Easy Outdoor Decorating: Mixing Old & New Deck Decor

Mixing old & new doesn't necessarily mean the old are rusty found objects - Old items can be pieces you already have renewed with paint or refreshed when paired with new accents. Even though I love shopping secondhand (for the budget savings & creative challenge) I love scoring new decor deals at home stores, such as HomeGoods, Target, Lowe's and Home Depot. Although I had planned out the upper deck dining area (see boards & post here), ironically the first space I pulled together was the lower level of the deck. I couldn't wait to sit in the shade to enjoy the view, listen to the birds sing, and sip my morning coffee! 

After our deck repairs and staining were complete, I was so excited to pull together the outdoor spaces, to safely start enjoying them. Along with some outdoor pieces I already had from Florida and Arizona, I also scored a great deal on a 4 piece white wicker set during Market Week right here in High Point this Spring. When I bought it, I had intended on painting the white wicker matte black, but right now I'm enjoying its more back-porch southern style in white. 

 

 

At first, I had just used some pillows I had gotten while living out in Phoenix, but the white needed something a little more bold & crisp than what I had. A quick trip to a local HomeGoods and I was able to layer in just the new oomph the white wicker needed - and the layered patterns compliment the newly dark stained deck...

 

  

 The Black & White Stripe pattern is repeated in the accent rug, b&w outdoor pillows and coffee mugs  + the check pattern of magnifying glass handle - also all from HomeGoods - just not all at the same time...

The lattice pattern is repeated in the shadow, pillow print and white ceramic lanterns. A  tray on the wicker table gives a solid surface for beverages...

 

  
 Tossing a small accent rug on an angle gives a relaxed feel to this shaded retreat (plus still reveals the newly stained deck!)

Not all inspiration comes from Pinterest - I've really enjoyed flipping through my morning deck reads: a book on birds plus a Southern Living landscape book (both thrift scores here in NC!) and I also still enjoy combing through shelter magazines, such as Traditional Home...

 The thrifted white wicker texture complimented with black metal & solid white accents, such as two small Happy Chic white vases - empty now but can be used for small yard clippings and tablescape later...

 

 

Originally white, a small metal accent table (I was using in AZ in our bathroom) works great on the deck now, holding a plant in a relaxing shaded nook. Next year adds (earlier in Spring) - Outdoor panels, vines on the lattice, and outdoor lighting - This year, just enjoy the summer shade...

Not piling on the pillows onto the settee gives it room for people to sit, as well as a space for an extra pillow to come off a chair, and not need to pile up on the floor - It's just enough to relax without getting too fussy. Besides, when winter comes back around, some of the accents will need to go into shed storage...

Although the white garden stools aren't a thrift find, they too were a great deal on special from Home Depot. Again, not over-accessorizing their tops leaves surface space for a magazine, a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a phone, a foot rest, a plant or even additional seating...

Although I have thought about layering in outdoor panels, I think I'll wait and layer them in next Spring -- along with (maybe) hanging a row of framed lattice panels along the back of the this covered deck space, to give back wall interest & and contrast - especially with the white wicker, which has grown on me!

Getting It Together:
Mixing Old & New - Deck Decor

HomeGoods Finds - from Greensboro, NC to Phoenix, AZ and Miami FL

2 green lattice outdoor pillows + 2 B&W outdoor pillows

2 white ceramic lanterns + B&W stripe mugs

B&W square tray + stripe throw rug + oval straw mat

Metal accent table + bamboo trim ceramic vases

B&W lumbar (interior only pillow)

Other deck details in the mix:

Settee cushion + 2 chair cushions + 4 green, white, tan, black stripe pillows

(Garden Ridge AZ 2013 & NC 2015)

4 piece white wicker set (to be painted) - $175

(Antique Vintage Thrift - High Point 2015)

2 books ($6) -The Red Collection - Greensboro NC 2015

Bronze chaise (to be painted) JCP AZ 2012

2 black metal bistro folding chairs - JCP FL 2008

Black metal round folding table - Target NC 2015 
2 White Ceramix (brand) garden stools - Home Depot NC 2015

 

All plants (minus 2 ferns) $50

local nursery - closing sale

2 ferns - $7 each - First day of Spring at Lowe's

B&W planter containers: 

I collected over time from Big Lots, Home Depot & Thrift.

I painted them black & white to look more graphic on the deck and to give them a more cohesive style.

Two B&W urns (upside down, either side of settee as plant stands)

Old JCP display urns (free!) from '96 - I had previously used them for our front entry in Phoenix, and I also used them in the dining room in Florida.

