is done!
This project really tested me, wayyyy more than the last ORC go round with our master bedroom did. There were so many DIYs (sanding, painting, staining, poly-ing!), so much decor to procure, so many decisions, so many late nights in the dark filled with mosquitoes, so many hiccups, so many new things learned, and I worked right up until the very night before this post to just barely get it done on time. But I’ve never been more happy with a project before. Ever. No guts, no glory right??
If you’re just popping in and wondering what the heck I’m gushing about, I took on a complete patio transformation for this season’s One Room Challenge. The ORC challenges designers and bloggers to makeover a space in their home in just SIX short weeks! There’s 20 designers revealing today, and almost 200 of us crazies participating as linking participants who will all link up their reveals tomorrow, so be sure to head over and have your fill of eye candy! I LOVE clicking around to everyone’s project throughout the week and weekend.
Let’s take a look back at the design board I shared on week two, just as a little refresher. I had envisioned a space filled with neutral decor, focused on weathered textures and finishes, that would allow us to entertain better and have more of a gathering space.
And, if you want to catch up on the whole six week journey, go back and check out my progress posts here:
Week 1 – Boring before pictures
Week 2 – The design and inspiration for the new space, plus the initial to-do list
Week 3 – New plants and the hunt for perfect pots
Week 4 – Peeks of the DIY project progress and some of the decor
Week 5 – DIYing, DIYing, and more DIYing, and a little decorating
Here’s the new space!
Eeeeee! It’s absolutely perfect and all came together sooooo well, I cannot believe that this space is ours. I tackled four decent DIYs and amassed piles of gorgeous decor to make it cozy and ready for entertaining. And, I completed my very first tablescape, ever. I know. It’s a pivotal point in a blogger’s life.
We’ll start over in the lounging area first.
patio furniture stain / outdoor rugs / starburst mirror (similar) / patio set (similar) / jute-trimmed pillows / gray pillows / lantern set (similar) / hand towel (similar) / glassware / string lights / rope tray (similar) / throw blanket / plant pot / mercury candleholders
I’ve had this patio set from World Market for a few years now and the sun, heat, weather, and a gregarious handful of carpenter bees finally had it waving its flag. I sanded it all, sealed the carpenter bee holes (angry little buggers), sprayed it with Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck in a similar color (Caribou), then sprayed a couple of coats of spar urethane. They look amazing now!
(ORC confession #1, I still have to poly the couch)
(ORC confession #2, I got the glossy poly instead of the satin and have to redo them)
If you’ve been around here for any amount of time, you may know that I’m pattern-phobic, and while the pattern on these outdoor rugs scared the crap out of me, they’re GORGEOUS and ended up being absolutely perfect out here, I’m so happy I went with them after all. The patio was in shambles for most of the challenge, but having the rug down here still made it feel so much more cozy and soft than before. I had to have this little pillow for the couch as soon as I spotted it at Magnolia Market a couple weekends ago (come back on Monday for that post!).
Next, the piece d’ resistance of this whole project, my DIY farmhouse table. We haven’t had a proper dining table out here since 2009 when we first moved in (see Week 1’s befores…sheesh) so my whole goal in this makeover was to give us just that. Buying one was out of the question and I’ve been itching to learn how to build things for a while now, so this was the perfect opportunity.
outdoor rug / string lights / privacy wall stain / table base stain / dining table plans / dining chairs / chair cushions
She’ll have her own tutorial post coming soon, but the plans are from Ana White (of course) modified to fit a top using beautifully chippy-paint lumber we picked up on the side of the road a few months ago. I wanted to show off that chippy goodness so I kept my *first* tablescape to a minimum, using some of my driftwood hoard, white outdoor diningware, wood accents, and mercury glass votives.
chargers / dinnerware / napkins / napkin rings / mercury candleholders / mercury and wood candleholders
I chose a matching rug for the dining space too to keep it all cohesive and once again, it’s perfect. Having arms on the dining chairs was a requirement because it’s just so much more comfortable, but it took me forever to find some that weren’t huge or crazy expensive, but these fit perfectly. Settling on a color was another issue, but the gray ended up being almost an exact match for the table base and lounge furniture color, which keeps the focus on my pretty tabletop :)
(ORC confession #3: I haven’t sealed the tabletop yet)
While that table has my heart, these two DIYs are close runner-ups. As shown in the before pics, this “privacy” wall used to be made of that crappy lattice stuff and looked HORRIBLE. I had it ripped down in about an hour one evening, then just nailed up a dozen or so stained boards (matching the pergola) and it looks a gazillion times better! That new fancy wall was just begging to be a focal point though.
