Name: Tim & Nicole
Location: Austin, Texas
Type of space: Balcony
Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it: This is our “surprise balcony.” We lived in this apartment complex for over a year when a larger place opened up. We jumped on the chance to move, and the balcony was really just a hidden treat to moving upstairs. Having this outdoor space became such an unexpected blessing, so we really tried to take full advantage of it. Being able to be outside but still in your home is something apartment dwellers don’t take for granted!
How did you create it? Austin, and particularly South Austin has a wonderful eclectic feel. Scouring garage sales, thrift stores and warehouse sales, most of the pieces on the balcony are repurposed or refurbished. The larger planters and succulents are our at-home knock off from the well-known Austin nursery Big Red Sun. One planter is made from stacking two empty filing cabinets we bought at a garage sale for $15 each. The other is an aluminum table we flipped upside down and filled. The art on the wall was taken from a rusted, broken metal chair. The other crucial piece was stringing lighting around the balcony. In Austin, hanging out outside during the summer is limited to after the sun sets, so for us making the space usable at night is the key to us being able to take advantage of it.
Recommended store, site, product or resource? Waking up at 7 am to scour a garage sale is far from glamorous, but if you are living on a budget, this is the best way to find interesting and distinct pieces for any part of your house. Thrift stores and resale shops are great places too if you have an eye for potential. Of course, we also take tons inspiration from Apartment Therapy. And, if you are at all curious, we have our own blog for the rest of our apartment here.
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LOVE IT! very innovative with the planter/bench... and it's looks so beautiful at night. I took a peek at your blog and your whole apartment is amazing! You two are so avant-garde!
view leen's profile
It looks like a great balcony; although a little narrow for use as a lounge space. I love your blog and all of your creative projects. Now, I just need to learn how to weld...
view Jts's profile
never would have guessed the planter/bench was from old file cabinets...very inventive.
view ec05's profile
My favorite outdoor space as part of this series!
I love how thrifty you were with re-purposing things, especially the file cabinets. The little yellow table is so cherry. My husband and I salvaged some wood a few weeks back on trash day and are planning on building a planter. I am not going to lie to myself in thinking we could build anything as awesome, but I am much more inspired now!
Can't wait to check our your blog!
view rebeldress's profile
Very cute! Its unique and interesting. Nice job!
view jessimarie33's profile
My kind of place. Thanks for sharing!
view scootergirl's profile
File cabinets?! Sweet!
view whytephoenix's profile
Love the little pops of color! The night shots are very cool, too.
view erinpeace's profile
oooo Very nice!!
Where did you get the poles to hang the lights from? I've been looking for something like that.
view joules's profile
I bet this also looks great from the inside looking out. I like that it has it's own style and flavor instead of just being patio stuff/plants that anyone can purchase.
view baileyb's profile