The Evolution of a Patio

Our house is currently in total disarray due to a water leak and mold issue (wahhhh!), so I thought  that I would post about the one area of our house that actually looks decent right now.... our patio!  

Our patio: Circa 2013

We have been working on making improvements to our patio since we moved in our house over 4 years ago.  The first thing we did was to double the size of the concrete slab to give us room for both a seating area and a dining table.  I'm especially glad that we did that now that we have Parker, because now it is big enough for his swimming pool and/or water table too.
Most of our patio furniture was a mix of antique finds and hand-me-downs from my mom.

I found these vintage chairs at Metrolina Flea Market.  I sanded them down and painted them a sunny yellow.

Our Patio: Circa 2014

Last summer, we installed a wooden pole in one of the corners and hung cafe lights.   I originally tried tying the lights to a shepherd's hook, like in the pic below, but the lights were too low for my tall husband to walk under.  The pole looks a lot better than the hook did, but it was a good temporary solution until we installed the pole.

I planted plants in an old washtub, also found at Metrolina.

Making the Final Changes!

Our old picnic table practically fell apart after years of use, so we got a new one and painted it a pretty blue.

Don't let this picture fool you, I did most of the painting-he just jumped in at the end there to finish it off ;)

Our Patio Today!

 Finally, we picked out an outdoor sectional to replace the old metal loveseat.  My favorite thing about the sofa is that each of the five pieces can separate so that you can move them around and change their look.  We have a lot more seating, and it is SO comfortable.

I love that we have plenty of space for Parker to play outside.  He is a big fan of his water table!

We also love to use the patio in the evenings, after Parker goes to sleep.  It is so peaceful and comfy! 

Sources: Outdoor Sectional found at Lowe's Picnic table and plants purchased at our local Lowe's Picnic table paint color: Benjamin Moore's Wythe Blue, mixed at Lowe's Outdoor Turquoise/Coral Medallion Pillows and Room Essentials Outdoor Turquoise Stripe Pillows similar here Yellow Chair paint color- Krylon's Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint: Bright Idea in Gloss, (Walmart, I think) Yellow chairs- Metrolina Flea Market White lanterns- Pottery Barn Cafe lights- Target
I am so happy with how our outdoor space turned out! It feels like we added a whole new room onto our house.  
What changes have you made to your outdoor spaces this summer?