Name: BLIS_ful
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Type of space: Patio
Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: The "before" was just awful. Actually, the whole condo was a designer's nightmare. I bought some furniture and potted plants, tried stenciling the nasty concrete...finally, I couldn't take it any longer and just gave it a complete overhaul. A few weeks of working on it before and after work, and I finally got to enjoy my first glass of wine out there last week. Lanterns lit, (usually) gorgeous LA weather...I'm relaxed out here...
How did you create it? Blood, sweat, tears, and an iPod. Those trees are a nightmare, growing out of control at 40+ feet high. I even swallowed my fear of heights, climbed up on the second story roof and hung over the ledge trimming the tops I could reach with one of those long handled cutting thingies. I dug every single rock out of the area beneath my window where the plantings now are, amended the soil (thanks wise internet), planted, mulched, etc. I painted and sealed the patio floor, patching concrete first. Removed a huge aluminum awning/eyesore over the patio doors, patched and made a paint color to match the old building color. The sheers are hung from an Ikea curtain rod that's tied to branches with twine.
Recommended store, site, product or resource? I'll never tell! Just kidding...I recently discovered Big Lots and it was love at second sight. Umbrella=$70. Umbrella base= $30. (Pretty)Balls:$12.
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This looks great from the little that I can see but I wish the photos showed more.
view Laura's profile
Really lovely patio. Nice and airy. I love the green chair! Best inspiration for me is that you've created a great entertaining space that didn't cost a lot.
Maybe I'll finally get around to my patio this spring. It's so barren-totally embarrassing!
Great job!
view AMBERYVETTE's profile
BLIS_ful I love all the white... so breezy and cool looking. I do like the green painted rocker and especially love a chandelier outdoors! I plan to do the same in my gazebo if I can find one at a good price!
Mine is so empty and I am trying to find cost-effective ways around it also! Can't wait to get to work on it!
view sfteri's profile
This is so lovely, a real payoff for all your hard work. I love the way the different furniture and plants are so balanced, you've really created an outdoor room for every occasion. And I especially love the smooth white finish of the concrete, it really takes it up a level of elegance.
view idontdobeige's profile
hahaha! love big lots too!
view mdevans's profile
Your patio is so peaceful. Now I need to stop being lazy and go work on mine.
view Brandyjane's profile
Really love the chandelier outdoors and the silver spheres - very cool.
view interiormad's profile
Thankyouthankyouthankyou for the positive comments! I was scared about getting critiqued on my first submission :). Laura, I tried to submit "pretty" pictures, but I have yet to master the SLR or learn how to get the vibe to match the composition...sorry! There are more pics posted on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/29295831@N03/sets/72157619246706544/
Thanks again!
view blis_ful's profile
How terrible was painting and sealing the patio floor? I have a terrible patio floor- it looks like they poured grey paint on it, then put a fake lawn on it, then ripped up the fake lawn. So now its uneven, industrial grey with a grid pattern and pieces of green fake lawn plastic embedded. I'm trying to decide on the fastest cheapest way to fix it.
view e6's profile
Love the lanterns! Where did you find them? Please say they're not vintage.
view cheapnchic's profile