(ORC confession #4: that is all the beer we had in the house for me to stage with)
privacy wall stain / bar cart paint / casters / glassware / round wire basket / hooks / napkin (similar)
I hung an old window to use as a sign/menu, and rehabbed an old bookshelf I had made years ago into a rolling bar cart/cooler stand. Stop back by this Saturday for that tutorial. My potted plants over here even got a makeover and a few new friends, particularly two key lime trees which I’m pretty stoked about!
What patio space would be complete without some party lights?? We’ve had these string lights for a couple of years now along the edge of the patio (they’re awesome and have held up great!) but at the last minute, it dawned on me to criss-cross them across the whole roof instead of the outside edge. We also added a couple more strands to add more light and it looks awesome! The husband even used the word “bistro” y’all.
(ORC confession #5: By last minute, I mean the night before I wrote this post)
The one thing in my design board that got axed was the ceiling fans. And it hurt, bad. I have, and will always, yearn for a ceiling fan out here but since the patio addition was made with just a metal roof (NOT what I would have chosen being two miles from the ocean!) it would have been a huge pain and $$$ to get someone to come mount those for us. If they would have just extended the roof and made a normal porch, we totally could have DIYed it :/ So, I had to sacrifice my fan plan. The idea is still in my head and who knows, maybe someday we’ll figure out a way to do it.
Alright, now for the fun before and afters! Because everyone loves a good side-by-side, let’s see what six short weeks can do:
Going waaaaay back to 2009 for this one (aka: when we had our last dining “set”):
So, all of you guys are welcome to come hang out and have a few post-ORC celebratory brews with us! It was a long, tiring, and busy six weeks but somehow I got it done in time and absolutely can’t wait to kick back and enjoy this space now! I barely even remember what it was like before. Tutorials for the dining table, refinishing the patio set, the privacy wall, and bar cart are coming soon and I apologize in advance for the barrage of patio pics that will continue to show up around my social media :) Party time!!
*UPDATE: Click the images below for the various DIY projects!
Bookshelf to Bar Cart
DIY Planked Privacy Wall
DIY Farmhouse Table from Reclaimed Lumber
Refinishing a Patio Set
No-sew Outdoor Curtains
Remember to head over and see everyone’s reveals at Calling It Home today and tomorrow! We may be crazy for doing this but man are there some awesome spaces!!!
dining chair
charger
dining chair cushion
outdoor dinnerware
glassware
lanterns
napkin rings
natural fiber pillow
jute-trimmed pillow
rope tray
outdoor rug
linen napkins
candleholders
string lights
patio set
starburst mirror
Wow! It looks so good! I think my favorites are the table and the chair cushions. Really love it and I totally laughed over the pattern phobia. LOL.
Those chair cushions are SO comfortable!! I love them so much and they’re perfect for the space :) So excited to see your dining space Ashley!!!
This is SO, SO nice and inviting! Great job, Emily! The table is to die for… :)
Eeeeep! Thank you Anni!! She’s probably my proudest DIY to date and I may cry the first time we have a dinner party at her :)
Oh my goodness!!! Emily, it’s absolutely PERFECT! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of your neutral, rustic details and you’re right, those rugs are ahhhhhmazing! What a gorgeous and relaxing space!
Now I just need some friends to come hang out back here with me!!! (hint!) I heart those rugs so bad, they’re just the right amount of pattern-but-not-much-pattern for me :) Thanks friend!
Emily, this is AMAZING!!! I know it was a lot of hard work but you knocked it out of the park!!
This was like a mini-Everest. All that hard work makes me love it even that much more, if that’s possible :) Thanks Leigh Anne!
This is absolutely beautiful! I know you will enjoy so many nights out here! It’s just perfect!
I can’t wait, I want to spend EVERY night out here Amber :) Thanks so much!!
Just beautiful and so inviting I can hardly wait to come try it out. Oh, Bear is really stoked about all the new cushions and pillows to sleep on. Just kidding. We would not let him near any of this. So proud of you.
Bahahahaaa! I had to lint-roll little black Bear hairs off the cushions before I waterproofed them…we’ll have to bleach him white if he wants to get back up there. The fancy decor will soon be stashed until a gathering, and the Bear towels will be back on just in case :) Can’t wait to have Paula’s diner on this table!!!
Love it!!! Oh my gosh you worked so hard!!! The table is absolutely fabulous and your rolling bookcase bar cart upcycle is just perfect for out there. I would kill for an outdoor space like that. I hope you rest, relax and enjoy it now!!!!!
Thank you Bre!!! Rest is DEFINITELY first. It’s supposed to be rainy and chilly here this weekend so I told my husband I’m going into hibernation to recover :) But then it’s on and party time!
