While every week I feel like we’ve made zero progress, I do have to admit that the patio is actually filling up quite nicely! And while there is still lots to do (and I hope we make it!), I am actually quite amazed at how far we’ve come. So, here’s our week 6 recap for the One Room Challenge and our backyard makeover which is mostly related to the table reveal!
It feels like we’ve been working on this table forever. We probably could have purchased one for cheaper (at this point) and a quicker install, but building it was fun for the hubs. He loves using his new saws and his homemade work bench. It’s been a long 5 weeks of parking in the driveway because of this table, but I’m happy to say that we finally got one car back in last night!
We were able to move the table out to the back to clear some space and see how it looked in the back. And in all honesty, we needed to let it actually dry in the sun.
CHECK OUT OTHER WEEKS!
WEEK 1 // WEEK 2 // WEEK 3 // WEEK 4 // WEEK 5
The table is big. It’s basically 8×4. I let him have at it. I just said no bigger than 8×4 and I wanted to be able to fit 8 chairs around it if I needed to. So, we can fit 3 along the side with arms and 1 on each end. So, when I find the perfect armless chairs, it’ll be great! Until then, I found these Elba Armchairs at Target and I’m looking for a few more to make a whole set.
We ended up using Everlast exterior paint tinted to match Tricorn Black for the finish on the table. It’s Lowe’s best exterior paint and is supposed to be washable. I just wanted to be able to wipe it down. We had hoped to use a stain but after using wood putty to cover the screw holes, it wasn’t taking to stains without being completely noticeable. We are thinking we’ll probably still add another coat of polyurethane to the top just as an added safeguard.
ONE ROOM CHALLENGE
Even though it does feel a little big, it works perfectly in the space, and even fits the Target chairs I picked up quite well, but they may not be the last and final addition to this table. I honestly only have 3 at the moment, because I’m still on the hunt for teak/eucalyptus wood chairs — I feel like the black needs broken up.
Especially because we replaced our brown Adirondack chairs for around the firepit with these lovely new black ones! These might be my favorite addition. I love the three slatted backs and they were so easy to put together! I think having all blacks, creams, and wood tones really helps keep the space feeling cohesive and not too unnatural. I don’t know… It just feels peaceful and calming.
I also planted our gardens – TWO of them! The Mister made me two beds – one for flowers and one for food. I’m not a master gardener, but the game plan is to get up and water every morning… because that’s usually my downfall and to research more on how to tend to these items individually. I’m most excited for the lettuce and hopefully fresh blooms for my house soon.
We’ve planted tomatoes (3 kinds), snap peas, carrots, lettuce (3 kinds), broccoli, kale, strawberries, watermelon, basil, cilantro and rosemary. I’m most excited for the lettuce. I’ll be trying to share all my tips & tricks for gardening, although to be honest this is only my 2nd one so we’ll be learning together!
I also did a quick and easy One Room Challenge DIY mushroom update for some faux cement looking mushrooms. I didn’t want to pay $20+ for each even though I loved the versions at Target and Walmart… But, I still love a little bit of whimsy when it comes to decorating. So I grabbed these from Hobby Lobby at 40 or 50% off which made them all three a total of $10 or so. I knew I could give them a different look!
Obviously the red wouldn’t work with the neutral pallet I was going for and I had spray paint at home. I used these spray paints to get a more cement faux look. Matte gray fist and then sprinkled with the stone texture. Looking back, I might have brushed the texture before it dried, but jury’s still out on if that would have made much of a difference in the final look or not…
They work great and are a nice little touch to the garden beds. I’m thinking I might even add a little dowel rod to the bottom inside of these for more stability in the beds so they don’t knock over as easily.
So I guess looking back at the week, we have done a lot even if it doesn’t feel like it. This One Room Challenge has been fun, rewarding and exhausting all at the same time! And we aren’t done yet, but we are in the home stretch! All of these things along with keeping track of kids, the end of the school year, trying to maintain a semi-clean house, and attempting to get birds out of our attic by going back and forth with the builders has been 1000000% exhausting. Yes, you read that last part right… It’s a story for another day!
OUR OLD BACKYARD
Last night I don’t think I sat down from 3:30pm to 10:45pm and that was after a full day of my day job. My neighbor asked me if we’d take a break after all this… Ummm yes, yes we will hahah. But not a long one because the projects just keep on coming!
Next week —
- Hopefully we’ll have some updates on the landscaping and it’ll be done or almost done!
It’s a never-ending project…Hopefully we’ll make some progress on the firepit. - Hopefully we’ll be able to make this space feel cozy and inviting.
It’s feeling a little blah-zeh at the moment… - Hopefully we’ll be able to find or make some outdoor pillows.
Can I find fabric!? - And hopefully we’ll be able to figure out some shade while the pergola plans are on hold.
Currently scouring marketplace for a good large umbrella – the colors are tricky!
FINGERS CROSSED! Only 2 weeks left on the One Room Challenge!
EEEK!
Here’s what’s left to do:
*Decide on dining chairs
*Setup dining area
*Finish landscaping beds
*Decorative Accessories
*Lighting
*Fairy Garden
Remaining DIYs:
*DIY Hose Holder
*Privacy Screens
*Fire Pit
Here’s a tentative schedule as to what you might see on any given week’s update:
Week 1 – Before & Design Plans
Week 2 – Patio Pour
Week 3 – Furniture Layout
Week 4 – A Semi- Useable Space
Week 5 – Landscaping & Builds
Week 6 – Landscaping & Gardens
Week 7 – Firepit
Week 8 – Final Reveal