Cindy and her husband loved the outdoor possibilities offered by their large patio, but didn't love the boring grey expanse of concrete. With this shady spot offering a respite from soaring temperatures, Cindy knew she had to turn it into a more colorful, welcoming space for her family.
After using a power washer to clean the patio furniture, she painted the metal chairs with brown spray paint to create some needed contrast. When that project was done, the big change got underway — Cindy decided to use an etching stain to transform her concrete patio. Cindy started by powerwashing the patio to remove any dirt or grease. The next day, she hosed down the space to make it wet, then sprayed on the etching stain. After letting it sit for four hours, Cindy began the tedious process of neutralizing the stain with a baking soda and water scrub. When that residue was vacuumed up, the final step was applying the sealant. The end result of a hard day's labor is a warmer, more inviting space.
See more: Beaux R'eves: Staining Concrete
(Images: Cindy/Beaux R'eves)
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Very nice!
Now that REALLY looks nice!!!
The floor is very nice but is this just a start? I expected color on the walls and so forth.
I do like the concrete color but I thought the roof could do with a treatment, outdoor wall art and definitely some plants.
Nice job, Cindy-- looks great! You've got a great canvas to work with, now.
@Whoever wrote this post-- I'm sorry, but that was truly painful to read. I feel like that was straight out of elementary school English.
Red cushions on the chairs in the first pic would have done the trick.
Floor looks great, Cindy. Wanna come over and do mine? You can even use the same color. ; )
I love this!! I've been telling my husband we need to stain our back porch and will be showing him this picture. Spray painting the chairs was a nice change too! :) Next step would be plants and colorful accessories..then this space will shine!
Definitely looked cold and harsh before... like hanging out in a carport. Can't believe people people are saying that was better? I love the colour in the second one, with the clean white paint. A potted plant, some colourful oversized floor cushions and decorative hanging outdoor lights would make it perfect to me but I think it's clear it's been posted to show the floor treatment without other embellishments (or "cheats"). Love it!
dear me, some people had thistles for breakfast.
if it's just not your taste, why would anybody else be interested in that fact?
i am among those who like the result. what is "faux" about the finish? they are not imitating anything, they coloured a dreary concrete floor. (and "pseudo-faux" is not faux but instead pretending to be faux? :-D)
It definitely seems like a progress shot, and I agree with thistly as far as some plants to help finish it out, maybe an outdoor rug or some string lights. That being said, I think it looks great, and as is, is much improved on the before. I want to do the same thing to my backyard patio. It looks way nicer than bare concrete.
I would have just changed the patio furniture to wood, add some bright blue or red cushions and a couple of potted flowering plants lining the pillars to the left.
But this does look warmer, good job.
Gorgeous! (and yes, pseudo-faux is redundant, besides which there's nothing 'pseudo' about this). WELL DONE.
"if it's just not your taste, why would anybody else be interested in that fact?"
Oh @Maike, you're obviously not familiar with the sanctimony of the AT comments.
looks good, warms the space and, i agree that it is a nice canvas to work with. bright yellows, teal, etc....new bolder light fixtures-ahhhh.....spanish metals, bushy palm plant..glass of rioja in a brightly colored hammock. love these posts...makes me wish i won the lottery. m
Awesome idea of what to do in the outdoor space. Normally the boring concrete floor is just ripped up or built over with hardwood. This is an awesome way to save and still make the space warm and inviting. Now you have the inspiration needed to design the rest of your outdoor room.
It would have been better to see it when it's finished.
It would have been better to see it when it's finished.
The concrete now looks like leather. I think it is great.
love the floor! now get a pretty rug and loads of plants and new lighting!
What a great job!
Awesome! Along with other posters, I now want to see it styled (string lights, plants, outdoor rug, etc...)
minimalist? It feels like the Raymond Carver of transformation.
Pretty sweet!
Really amazing! Wow!