OHMYGOSH. I couldn’t be more in love, or more impressed. It looks perfect! That table is something that dreams are made of.
You are so sweet Cat, thank you!!! I agree ;)
Emmy! It looks so beautiful! I can’t wait to party there ;)
Thanks Ro! Soon!!!
It’s GORGEOUS!!! Every. Single. INCH!! Way to go Emily!!!
Eeeeee! Thanks!! I’ll come party on your beautiful deck if you’ll come party on my beautiful porch ;)
It looks ah-mazing!!! Love it all and that table is such a gorgeous centerpiece of it all. I’m coming to visit :)
YES! You’re coming to visit and it’s required you bring the rest of them too :) Thanks Bre!
Girl! You nailed it! Love all the details especially the table, the cooler and the pallet board feature. Nice work Emily!!
I love all three of those so much :) Thanks friend!!
What?! This looks too great Emily! Really, such a great, great job. Congrats, girl!
Aw, thanks so much Brit!!
Holy cow Emily!! This looks like a magazine!!! You amaze me…I love every last thing about it. And it looks so WARM where you live…! I am all about that celebratory drink with you- I’m hopping on a plane!
Girl, it was 90 the day I took these photos, it’s horrible! Hop on a plane anytime but pleeeeeaaaase bring some of that coolness with you, I can’t take it anymore!
Girl you rocked this challenge! And oh my! That table is divine!!! The privacy wall is gorgeous! The cushions and Texas pillow is so sweet. I love it all…so after I finally sleep off this challenge, I’m coming out for one of those beers. So you best be saving me one =)
Deal! Iced down as we speak :) Seriously, there’s some in that cooler right now. Those drinks are well-deserved, we all knocked it out of the park this time around, I can’t wait to start pouring through all of them today. It’s like Christmas.
Congrats! I am so jealous of such an amazing outdoor space. Love the layering you have done! enjoy!
Thanks Lianna! I was worried all the neutrals wouldn’t be super inviting but I really tried to focus on cushy, cozy textures and yes, layering it all, so I think it worked out great :) Now I’m ready to just curl up in all of it!
Oh how I’d love to hang out on that patio- I love the colour palate and all the great texture. Beautiful job!!!!
Come on down Christine!!! I wanted to keep everything light and neutral so that subtly gray-blue chippy paint on the table would really show up. I could just hug the folks who threw it out :)
(oh, and your comment did go through, I just had to approve it so no worries!)
Emily, you’re hard work really paid off, it all looks amazing! I LOVE the farmhouse table and how the string lights look at night!
Thank you Roxanne! It was worth every dark and late minute :) The string lights put off just the perfect light at night, and quite a bit of it too which is good since that makes up for some of what I was wanting to accomplish with the ceiling fans. They’re the husband’s favorite part.
It looks amazing, Emily. I love your farmhouse table and all the decor. Criss crossing the lights was a great idea too!
Isn’t it crazy how much better they look like that?! It’s one of those head slap moments of “why didn’t we do it like that years ago??” Thanks Amy!!
Beautiful job Emily!! Love every rustic element in this space :) The table came out amazing! I’d hang out there if I could! Congrats on being all done!
It was definitely influenced by my recent trip to Magnolia Market and being in Joanna Gaines world :) It felt really good to decorate with things I really loved and was drawn to so I just went with it. Spurred on by those table boards of course :) Wish you guys could hang out here too, virtual cheers!
Oh my goodness, friend! You have really outdone yourself! I audibly gasped when I saw the finished space. That table is a true work of art! I love the rugs, the lights, the privacy wall…..EVERYTHING! You amaze me! I’m coming down for a backyard BBQ party when it gets warm again, which will probably be next week. ;)
Aw, yay Sarah! Thank you!! And I know right, dude it was 90 here yesterday, what the hell?!? I’d rather party in the cold, it’ll give me a reason to fashion a fire pit somewhere back here too :)
Gorgeous! Amazing job!
Thank you soooo much Samantha!!
Wow, this is beautiful! I love the idea of having such a great outdoor space. I grew up in southern California so have such a soft spot for indoor/outdoor living. I love all of the rustic and nature elements for this porch. It is so cozy and perfect. Great job!
We definitely weren’t taking advantage of it as much as we could, although it’s really hot out here for like half the year so that’s a little brutal. But almost all the rest of the year it’s fine so I’m planning on that! Looking forward to hopping around to see the other spaces, including yours :)
It looks so cozy and inviting! I really like the neutral palette. Love that table you made (even if it’s not yet sealed :) ). What a great transformation!
Hahahaa, I was done enough at that point ;) So happy you love it Erin, thanks!!
So coastal and cozy. Love it! The neutral colors make the space feel so serene.
