Friday, June 20, 2014

Changes To Our Garden Room


We spend much of our year in our outdoor room.


In May, we made the trek to IKEA and bought 2 chaises for the garden.


The only cushions they had in stock were black and although they are comfortable (enough so that I frequently fall asleep while reading) they don't satisfy my love of color.


I found terry cloth covers at Target that slip over the top of the chaise and I like them, 


but I really wanted to use these yellow pillows and the pale yellow did not work with the bold stripes.


I remembered this 4 yard remnant I bought to use as backing for pillows.


Last night I made pillow cases for the black cushions - super quick and far easier than I expected. 


 I simply folded the fabric over, sewed up the two long sides, hemmed the opening ends and folded one end inside the pillow case.


I am really happy with the striped cushions and I think the yellow pillows finish off the look.


I needed a table near the chaises so I hunted in the garage for the mate to this little folding table.


The mate is not looking so good.


I covered it for today with a sweet vintage tablecloth I stole from my mother's linen closet years ago.


I love the sweet detail in the tablecloth and just for today, I will leave it out in the garden.


I am a happy camper with my new striped cushions.


And I have to say, this little vignette is calling to me, "come sit and relax", when I should be painting that wooden table.


Okay, I'll sit, but only for a little while.


I just have to grab my book and a glass of tea.

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64 comments:

  1. Carol
    These are fabulous! Love the stripes and the blue and yellow colors are so cheerful. I love reading and napping on a lounge chair and these look so inviting. Great job.
    Kris

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  2. Carol, it's all lovely, and the bright yellow pitcher is calling my name. :)
    xoxo's

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  3. Oh Carol, I love your patio - everything is so bright and cheerful. I can see why you never want to leave it in the summer time. I would never leave it.
    Your chaise chairs look really good with the covers you made for them.
    Mary

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  4. Looks like a most relaxing place to sit and read a good book. Just lovely and I like the new cushion covers too.
    Cindy

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  5. Love those chairs and your new covers are perfect!

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  6. Oh Carol, Now you are talking girl...that is way prettier than the black. Who would want black out in the sun? I love your little throw pillows also. It is such a charming outdoor room. Love it. Blessings for a great weekend, xoxo,Susie

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  7. These cushion covers are chic and pretty and suit your style perfectly. You are truly talented, Carol!

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  8. Wonderful! I'd like a sangria out there, please. :)

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  9. How great to think of the pillow cases. The linen cloth over the table looks great!

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  10. Wow! Looks like something in a magazine....love it!

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  11. I like it, and may I join you? It looks so inviting. :-)

    I really do love how you add color, it is so fun to see what you come up with.
    xx oo

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  12. awesome!! i love the yellow flower watering can. that's just a great pop of color. too perfect!! ( :

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  13. Your garden room looks so pretty! As always, your love of color makes everything seem so sunshiny & happy! I love the fabric you used to cover the chairs.

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  14. I love your can do attitude, Carol! They look great and I wish you a sunny weekend to enjoy your colorful space! :)

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  15. Carol - Love the brighter colors! They look so good with all of your accessories! Great job!

    Judy

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  16. Let me just get my book and glass of tea...
    I'd love to join you!!

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  17. What a perfect place to lounge with a book and a big glass of iced tea! I love how you covered the black cushions and re-did the pillows. So much prettier and cheerier! I have so many pieces of furniture I want to paint...it's been rainy and humid here for two weeks straight now. I need some sunshine and dryness so I can get busy!

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  18. I love the stripped cushion covers! Just the right bit of color, they remind of window awnings! Love them! Cute little table..rest now, paint later!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  19. It sounds like your transformations come about quickly but maybe this took more time than it looks. Whatever, they look great and make me want a tea and a book and a sit!

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  20. Love the stripe cushions...so pretty!! What a great place to read a book.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  21. Carol, the stripe fabric is perfect. Love this look for your garden room. I'd be very content to spend the day lounging, reading, stitching, or chatting with you.

