Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Outdoor Living: Cheap & Chic

The temperature is going to hit 85 degrees today in NY, which means all that I can think of is spending some time outdoors.

 



One of the projects we want to tackle this year is a deck. Over the weekend Jon was at  Big Lots and saw something he knew I would love right away!



bamboogazebo



Now it may look like an ordinary gazebo, but it had me at BAMBOO plus the super price of $200 didn’t hurt!

 



Picture of it in the store:





Bamboo detailing:





That’s right folks it has bamboo detailing throughout all of the framing. Of course my immediate question was can we spray-paint it? Poor Jon said yes so now of course I want to paint it in a bright shade! Perhaps red?



redpaintcan



Then I would leave the top as is, but those side curtains would be coming down and I would be making new ones with this:



canopystripefabric

Outdoor fabric that is only 9.95 a yard and with a classic stripe that just screams summer to me.

 



Add to the mix some red French bistro chairs, which are on sale this month for $115 each.



redfrenchbistro



Then search Craigslist for a pedestal table that you can refinish.

 



Voila found this baby for $30. With a little sanding and a lot of high-gloss black paint we would be in business.

woodenpedestaltable



Of course I want to hang something like this in it:



lafayettechandelier



But at $399.99 that is so not happening.

 



So, how about instead I try and recreate the look with this for $30:



ikeapendantoutdoorlight



Yes it doesn’t look exactly the same, but use some imagination and see it strung up with coral beads like our inspiration from PB.

 



redcoralbeads



These beads are only $2.96 for a 16” strand.

 



Woo hoo! I think I just convinced myself that the gazebo is a must buy. Jon was itching to pick it up since Sunday and I’ve kept telling him that we should wait until the deck is built, but with only 6 left at my local Big Lots. I will be picking one up tonight!

 



* When you go onto Big Lots site it asks you if you want to join their rewards club. Do it! You get their ads emailed to you two days in advance and then tend to put 20% off coupons in those emails as well.

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30 Comments:

Blogger Averill said...

Camila, you HAVE to buy this, perform your magic (LOVE the idea of all this red) and then invite us all over for a BBQ. ;)

This is SO making me wish my yard was something other than a big rectangle of weeds!

April 7, 2010 at 11:41 AM  
Blogger hana said...

do it! from my little nyc apartment, i am so jealous of your outdoor space! xo

April 7, 2010 at 12:13 PM  
Blogger Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

I <3 these ideas!! Fabulous! It was 90 degrees here in GA yesterday. I could have gone for that gazebo for sure!!

April 7, 2010 at 12:17 PM  
Blogger Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

leave it to you to create and amazing space! Cant wait!

April 7, 2010 at 12:20 PM  
Anonymous Sarah @ Dream In Domestic said...

I love all the ideas! I can't wait to see it put to good use!

April 7, 2010 at 12:22 PM  
Blogger Sugar said...

Ohhhhh. I am dying to see an after picture. I think it's gonna be awesome.

April 7, 2010 at 12:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I cent believe Big Lots turned up on one of my favorite design blogs! I love that they stock Martha Stewart craft stuff there. Also, the current Tuesday Morning add shows striped Waverly outdoor curtain panels, $60 for a pair. Check 'em out!

April 7, 2010 at 12:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see what you do with the gazebo! You're ideas blew me away (and made me want a gazebo).

April 7, 2010 at 12:45 PM  
Anonymous Laura@JourneyChic said...

What a great bargain, and your ideas for customizing are awesome! We need new patio furniture...I'll have to see if there's a Big Lots nearby!

If you haven't entered my fabulous giveaway this week, do stop by!

April 7, 2010 at 1:08 PM  
Blogger Scientific Housewife said...

I would love to have a gazebo. It looks great!

April 7, 2010 at 1:16 PM  
Blogger LiveLikeYou said...

