Ch-ch-ch-changes…and inspiration

Surprise! I’m doing a drive-by random post! I wanted to thank everyone that has been so kind to send me thoughts and prayers and well wishes regarding my marriage. My husband is moving out on July 1st; while I haven’t given up on our marriage, I have accepted that this separation is going to happen and I’m actually feeling at peace with it. But, to guarantee that I don’t completely fall apart that first week when he’s gone, I’ve started making plans for a small 4th of July get-together (anyone gonna be in Atlanta around then? E-mail me, you have a standing invitation!).

Part of the plans for this little shindig include getting my patio pulled together. My patio is AWFUL. Extra super awful. I’m being honest. The small garden has gone to seed and I sold the furniture last summer, thinking I’d buy some I liked better… but finances got in the way (you know how that happens!) and instead of creating a nice place to have a light supper, the kids created a small mess of toys and stuff. All of which needs to be crated off to somewhere prior to the 4th of July.

So my drive-by today consists of impromptu inspiration for the small patio. You can be sure I’ll be scouring craigslist like a mad woman this week and next to find patio furniture, and visiting Lowe’s, of course, to replant the garden. These are the photos that will be inspiring my makeover:

Isn’t this the cutest patio set from Walmart, and only $138.00 too! It’s perfect for my small patio, comes with the umbrella and it’s wooden so it can withstand the elements since my patio is completely exposed to the elements. Now, because I’m a tightwad, I’ll try to find something similar for less money, but if I can’t, this is a great option.

Speaking of Walmart, if I had just all kinds of extra cash, this is the set I’d pick up:

Wouldn’t this make a patio truly feel like part of your home? It’s only $588 which is very reasonable, but still way out of my price range.

While I’m daydreaming and talking about out of my price range, how beautiful is this:

It’s the Pottery Barn Palmetto Honey sectional. I LOVE It! But it runs around $3,000 as pictured. It’s funny to me how I’ve become such a Pottery Barn girl as I grow older. And to think, at one time I thought PB was for old ladies!

Anyway, back to realistic inspiration for my patio! In addition to furniture for dining, I do want to find a small settee, probably wicker, for just cuddling or reading on. Something like this maybe:

Pottery Barn Palmetto collection again… Isn’t that a cozy little set-up though? I love the cushions and the pillows and I will definitely copy that idea with handmade pillows on my patio.

I’m a little bit at a loss for garden inspiration. My planting plot is fairly small, only about 3′ x 4′, but it’s weird because in the early spring it get hardly any sun, but by mid summer, it’s almost full sun. Any gardening aficionados out there with suggestions on what to plant? I like colorful flowers and they can’t be high maintenance. Otherwise, I’m pretty open…

I guess that’s it for now. “See” ya’ll soon!

xoxo - Shauntelle

P.S. I almost forgot to tell ya’ll - while I was gone, I actually got some press… ironically enough, I was an “expert” for an article on creating a family friendly outdoor space. Go check the article out if you get a chance: Radish Magazine.

Craigslist Monday: Getting Ready for Outdoor Living

The sun is shining so brightly today and as I stare out at the brilliant blue sky, my mind is completely on warm weather. This year, I’ve made a promise to myself that I’m going to make my patio as beautiful as the rest of my living spaces… so the theme for today’s craigslist Monday is outdoor living!

My first find is perfect for building the bones of an outdoor living space. I’ve seen these rattan armchairs new in Pier 1 for over $200 a piece, so to get a pair for $100 is a great deal! You could cover the cushions with an outdoor fabric and place them together with a little metal side table for a perfect place to relax and watch the Spring flowers grow. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/585698079.html

This next piece is really meant for the indoors, but it’s so pretty, and I think it would be gorgeous on a covered patio or in a sunroom with the rattan armchairs above.  Can you imagine this armoire filled with pretty pots and dishes, ready for an afternoon snack?  And at $125 the price is pretty too.  http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/585362218.html

Finally, if you’re looking for a good deal on a standard patio set, you can’t really beat this five piece set.  It includes a nice round table, four chairs, and cushions and appears to be in good condition.  It’s a nice rust-proof aluminum too.  All for $100.   http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/585057355.html

Happy Spring dreaming!