CONDO2CASTLE: Don’t Overlook Outdoor Living!

In my quest to turn my little condo into a castle, I thought about one sure-fire way to increase the square footage of my home…bringing the indoors out. I can hear you now saying, wait JJ, don’t you mean the outdoors in? While I love the idea of making my house springier and more airy, the answer is NOPE, that’s not what I meant at all.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a deck, patio, or balcony, then you’re fortunate enough to have an extra room! That’s right, people. This post is dedicated to OUTDOOR LIVING!

The issue of outdoor living is timely…especially here in southern CA! Last week we had a few days of 100+ degree weather. While the blazing heat hasn’t lasted, it’s guaranteed to be back soon with a vengence! So, I guess that means it’s time to finally figure out what on earth I’m going to do on my deck.

My deck is HUGE. I have a slider in my living room AND my bedroom. I have a utility closet AND a storage closet out there. I have a nice view of the trees and the pool, but all I have out there is a dusty (and under used BBQ) and a couple of chairs. My deck is BEGGING for a makeover and I’m guessing some of you are in the same position…so let’s all look for inspiration together!
This cottage look is so precious! I love how the colors pop against the white woodwork!

Do you like mixing and matching bold colors? Any Amy Butler fans out there? I’d love something like this! A porch swing is so dainty, relaxing, and mixed with these colors, ever so girly!!!

Americana much? This is something my mom would scream for…wicker is a great outdoor product because it can take a beating, and down the road can be spray painted, if needed!!!

This classic setting is something I’d LOVE someday. I’m planning to get an outdoor rug for my deck in the near future…even though my awful HOA may not like it…but I haven’t forgiven them for towing my car last week, so I don’t really care what they think!

Like to entertain in your yard? Why not use fabrics and textures to create an elegant and rustic atmosphere? And let’s not forget that a chandelier can be just as FABULOUS outside, too!

Want a peaceful retreat? Don’t be afraid to put a couch outside and soft accessories!!!

All photos courtesy of BHG.com

So tell me…if you were me, which style would YOU do on my deck to turn my condo into a castle?!?!? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

I’m sharing this post at Julia‘s Hooked on Friday’s linky party…because I’m HOOKED on outdoor living…well, I will be once I figure out what to do on my deck! {giggles!}

Oh Melissa, what have you gotten me into???

Earlier this week {uh, yesterday}, I posted about my search for a lyre-back chair and how difficult it’s been. Well, I finally found one on eBay and it’s a TRAINWRECK. Regardless, I bought the stupid chair anyway, because it was 14 bucks and I knew that it was no challenge for the DIY Diva. However, this little baby has a lot of nooks and crannies and I’ve just been dragging my feet about sanding it down. Waaaaaaah.

I also plan to recover the ahem, PLASTIC, cushion with some fabulous fabric that matches my new semi-custom drapes! So what if the fabric has been sitting in the back of my car for at least a month now…wait when did I blog about the drapes? March 3, oh LOVELY.

Now confession here…in addition to keeping the fabric in the back of the car for an eon, I’ve had the chair for like two weeks already. It was NEXT to my desk (where I plan to use it), then it’s been sitting in my living room for a few days where I took it to shoot a photo. I’m so lazy, I would have just left it there until it refinished and recovered itself. I’m so lazy that I NEARLY ignored Melissa’s challenge to us procrastinators…

BUUUUUT, she’s given us two weeks to make our projects sparkle. Two weeks should give me plenty of time. Hey, if I can grow AND kill a garden in two weeks, I should be able to do one lowsy chair, right? (Ironically, Melissa’s doing six — ha ha ha ha!).

Join me for this PROCRASTINATORS PARTY and link up over at The Inspired Room. We’ll tackle our projects together and not allow ourselves to be too lazy!!! And hopefully, in two weeks, I’ll have a beautiful AFTER photo to brag blog about!!!

More maternity pics of Clare…this time with Matt!

Matt loves Clare. Matt loves sports. Matt loves his ’66 Fastback. Next month, he’ll get to meet his son and will fall in love all over again.

When Clare and I did some maternity pics a couple of months ago, Matt had other plans; this last weekend, we wouldn’t let him get away from my camera, though!

To see some more pics from our wonderful shoot,
click on the image below and it will take you to a slideshow!