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  22. Love the stripes with the yellow - the little yellow pitcher with flowers and everything you created.
    I think you should sit and lounge a while longer and enjoy your garden.
    Blessings, Erin

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  23. They are the color of the ocean...perfect for your garden! Enjoy your weekend my friend! Hugs, Diane

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  24. The striped fabric is perfect on your chaise lounge chairs! It looks like a comfy spot to sit with a good read.

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  25. Carol...what a great use for your pretty fabric find! The stripes are just the perfect colors to complement your lovely patio and your charming accessories are the finishing touch. I am afraid I would be hard pressed to leave! Happy weekend!

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  26. The covers are fabulous! I love that fabric with all the colored stripes...it is so you! And...it does look like a comfy spot to lounge and relax...:) I am so looking forward to finishing up my workshops and conferences so my summer can begin! Have a wonderful weekend....Vicky

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  27. So inviting! I'll be right over!!

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  28. Perfection! That fabric is wonderful Hopeit holds up ok in the sun.

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  29. What a great idea...you can make them just what you want!

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  30. Some things "ARE far easier than expected"! I like the stripes on your chase lounges...
    so cute too with little table and cloth!
    Pat

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  31. Can I join you on the second chaise?!?! What a fantastic project Carol!!!!! YES your slip covers look 1000 percent better than the black!! You make it look so easy but the truth is that you are insanely talented! Just oustanding!!! Your garden room looks amazing! And I hope you all are doing ok... Not sure if you have gotten rain lately but I have been thinking about the west coast as here in Chicago we are getting an extreme amount of rain which has caused reverse issues around these parts. Take care buddy! And have a good garden weekend! We are having the beans art show tomorrow just praying it doesn't rain!!!! Nicole xo

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  32. Carol, the cushion covers turned out great. What a awesome space to sit, relax and enjoy this beautiful weather we've been having. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ❤️Ana

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  33. always happy readings at your blog .
    I live in a big city , okay I do have a small garden .... but my parents lived by the sea so my childhood was at the beach ......
    and when I had my children we stayed at my parents each summer .....
    I am beginning to think about living near the sea .....
    why am I living in this city ?
    I know it's because of my children who all live here They LOVE to live here ....
    I have a lot to think about reading your stories ....by the sea . Thank you for sharing .

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  34. Hi Carol, I love your striped cushions covers. What a lovely place to relax and take an afternoon nap. I can just feel the ocean breeze and hear the seagulls. You have created a little piece of heaven in your outdoor room :)
    Have a wonderful weekend and get a nap in for me :)
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  35. Gosh, it looks amazing, I would love to sit there in the sunshine - enjoy!

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  36. YOU are brilliant, Carol. What you did to those cushions....I aspire to being able to sew my dreams. I am having a blast in my garden and covered deck, making it the way I want. I can't for the life of me however, figure out how to make a kidney bean-shaped cushion for a darling little vintage white iron bench. But the fun is in the quest! And the striped fabric you chose is JUST PERFECT! Oh the cottage you have. You are having a BLAST!

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  37. Carol,

    I want to say THANK YOU!!! You have reignited my love for entertaining! I had lost it completely, but you have inspired me in so many ways. Thank you!!! Tonight my dear friends from college are coming for dinner. We graduated in 1980 - we have been friends for a long time. They haven't been here in years. You have inspired me to make this evening really special for them. Thank you!

    Love,
    Terry

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  38. Perfect spot for relaxing, reading or sipping cups of tea or even better sun-baking. You've created a very special space filled with colours. Lovely indeed. I like the yellow vase with lavender, matches your yellow cushions.

    Enjoy your weekend.

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  39. Of COURSE you couldn't leave them black!! The stripes are super fun, cheery and refreshing, as is your entire summer garden and patio! Enjoy them - the table will get its makeover soon enough!

    Poppy

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  40. I love it! I also love how you don't let any grass grow under your feet. You motivate me along with all the other wonderful blogging friends I've made. I love your slipcovers too and I have some pillows and cushions that need that..great idea. I wish I had a space like that but I will get there eventually. Have a great "rest" in your outdoor room!

