Fabulous Outdoor Projects with Inexpensive Netting

I love the look of netting – it creates instant softness and ambiance. Romance, whimsy, fun… netting adds a touch of all three, don’t you think? Typically, you’ll find it indoors over a bed as a canopy like the one I saw over at Interior Design Trends…

It’s lovely, but what about using netting for outside your home?

Gigi has a backyard project-in-progress…

It’s a combination zip-line/slide/swinging chair/star-gazing platform. Last year when I was visiting there was a huge meteor show and we “camped out” on top with our ipad to watch. Did you know there’s an app for stargazing? It’s called SkyWatch – it’s really pretty cool. As you point your ipad to the sky, it identifies what you’re looking at. It was lots of fun until we fell asleep and woke up freezing to death.

Last week I was perusing Pinterest and saw this awesome star-gazing deck…

It immediately made me think of GiGi’s and I couldn’t wait to show it to her. Of course she L-O-V-E-D it and our brains started working in over-time. Our first thought was Ikea’s beautiful ready-to-hang pair of netted drapery panels that sell for a really great price. They’re easy to trim to your desired length and cost a whopping $4.99. Yes. Four dollars and ninety-nine cents. That’s $2.50 per panel. They’re 98″ long and 110″ wide. Amazing. Here’s a photo…

Of course Miss “Ask Me and I Probably Have It” – AKA GiGi, had 5+ pair  (actually 10 pair)  lying around along with some inexpensive spring-rods from Wal-Mart like these…

And today we did this…

Well, really she did it, I helped at the end! Look at it from the side…

Don’t you just love it? Here’s a side view of the swinging chair inside…

This project took a pair of scissors, five sets of panels and 5 tension rods. She trimmed the bottoms and used the extra material for the tie-backs. She’s planning on using fishing sinkers to weigh down the bottoms. This way when you shut the panels they won’t blow in the wind and those nasty little mosquitoes will stay out.

Apparently this is a pretty romantic spot, because bunches of love-bugs moved in…

See how the bottom two are attached? Yep. That’s how most of them fly around all day… like little love-birds bugs.

Last year GiGi helped her daughter – Lisa of PickMeYard, throw a Princess Tea Party for her daughter Loring’s Birthday. Loring is GiGi’s granddaughter. You can read all about the amazing details here, but below is a sneak preview…

I want a princess Tea Party. I think this would just be plain awesome to have in your backyard. She had a wrought iron gazebo and used white and purple sheer netting panels from Ikea along with a spool of wire. She strung the netting onto the wire and hung it around the perimeter. How fun would it be to have your friends over for lunch and tea in this beauty?

I have a deck with a partial patio underneath that I plan to make a weekend project this summer – I’ll share it when it’s complete, but in the meantime I found this great under-the-deck area that was transformed into a clubhouse for kids…

I love the green fabric hanging from the underside of the deck… I’m thinking netting would look awesome for a more sophisticated area.

I’m definitely going to incorporate netting in my next outdoor project – are you? xo Amy

What Makes a Great Outdoor Room?

 

Note: You can double click the photo to see it larger.

• Draperies, table tops, wall art, fire pit, and chair from Ballard Designs
• Plants from Smith and Hawken
• Area Rug and Pillows from Walmart
• Row of Hooks from Pottery Barn
• Lighting from Pier One Imports

Creat an Outdoor Haven Now and Save!

 

If you haven’t yet gotten around to creating an outdoor room this summer, it’s not too late! Most of us still have some sizzling days of summer left and fall evenings will be well spent gathering with family and friends around an outdoor firepit. Best of all, you can find some great bargains right now on outdoor furniture and accessories at your favorite stores. Here are some things to look for to add personality and warmth to a concrete patio or paved area.

• Indoor/outdoor area rugs – they can instantly tie an area together and add an element of warmth to an outdoor space.

• Mix and match furniture – remember, you don’t have to have a matched set for a fabulous look.

• Metal gates and wall hangings – these can be hung on a wall or even hung from the bottom of a balcony for interest or to define a space.

• Oversized planters, fountains, concrete sculptures, and decorative stones -these items will last for years, add an architectural touch and can pull an area together.

• Whimsical Items – allow you to have some fun and add surprises that will make this space your own. Hide an adorable frog or garden fairy in an unexpected place; put a “face” on your favorite old tree and accent with a spot lite at night – it’s a great way to start conversation.          

 

By creating an outdoor room you’ll have a great place to unwind and spend time with friends and family. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the last days of summer and the beautiful evenings of fall!

Natures’ Space -Creating an Outdoor Room

 

Creating an outdoor room is something that most everyone can do. It’s really about  bringing the elements that you love inside your home to an area outside of your home. It’s easy to do and I’ll bet it just might become your favorite room in the house this summer. You can convert a space around your pool, patio, deck or even in the garden; it’s easy to do and brings a fresh new element to your already special home.

Begin by picking an area outdoors where you already love to spend time or even better, find an unused area to create a brand new living space. The key to a successful outdoor room is to add elements as if you were decorating a room inside of your home.  Here are some suggestions to help you create your new room.

 Flooring

• If you have a deck or patio, consider adding an area rug that was made for the outdoors. This pulls together your seating and creates a homelike feeling.

• If you are starting from scratch, consider using paving stones, moss, or even colorful gravel to define your space.

Furniture

• Purchased outdoor furniture works well, but also consider using a hammock or swinging chair for seating and something unique such as an old urn with a tempured glass top for an end table. Be creative, mix and match and shop yard sales for items that you can use.

Lighting

• Lighting is as important outside as it is inside. Think ambiance. Of course candles, lanterns and a string of lights will add character, but also consider putting small flood lights focused on architectual or garden elements for indirect lighting which can create great shadows and focal points for a dramatic effect.

Accessories

• Accessories are so often the last thing added, but certainly the most important. Try adding a fountain for it’s beauty, as well as the soothing sounds that it will create. Add a firepit and a large metal bucket for ice and your favorite drinks. Hang a picture, clock, or decorative barometer on a wall or even from a tree – be creative! Toss in a favorite garden sculpture, place a beautiful plant in an interesting container, pull up a comfortable chair – grab your favorite book and relax! 

By using your imagination you can create an outdoor room that is intimate, interesting and inviting. You can’t go wrong and it might just become your favorite place to be. Have a great summer!

Picture courtesy of BHG.com