It’s that time of year when life seems to wake up all around you. The leaves start to emerge on the trees and the flowers blossom. It is also that time of year when things need to be refreshed. The change of the season has us tucking away the winter things and wanting to prepare our spaces for the warmer weather.
A group of bloggers have gotten together to welcome the spring season with a Spring Home Refresh. We each chose a space that needed a face lift. I chose my patio because it is our go to place from spring to fall.
The links to each of these talented bloggers are at the end of the post. I know that you’re going to love all the beautiful refreshes and be inspired to refresh something in your own home!
For me, watching the sunset and al fresco dining is the perfect way to spend the evening.
What I learned from this project is that elbow grease and creativity can make all the difference. I first went to Target and thought that I needed all new pillows and lanterns, even a new patio table. That wasn’t true. I ended up only buying the tulips and a few cans of spray paint to spruce up the large planters on either side of my patio door, I spent 15 dollars. Even though the to do list is still long, a refresh was all that this tired patio needed for me to enjoy it again.
Here’s what I did:
- I gave everything a good cleaning
- I cleaned the windows and washed all the furniture and decor
- I also cleaned up all the potted plants and raked the leaves around the patio
- I took down the string lights and washed them, replaced missing bulbs, and rehung them. I placed a strand of twinkle lights in the hedge.
- I added those barn doors that I had gotten from a yard sale (they’re hiding the ugly AC plumbing and a stucco patch)
- I painted the large urn style pots
Before and After of the pots:
I used a gray primer spray paint for the undercoat. Then I went over it with a flat black spray paint. I left some of the gray showing to draw attention to the detail. One trick that I have for spray paint is to spray it onto aluminum foil, then you can pick it up with a sponge brush and you have a few seconds to apply it to your surface. I did this on the handles over the gray as you can see in the after picture above.
Now we are ready to enjoy the warmer, longer nights and invite some friends over for a BBQ.
I set out some strawberries and cream for my boys. I add maple syrup to sour cream and it makes a delicious fruit dip. They ate every last drop.
One more thing that I recently discovered is that this 6X9 drop cloth from Lowe’s makes a perfect linen look tablecloth. Wash and dry it and it will shrink down to a good size and gets that look of tumbled linen. It has a bulky seam down the middle so I add a runner and problem solved.
I got these barn doors at a yard sale last year and hid I mean stored them at my mom’s house. I really wanted to take them out of hiding ahem storage but couldn’t find a spot in the house that anyone would let me put them. Well, I looovvveee them here. I had bought this huge wreath for $2 at a thrift store and it’s also been waiting for the perfect spot. When I want to spruce it up, I can just add fresh olive branches. This is hiding an awful mess of haphazard AC wiring and a stucco patch, just keeping it real.
This little $15 patio refresh reminded me again that you don’t have to spend a lot of money and with some creativity the things that are less than attractive can look so much better! Something that I keep telling myself: it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Speaking of perfect…
I know that you will enjoy the inspiration of these other bloggers. Just look at all of these gorgeous pictures. The links below are in the order of the pictures. Have fun exploring and thanks for coming to our #SpringHomeRefresh Blog Hop. For more inspiration look up the hashtag on Instagram
Kellie: Gratefully Vintage Jamie: My Ideal Mess
Wendy: Life on the Shady Grove
Dara: Hood Creek Log Cabin Jess: Honey n’ Hydrangea
Sarah: She Holds Dearly
Brittany: Indigo & Honey Heather: One Horse Lane
Layla: My Sunset Avenue
Kirsten: Bright Yellow Door Rachel: Beautiful Treasures Blog
Kendra: Kendra Bester Design
Keila: Home and Hydrangeas Hannah: The White & Wood Blog
Beth: 1111 Light Lane
I shared this post on Your Home Decor and More link up party
Jess This is such a beautiful outdoor space! You nailed it! I love those barn doors, wow what a find!! and I was laughing at you “storing them” I do that to, haha! I love drop cloths too and even have them as curtains, but you’ve inspired me to use them on my patio table too. I think you need to invite all the blog hop gals over for those yummy strawberries! Thank you so much for leading the hop, it has been a lot of fun!
