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Sunday, August 26, 2012

~Back Yard Patio~

 Happy Monday, can you believe August is almost over and our weather has finely cooled down a bit. Enough that I can go out and enjoy the patio that is right off our living room.Our patio furniture is rattan and belonged to my Mom and Dad, they gifted us the furniture last year for the patio. The cushions needed new covers (I forgot to take a before photo).
So any who.... a few weeks ago Gary and I went to the fabric store looking for outdoor fabric and found this very colorful and bright material with sailboats. The sails were so pretty  and stripey and full of whimsy. It had all the colors we love, then we eyed a pretty red and white polka-dot fabric and thought why not use both to brake up some of the sailboat pattern.
I had never made cushions covers with zippers before and I was a bit scared, since its been years since I'd  sewn a zipper and I didn't have a pattern. I was going  to have to wing it so with  my heart beating fast and measuring about a million times before I cut, I sat down with my trusty sewing machine and had at it.
 I just noticed that the cushion on the left is upside down...silly old me...just pretend its flipped over and the sailboats are facing you like the other two. See the  white polka-dots peeking out between the seats, aren't they cute...
Oh darn there's that upside down cushion  again.

 Going around the patio is a  swing that Gary bought for me from Pier One. I enjoy curling up in it and just swinging. It even has a place to slip your magazine's in and a place to hold your cup I love the big yellow daisy flower so 60's Peace Baby!!
 I made the two side pillows a while ago and
 used the left over red and white polka-dot fabric to make a quick cover for the pillow I was using for the seat.
The cabinet you see in the back we use for extra pool towel and the side lamp table my Uncle made.

 The top of the swing.
 The rattan  love seat
 See the polka-dots in the sailboat fabric it mimics the polka-dots in the red and white
 polka dot material.
 I made a simple envelope slip cover for the back cushions and used zippers for closers on the cushion bottoms.
 I made the covers a little bit looser, for wear and shrinkage while washing
 Our outdoor curtains hanging in blue and white stripes,
were purchased at Lowe's. We get a lot of sun in this patio so the curtains do there job helping to keep the room cool and the hot sun off the fabric. Even though I used outdoor fabric I still worry about fading so keeping the sun off is important to me.
 The chase received a new pillow cover too.

 Behind the curtains is white lattices.


 The curtains are easily pushed from one side to the other since they are on rings. Our daughter's boyfriends helped installed the extra long rod that was build out of  piping. Next summers projects will be either installing brick, slate or resurfacing the cement floor on the patio. But for now I am very happy just to be able to enjoy one of our outdoor spaces. I can't wait for fall to curl  up under the patio and light the outdoor chiminea
Enjoy your week everyone, I will be joining in with the following blog parties. 


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Mary-Boogieboard Cottage Masterpiece Monday

Susan-Between Naps on the Porch metamorphosis Monday

Kathryn-The Dedicated House Make it Pretty Monday

Alderberry Hill Make the Scene Monday

Linda-Costal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim-Savvy Southern Style WOW us Wednesday
Bunny Jean -Bunny Jean Decor and More Bunny Hob Wednesday
Honey-2805 A Potpourri Party every Friday
Courtney- French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday
Sherry-The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home Party Fridays

27 comments:

20 North Ora said...

Elizabeth and Gary,

Love your patio! You did an excellent job on your cushions. They look fantastic. I finally got my blog started, so come by and say hi.

Good job. Looks like a fun place to hang out.

Judy

20 North Ora said...

Elizabeth and Gary,

Love your patio! You did an excellent job on your cushions. They look fantastic. I finally got my blog started, so come by and say hi.

Good job. Looks like a fun place to hang out.

Judy

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Elizabeth and Gary,

You both have come a long way in a couple of years since you lived in that house. This sewing project turned out very well! Together you master almost anything I bet.
Hugs to you and enjoy your cooler nights.
Mariette

Barbara F. said...