Now it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this shaded summer outdoor space, with my husband, plus invite the neighbors over - for some grillin' upstairs, and chillin' downstairs!

If you would like to see the deck before you can view at: 

Before & After: Two-Story Black Slate Stain Deck & Repair

Here are 5 Take-Away Tips for Decorating Your 

Deck, Patio, or Small Outdoor Living Space

1. Ensure your space is safe & repaired.

2. Refrain from overdecorating - leave space for drinks, reads, and feet!

3. Have fun with pattern - take cues from what's around you!

4. Just like inside: collect over time for personalized style!

5. Smaller toss rugs set on an angle give a care-free look, while still revealing deck boards for color & texture.

Also to consider: Top 2 Weather Conditions

1. For rain or sun-drenched climates, ensure you're using specified outdoor fabrics to prevent mold and fading.

2. Consider winter storage space to extend your outdoor furnishings (and plants!) life.

*** Deck Safety Tip Reminder: ***

If your deck is 10 years old, have it inspected and repaired before loading with decor, furniture & people. Have your deck checked every 3 years after.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you are inspired and enjoy your outdoor deck decor!

Note: This post is sponsored by HomeGoods and the Happy By Design project. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Before & After: Black Slate Stain Deck & Repair

Although it's really nice to see outdoor living spaces, including pretty patios and decorated decks, all set for Summertime enjoyment, sometimes these outdoor spaces are in need of repairs, cleaning, and even a fresh coat of stain. One of the tasks the home inspector included before we purchased this home last November, was to inspect the structural integrity of our two-story deck (Also see: 5 Deck Safety Tips). Attached to the house with weather-proof flashing and bolts, we were structurally sound. But after winter, we began to notice some changes happening to the wood. The deck is 10 years old, it never really had a true coat of sealer or stain, and it definitely wasn't well maintained, so before we could enjoy outdoor living in this new (to us) space, we needed to have the deck repaired and stained - with a color preferably more cohesive to the home's front exterior.

Deck repair and staining is not a DIY project we chose to take on ourselves. Instead, we met with three area deck specialist to work on the deck repairs and stain our two-story deck. The professional  we opted for (locally owned & operated + licensed & insured) asked us to select a color from Sherwin Williams Super-Deck. Since I had already created the space plans and an appointment was scheduled for work, the next three phases of the deck were: 1. Choosing the deck color, 2. Clearing the space, and 3. Deck repairs + staining.

 

Choosing Deck Color
Practically nothing creates a great impact and costs less to update a space, inside or out, than paint, or in this case: outdoor solid stain. Just as I do inside, I color tested swatches of 3 color options - on various surfaces (floorboards, column, railing). Although Sherwin-Williams had a color called Charcoal, it just wasn't crisp enough. Thankfully, Sherwin Williams was able to do a color match of a color we really liked from Behr called Slate. Slate is a great blue-base off-black shade, which just as greys and whites do, changes its value (color intensity) depending on time of day, shade direct sunlight and diffused light...

Tip: Easy to carry for testing: Repurposed cookie sheet as paint tray.

Note: color test of solid stain is actually paint, which can vary the actual color slightly vs. the actual solid stain - but it's close!

I've seen where people have done a full value chart of shades and tones of one color (usually when picking their perfect grey), but colors change with different light sources, furniture reflections, and times of day -- especially outdoors. Save yourself the heartache and select 2 or 3 colors, have them mixed as a tester, and paint squares in different areas of what is being stained. Watch how these three colors alter their shade with different lighting -- especially direct sun or shade, when selecting outdoor deck stain.

Left: SWSD Black Alder -- Center: Behr Deck Stain: Slate (SW color-match) -- Right: SWSD Charcoal

(Left: too brown -- Right: too battleship -- Center: just right!)

Friday afternoon, I selected two Super-Deck solid stain colors to give them a try (Charcoal and Black Alder (actually more brown than name implies) plus I brought in the color card from Behr for SW to match for deck color choice testing. Saturday morning I was out on the deck painting swatches, snapped a few pics, and walked with Jeff in the late afternoon & evening for us to see the colors plus make our selection.

One good thing left behind from the previous owners: A stainless steel counter, Jeff anchored to the deck for his grilling space.

The slate color really helps to anchor the back of the house, and works well with the existing grill,  matte black wicker chairs plus the glorious green backdrop of the property now for Spring / Summer - which I'm sure will also work with the grey-browns in the winter.

