4/22/2012

Springtime Sprucing...and a Blue Cottage Veranda

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- April 22, 2012 -
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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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We are having some gorgeous weather here in Colorful Colorado!
  Spring fever has hit and I am sooo ready to get outside and get things spruced
 up!  Honey and I enjoy spending time out on our little cottage veranda.  It's
 time to get out there and get things cleaned up!
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A couple of years ago, I gave our little veranda a "cottage" makeover.
  I thought I would share that makeover with you today.
  I hope that you enjoy!
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~A Blue Cottage Veranda~

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Our poor little patio/veranda was in such disrepair after this
 last winter. Since we were having out of town guests coming in July,
 I decided it was time for our little veranda to get a facelift! Hehe! I don't
 have any "before" photos. Shoot, I wasn't even thinking about taking "before
 and after" photos to show this sweet metamorphosis...I do apologize!
 However, if you can just imagine...dirty, worn and torn, with
 absolutely no appeal...then you get the picture!
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Where to start...
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A Brand New Table for the Veranda
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This table is what started the entire veranda makeover!
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Honey and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary June 4th.
 We planned a day trip to Denver and honey took me to Home Goods.
  My very first time to go! We found this sweet blue cottagey table
 and a matching end table...for just $69!
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Sooo...the planning, scheming, and decorating began...
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For those of you who follow Happy To Design...you may
 remember a post that I did June 25th. I stated that I was in the
 middle of a summer "mystery" project...shared just a couple
 of photos...and asked if you could figure out what I was doing!
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The photo mosaic above is compiled with the photos from that post.
 If you would like to see that post...you can just click HERE.
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Our Newly Remodeled
~Blue Cottage Veranda~
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Our veranda is fairly small. The covered area is about 10'x10'...
however we have concrete that stretches beyond the covered area so
 it feels a bit larger. It's difficult to see here but our home has a light gray
 siding with a blue metal roof...so a "blue" cottage veranda is perfect!
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I would love to add an outdoor rug...the concrete isn't very pretty,
 however it probably isn't very feasible considering our veranda is open
 on two sides to the weather. Hmmm...maybe I should paint or stain
 the concrete? Yet another project for another day! Hehe!
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- 2012 update -
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Last summer I found the perfect silvery-blue colored rug that
 works perfectly for the veranda!  Now I'll have to update photos.
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*The Swing...
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I just love our "two-seater" swing! Honey and I have spent
 many a day enjoying the outdoors on this little swing!
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A New Quilt
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Believe me...the cushions and covering over the swing had seen
 its better days. Instead of taking the entire swing apart to recover the
 cushions, I decided to make a quilt that would cover the cushions. I liked this
 idea because I can bring the quilt inside when we aren't using the veranda.
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Fabric Needed...
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Ohhh boy...I was going to need quite a bit of fabric to carry out
 my plans! I wanted to sew a quilt, make a new cover for the swing, and
 recover the chairs that we would use with our new table.
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Soooo...I bought sheets!
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Yep, I did! I found the sheets at Walmart! I purchased two sheet
 sets; 1 twin set and 1 full size set. I was immediately drawn to these pretty
 sheets. Walmart has color coordinating sets. The twin set had the prettiest blue
 and sage green paisley pattern and the full set was done in the exact same
 coordinating colors but with a small floral pattern. They would be
 perfect for my veranda makeover!
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I used the paisley fabric on the front side of the quilt and the
 coordinating small floral print on the back side. The quilt is nothing
 fancy...it's just a "tie" quilt but it turned out just as I had planned!
 It covers the swing cushions perfectly!
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Swing Cover...
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Here is a photo of the swing cover. I took off the ratty, old
 exsisting cover and used it for a pattern to sew a new cover out of the
 small floral print. You can see the old swing cover on my dining room table
 in the photo mosaic above. I'm tellin' ya...the fabric from the sheets worked
 sooo well! I forgot to mention that I only paid $15 for the twin set of
 sheets and $22 for the full set! That is alot of fabric for just $37!
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New Pillows...
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Of course I had to have pillows for the swing!  I used the
 two pillowcases from the small floral set to make the pillows! I
 actually have a real pretty embroidered, blue floral trim to add to these
 pillows...that I still need to sew on! I think the pillows turned out nice
 and now I can take a little nap out on the swing! wink!
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Even the chairs got a facelift!
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These little chairs were made in 1955! How do I know...you ask?
 Because the date was stamped underneath the seats. The metal was black
 and the seats had a red vinyl material on them...they also had
 seen their better days!
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Honey spray painted the chairs white! Already such an improvement!
  I used the paisley to cover the seats of the chairs...love it!!!
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Cottagey Chair Slips...
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The backs of the chairs have metal rungs...not very dressy...or
 very cottagey! Sooo...I decided to sew chair slips! I used the paisley
 for the body of the slips and the small floral print for the ruffle!
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 I just love, love, LOVE how these turned out!
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A Cottage Veranda Vignette
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This is the matching end table to our new cottage table set!
 I really do love this beautiful shade of blue!!!
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A Cottage Veranda Vignette...
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A few potted flowers sit atop a couple of old milk cans!
 Honey spray painted the milk cans white while he was doing the
 chairs. You should have seen what they looked like before....picture
 all black with big ol' orange and yellow mushrooms painted on them!
 Honey said that his brother decorated them during the
 1970's! Go figure! Hehe!
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I love the old crock planter/pot with the faded tulips painted on
 the front. We found this old crock planter in the basement of honey's
 Dad's home when we were cleaning. It's no telling how old it may be! We
 also found the old white enamelware coffee pot in that same
 basement. I love the red trim!
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I added a pretty white oval bowl filled with a few
 green apples to the end table.
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I found this pretty retriculated bowl at TJ Maxx for just $9.99.
 I wove a green and blue floral ribbon through the cut-outs....sooo pretty!
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A View from the Veranda....
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And....this is what you see when you're sitting on the swing!
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We live in the country! There is a big open field behind our home!
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Voila...there you have it! A blue cottage veranda!!!*
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I had some fun making this mosaic! I used Photobucket's "color sketch" effect!
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Well my friends...I'm sooo glad that you came by
 today! I hope you enjoyed the little tour around our veranda!
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I am joining in with these lovely parties today...
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Table Top Tuesday...hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.
WOW party...hosted by Kim over at Savvy Southern Style.
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Thank you, ladies...for hosting these lovely parties for us!
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Well my friends....thank you soooo much for coming by and visiting!
 Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here.
  I would love to visit back with you!
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Have a fabulous week!
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38 comments:

