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Holy banana boats batman!  Boy did I learn oodles while working on our patio.  And I apologize for the information overload I am about to throw your way.  I hope I can keep it short and sweet and keep it more photo heavy {those are the best posts anyway right?}.

Although I didn't blog about every last project we tackled outdoors this last month and a half, we sure did get a lot done!  And it feels awesome!  Here are a few of the things we tackled and crossed off of our list:

• Replace deck boards with maintenance free decking {yep, even if that means working in the rain!}

• Build and stain side tables for seating areas.
• Plant flowers and plants.  Lots and lots of flowers and plants.
• Paint planters and plant some cooking herbs.
• Create serving/grill cart.
• Spray paint storage bench {and organize inside}.
• Spray paint umbrella stand.
• Sand down outdoor table and repaint.

• Pull patio and garden weeds.
• Wash siding.
• Install candelabra.
• Scrub maintenance free railing.
• Recover outdoor stool.

So what all did I learn?

• I realized that working outdoors poses a whole new set of challenges.  We have been extremely restricted by time due to our busy nightly baseball schedule paired with my hubbies work schedule paired with the crazy Wisconsin weather schedule {which is why we didn't get it all done in June}.  Unlike inside, we were unable to work much once the kids were sleeping, as it would get dark out.  Even today, I went out this afternoon to take photos of the finished patio area before our plans to entertain tonight, and once I began editing the photos, I was SO frustrated with the shadows and my battles with the brilliant sun, that I had to re-photograph the entire area at dusk {huge time suck}.
• Speaking of photographing exteriors, it is nuts how different it is from interiors.  With interiors, you have ending points {walls}.  Outside, the space goes on and on and finding good angles is challenging, and photographing specific zones without the crazy clutter of the ongoing background is also difficult.
• Knowing what will withstand our wacky Wisco-weather is all about trial and error.  We have experienced the strangest year weather wise {6 months straight of snow followed up by two months of rain followed up by a fabulously hot month of drought and then back to stocking caps in July}.  You never know what you are going to get, and it is important for us to select finishes that will still look good a few years from now, so we don't get stuck with our yard looking like it did this spring.
• I change my mind.  A lot.  But we already knew that right?  It turns out the colors in my inspiration item and initial plan weren't what I thought {crazy monitor resolution!}, so it was out with the red and in with the pinks and a few returns to Target.  But you know what?  In the end I love it.  I lovity love it.  

Last month when I challenged myself {and my Mr.} to take on our outdoor spaces, I was a bit ambitious with how much I wanted to accomplish.  I had a list for both the front and back of our home... the front porch still gives me a giddy smile when I walk up to our home.


But now let's focus on the back.  Remember the awfulness we started with?


Sorry if that caused you to lose your dinner.  Or breakfast.  Or lunch.... you get the point.

An incredibly rotted deck and boatloads of chipped paint along with a lack of seating and accessories left this the least desirable area of our home.  And although I have huge plans for the inside of our home, we spend SO much time running the kids and working on projects, that we need a place to escape and enjoy summer, without leaving our home.  We love to spend time as a family grilling, roasting, playing yard games, etc... we needed a happy place to do those things.  The interior was going to have to wait.

As I mentioned above, we built a second table for our other seating area.  We have a few cheapo adirondack chairs behind our fire pit and I was hoping to add a nice little table between them for smore assembly and drink setting.


The table holds all of our goodies and provides a place to add candles and mood lighting, and below we stash our wood pile for the evening festivities.


The fire pit is our favorite spot in the whole backyard.  We use it spring, summer and fall.


The long patio also holds our dining table.  The table was one we built a few years ago using Ana White plans and it was chipping and peeling because I used an inexpensive outdoor paint that is not even worthy of mention.  Never skimp on outdoor paint.  Lesson learned.  This time around, I repainted the table with Behr's new premium exterior Marquee paint, and gave it three thin coats, so hopefully it will last a little longer this time.  I also gave the legs a little color splash, because that is how I roll.


The chairs were a super steal from Joss & Main.  I searched high and low for affordable outdoor chairs.  I was crushing on the colorful garden chairs, however, after checking West Elm, World Market and Home Decorators, at over $100 per chair, I began considering super inexpensive Ikea options.  Yes, I almost settled.  And then Joss & Main had a set of two chairs for $109.95 with free shipping and I had some credit accumulated so we jumped all over the gorgeous blue chairs. {pssst!  Target has since started selling a similar style quite inexpensively as well.}


When it came to the table top settings, I found a few clearance napkins at Pier 1 and selected a mixture of colors and patterns.  I also paired them with gold napkin rings and started swooning immediately.  {Tip!  Take a really long time with your outdoor projects like I do and you will be able to snag super end of summer outdoor clearance deals in July!}


I also hung a few Ikea lanterns from our umbrella so we had a mood lighting option should our dinner party go a little long...


Right behind the table is our newly painted and organized storage bench, and some freshly planted greenery.


And at the end of the table, the oh so useful serving cart and grill.


Yes indeed!  We are getting all sorts of use out of the cart!  It has been such a great solution for holding entertaining dishes and items for the grill.

