Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Do It Yourself Day-Deck Projects


Kimba at A Soft Place to Land is having a DIY linky party so be sure to check out her blog for more projects!


So last week I painted a checkerboard pattern on my deck and this week I'm finishing up some projects that go on the deck. If you'd like to see the Before & After of My Deck Floor go here.



I bought this little set from a neighbor about 10 years ago and I've used it inside and out. Right now it sits on my deck and that's where my husband hangs out while he grills. I thought that the white was a bit boring since I painted my deck floor black and white. So out came the spray paint (first I cleaned it and primed the areas that the paint had flaked off from).*all the pictures will enlarge when you click on them.



Now when you're in the kitchen your eye is really drawn outside to the deck!



We don't really use our deck except to grill, so I'm treating it as you would a little guest bathroom and making it a cute & fanciful space!





I got this bench at Goodwill a few months ago and obviously it's not meant to be kept outside (which is where it's been) as it's falling apart. I peeled the top layer off and this is what I found.



I thought I had some tile left from tiling the foyer to put on top, but nope. I looked all over for something to put on top of the bench because I sit planters on it and it's going to get wet from me watering the planters. I couldn't find anything except....rocks!



I stole a few from my husband's pond that he tore apart and is rebuilding. I think walking up the deck stairs carrying rocks qualifies as working out, don't you!



I used a bit of black spray paint left in the can from another project on the legs of the bench. At first I wasn't sure about the rocks but now I like them! I didn't want to buy anything and I used what I had which was rocks!


I always plant lettuce in the long concrete planter and I'll add a few more flowers to the bench.




I have just a few more things planned and then the deck is done!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great weekend everyone!



66 comments:

Joanna said...

Oh my, I just LOVE that red!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Visiting from Kimba's party! :) I LOVE the red---soooo pretty. You have solidified my decision to do my new/old/stolen picnic table in red. ;)

Sara said...

Love, love, love the red! It looks great.

Lady Katherine said...

How great your deck looks! Love the pattern and the table and chairs!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

That floor is AMAZING!!! I'm working on our deck right now too, and have considered painting it to look like a rug. I may have to give it more thought now!

Emily@remodelingthislife said...

I think you know I love your red table and chairs :) I agree - it does draw the eye out there. Looks great!

Eileen said...

I love your deck and how the checkerboard pattern you painted on it visually extends the kitchen. And I love, love, love the red on the table and chairs. And the rocks were a creative solution for the plants. You did such a fabulous job!

Nadine said...

Love the red!!!

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! I think the red table set looks fabulous on the checkered deck! Wonderful creativity. ;)

madge1967 said...

OMG! You did a great job! Beautiful front porch!
Melissa

Caroline said...

The red just pops with that checkerboard pattern...very nice.

Southern Fried Gal said...

I could drool all day over your gardens and the red pop is FABULOUS!

Jane said...

That floor is so cool. Your eye really does go straight outdoors. Fantastic!

Manuela said...

Wow, the red is great! It really does POP! L.O.V.E.D it!!
The bench is very cute too. The idea of the rocks is very nice. Very unique looking!
Have a lovely weekend as well!
Your fan,
Manuela ;)

Ally's Corner said...

Love the red!! I have a redo on my blog today. I'm loving what spray paint will do.

Ally

Nancy Rosalina said...

Manuela, That red iron set is to die for! And, I think you will probably start a new fad..with that bench with the rocks on it, that is so unique and beautiful! Great DIYs!!!!! Nancy

Becky K. said...

I love the stone on the bench. Very sweet and calming.

Becky K.

Kathleen Grace said...

I love your color sense! That fire engine red patio set is calling my name! Wonderful! And the bench with rocks is cute and quirky and one of a kind, and perfect!

Gracie said...

It looks really amazing this little space of yours! Well done.

*Ulrike* said...

The red adds a pop of color outside! The rocks on the bench is a great idea, use what you have!

Kelly Bergsing said...

Okay, seriously.... when you come to Alabama you have to come over!! I have a similar style, but yours works so much better!! :) I love the patio. And the red table is just gorgeous!! I am hoping to have more time this fall when 3 of my 5 kids go to school to actually get stuff done. I love what you have done!! It looks beautiful!! ;0)

Adrienne said...

The red table and chairs are perfect on that deck floor. Very spicy!

santamaker said...

That is some beautiful red you have going! WoW ! Great transformation and it's calling your name to come out and enjoy your "new" deck! Looks fab with the checkerboard.

Jennifer said...

Manuela, the red is just perfect for the table and chairs! LOVE IT! I do like the rocks on the bench as well. Such a great spot for plants. I hope you are really enjoying your "new" deck. I have loved the transformation! =)

xo, Jennifer @ Fiddle Dee Dee

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

The red on the table and chairs is fabulous!! It looks so perfect with your black and white deck.

Unknown said...

Maneula, I love the red chairs! It really does draw your eye outdoors and it adds a nice pucnh. Great job!

Stacey said...

Wow the curly cues on your deck furniture show up so much more in red! I love what you did to the bench too. Never would have thought of putting the stones on there. It looks very natural and inviting.

Joolz said...

Hello Manuela

Yes, love the red. I have the same set but it is still boring white but now you have inspired me. Love your chequer board deck too.

Cheers - Joolz

Rhondi said...