LOVE it! Buy it, paint it red, get the black and white curtain. It will look like it cost you a fortune!! Can't wait to see the it finished! Oh, and I love it when men just agree...

April 7, 2010 at 1:23 PM  
Anonymous Lauren said...

Those bistro chairs are a MUST!

April 7, 2010 at 1:49 PM  
Blogger Melissa Marie Head said...

Buy it! With all of your creative ideas it is going to be an amazing outdoor space perfect for lots of entertaning - can't wait to see how it turns out.

April 7, 2010 at 2:06 PM  
Blogger Dreams of Perfection said...

I am doing a Big Lots post today too! They are off the chain there. Who knew?! And yes I will be picking up my members card next time I go :o)

April 7, 2010 at 2:44 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i cannot wait to see this in all its finished glory. you. are. a. genius.

April 7, 2010 at 3:23 PM  
Blogger Maria Johns said...

great idea camila...do it then show us!!! love that bamboo detailing!

April 7, 2010 at 3:27 PM  
Blogger Jen said...

What a fabulous color palette! Oh how i wish I had a little patio so that I could buy goreous furniture like this. Girl, you've sure got an eye for fabulousness!!

April 7, 2010 at 5:02 PM  
Blogger Debbie@Vintage Scout Interiors said...

oooohhhh weeeeee gurlllll, I cannot wait to see the after picture of this one! You are an inspiration! I only hope no one from Dayton saw your post so that my Big Lots has some left when I get back to Ohio next week.

April 7, 2010 at 5:03 PM  
Blogger Stephanie Sabbe said...

I love this idea! you have to do it, I want to see

April 7, 2010 at 6:33 PM  
Blogger Kalee said...

Go girl! I so hope that you go ahead with this idea and so share the results!

April 7, 2010 at 6:38 PM  
Blogger Hamptontoes said...

I am in love with that find! I would change the side drapes too...wow, I can already envision summer events in your yard. Wish I had a Big Lots near me...I've never been to one. Maybe, I need to explore! Great post!

April 7, 2010 at 7:09 PM  
Blogger Hopeless Chest said...

That's an awesome find! I love the red idea.

I've been looking for a patio set in preparation for moving. But the prices are killing me.

April 7, 2010 at 7:54 PM  
Anonymous AppleTree said...

promise to post the after pics!

April 7, 2010 at 8:31 PM  
Blogger micah said...

i didn't know big lots was so stylish! can't wait to see what you do with the gazebo!

April 7, 2010 at 9:07 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I love the chandelier. can't wait to see it all done up.

April 8, 2010 at 12:49 AM  
Blogger Redesign Diva said...

Visiting from Dreams of Perfection, honey you better make that chandelier from out of season fake cranberries if you can...

Lol...I had a neighbor who had one of those last year for about five good months...all I have to say is be careful of high winds and definitely change the fabric...

April 8, 2010 at 9:10 AM  
Blogger Lisa Porter said...

I am all over this! The bamboo frame itself is worth the price!
I would be doing the same...trying to tweek it to my liking. It can't be like ALL the other outdoor rooms in my neighborhood!
I am thinking hot pink sunbrella fabric panels tied back in the summer.
By the way...anchor it well (more than you think)to your deck or patio. The way those are tented, sends them flying all over the place and all it takes is one good summer storm. Love Big Lots too! Great post.
Lisa

April 8, 2010 at 10:19 AM  
Blogger My Galveston Cottage said...

Great post! I want your Big Lots find. wow! You got it, right?! And your plans to give it a face lift are spot on! Perfect, perfect -- as is the temperature there. cheers, -susan

April 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM  
Blogger Alexandra Rae said...

Thanks for the Big Lots rewards tip! Love the whole post. It would be gorge

April 12, 2010 at 8:10 AM  
Blogger Liz said...

Oh! I can't wait to see the final outcome!

Liz
Loving This Mom Stuff

May 9, 2010 at 12:21 AM  

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