Carol said...

Beautiful! You always amaze us with your great ideas!

Keetha Broyles said...

Hi Chari!

I don't talk to you as much now that you aren't doing the weekly Sunday Fave's party - - - but I still think of you often! Hope all is going well with you.

We had brunch with Dan and Cindy today - - - they drove over for a visit and brought cute little Addie with them.

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I so enjoyed this post! Those chair covers are so adorable now I want to find chairs that need covering just to do that to them! Everything is so adorable and the blue is so pretty! I love to use sheets for projects. I buy mine at a local thrift store that on thursday sells sheets for $1.15. I can't believe the quality of sheets that people donate! I so enjoyed your poset. I want to pin those seat covers..hope that's alright?

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Hi Chari,such a pretty veranda, a perfect spot for those summer evenings!Love the swing transformation, the paisley fabric on the chairs add a beautiful cottage charm and the lovely blue patio furniture is a wonderful addition to your veranda... thanks for sharing with us. Happy week to you!Hugs,Poppy

Salmagundi said...

Hi Chari-- You certainly have been busy adding cottage charm to your veranda! You are way ahead of us -- we just kind of ran the sweeper over our screened in porch to get the big stuff -- now need to carry everything outside and hose it down. Maybe next week. It really hasn't been warm enough yet to sit out there. Enjoyed seeing yours all spiffied-up!!! Sally

Anonymous said...

Those are georgeous colors!! I like that shade of blue. Beautiful contrast.

Dawn said...

It all turned out just beautiful. Such a cottage feel. You are very talented to make all those covers. I just love it all.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Hey my sweet Sis, I wished I could have coffee with you in the morning..Oh wait a minute I have sat out there for hours and drank every drop of your coffee ha ha!!
This brings back the last time I really had fun..sighs..I love ya girl with all my heart..
Home tour was really good yesterday and I really loved seeing Preston caste once again..I was there when I was 13..It's been closed for many years..It was a state "Bad boys" home for many years..
Give honey my love Sis..Love and hugs Gloria

Theresa said...

I adore your Blue Cottage Veranda! I know that you enjoy sitting on that swing:) The view is amazing! Good for you making all of those pretty updates! Enjoy your week my friend, I hope to visit with you someday:) HUGS!

Anonymous said...

Chari your Veranda looks marvelous friend! You need to go over and tell me what to call my new entry way- I know there is probably a name for it!

I do so love those chair covers!They are just the sweetest idea ever and the colors you chose just are perfect and so Chari!

Think we may be doing the camp again this year- will let you know so that maybe it will work out to meet this year!

bee blessed
mary

Creations By Cindy said...

Love the verander! I love everything about it! It is so pretty Chari. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

Very pretty! Love all the blue and how you decked out the swing with sheets! So creative!!

