When we first moved into our house, we had an extremely long driveway, with a hot tub at the end, and a stone back patio, covered in old pots and things like stone angels and non-working fountains. The old owners left their patio furniture, as well, which was a rusted dark green metal.
We had room to pull up to our back door and garage and park about 8 cars in our drive (I exaggerate not) but no real back yard to speak of.
Right before the baby was born we took on a major project: we had a back yard built. Keystone Gardens tore up the driveway, removed the hot tub, dug, put in soil and sod and built us a real yard. They finished the project on a Wednesday. I went into labor at 4 am the next day. While I was in the hospital, we had super Fence install an aluminum fence that looks like wrought iron.
While I was recovering from my c-section, my dad and husband planted 50 mums around the property, even using stones to create a real cabbage patch, and all of a sudden the dilapidated area looked beautiful, fall-like and lush. We had fuschia, lavender and burnt orange mums and it was so bright.
However, our back patio has remained kind of rough.
This weekend I got an idea: I wanted to update the back stone patio, now that it is enclosed in our nice new yard, and it is where we have our grill, in preparation for spring. However, I have to do so on a very tight budget. I was very inspired by my much sought after lit peace sign and just ordered 15 feet of grape vine from ebay to try to make my own version of a cb2 inner peace wreath.
I went out to the patio this weekend to analyze the space. I threw away cracked and dirty pots (left over from the old owners) and scrutinized the metal furniture. I found some new dining sets online for under $400, but I felt like that was still out of my current budget.
Here is what the patio looks like now.
The more lounge-like set below is from our the front porch in our old house.
It’s all a bit junky. And a bit tired. But I got an idea.
It involved gold spray paint. And cost me $36.
My husband I got to work.
And I went on Overstock and found what look like really nice outdoor seat cushions in Navy and white. 
I spray painted the pots that I was able to salvage and saved some glass ones in bright cobalt blue. This is the before. I still have more painting to do, more pillows and accessories to add, and a wreath to build, but I am quite excited for the after and a summer with a nice, bright, updated back patio. Stay tuned…
I really love this space, now. I just need to find a spot for my peace sign.
The pillows, pot and decorative accents are from Home Goods; the asian looking pieces were silver, but I painted them gold.
Our table is now centered with a decorative planter from Home Goods and the cushions from overstock.
What was once a bit of an eyesore is now becoming a sanctuary I look forward to taking full advantage of this spring and summer.
And I was able to do it all on a dime.
511 Ever After 