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.

MASTER BEDROOM - STYLE GUIDANCE ON A SMALL BUDGET

Not all makeovers are overwhelming before and afters with big reveals. Sometimes, especially when working with a small budget, a homeowner just needs a little guidance of how to pull together a look and where to shop. Recently, I was referred to a few homeowners who needed just that: style guidance. One need help with her master bedroom - the others I'll share in a future post. After meeting with this homeowner in her home to discuss colors and style likes, I pulled together a simple 2D style board for her bedroom, including a list of sourced items (and a few options) staying relatively close to her budget. Since she will be doing the space herself, she can set the pace for where and when her money is spent. The homeowner needed color options + window + bedding selections and a few accents (lamps + bench + chair + pillows) to work with her existing five piece espresso bedroom set. Although I had suggested breaking up the set by relocating a piece or two to another room, she wanted them all to stay. To help keep the expense low, I planned minimal accessorizing: Two simple hurricane candles and a large metal disc above bed (she mentioned she doesn't like mirrors). All a great way to refresh a room with espresso furniture in  shades of grey and white.

 Master Bedroom Style Board

Most bedding textiles from Pottery Barn - Bench or pair of tufted storage ottomans for end of the bed from Overstock / Target - Lamps from Target, but can also be found at HomeGoods - Glass Hurricanes from Crate & Barrel - Hammered Metal Disc from Pottery Barn, but also had spotted similar one for half at HomeGoods. Since the bed only had one side table, I suggested adding a pedestal table to the other side to bring balance to the bedroom, plus a surface  for balanced lighting. Since most of the homes here in AZ have a warm buttery yellow on the walls, a light or medium grey (like Nimbus from Benjamin Moore) will be a refreshing change.

Room Style Inspiration...

 

 

 Although it wouldn't fit within homeowners current budget, she had also requested the adjacent master bathroom get an update as well. Most finds for both the bedroom and the bathroom I had sourced online (some even on sale), however, additional savings can be made shopping locally at Pottery Barn, Target and HomeGoods...

 

Loved this hammered metal disc from HomeGoods, Chandler - 36" round only $99

 Master Bed & Bath Style Board with Before Pics

The bathroom had two vanities - one with space for a bench, or keep the stool she had and add under the counter storage with basket drawers. The drawers would help clear off the counter. A tray can hold a candle and a collection of apothecary jars (filled with soaps, sea sponges). A basket on the counter can hold (white) wash cloths and remove the builder installed towel rings. A plaque with hooks can replace the builder installed towel bar and Lowe's has reasonably priced light fixtures to update the Hollywood styled light bar. I also had suggested either replacing mirrors or retro-fitting them with Mirror Mate.

 Fun to do - Happy to help!

Thanks for stopping by,

RESTYLE SCOUTING & FALL SET AT POTTERY BARN

I've said it before, and I'm a firm believer: Magazines, websites and now Pinterest, only offer 'visual' inspiration - whether you're making over a space or even revamping your wardrobe. My favorite resource for style inspiration is to tour stores. When touring a store, especially a home store, you can get a better sense of scale, proportion, and try out the piece for comfort. You can't do these things flipping through books, magazines or clicking images online. One of the stores I enjoy touring for home ideas is Pottery Barn - especially in the Fall. Recently while scouting local shops & stores for a specifically styled restyle - Tuscan - I popped into my local Pottery Barn. Besides displaying an assortment of true Tuscan colors within their Fall assortment, they also offered a few finds that would easily work to update a Tuscan space. Although I'd like to call them more Mediterranean in architecture, Tuscan style homes are very popular here in Arizona. Pottery Barn's Fall collections offer accents such as lanterns, pottery, ironwork, skins, leather, and stud details which are all indicative of Tuscan - Spanish - Mediterranean style homes...

 

Just LOVE this mix - perfect to display at the fireplace hearth, or mantel... and easily can shift outdoors to create another look at another time...

 

Great way to add a little leopard to a space: Loved these leopard stacking boxes - perfect for concealing remotes hiding extra coasters...

 

If a room has all fabric furnishings, it's good to mix in a leather piece, like a Chesterfield sofa or this tufted back chair to create a more relaxed environment. This also helps to merge both masculine & feminine details in a space...

 

Over-sized trays, with a pattern, are perfect for a family room setting - especially if you have a tufted leather ottoman as a coffee table... The pattern adds movement + can camouflage drink rings from sweaty glasses and give a stabilized surface for drinks on a tufted ottoman...

 

When selecting accent chairs, it's also good to consider their back detail, especially of during the holidays they may shift in a space (to fit a tree) and become more noticeable...

 

Beautiful rustic sofa table - LOVE the pattern of the wood!

 

Love the mix - Great layering for a family gallery set in a hallway - Lamp is great for a home office...

 

Lovely vignette idea for a sofa table... Seed glass lamps (or tortoise glass lamps) are perfect for a sofa table set in front of a picture window - the natural light can than shine through the glass...

 

Even furniture pieces can offer a option for built in cabinet doors: Wire inserts can easily replace custom glass and allow a homeowner to have more display space vs concealed storage. It's accessories that make (or break) a room - and those that are collected over time and displayed tell friends & family your style story...

 

Layering in some rustic wood painted finishes is a great way to let go of the formality of a space and create a more relaxed environment...

 

 

Sometimes Tuscan homes only have more ironwork, or tapestry, or colored scenic paintings of Florence as wall art. Another way to lighten the look of heavy wood or stonework is to let in some natural light by layering in uniquely framed mirrors into niches or hallways. This can help to take away the heaviness of  wood & stone by reflecting more light into the space...

 

Again - Love the look of mixing the glazed & natural pottery with the darn & natural baskets, especially filled with branches, which are easy and free decor to add from your own back yard...

Another example of softening the hard surface overload often found with builder upgrades in AZ Tuscan homes:  Layer textiles on hard surfaces, such as area rugs in the dining room plus a table runner.  Take away the "Rooms-To-Go Set" look by mixing different style chairs... even if mixing existing chairs or consider simply replacing end chairs with hostess chairs.

 

Nail head trim details - not only on trend, but a must decor detail in a Tuscan or Euro style home....

 

Great example of mixing metals (wrought iron fixture + silver accents) along with a few natural touches - great example of how to get away from the formality of silk or taffeta fabrics to create a welcoming home...

 

 

Covered books + two tone pottery + cable knit & leather pillows are an excellent examples of creating casual layers for a family room...

 

Loved the mix: Lighter wood & beefy turned style leg table paired with slip covered & X back chair - plus use of all white stoneware (loved the pitcher as a vase for the kitchen or bath).

 

Absolutely LOVED basket shapes and the hardware - especially the strap hinges & metal ring handles on these storage baskets. Perfect pieces to layer in some natural texture to spaces overwhelmed with custom & heavy wood built-ins, over-sized fireplaces, heavy mix of stone and a heavy dose of metal scroll work. Perfect for family or game rooms - great for storage of extra throws or even kids toys.

Hope you enjoyed this quick little store tour plus style tips. The next time you're in a store, take a second look at the visual presentation and consider not only 'what is here that I can buy?' But what is here that I can take away with me as inspiration and apply to my own house to make it a home.

Thanks for stopping by,