“I am such a do-it-yourselfer kind, but my spouse isn’t the fixer-upper kind,” says San Diego photographer Christine Blackburn. It is all good, since he leaves the design decisions up for her.
Itching to jazz up a courtyard terrace on both sides of their house, she knew she’d the creative skills to take action without much help from the hubby. Always searching for creative ways to take advantage of their distance and hand-me-downs rejected by family members, Blackburn chronicles her jobs on her website, Just Tangerine.
She did have some help from family and friends when it came time to groom the terrace, however. They pitched in with a very green thumb, a Christmas financial gift earmarked to go toward patio furniture and also a bargain on a umbrella.
If you’ve ever bought a matching pair of patio furniture and felt as though it had been too matchy-matchy, have a look. Blackburn’s terrace is a superb illustration of the way to accessorize a fitting set to create a trendy and cheerful exterior space.
Patio at a Glance
Location: San Diego
Size: 20 feet by 20 feet
Budget: About $1,300
Just Tangerine
French doors from both the dining area (shown here) and living area lead to the side courtyard terrace. The concrete slab and some of the plantings were already set up, but it was otherwise a blank slate.
Like most people, Blackburn and her husband didn’t have lots of extra money after closing in their house, therefore for Christmas her husband’s parents gave them cash earmarked for patio furniture. She used it toward this wicker pair that was on sale in Patio Furniture Plus for $1,000.
The set contained the two chairs, sofa, ottoman, table, cushions and blue throw pillows. Blackburn was determined to find the patio furnished immediately, and style adrenaline kicked in. She fit all of it in her SUV, hauled it home and put it up by herself.
Just Tangerine
“This is the area of the lawn that gets the most sunlight, so the sofa is my personal sunbathing area,” she states. The cushions and pillow covers are detachable, so they can be washed easily. Blackburn picked up the orange pillow for $15 at Home Depot.
Just Tangerine
The terrace is a natural outside extension of the living space. A pergola just past the terrace helps define the space and adds a traditional component.
Just Tangerine
Blackburn scooped up these metal figurines for $15 each at Big Lots, outfitted them with warm lights and wrapped them with fishing wire from the pergola.
Just Tangerine
The tea lights create a beautiful glow in the lanterns in the night.
Just Tangerine
Café lights from Bed, Bath and Beyond add to the night ambiance.
Just Tangerine
During the daytime the massive umbrella offers shade. Blackburn bought it brand new from a friend’s parents for $50. The umbrella stand was 29 in Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Just Tangerine
Blackburn’s mother-in-law loves to garden and also to shop at a sizable discount nursery near, Altman Specialty Plants. Her own yard is already complete, so she is happy to create pots of plants to your family.
“I really like the colour my mother-in-law’s blossoms and baskets bring to the terrace,” Blackburn says.
Just Tangerine
Another great bargain was this outdoor rug. She found it on sale for $34 in Home Depot in the close of the season.
Tip: when you have the patience, wait until stores indicate outside furniture for some great deals. This typically happens around the time they are filling up with back-to-school items, in late July and early August.
Just Tangerine
The sofa, two chairs and ottoman round the coffee table are just the place for dialogue, family time and ladies’ margarita nights. While the family has another patio off the back of the home complete with a barbecue, fire pit and dining place, they enjoy having meals out on the side courtyard too. “It is a more intimate space,” Blackburn says.
Just Tangerine
The pergola casts an interesting shadow on the side of the home. The sunlight over the wall was a housewarming present from Blackburn’s sister years ago.
Altogether, the furniture layout and accessorizing have changed a great deal of big-box-store buy items into large fashion.
More: Get more exterior thoughts in the Patio segment
Related Posts
