Dear Jane-Marie,
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 Happy Tax Day (that's an oxymoron, I believe)! How about Happy Spring! It is finally here, waiting for you to get the bug to start renewing your environment. And although Spring has barely begun, it's
not too early to think about how you plan to spruce up your outdoor
living spaces in anticipation of hot weather. Read on for tips and tricks
to save you money and freshen up your outlook on the outdoors.
Sincerely,
Jane-Marie |
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Tip #1: Is your patio furniture looking old and worn but you aren't in the market to purchase new? If it's wrought iron, consider taking it to an autobody shop such as Minnetonka Auto Body. They will sandblast it and respray it in a color of your choice. This is typically half the price of purchasing a new patio set and you don't have to fill a landfill with your old set.
Tip #2: Stick to a neutral color story for your main furniture and seat cushions (neutral can range from white and beige to pale, pale blue and chocolate), then sprinkle in bold hues on accent pillows and outdoor tablecloths. Trina Turk's new collection for Schumacher is edgy with vibrant hues and large scale prints. See below for examples of using color with smaller pieces of accent furniture, such as small tables or bistro chairs.
   Tip #3: Think outside the box in terms of what type of furniture you use - it doesn't have to be metal or wicker and it doesn't have to look like everyone else's patio furniture. Note the unique chairs in the photos below - vintage pieces are great finds through garage sales, ebay or 1st dibs. Or, build inexpensive benches that can be covered in Sunbrella fabric and cushioned with throw pillows.
1stdibs finds (call me for pricing):
 
ebay finds:
 
craigslist find:
 Search websites for "vintage outdoor furniture", "antique outdoor furniture" or "unique outdoor furniture". |
