Sometimes we cringe at all of the magazine features touting the idea of creating an entire second home outdoors, complete with bathing, cooking, sleeping and eating functions. When we want to spend a little time relaxing outdoors, what's really necessary?
A couple of chairs and a place to set a drink would it for us this afternoon. noisyspoon added an outdoor throw rug, perhaps to protect bare feet from splinters on this wooden deck. In any case, we found this stripped-down outdoor lounge refreshing, and appealing.
Image: Fickr user noisyspoon under license by Creative Commons
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So nice to see an outdoor spot consisting of just the basics. We just sold our patio dining set on craigslist last summer after realizing we never really sat at it. We live on the water (though not a glamorous on the water but a manmade lake in a suburb "on the water"!) so we have terrible buggies in the warm weather and can hardly sit outside from dusk on to have a meal. We opted for a vintage Woodard loveseat and low cocktail table. It's just enough to kick back for minute with a glass of lemonade after mowing the yard or to chill out with a plate anytime of day. Not to mention that our yard is more of a focal point when we look outside now.
view rebeldress's profile
I couldn't agree more with SIMPLE! Eclectic and mismatched yard furniture found on the curb/garage sale/thrift store is great. Add a bunch of plants and I'm good. It's all about being outdoors NOT buying furniture isn't it?
view saltylibrarian's profile
I was hoping that's what it was all about... relaxation and not buying too much. It's all going to get weathered anyway. But I do like plants in pots, garage sales are good for that. I am hoping to complete my "relaxation zone" in a simple and cheap way! Thanks for bringing it down a notch and keeping it real.
view sfteri's profile
Definitely plants and container plantings are needed.
view junklover's profile