2009greatoutdoorsbadge.gifName: 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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