After the color choice was officially made Saturday, the color info was texted to the deck team. Sunday was time to clear the deck space of furniture, pillows, and plants...

 

Clearing the Space
Just as with an interior space, an outdoor space too needs to be cleared off before repairs and pressuring cleaning can begin. In a perfect world, the deck would have been repaired and stained earlier in the Spring - before it was filled with furniture and new plants - but that's now how this worked out - and it's OK. The Sunday before the deck team were to arrive (Monday morning) I cleared off the deck space, having first made a plan as to where to "stage" everything being removed. What I was probably most concerned about were the plants.

 Plants acquired during Spring - most from a local nursery closing!

 
Shifting plants to a temporary space requires a little more care than stacking pillows & chairs in a shed. Since these plants were already accustomed to living (and thriving) in shade, the space they moved to needed to be pretty much the same. Since there was an old wood platform nestled in the trees down our backyard slope, Jeff suggested they'd be safe there (Good idea! Love that man!) Before I brought them down to their temporary space, I gave them a lil' TLC, extra water - and yes: I talked to them. Go figure: when I brought them back to the deck 4 days later, they were even a bit larger than they were when I brought them down!

 Proud thrift score in High Point - during market week! Perfect for southern living on the lower deck -- or back porch!

The white wicker set (a Carolina thrift score!!) worked staged in the yard, near the rock garden. Other small accents, pillows and the chaise went into the shed, 4 new outdoor chairs (from Pier 1 for the new dining table) came inside, down to the spare room in the basement. Most of what I cleared was downstairs. Whatever was upstairs, I left for the deck guys to take down - one of which was a new X-leg dining table I got from Home Depot - I was able to refinish before Jeff brought it back up onto the refinished deck. As for the grill, Jeff and I just wheeled into the house (not pretty, but practical!)



Deck Repairs + Staining
Before the deck could be stained, it was in need of some repairs: carpenter bees (nests removed and wholes filled in), stair railing, balustrade railing, and floor boards. Jeff was able to get rid of the carpenter bees and repair their damage. The carpenters replaced damaged deck wood and hauled away removed damaged wood. After these repairs, the deck got a good pressure washing to remove debris, some old paint, and much of the mildew. Since both of these tasks were done Monday  morning, the deck had a good dose of sun for the afternoon to dry well before staining the next day.

 Deck repairs - Upper deck floor boards.

 Of all days for wind gusts - but still a clean end result!

Notice how the tone of the color changed with overcast, mid-day light!

Before & After deck railing & balustrade repair.

 
Although it was a team of three rapidly working on staining the deck - upper balustrade by brush & underside + lattice sprayed on - floors & stairs rolled), summer heat, and sun glare created a few 'ghosts' (just as what can happen with inside painting). This caused two tradesmen to come back an additional day (just the morning) for touch-ups . Most of the glare & ghost touch-ups were needed at the stairs -- because the black slate was a similar color value to the existing half-ass dark brown stain, which was difficult to see in the suns bright light.

 

Deck Repairs + Low pressure Washing + Staining by:

(local)

Wittmann Home Renewal 

Kernersville, NC

(336) 996-0460

DECK REPAIR & STAINING RECAP & TIPS:

- Plan outdoor spaces / zones / decor (see my planning boards here)

- Tend to minor repairs yourself (purging junk / removing nests)
- Inspected for structural integrity decks 10 years of age -- and check every 3 years afterwards

- Hire a professional for repairs (& larger staining projects) 

- Interview 3 candidates for the job - with your partner

- Ensure estimate + scope of work in writing (including debris haul-away)

- Test 3 colors within the outdoor area

- Communicate with HOA (changes), with partner (design goal), with hired team (expectations)

- Although team will unload deck space, personally give extra care to outdoor plants temporary storage

- After deck is repaired, power-wash and let dry well in sun before staining

- With shoes on, double check lower deck + grass for missed nails & wood-chips

- After deck stained, let it cure for 24 hrs (will be dry to touch, but avoid wetting or walking on + do not put back any plants or furniture)

- Reset deck decor

Enjoy your refreshed outdoor living space with coffee, friends, family - and neighbors!

Sneak Peek 

Refreshed Deck Decor - with secondhand style + a few new finds from HomeGoods!
(outdoor pillows + stripe mugs!)

Now that the deck is finally repaired and stained, it was time to have some fun putting it together for a multi-level outdoor living space! The repairs (for safety & longer deck life) plus a new color (for exterior cohesiveness & updated look) is just what this outdoor space needed to be renewed... for relaxing, for entertaining, and to give the neighbors something a little more pleasing to look at VS. the run-down deck littered with car parts it was when we moved in! 