I really wanted it to blend in with our weathered, neutral settings (and also to focus on the landscaping we did) so thank you Jessica!!
Holy cannoli this space is AMAZING! I just love how you pulled it all together – it’s the perfect backyard retreat! You’re kicking my butt in gear to redo my deck once it gets nice out again :D
Hmmmm, do I sense an ORC spring project?!? I think so!!!
I want to come over & have a cold glass of iced tea! The colour pallet, string lights & all of the great texture make this space fab! Well done.
It’s a very “iced tea” kinda vibe Hollie, and I love that! Thanks so much!!
Good times will be had on that porch!!! Enjoy!
I can’t wait!!!!
Love every bit of this space, but that table… OHH EMMMM GEEEEE. I love it!!!! Such a cozy and perfect space for entertaining!!!!
I still don’t know how I made that, it was just too easy for something so pretty to be the end result. Thank you Nicole!
GIRL, this space is amazeballs!!! I LOVE IT! I aaaaaalmost wish I lived in Texas so I could have a year-round patio like this. ;) But seriously, those rugs are gorg, and your table is fabulous. Totally impressed you made it!!! Great work, friend!!
Bahahahaa, year-round yes, but a good bit of that is 110 degrees and/or you get 83392 mosquito bites…at least there’s a pretty space to endure all that now ;) Thanks friend!
Amazing, amazing, amazing! I am in love with this space!! Way to go – building your own farmhouse table! I love the weathered wood on top, and that beautiful tablescape you pulled together. (I totally feel your nerves on that one, I’ve yet to do one, but have photo plans for my first this weekend…eee.) This is my idea of a perfect outdoor area. Fabulous job!
I’m totally addicted now Jenny ;) It may not make much sense when we actually need to sit down and eat there but they sure are pretty to put together and play with, so have fun!
You did it, Emily! All your hard work has paid off. It’s SO beautiful. And I wouldn’t have guessed that was your first tablescape. I love it!
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make some things look good when that pretty wood is the backdrop :) Thanks Corinna!
I can’t believe you made the table AND did all of that work on the furniture! Hard working girl! What a great space you have and how much fun will you have entertaining with those twinkling lights now….great job!
Ha, I can’t either Sherry!!! Sooo looking forward to kicking back and enjoying it now :) Thanks so much!
Fantastic makeover! Your table is just gorgeous :) thanks for linking with Monday Funday! ox
Thank you so much Robin, and thanks for hosting!!
I love this Emily! It turned out so gorgeous. The colors,the decorations,and THAT TABLE are all absolutely perfect. You did an amazing job BRAVO!!!
Aw, you are so sweet, thank you Stacey!!!
I love this double patio. You did an outstanding job. I can just imagine a dinner party, here. It’s lovely. Enjoy!
It was a bit daunting to take on two semi-separate spaces, but I love how they blended into a big cohesive space! Thank you so much for this challenge Linda, it’s always so much fun and exciting!!
Emily! This is gorgeous! I love it so much! Great job that table is stunning…and just how you set it and all the choices you made for this space is flawless. Pinned!
I really pushed myself to step it up out here and was really happy with the results. Everything was exactly as it was in my head (except for the dang ceiling fans). Thank you Deb!! :x
Love it all! Especially coffee table table scape, privacy wall and the table is so fine. I think it would be really pretty if you painted the doors a soft grey blue . It would look great with the table.
It’s funny you say that Joanne because I totally had “paint doors” on my initial to-do list. It got scratched almost immediately when I actually took the time to think about all I had to do, plus there’s a third door over by the wall, but it’s definitely something still on my mind. I think they’d be really cool in a dark, dark gray too although I’m not sure if I can get the hubby on board for that quite yet, but hopefully I’ll be able to do it and share it here someday! Maybe with ceiling fans ;)
Your space is gorgeous, Emily! You really did an amazing job!
Aw, thank you so much friend!!
What an amazing makeover. I really love how you showed us your inspiration board and how much it turned out just like that! I have shared this over at Twitter and Facebook! happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for sharing Chloe!! I was really happy how close it came out too, that doesn’t usually happen :) All but those stinkin’ fans! I hope you have an awesome day!!
Are the peir one chairs the light dove grey or the dark? Hard to tell in pic! TY!
They are the darker gray ones, and they’re on sale right now!!
I’m so glad you shared this incredible makeover with us at the Outdoor Extravaganza – I can’t wait to feature it!!
Eeee!! Thanks so much Krista! Excited to see your beautiful tour in a couple weeks :)
I stumbled across this now…
Absolutely fabulous!
Always inspiring to see how we all start out and how we grow over the years…
Soul satisfying doing things yourself!
Job well done!