You did a great job on the black and white checks on your deck and the red chairs just pop on top of it. Great idea to put stones on top of that bench to! Thanks for the inspiration. Hugs, Rhondi

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Your deck is amazing...love the RED furniture!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

You know I love the red! It just makes your whole deck "pop!"

I like the bench with the rocks on top - it looks like limestone...

Thanks for always sharing your fun projects!

Signing Out said...

I love the red, too! It looks great with the black and white floor. Great job!

Jane

Betsy Brock said...

I don't know...that deck is becoming so beautiful that you may start using it for more than grilling!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

It looks great - the red really stands out on the black and white deck. I would have never thought to put rocks on the bench, what a fun idea.
Glenda

Kelly said...

I love the rocks! Gives it just the right touch.

Vee said...

Gosh you're so clever! You need to start your own magazine, Manuela, I kid you not!

Rebekah said...

My heart leapt a little when I scrolled down and saw that you'd painted your bistro set RED! I LOVE IT!! I've actually been looking for a set like that myself. I can't decide if I'll paint it red or yellow once I find it, but find it and paint it I will!

Marie said...

Oh Manuela - that red patio set is absolutely HOT! hee hee. Really, it is just fabulous. And I like what you did with the bench too! Nice job.

Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

Sharon said...

Manuela,

Such neat projects! Thanks for the inspiration and have a glass of lemonade at the table for me :)

Have a great day!
Sharon

Sandra said...

Wow Manuela! I love the red! You have been busy, haven't you? LOL You have great ideas in transforming anything. Love it!
Blessings,
Sandra

Linda's Blue Gate said...

I loved it white but on your deck the red is just stunning......It looks gorgeous....... and the rocks are a great idea for the bench....... I would say carrying rocks up stairs counts as 2 work outs ......
Hugs
Linda

Lallee said...

Egad I'm behind on your blog! You still have that beautiful transformation. I love the extension of the black and white out to your porch. The bench redo looks great too. You've made such an inviting spot.

Gwen said...

Yeah for red! That looks so great with your checkerboard deck. And yes, carrying rocks qualifies as exercise. It is weight lifting!

Unknown said...

I just love that deck. I never thought of painting my deck a design. The red table really pops on the checkered background.

Karen

Sue said...

That red just rocks!!! And the rocks are red hot!! Cool looks for next to nothing- you go girl..... It all looks great, Manuela. hugs, Sue

Darlene said...

I LOVE that checkerboard deck and that red you using on the little table and chairs is PERFECT. It just POPS now! LOVE IT!!!! Also the bench looks great with its rock top. You are definitely inspiring me to get off my rump and get some of my projects done. It is just so darn hot here though with triple digit temps that it is hard to be outside for long (unless it is in the pool...lol).

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I just love the pop of red!!!! Great color choice. I would have never thought of using red, but I might just now. And great save on the bench. Your checkerboard deck is super amazing.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That looks like a different set of furniture with the red paint! I love it! laurie

Stacie said...

I love it--red, black, and white is one of my favorite color combos. BTW, the product that I used on my dishwasher can be found here.

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Love the red !And the floor is so unique.

Thank you so much for the prayers for me and my family !!

Amy said...

I love the red...but of course I'm a little biased toward red chairs ;)

The stone-topped bench turned out neat--what a creative idea. You accomplish so many great projects. How do you do it? Do you enlist the help of elves, or do you just never sleep? ;)

Amy

Empty Nest Full Life said...

LOve that red table & chairs! Jackie

Laura said...

Manuela- your projects are always so wonderful.
Your black and white floor pattern in the house coincides with the pattern on your deck.

Amazing job!

Laura

Mary said...

Deck projects have certainly been worthwhile Manuela - it all looks fabulous! Love the stones on the bench - great idea.

Happy Hectic Homemaker said...

The red REALLY pops! I love it!

brokeintrovert said...

Wow! I love the rocks and the red paint. It looks amazing! You're very talented.

Barb said...

Manuela, oh, I love that red patio set...but I liked the white too. The set is so pretty, you couldn't go wrong with any color. Love it!

Barb

About Southern Belle said...

Your deck looks amazing! I love the updates...you are so talented.

~Christine

dixymiss said...

Wow, you have been busy! Your new deck space is fabulous ~ chic, unique and adorable. The painted red bistro set is the perfect pop of color against the harlequin patterned deck. I wonder if you will end up using this space more, now that it's so inviting? Nice work!

Unknown said...

The rock set up is a stroke of genius. Just goes to show that mother nature has the best designs available already. We just need to find them.

Nicolette
http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/

Jo said...

I love both your projects! Your little table and chairs look so much better red, and the rocks on the bench look great!

Barb said...

Your deck and red table and chairs are just great. I like the bench idea also. I would use it every morning for a cup of coffee while I watch all the creatures.
Barb

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

The red is SO fabulous!! Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) said...

The red! Oh! The red!! Beautiful and absolutely stunning on the black and white deck floor!

june@craftyniche said...

I love how the red pops!

Adrienne said...

Hi, Manuela -
I'm trying to catch up with you after being out of town quite abit lately. I absolutely LOVE what you did with your deck floor and the darling little set. Red was the perfect color! I wish I lived close enough to sit there and have a good visit with you. Wouldn't it be fun?
~Adrienne~