(Cue the music: "Isn't she lovely?!")

 ick. You've come a long way baby!! THRILLED to pieces this outdoor space is cleaned & clear!

Deck Decor details coming up next!

Thanks for stopping by!

Getting Settled In Our New Home

It's hard to believe, but not only was May our eight year wedding anniversary, but it was also our six month anniversary since moving from Arizona to here in North Carolina! I can't express in words how thrilled both the hubs and I are to be back east - except to start sharing some of what we've been up to transforming the house into our home, especially outside, and hopefully inspire you along the way. One of the joys we had missed the most when we moved from Miami to AZ was outdoor living. Slowly but surely, we've been able to bring that way of living back into our lifestyle -- after waiting for the snow and freezing temps from winter to pass. Although it had started to warm up a bit in April, it rained often, and I was attending High Point Market - but afterwards, we have been spending every Sunday outside - rain or shine (I even had gotten sick, but thankfully after a week, it passed). Jeff is happy he is able to grill on the deck, without having to walk down stairs and through the garage to get to the yard (like he had to do in AZ). Even Sephora isn't as frightened as she was in AZ to be outside - here on the deck only - and she especially loves watching all the birds in the trees, and occasional squirrel...

With Summer approaching, the deck space has been wonderful, especially to watch the fireflies light up the forest behind us!

There is so much we would like to do to the house, both inside and out, but we have to pace ourselves - to avoid burnout (and burning through our budget). We've gotten a great deal done inside though we've paused a bit on the inside, now that the weather has been so beautiful. Since outdoor living now has a shorter time frame (vs. FL or AZ), we've focused our energy & time outside. (I'll share inside shortly - stay tuned!!) Between watching local plant sales, cleaning up - pulling weeds, changing out mulch, fertilizer, watering, seeding, plus adding a few new plants, small changes are helping to make a big difference. And Monday, the shutters getting painted, should also help to make for a more crisp looking curb appeal out front. For the back yard, the (double) deck is scheduled to be getting repaired and stained (charcoal grey) later in June - but just cleaning it up last November and adding some plants now for Spring has made a big difference from the day we closed...

 Sneak Peek at lower deck (before it gets stained next month)... 

And what the deck was, the day we closed back in November...

It was actually MUCH worse the day before we closed - I don't know how they cleared it, but they did (more car parts, an old bike, and a Nautilus weight lifting machine (NOT a bench) got cleared... This is the loveliness left behind...

 

Thankfully, I was able to schedule a donation pick-up from Goodwill to come haul this "stuff" away...

One of the big clean-ups first happened before the movers arrived with our truck, back on November 22 - We had to clear-out the junk-yard left behind from the previous owners (which was actually worse the day before we closed - thankfully, they cleared out most of their belongings, but still left behind remnants of their auto repairs they used to do here (and from what we've heard, the neighbors just loved - insert sarcasm here). But that's in the past, and we're moving forward...

 

Outdoor Shed Organizing

 

 

Outdoor Shed Organizing

Winter came and so did snow (Jeff's first!!) So we really couldn't do much outside, except get the now Potting Shed organized with gardening tools, containers, and outdoor decor  I've collected from gardening in Florida -- plus baskets I collected in Arizona. It's a great storage space, giving  more space to the garage (for Jeff's truck), and I couldn't wait to start pulling out pots from the shed after the winter passed to start planting... 

First Day of Spring - Lowe's - 38 degrees and raining!!

In mid-March, my mom came to visit which prompted me to start sourcing the local Lowe's and Home Depot nurseries for some Spring greens + flowering plants. I started with two large Boston ferns for the deck and two potted flowering plants for the front door, to pair with two small arborvitae (conifer) I had picked up back in December. While my mom was visiting in March, I also lucked out and found triple tier topiaries at Home Depot, but since another cold front was coming, they needed to stay inside. 

 

Topiaries from Home Depot - High Point

 

Orchid Pavilion - Inspiration from the Greensboro Ideal Home Show

After mom's visit, Jeff and I attended a Home Show in Greensboro, where we were able to get information and promotion specials on deck refinishing, pest control, and lawn care (treatment). Thankfully, our neighbor was also able to give us the name of a reliable / affordable lawn cutting service to hire. The places we've lived before were maintained by the community - the lawn care (cutting) is new for us. And to invest in all the right tools to care for ourselves takes time to learn, so at least for this first year, someone else is cutting & edging the lawn. Jeff did find a good Spring deal on an edger / weed-whacker, so he has been able to help in between cuttings (especially on the grade change sloped in the back) - and it fits great in the shed along with bags of garden soil,  potting soil, fertilizer, a spade, rakes - and eventually: a lawn mower!

