Outside Spaces

It just occurred to me that all of my blog entries showcase the interior of my home.  I guess I spend more effort (and money!) on the interior.  A few summers ago, I did a little sprucing up to my covered back porch and deck.  I was throwing a party to celebrate my niece's graduation from college.  So, I wanted my outside area to look a little better than it usually does.

I've had my tables and chairs since the summer of 2001.  The original color was green.  I use to keep cans of green spray paint and would touch it up each summer.  When I moved into my house, the green table and chairs did not work with my brick color.  So, I decided to paint the table and chairs brown.  In hindsight, I should have gone with red or a reddish-orange.  That's a project for a later time.  So, here is what my table and chairs look like now.  I like it better than the green.

A few years ago, I purchased a wicker love seat and the two matching chairs.  I know, it's such a cliche', but I got a good price for the set.  I purchased cushions for the set and had them for 3 to 4 years.  Over that time, the cushions got weathered and faded.  Last summer, I purchased new cushions, which I liked much better than the old set.  I like the floral pattern on the cushions.  It really brightened up my porch.

Last summer, I purchased these butterflies to hang outdoors.  The butterflies were a brown metal color.  I decided to spice them up and painted them in bright colors.

I also found artwork that is designed for the outdoors.  It really brightened up the outside area.  I had a metal plant stand that I ordered from a magazine.  After several years of being exposed to the weather, I decided to spray paint it a bright orange.  

I would like to purchase outdoor statues or some cool art pieces for outdoors.  A fountain or water feature would be nice, too.  I don't spend a lot of time outside, but I do want the space to look nice.  I wouldn't mind nicer patio furniture, but right now I can't justify the cost.