Oh how I would love to have you all for strawberries and cream. My decor hoarding finally paid off with the barn doors. LOL!!! This is my first time using the dropcloths. I really like them too. Thank you for all the kind words and support.
This just takes my breath away!! You did so much work and have such creative ideas. What a beautiful little haven you have made for your family and friends. I’m so inspired by your will power in Target, haha! and your drop cloth table cloth. Thank you also for organizing our blog hop, well done, my friend! xoxo
Awww thank you Sarah!! I did have will power this time around. I always love to use what I have first, I guess that I’m overly practical that way. Thank you for joining in with us!!!
Jess I want to have a cocktail with you on your patio! How great!! I love all the twinkly lights and your beautiful tulips. You’re such an awesome inspiration for all of us, thank you again for everything!
(My link is broken, shoot! http://www.indigoandhoney.com/weve-got-spring-fever/ )
Oh please come by!! How about a virtual cocktail? Thank you!! I had fun with doing this with you!
Jess, this turned out so perfectly!! I absolutely love how calming and inviting it is! And those “storage” items…(i have some storage items too…) were the perfect solution for covering the AC unit! So beautiful! Loved being part of this Blog hop!! xoxo
Thank you Heather!!! I love that I had the doors ready to go. See it pays to be a decor hoarder!! I loved doing this with you too!!
This is beautiful Jess! We’re currently trying to fix up our back yard too and you’ve given me so much inspiration! The string lights and the ambiance of the entire space is so welcoming! You’re very talented friend!
That was such a nice comment. Thank you Keila. I can’t wait to see how you fix yours up. I’m sure it will be beautiful.
Your so lucky to have nice weather, here in Toronto it is snowy and doesn’t feel like spring at all. I love what you are doing with your backyard to so nice to have another living space outside.
Thank you Kendra. I feel so bad for you with that crazy weather. Its like the dead of winter. I hope that it warms up soon for you.
Wow wow wow! Jess you did a lot of work and it all looks amazing!
It was fun to get outside, work hard and enjoy the spring weather. Thank you!!
Jessica, this is stunning!!! Your patio and yard are a dream. I love all of your refresh ideas and especially love that it only cost you $15! I am definitely using that drop cloth idea and you just reminded me that I have a metal outdoor table that needs a little spray paint TLC! And I’m with the girls, we all need a cocktail date out here!! xoxo
Thank you Layla!!! It was fun to put together. It is a good feeling to be creative and use what you have. Loved doing this with you!!!
I love the feeling of using what you have and working with a budget. Too me, that is what true creativity is all about. $15 at Target??? You got it girl!
I totally agree!!!! Thank you so much Barb. It’s my favorite way to do things too.
Beautiful refresh!! I love the barn doors with the wreath. Your simple table decor is perfection for the entire space. Thanks for sharing at Your Home Decor and More party! Pinning and sharing!
You always know just what to say to put a big smile on my face!!!! Thank you so much Stephanie!
Wow!! So gorgeous Jess! So inviting and I loved all the tips – I want to head out asap and get the Lowe’s drop cloth – oh and those barn doors!! So awesome!! It is amazing what a little elbow grease can do – you created a perfect set-up and I love all of your pretty spring touches! xo, B
Beth, you are so sweet!! Thank you so much. I would love to see the table cloth if you use it. It’s been such a pleasure to get to know you.
This is all so pretty! I’d love to sit out there with the twinkle lights and have a margarita. 🙂
Thank you so much Stacey! A margarita sounds perfect!!! My fav!
This space is so dreamy!!
You are so kind Ty, thank you!! I just need a gorgeous potting bench like yours!