Татьяна said...

Veranda has very pleasant atmosphere ! It's so beautifuly !

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Fabulous ideas and how great, beautiful and inviting your garden furniture looks! So nice to have a cup of tea, in some of your pretty dishes and read a good book, lestening to the birdies. You are such a great designer Chari! Have a blessed week sweet lady.
FABBY

shirley said...

Shary, me fascina tu terraza, una gran vista tenés, yo podría pasar horas enteras en ese columpio respirando el aire fresco del campo. Saludos desde Costa Rica.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Chari I love those metal tables you found in Home Goods and the color is so pretty! Your plants are lookin beautiful too! What a nice space to sit and relax, great view too! Have a great week:)

Scribbler said...

How I envy that beautiful scenery you have to look at while swingin' on your porch! I remember seeing your table in yellow at our HG store, but I had already painted another one, so I had to pass.

The other thing I love is your little shrugs on the backs of the chairs -- just adorable.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh Chari,
This turned out just so lovely...well beyond lovely!
And how lucky am I to have sat out there with you and Russ!
Gorgeous fabrics (using those sheets was so clever) wonderful vignettes and great views!
I still think about how you said that Russ had grown up with the wide open spaces and that was what he was used to. Now when I see them I always think of you and Russ and it gives me such a nostalgic feeling!
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This is so pretty Chari! I love the colors and fabrics! I could certainly enjoy sitting there with a glass of tea, wiling away the hours.

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

What a cute makeover. It looks very cool and refreshing for those hot summer days. I like the slipcovered chairs-very cute.

Olive said...

Chari, I adore the sweet vintage chairs. I have a tender spot for vintage patio furniture. The sheets you sewed into everything turned out so pretty. You are clever. I saw an enormous duvet on sale at PB outlet for $20 and was thinking all that fabric could be sewed into about six things. hugs to you, olive

Suzanne said...

OH, this is just precious. So lovely and cheerful! Very pretty post. I'm your newest follower, btw. Hope you'll visit my blog when you get a chance.

Unknown said...

I have missed you! I lost my blog now I am back!Hope you come a re follow me .I love your blues. It looks so cool! Joann

Desire Empire said...

I absolutely adore that colour blue of the table. The way you have put it all together is so pretty for spring. I bet you enjoying sitting there in the warmer temps.
Carolyn

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Chari..I think you and I have been doing the same exact thing.
I already made one cover for the swing but now I've decided to do another. I love fooling with that swing! :) I can tell you do to. They are a great place to sit aren't they? Mine is old as the hills but I love it.

Your Veranda is so pretty! I love the color..I am seeing a lot of that beautiful color around.
Fresh and ready for summer!

Comeca Jones said...

Beautiful!!

Diann said...

Hi Chari! Wow, it has been awhile since I have visited! Shame on me! I remember when you redid this beautiful patio! It turnred out so pretty. I love the blues and white and the fabrics you chose are so lovely. I hope all is well with you and hubby! Take care my friend. Visiting from TTT

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love it. The blue is so pretty and all the fabrics are wonderful. I love the view behind your home, how fabulous is that. We live in such a tight neighborhood with such small yards, I miss having a great view. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a pretty place to sit and relax and with a pretty view. Great idea using the sheets - very pretty!
Thanks for stopping by and nce comment.

Unknown said...

Blue is my favourite colour and I fell in love with your veranda as soon as I saw it.

Cindy said...

Hi Chari,
Your little cottage veranda is gorgeous! I love what you did two years ago, I hope it still looks that pretty and fresh.
Hugs, Cindy

Carolyn said...

Hi Chari,
Great job! It looks like a great place to sit and relax with your honey.I love the color of your tables too.
Thank you for your sweet words on my blog.
Carolyn

chateau chic said...

Love our blue veranda. It looks so friendly and welcoming.
Mary Alice

Unknown said...

Your verandah is so pretty! Love the fabrics (and your creative use of sheets) and the lovely new blue tables. I'm sure you will enjoy many lovely days and evenings on your verandah.

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

Hello! I'm visiting from Tabletop Tuesday. I just imagine sitting outside enjoying the gorgeous view from your inviting, fresh veranda. I love it!

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

YOu have so much talent and energy! You have such a welcoming and pretty veranda. The fabric and colors you chose are just lovely.
I am so very happy you went to HomeGoods... did you have a great time?
I love to stop by Happy To Design. You make me smile!j
xo

Jordan@the2seasons said...

I would be outside everyday and just sit back and enjoy. Great pleasant view!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Ooh la la. It is all so pretty but I am smitten with that blue table. :D
pam