A Little Deck Makeover
Believe it or not I’ve still got a bunch of things to show you from when we did all of that yardwork back in May. I showed you the front porch and my $25 back door makeover so now I’m gonna show you the little deck outside of the kitchen.
We added this deck on a few years ago. There was a great big tree there that we need for shading the kitchen windows, so we just built the deck right around it. I never really did much out there since there’s a huge tree right in the middle of it. You can’t put a table or a big seating arrangement, so the kids just sat out there on the floor eating their lunch.
When we added the pool deck we just built a bridge between the little kitchen deck and the pool deck so we really didn’t need seating on the kitchen deck anymore. It just stayed empty. And you know I can’t stand an empty spot.
While we were doing all of the work on the back yard I decided we needed to fix up the little kitchen deck, but I didn’t want to spend any money on it. I gave myself $25 and decided to see what I could do.
The girls and I went to the Habitat Restore (actually, we hit about 8 thrift stores before Habitat) and found some old chairs for $3 each. I knew that would be a good jumping off point. A couple of chairs is about all that would fit on the deck considering the tree in the middle of it.
Obviously they’re not the best chairs in town, but I thought I could make it work. I’ll show you the chair transformation details in another post, but for now…..voila!
It’s a sweet little spot where 2 people can sit and have a private conversation.
I like having a spot where I can sit with James or one of the kids and talk….just the 2 of us.
Once the chairs were done I decided to add an old ladder to the other side of the deck. We found some boards to lay across the rungs and made shelves. The big bucket (which I also found at the Habitat restore) hold the boys’ outdoor toys.
From the pool deck looking down the bridge I can see that it still needs some spicing up.
A rug would be really cute.
And maybe a few pillows on the bench. Wouldn’t that be dreamy? I especially love these….polka dots make me swoon.
But for now I’m really happy with my little deck makeover.
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I’m linking to Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors.
I cannot believe the transformation in these chairs! That is so lovely. It must be idyllic to sit outside in the evening, chatting …. and be warm 🙂
It is lovely out there….the chickens wander around and the kids play. I love it! Lisa~
Oh …. I’ve just seen you’re on FB …. off to find you 😉
Very nice! The chairs look incredible!!! You could make lanterns with mason jars, wire, and a few beads to hang from either the tree or the trellis work to add a bit of spice and sparkle to the area. But it looks really nice as it is!
Peggy, how funny you mention that. I sell those jars in my shop. I should definitely bring some out of the shop and hang them from the tree. Great idea, thanks! Lisa~
You do have a way with paint and fabric, Lisa! It looks wonderful! You’ve been inspiring to me, to do things in an inexpensive way, since we have no extra money to do projects!
Thanks!
Thanks Deanna! You always inspire me too. Lisa~
Love it. Gorgeous. Looks like a great place to sit and relax.
ok — I’m usually able to “see it” even when others think thrift store finds aren’t going to work, but I have to admit when I saw the before picture, I couldn’t imagine that they would work together. HOly moly — you showed me. The use of cushions really pulls them together seamlessly – beautiful! …and that TREE…that is WONDERFUL…how much fun designing around that lovely girl!
Thanks Amy! It was a stretch for me too, but we made it work. I do love the tree, but it was hard to let go of the MIDDLE of the deck. Lisa~
I love the idea of a deck with a tree growing out of it. I’d sit there all day!
It looks so inviting! Great job, Lisa! I love your style. 🙂
You have done a great job with an awkward space- looks fabulous!
I am so coming to your house!! What a cool deck!!
And, I love the chair makeovers! The fabric is perfect!
perfect spot! and I agree, a fir pit would be ideal — love the way you transform things …. so much to learn from you my sweet friend
You are so inspiring…..I have a paddock and paving in my backyard……in the hot Aussie sun we do not have the shade we need YET…I love your tree too poking through! If we had trees that close to the house we run the risk of bush fires here…….
I love the inspiring deck. Our houses seem to be closer to the ground (funny way to put it!) here in Australia…..but we walk right out no steps! So decks are not as normal here unless you have a sloping block. I look over vineyards and hills, so despite my weedy huge backyard I have a lovely outlook that one day on a budget similar to yours I want to see transformed!
Thanks for your inspiring, thrifty, mind expanding ideas……the Aussie from the Barossa Valley appreciates it LOTS!
Wow,thats quite the transformation on those chairs! Love it. we are supposed to be moving into our own place soon and I am getting lots of inspiration from your blog for decorating.
Wow! Love it!
Gorgeous “Re-do” on those chairs!!! the deck is gorgeous!!! What a great idea using the ladder out there as well….. I also checked out the porch… ummmm….. SO LOVE THE PAINTED RUG!! Congrats!!!! BEAUTIFUL AND SOOOO COMFY LOOKING!!!! Terri
Love your thrifted chairs!! They look great on your back deck! Looks like a great place to sit, drink a glass of sweet tea, & enjoy a book! : ) Thanks so much for linking up Lisa!