How to Refresh Your Back Patio
Wow, you guys, what a week! Have you ever had one of those weeks where it feels like literally everything that could possibly have gone wrong, went wrong? That’s how my week went last week. I spent a good portion of my time including the weekend before working on small projects to give the back patio area a refresh. Unfortunately, my commitments started overlapping due to delays that were totally out of my control and a schedule that was packed a little too tight. Needless to say, as I write this post I am looking at a house that needs to be cleaned, laundry that needs to be washed and a menu board that hasn’t been updated in a week. In the words of one of my funniest friends, “Blogging ain’t for sissies, ya’ll!” Cue a fake southern accent and drama queen sass. Thankfully, I was given lots of grace during those tough days and I am so ready to start this new week with you guys.
You may remember back in May, we gave the entire back patio area a makeover. We painted the concrete, the door, all the trim, the farmhouse table, porch swing and the swing frame too. At the time it looked really nice but the blistering heat and constant coastal rains really did a number on things. Let me show you what I mean…
This was the farmhouse table in May:
In October, honestly, the top just needed a good cleaning. It was filthy.
Did you catch a glimpse of the rug under the table? This is what it looked like a few days ago…
The porch swing and frame when we finished it in May:
After a summer spent outside in the elements:
While I’m so appreciative we were able to use this area over the summer for entertaining, I have to say, I’m really surprised at how quickly everything needs to be updated again. I mean it’s only been 5 months when you really think about it. I guess I was a bit naïve to think the maintenance would only be once a year. I definitely want to make sure we’re able to continue to use the back patio area all winter long. Thankfully, the daily coastal rains seem to have subsided which makes it a great time for an update.
I started by painting the swing area first using a special Valspar weather protection formula that’s created specifically for outdoor use. The porch frame is painted in a color called Deep Earth and the porch swing is painted in a color called Woodlawn Bedroom White.
Next my bestie S and I, built a new menu board from an old pocket door. Over the summer, I found that we needed more room for seating and more outdoor lighting too so this solution helped us achieve both. I’ll share more on how we built this soon.
The top of the farmhouse table weathered really nicely over the summer. I left the top in tact and repainted the base.
The chairs and bench didn’t fare as well though. Here’s a picture of how the chairs looked before I painted them. I know, yikes!
I mixed a custom color from the porch swing paints and added a wash to create more of a white wax effect on the finish. I love the way they look with the table now.
I painted this bench 3 times because I couldn’t get the look I was after. I finally settled on a lighter version of the porch swing frame. It really helped tie in the brown tones from the frame, the lights and the tobacco sticks around the menu board.
The rug, oh my word, the rug. It was awful. First, I pressure washed the rug. Then I cleaned it with bleach. Hours of scrubbing ensued to no avail. Totally frustrated, I decided to paint it. And then I had to paint it again because the first coat didn’t take very well. At round three of rug painting, I’m getting panicked because I’m running out of light. I have to concede it won’t be dry before the morning. So I go to sleep. The next day, I wake up and hate the color of the rug. After, all that work I hate it. Cue the silent internal screams and lots of cussing. And it gets worse, I notice 3 sets of little white paw prints on my dark gray painted patio floor. They’re everywhere. I guess the rug wasn’t dry after all. At this point, I am seriously close to tears because I am totally exhausted. I spend the next few hours, trying to scrub the paw prints off the patio. They don’t come off.
I decide to turn my attention back to the rug. I still hate it. What can I do? Oh! I know, let me grab a stencil. I wish I were playing when I tell you it was 7 pm. After having fought mosquitoes and poor lighting for almost 2 hours, at 845 pm I’m put down the last stencil. As I’m standing up to check out my handiwork, I lose my balance and fall back to the ground. Let’s just say, I’m missing a toenail. This rug is staying put as my personal badge of honor all winter long. End of story.
Which brings me to the bench. You may recognize it from the breakfast area in the kitchen. It’s on loan right now. We definitely need another seating option but we haven’t decided what it should be. I’m thinking a bench because it can tuck along the wall or it can be moved closer to the fire pit. Plus, we’d be able to accommodate more people there comfortably if we had a bench option as opposed to having chairs. We have a few pieces of scrap wood left in the garage so I’m hoping by the new year, we’ll have a plan together to build something.
Right, and the door…I’m on the fence. Part of me is thinking paint it black because I love the front door so much. But white, has my heart so we’ll see.
See you guys back here tomorrow. I’m sharing ideas for a Gourmet S’mores Bar.
Many blessings,
CoCo
OH my goodness! Your patio is so pretty. I was loving every piece, until I read the rug part and I had to curse the rug for causing you so much frustration. 😉 I love all of the color variations you used on the bench and chairs. Now I wish I could come and hang out with you on that patio while the snow flies up here!
You’re so sweet, Kimm, thank you! It was just one of those crazy weeks when it seemed like nothing came together like I had planned in my head. I swear that rug is staying under the table until next spring! I wish you lived closer too, we could hang out and paint and have so much fun. Hugs, CoCo
Oh my goodness– what a frustrating experience! I’m sorry you had so many obstacles last week. Those paw prints on the patio are sort of adorable though! And the stenciled rug turned out great! It’s a new week which means the opportunity for a fresh start!
ha ha Every time I see them Jamie, I think this dog mom stuff is rough 🙂 They’re most of the time so good, I don’t know what got into them. Thanks so much for your sweet words, it’s definitely nice to have a fresh start this week. Big hugs, CoCo
I’m a new reader. This back patio is really nice. I really like your menu board!
Welcome, Casey, I’m happy to have you here 🙂 We created the menu board from 4 different salvaged pieces which made it even more exciting when it all came together!
Girl – You went through the wringer but your results are so worth it! The back patio is gorgeous! Love the color and changes that you made. And those paw prints…oh my gosh – very cute and funny to us but we know frustrating for you! Even though you had so many stumbling blocks, you stayed the course and now have a beautiful outdoor area!
ha ha those paw prints get me every time I walk out the back door. They’re a true testament that blogging is not for the faint of heart 🙂 I think we’ll leave them in place this season 🙂 Hugs and thanks so much for your kind words, Coco