Have you gotten started on your High/Low organizing project yet?  In case you missed the kick-off to this super exciting challenge, you can snag the details here.


That is right my IHeart pals!  I am challenging you to find some high end inspiration and recreate it on a budget.  The link party starts next Thursday, so you still have plenty of time to join in the fun!

I thought I would share some inexpensive storage candy from around blogland, to inspire you to participate in this challenge.  Honestly, if it wasn't so late as I sit here compiling these ideas, I am pretty sure I would have a paint brush and hammer in my hands at this very moment.  Tomorrow morning can't come soon enough!

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Jane was inspired by a Pottery Barn tablet holder retailing for $34.50.  Take a close look at her incredible version and you will see that it was created by combining a cutting board, Scrabble letter tray and child's building block.  And it cost her less than $2!  That deserves a few more of these !!!!

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My organizing lovin' gal pal, Samantha, also found inspiration from Pottery Barn.  She transformed some shallow baskets into rolling under-bed storage with the addition of a simple frame and casters.

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It really should be no surprise that Pottery Barn is a prime target for the High/Low challenge.  They create beautiful pieces for the home, yet their prices are not always considered pocketbook friendly.  If you can recreate an entire piece of furniture, like Whitney's bookcase above, you are looking at hundreds saved! 

Or how about a built from scratch PB inspired bathroom vanity?  My jaw is still on the floor!

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What other loved retailers come to mind?  How about Ballard Designs, Serena & Lily and Restoration Hardware...

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Erin sewed and painted a new liner for a once retired laundry hamper!  Now it looks industri-awesome!

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I am guessing we all have lusted over the Ballard wall pockets at one time or another, and so did Nike.  So she recreated them on a dime and you will never guess what they are made out of.... cardboard and fabric!  Must see it to believe it!

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A blogger I will always consider to be the queen of creating high end looks on a budget, is Centsational Girl.  One of my all time favorite projects is her DIY drying rack, saving her over $64 from the inspiration piece.

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Shelves maximize vertical space and add storage galore, but those with extra details come with an extra high price tag.  My friend, Ashley, fell for some Restoration Hardware shelves and set out to recreate them for less.  And that she did!  Va va voom!

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Could you imagine forking over $118 for a rolling storage crate?  Jackie couldn't either, so she created her own, times four!  She was able to customize the crates to fit her space and add a touch of teal for less than the cost of just one of the high end versions.


Raise your hand if you love a good IKEA hack.  Me me me!  IKEA products come at reasonable prices, yet also have a tendency to reflect that big box store feeling.  But as you know, a little paint and creativity goes a long way. 

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Emily transformed an IKEA SVALBO sideboard into dramatically dipped entryway piece.

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I have been lusting after a great campaign piece, however, I just haven't found the right one.  After seeing Louisa's IKEA dresser turned campaign amazingness, I am inspired to think further outside of the box.

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I have seen a lot of amazing IKEA hacks, but some of my favorite have been done by the style maven, Jen, of Made By Girl.  She has an ability to make IKEA pieces look like a billion bucks.

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As much as I would love to own a Dorothy Draper piece, I know that a good DIY is as close as I will ever get.  I am pretty sure IKEA has never looked better.

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I consider color happy storage an office necessity, however, those pretty boxes, baskets and magazine files can quickly add up!  I love how Diane paired inexpensive IKEA boxes with decorative papers to achieve a playful effect on a penny budget.

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Lucy's Anthropologie inspired coil pots are the most fabulous desk accessory around.  In fact, she has me wanting to recreate them in areas all over our home.  Maybe even in a super sized version!  So smitten!

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Patience and innovation can get you really far in the process of DIY'ing storage for your home.  Mat board turned trendy geometric pencil cup?  The brilliant Sarah of Sarah Dorsey Designs strikes again!

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Decorative boxes work in every room of the home for endless purposes.  Head to any home decor store and you will find shelves lined with them, ranging in prices of twenty dollars to even hundreds!  Cassie is always recreating chic, high end inspired storage on a shoe string budget; it is so hard for me to select any personal favorite. 

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How gorgeous is the gold and acrylic jewelry box above?  Easily $40 right?  More?  It may blow your mind, but the innovative Erin DIY'd that beautiful box out of clear box photo frames!  I am pretty obsessed!

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Let's chat baskets!  HomeGoods has become my go-to source for budget baskets, however, the oversized versions still ring in at high dollar amounts.  But if you get creative with a little twine, you can make yourself ten baskets, get organized and still have enough leftover for your favorite drink at Starbucks!

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Another guessing game.  Any idea what those charming little canvas buckets are made from?  3.....2.....1.  JEANS!   I will never look at my clothing the same.

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Taking time to learn how to handle a power tool or two can get you a looong way in the storage department.  Toy storage galore anyone?  Kid tested, parent approved!


There is no limit to what can be accomplished this month!  Whether you cover a box with your favorite paper or build a new closet system, there are endless possibilities for you endlessly inspiring and creative folks.  Next week just may be my most favorite link party yet!  See you there!