Outdoor oasis

I'm in the process of updating our deck.  So far, I used canvas drop cloths (Lowe's) to slipcover our outdated patio furniture and added some drapes (also canvas drop cloths) to help beat the heat from the afternoon sun.  The drapes are hung on conduit  poles found at the local hardware store and are quite a deal at $4 for a 10 foot length!

 

The light fixture (in the above picure) was green with opaque plastic globes.  I spray painted in the body in a silvery gray with a hammered finish.  It now resembles galvanized aluminum instead of green plastic. The opaque globes were replaced with mason jars and Edison bulbs.  The new bulbs give off a wonderful glow. 

Though I've made progress, I still have a long wish list. Next is a rug for the seating area.  I found a few candiates at Bed Bath and Beyond as well as World Market and Lowe's.  All are resonably priced at around $75.00 for a 5 x 7 rug.

Another item on my list is a new base for the marble coffee table.  My husband found this gem in the dumpster at work more than 15 years ago.  I fell in love with it immediately. (Good move hubby!) Currently it sits on an iron patio table but it needs something more substantial.  The iron legs are too spindly for that beautiful top. 

There is still so much to do but I think I'm finally on the path to my oasis!

Powell Hotel in San Francisco California

I have been working with designer Susan Powell on a project for the Presidential Suite at the Powell Hotel in San Franciso California.

This is a pelmet that I upholstered for the guest bedroom in the suite.  The pattern is Chaing Mai Dragon from Schumacher. 

The color is this fabric is incredibly vibrant.

Iron glider

This is where I started a few days ago.
Not much to work with!

After measuring the glider from the front to the back, I cut the canvas and draped it on the glider.  Wow, it already looks better!

 From there I cut and pieced together the arms. This simple slipcover consists of only five pieces. The front and back is one piece and each arm is made from two pieces of fabric (inside arm and outside arm).

I added a seat cushion using several odd pieces of 3 inch foam left over from a previous project.  The foam was wrapped in batting for a soft feel. The simple rolled cushion has a zipper so that it can laundered.  A couple of standard bed pillows are perfect as the backrest. These pillow covers also have a zipper so the entire slipcover can be laundered.  Remember, I have two grandsons and two dogs. Everything must be kid friendly, dog friendly and machine washable.



Before







After

Much better...on to the next project!



Garden furniture nightmare!

Many years ago my husband surprised me with outdoor furniture for our redwood deck.  At the time green wrought iron was all the rage.  He brought home an oval table, six dining chairs, a glider and two lounge chairs.  The following spring we added four bar chairs and a baker's rack.  Sometime after that,  a bistro table and two chairs made the trip home.  All was well in our little outdoor space.  We hosted many bar-b-ques and have lots of happy memories.

Unfortunately, time changes everything. Now the furniture is too green, spindly and a pain to clean. The original cushions are long gone and the cheap replacements just don't cut it. Unfortunately, our budget does not allow room for new outdoor furniture. Oh how I long for beautifully uphostered sectional with lots of throw pillows!

Well, I can mope around and avoid the backyard or I can do what I do best.  Sew.  My go to fabric is canvas drop cloth from the hardware store.  It's cheap, easy to clean and virtually indestructible.  I slipcovered an old hand-me-down ottoman with a canvas drop cloth a few years ago. Our dogs use it as a perch while they monitor the front yard for enemy intruders-aka the mailman.  Once a week, I throw it in the washer, dryer and back on the ottoman.  No ironing needed.  It looks beautiful!

In the coming weeks, I will use canvas drop cloths to refresh and update my outdoor space.  So far, I used one 9 x 6 cloth ($10.95) to recover the dining chair seat cushions.  I have plans for drapes, to make the space feel cozy as well as frame the view, a slipcover and throw pillows for the glider as well as slipcover two of the dining chairs so that they look more substantial.

Check in to view my progress and share your ideas and comments.

Another great fabric find!

Here's another great find from www.Fabric.com.

Suburban Rasul Ikat

 I used 3 yards to make Roman Shades for french doors in the dinning area of a new home.

 Finished! Just the right amount of privacy and light control not to mention it adds a nice infusion of pattern into the space.

Fabulous!

Quick kitchen update

My little garden window has been looking a bit lackluster these days.  Maybe it's the view.  A redwood fence (that needs paint) and a bunch of rusty garden tools.  Not exactly the best spot in yard! I have always kept the window bare to bring in the maximum amount of light but clearly change is in order.

 I logged in to my favorite fabric website www.Fabric.com for some inspiration and found a great fabric (as always).  It's Waverly Longchamp Chambray at it's a steal at $6.97 per yard!

 Perfect for a Roman Shade!
I lined it and added some trim leftover from another project.

The fabric is stapled to a 3 x 1 board.  I installed some eye hooks, a inexpensive Cordlock and some string. Voila!

Much better! And under $20.00.  Now, if I can just unclutter those countertops!

Dining Area Seating

I have a small ranch house.

It was built in the 1950s.  It's not large by any means, coming in at only 1100 square feet. It worked well for a family of 3.5.  I say 3.5 because as one daughter entered kindergarten, the other went off to college.  Yes, college.  Long story, different blog.

Many years and two grandsons later, the house still works for my husband and me.  The space problem only rears its ugly head when we have family gatherings.  I find myself rearranging the entire house in order to enjoy a meal with my growing brood. Out of the overstuffed hall closet comes the leaf for the table, next I wrangle up extra chairs and finally, in order to have elbow room, some pieces are moved to other rooms.  It's exhausting.

Inevitably, my grandsons end up seated at the coffee table and my son-in-law plops on the couch.  He says it's to watch the boys but I know he just wants to watch TV.  Of course, once my husband realizes that Joe gets to sit on couch, he moves to the couch too.  Monkey see, monkey do.  So much for the family togetherness!

Well, now I have a plan. 

I am obsessed with window seats.  They are so pretty and inviting plus they provide lots of storage.  I love the coziness of pillows along the wall. It's a wonderful way to introduce different colors and patterns. I can just imagine sitting at my window enjoying a cup of coffee while pouring over my favorite magazines (on my tablet, of course).

First and foremost the outdated oak china cabinet must go.  It will be replaced with a wall to wall storage bench.  Next, the small round oak table will be swapped out with a  rectangular one large enough to accomodate eight.  The fabulous upholstered dining chairs will make the cut.  They just need new slipcovers that will coordinate with the bench cushion.  A few accent pillows (many, many pillows!) and voila!  Problem solved.

Sounds good.  I can't wait to start.  Just one problem...I have to convince my husband.  This will be the toughest part of the project!  Wish me luck!

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