In April, the Home Improvement centers were all having their Black Friday sales, which Jeff and I both took full advantage of - from new black mulch, soil and rocks, to ground cover, small shrubs, and flowering plants. One of the best gardening tips I ever learned was from HGTV's Paul the Gardening Guy who shared how much of a savings it is to buy smaller plants of the larger species you're wanting -- Since this planting zone is new to me (as is gardening with these seasonal changes), I thought this was wise advice. I only bought smaller shrubs plus I also kept an eye out for the 4 for $10 specials (again, a huge help when you're trying to do a lot with a little). Eventually, I'd like to change the front walk-way, and line it with a low sculpted boxwood leading to the door, but right now, we need to get the grass growth, weeds, and even a pesky mole under control. Sadly, the previous owners didn't really care for the property, and the little bit of TLC we've been giving it has already been appreciated by the neighbors.

 Our deck in early March (left), the day we returned from Atlanta (Design Bloggers Conference) - and the deck now in May, before getting repaired + stained this coming June. (And a sneak peek at a former water garden we transformed into a rock garden).

These two wicker chairs I had scored at Goodwill back in AZ (they were white), and I refreshed them here with a new coat of matte black. The peek at the Greek Key rug (5x7) you see here is a NC score I made at a local consignment shop.

 

When I was first learning about where to shop thrift and consignment shops back in December, I had found 2 small Greek Key concrete planters. Later in Spring, we attended the Liberty Antiques Show and I found two more, medium sized planters, for the deck. Inside it is a plant called a Hot Head (another arborvitae).

 Our back yard view - When we moved in Fall, November 2014 and now for Spring May 2015

   
This Memorial Weekend, we were able too actually enjoy some of the fruits, or rather herbs, of our labor. Jeff started his first vegetable / herb garden in a raised bed, just off an underused side of our deck. No tomatoes (yet!) but with the parsley and basil Jeff picked yesterday, I was able to make us a delicious pesto sauce we've used as a spread, and I'd like to use to make my mom's tortellini salad...

Jeff's first garden - Raised bed from Home Depot.

Homemade pesto from homegrown basil & parsley.

As I mentioned, I'll share more of the projects we've done together and some refinishing projects I've done too, but while the weather is great outside, I'll be sharing some of our outdoor living projects, and also hopefully getting back my 'blog voice' that seems have gotten a little lost lately. 

Here is a sneak peek at the foyer, plus a list of projects we've done over the past 6 months, I'll be writing about...

During painting process (dining room already painted here) - November 2014

 Foyer - After painted, styled, and builder basic light fixture changed.

Although this isn't a new house (since it was built in 2005), some of the interior projects we've been able to complete since moving in six months ago have included:

Picking Paint Colors

Move-in & Closet Organizing

Installing Window Treatments

Refinishing & Updating Brass Hardware

Painting All Interior Doors Black

Painting Master Bedroom Doors Charcoal

Refinishing 2 Oak Bathroom Cabinets to Grey

Setting up a New Home Office

Refinishing a L-Shaped Consignment Desk

Creating A Stairway Gallery

Creating a Welcoming Small Foyer 

Updating Builder Light Fixtures

Setting a Guest Den

Decorating A Master Bedroom

Restyling the Dining Room

Refinishing Chairs & Tables

Secondhand Style Sourcing Furniture Finds 

Another sneak peek, here at the master bedroom...

 

Master Bedroom BEFORE

 Master Bedroom After

The only project we hired someone to complete, (besides painting the common areas & bathrooms when we moved in) was having someone install a pair of wood French Doors I refinished, to create a new accessory walk-in closet in the master bedroom, which I'm sure the next homeowner will greatly appreciate!

 This house was built in 2005, so it's already 10 years old - but it is a terrific layout + location for us. I love the symmetrical and classic look of the exterior front, we both love the relaxed outdoor deck space, overlooking a (now) rich green forest, plus the house is  comfortable for guests (according to mom!) and the neighborhood is quiet and friendly too. The deck will be great for entertaining with a few more tweaks - but again, we're pacing ourselves, doing a little at a time.

Happy 6 Month Anniversary of Harmon House and Happy 8 years (married, but 12 together!) of The Davids!

 Bye for now from Harmon House!

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for easy home project updates!