Your sewing project without a pattern turned out great. Love the fabric and cute pillows. Looks great. xo

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

What a happy place to spend time! Love your sewing project and the fun swing!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Wow, Elizabeth, what a great space!!! Of course, I love all the red around. You did a great job on the cushions and the curtain panels are a great backdrop, too! Enjoy your space. We are off to FLA for about 10 days, then I will come back to cooler temps to enjoy our backyard space, too! yay! xoxo

Vee said...

A beautiful outdoor space! You always amaze me with your fearlessness in creating for your home. I'd not attempt a cushion zipper if my life depended on it. You're a pro!

Becky said...

I just love that fabric.....both of them!! What a wonderful space to make a hidey-hole!! Good job!

Debby said...

Oh I love this room. I always have loved sailboats. Let me tell you that sunflower swing is just the cutest thing ever.

Sandy said...

Beautiful...and in all the colors I love. What a delightful place to be. I just love your home Elizabeth. Wish we lived closer so I could visit in person. But you are on one coast and I'm on the other. Shucks.

Melinda said...

Looks crip and clean. What a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

M :)

Masonry Brooklyn said...

Looks like a modernized beach house outback, I love it! So crisp and clean.

-Adam Ahmed

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

what a wonderful outdoor space..I would be curled up in the chaise lounge. looks wonderful!

Cindy said...

Your porch looks very pretty! You did a great job on the cushion covers! I love the polkadots and the stripes along with the sweet sailboats!
Hugs, cindy

Happy@Home said...

Your patio looks like a most desirable place to be. So comfy and cheerful.
You did a great job on the cushions and that swing is so cute.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a fabulous patio space! You've arranged it much like our lanai (or Florida room). I LOVE LOVE the fabric you chose! It is bright and cheery! And the curtain is perfect! I have some red pillows just like yours!

Linda Walker said...

Your patio looks like such a fun place to relax....love the colors, patterns--love everything actually!
Linda
mysewwhatblog.blogspot.com

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

Oh my gosh, Elizabeth. I am in awe. You did a fantastic job on those cushion covers. And the fabric has to be one of the cutest I have seen. Your patio looks more like a room in your house. Love the stripped ddrapes too. What fabric store there did you and Gary find such cute fabrics? The red and white polka dot just makes them too.

Susie Q said...

Oh wow! This is so beautiful! Just the perfect spot to send these lat Summer days and evenings! I love the fabrics. So pretty and fresh and bright!
Love,
Sue

Always Nesting said...

What an amazing sun porch!! I love each and every detail. You did a great job combining colors. Are you on Pinterest?

Ana said...

What a fun print...and love, love, love the polka dot complimentary fabric. You did an amazing job my sweet friend....Sending you a big hug.

Much love,
❤Ana

Catherine Holman said...

You are so talented! I love the fabric combination and really love that swing!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Where do I begin! I LOVE it all..but then an outdoor room is something I think is such a fantastic addition to a home. HOW I would love to do the curtain thing on our patio. Right now we just have the rolling shades but I would love to have the sliding curtains you have made. Sooo cute.
Our patio has full sun in the afternoon and it is miserable. I have to keep my new patio furniture covers completely covered to save them from fading.

The folks down the street did what you have done only on their front porch and it looks so cute but the sun has just faded them something terrilbe and it's only been about four months now. Of course California sun is brutal as is the bright light. It looks awful from day to day with those old afghans thrown over everything but since I paid to have the chairs recovered I have to be careful
Your entire room look gorgeous..as does your new header! HOW I wish I could figure out how to do my own! I just keep switch to ones I've had made for me.
Love it all!
Hugs,
Mona

Miss Jean said...

It turned out beautifully, Elizabeth. I need to cover some of mine but zippers scare the bejeezus out of me! Maybe I'll try the slip on ones.

Honey at 2805 said...

Your patio is wonderful! It's so cheerful and comfortable! Thank you for sharing your project at Potpourri Friday!

Unknown said...

I love the patio! It looks so cozy! Those colors are great for outdoors and especially right by the pool. Isn't it great to have a patio as a home extension! A great place just to sit and relax and most of the time they are inexpensive!

Patio said...

I love it, especially the cushion cover, they are perfect for summer, how comfortable to rest there while refreshing up and enjoying the blow of the wind.