I’m not sure what happened exactly to all the warm weather…but I refuse to let this cold spell dampen my spirits when it comes to preparing the patio for those much anticipated gatherings! My family practically lives on the patio from the first warm days in spring all the way through the final days of fall…enjoying each and every second of the great outdoors! We don’t have a grand patio by any stretch but we are fortunate to have a covered one. Not that it really makes a difference in enjoying the outside elements…any outdoor space will work when it comes to creating a place to extend your living areas! I love the casual style of outdoor decorating and entertaining…there’s something so relaxed about being outside that lets you throw caution to the wind and have some fun with your spaces! One of the ways I prepare my patio for all those summertime parties and casual dinners is to create a space similar to my own dining room…including an outdoor buffet! It’s so easy to add elements of your indoor spaces to the outside ones…and if you love to shop garage and rummage sales as much as I do, you can do it on a dime! Of course, you can find wonderful patio furniture specifically made for the wear and tear of the elements and you can definitely mix and match just about whatever you want to make your space uniquely yours! So get ready to create an outdoor haven just right for your family…today I’d like to share what I added to mine! I hope you can find some inspiration from my garage sale creation made specifically for…
celebrating on the patio!
it doesn’t matter if it’s a big party or a little one, when you spend time on the patio the occasion doesn’t really matter–it just feels special! at least that’s the way i look at time spent outside…so i guess i go a little nuts when it comes to searching for wonderful finds for my porch! i’ve always had a little garage sale desk that i use for serving goodies or just displaying buckets of flowers in between gatherings. i’ve sort of been keeping my eye open for a dresser to add to the space with the thought that i could store some of my supplies and serving pieces and still use the top as a sideboard of sorts. the problem i encountered was finding the right sized piece to fit within my space…plus i NEVER spend much on pieces that i use outside since the elements can wreak havoc! but you know how life works…when you least expect it the perfect piece (even if it isn’t exactly what you’re searching for) falls into your lap! i was lucky enough to spy an old mirror frame from a dresser…missing it’s mirror and it’s drawers! looking like it might fit the back of my patio desk, i quickly snatched it up and disregarded my search for a dresser…i was on a mission to make a buffet! and can you believe it? it was almost a perfect fit…close enough anyway to create a backdrop for that rickety, $2 desk and give it a chance to be reinvented one more time!
i loved the detail on this frame and knew it just needed some TLC…
since it was chilly the day i painted, it came inside and my foyer was covered in drop cloths! a couple coats of exterior paint will help protect it from a little wind and rain!
the detail shows up so nicely with a fresh, white coat!
and the final result…
i created a chalkboard for the backdrop by painting some galvanized metal with chalkboard paint! this way i can write a menu or attach other decorations with magnets! construction adhesive will hold just about anything in place…and once the metal was secure i gave the backside of the frame a coat of paint too. you wouldn’t necessarily need to do this if it were up against a wall but since you can see it through my flower trellis it needed to look finished…plus it will help to protect the backside from rain that may blow in. the mirror frame was intended to be secured to a dresser so it came equip with boards that would attach to the back of the desk to keep it in place. and even though i got lucky with how this buffet came together, what i love most about sharing projects is that it may be the starting point of new inspiration!
these cute cardboard letters from Michaels make up the “cheers” magnets…just simply glue a button magnet to the back!
more patio favorites…
one thing i love to have on hand for patio entertaining is a collection of metal buckets! they’re pretty easy to find at antique stores & rummage sales but you can also find the new variety at any home improvement store! i love using them as ice buckets to keep beverages cool…they’re not too big, and they look cute too!
and plastic bar ware is a must at my house when we’re outside! this way i don’t have to worry about the wind blowing a glass over and shattering all over the floor…especially since bare feet are dress code on our patio! i love these stacking wine glasses from the Martha Stewart line at Macy’s…perfect for easy storage!
my Giggle dessert stand, in a new color for spring, is great for holding a little plate of shortbread cookies! i love to have a fresh pop of color on my buffet to highlight the treats! and i love the little bunny tea light holder (found in the Easter clearance at Target) to weigh down the napkins…and if it’s really breezy i can just pop in a battery candle!
and i adore using tissue poms and tassels inside my home…so why not on the patio too? i love the spring colors in this one that i used on my dining room buffet for Easter…now it can add some festivity to my outside sideboard too! i just attach it with push pins so if it gets too damp outside i can pop it off until the sun comes out again!
so take some inspiration from your indoor spaces and recreate a more whimsical version for summertime on the patio! it doesn’t matter what it is…just so it makes your space a happy one! for family–for friends–celebrate big or celebrate small–make the outside a place to gather…
and say “cheers!” to the patio party!
if you have a patio project that you’d like to share…please contact me! i’d love to share more summertime inspiration…’cause we’ve all been inside long enough! you can find my email on the contact page! or find me on Instagram…i love to share ideas there!
and if you’re looking for Giggle dessert stands or magnet boards you can find them at Alice-Louise Press in Downtown Perrysburg or contact me directly!