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  41. Everything about those cushions, pillows and that room says HAPPY! What an amazing transformation to the standard black!

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  42. I love all the changes, Pinning several photos :)

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  43. inviting!!!

    wondering.... don't you have flying insects, there?

    lucky you if you don't. and lucky you, if you do, but they don't bother with you.

    here.... me.... i step out and there seems to be a general callllll... "all flying insects, she is out!!!!! come! come! come!!!"

    yish....

    tessa~

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  44. Carol, the yellow and blue looks so fresh and pretty! I would curl up there with a book, not move, and burn to a crispy crunch!!!

    Your outdoor space looks fantastic!

    xo,
    RJ

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  45. Oh, it turned out perfect in every way! I think you absolutely need to take a time-out from the projects and test drive it - just to make sure! 8+)

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  46. I'm always envious of people like you that can just whip something up in a jiffy when they need it. Your new cushion covers look fantastic with the light yellow pillows you had. I would enjoy lying out there too!

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  47. House Beautiful or Home and Garden should feature your home and this patio too. I had to pin to more than a board or two. Soft blue and yellow are so calming together.

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  48. Carol,
    I adore your cottage and it's outside space is so dreamy. Your yellow and blue striped slips add a cheerful fun touch that brings your personal style to life. Looks inviting and warm ... But hey I have a question ... I see a lounge for you, one for Steve but where oh where can Miss Lulu's be??? Just kidding - seriously Carol you are a powerhouse of creative inspiration and energy. Have a wonderful weekend.
    XO,
    Vera

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  49. I Love the striped fabric you used to cover your cushions! They turned out far better than anything you could have found. I'm not sure I'd get anything else done around the house if I had a comfortable chaise like that to enjoy in such a lovely garden.
    Mary Alice

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  50. What a perfect spot to unwind! The striped fabric is just perfect for those loungers (love IKEA)!

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  51. Hi Carol, love the stripped fabric on the loungers with the yellow pillows. So sunny and inviting. The table looks great with the pretty linen cloth and the yellow pitcher of flowers.
    The perfect spot to spend a summer day and evening.
    Have a great weekend.
    XO

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  52. I like the striped chaise coverings you made. They really look better than the black. The table is really cute and vintage linens are great for the patio. I hope you enjoyed some relaxing moments on your patio today. Pam

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  53. Your are a master at creating such lovely cushions. Love them. I reckon they are now very comfy and beautiful, I hope you enjoy your quiet time with your book. Hugs judy

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  54. that looks gorgeous...I am lovin your pup in the background chillin....so sweet!!!!! Happy Summer!!! Christine from Little BRags

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  55. It is amazing how a simple thing like cushion covers can change the whole look and feel of a space. You chaises look so inviting and comfortable to cozy down on and spend an afternoon reading. The cushions and the pretty vintage tablecloth are perfect complements to the chair fabric. Lovely! Wonderful job of transforming your your garden room.

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  56. Oh mercy, I don't think I'd ever leave that spot. Wonderful job on the cushion covers!

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  57. Oh Carol, I love the slip covers you made for your chaise lounges. Yellow, blue and white out side is so welcoming and of course being by the beach (or for me having a pool) they are perfect color for the water side! Love them. Blessings, Cindy

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  58. Beautiful slipcovers! I love your little courtyard and how lovely that you can be out there so much of the year. That is what I'm looking forward to most about our upcoming move.
    Thanks for sharing
    Patti

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  59. It looks so relaxing! Love the colors and what you did, and the spot looks perfect for reading / relaxing! :)

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  60. Oh crumbs, I've missed a lot.
    The new seat covers are definitely more you. I hope you did sit and relax a while because those chaises look so inviting.

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  61. Beautiful spot! Thank you for linking with Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  62. This garden room looks absolutely gorgeous, the perfect place after a long hard day at work! All you need is a smidge of garden sand and then it's just like a tiny beach! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos :)

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