Go Figure.

We've worked so tirelessly to get the inside of our house feeling good and now all we want to do is go outside. 


Summer's here (ok, maybe not really, but it totally feels like it) and it's time to break out the sprinkler for the little guys to play in!!  I found this awesome vintage (I think) set of black iron outdoor patio furniture this week at Lucketts and I can't wait to bring it home in our truck today!!  It's really not at all like this one from High Society below (it has  much straighter lines)  but its' the first thing I thought of (and my husband too--  poor guy has an awesome memory & I've been filling his head with decorating!!) when I saw the set. 


It has kind of a modern retro-chic feeling that will work really well with the exterior of our {not-so-pretty}70s house.  Here's a photo of it when we first moved in last year. (below)  Enough good things haven't  been done to it yet to warrant an "after" picture.  (But we have moved the neon playset into a less conspicuous area until we can get the wooden one we're after, and the tree debris & drain pipe are gone.)


...The back and sides of our house are still beigey/ "nude" (I love to say that about our house...  it cracks me up) while the front is now a rich gray.  (Still??  Yes, still.)

{My little fern hanging on for dear life}

...  I know the neighbors much just love us...  but hopefully they won't think we're as worthless as we look once we paint the sides & back of the house as SOON as Dave off of work for the summer.  (High school English teacher :)  I can't wait!!  (Both for summer vacation and a fully-painted house.)  

Anyway, the patio set is kind of a combination of these (in black iron) but doesn't have pillows that we can use:

{vintage set}


{image from Maas Brothers recoating...  It has a simlar 'X' back but with a large "O" in the center which is almost exactly the same as the caged lantern in our front entry.  (see photo of entry a few pics up)}


{Crate & Barrel via Hooked on Houses...  It has similar straight, spare lines but it's black. }

I LOVE its size (a massive 3-seater sofa, a chair and a chaise!!) and it has awesome lines, but the paint is peeling off and of course we need to have cushions made.   I can't get the High Society cushions off of my mind but might  go with a solid fabric and do pillows.  (I wouldn't be going pink out there...  but possibly an enlarged "grandma" floral...  I'm also thinking about orange as I love it with the gray on the house...)



We've also got plans to work on the shed/ playhouse this weekend...


Below is a photo of the ceiling all primed & ready for paint...


I set up a Facebook Page for Pure Style Home last night & posted a couple more pics of the shed as it is now.  I'm not quite sure how to really work facebook yet but hopefully I'll get the hang of it.  I'm thinking I will post little updates & progress on projects there.  Not as exciting as "voila" before & afters but I know some of you like to see behind-the-scenes & "progress" pictures.



Hope you have a happy Memorial Day weekend & get a dip in a pool!!!  If you have some time, check out the new facebook page & send me some thought/tips/ideas!!  (I'm so slooooow with computers/ technology!!)  I'd love to know what you'd like to see on there.
xoxo,
lauren

26 comments:

Living It At Home said...

Your patio furniture sounds just perfect for your home! Can't wait to see how your yard looks with your shed and patio set. I am with you about wanting to be out instead of in. Maybe I will finally get the hang of decorating when it is freezing here and then focusing outdoors for the summer. Right now I have inside and outside projects going at the same time. I just want to run out side and live there! Maybe I will set up a tent! Are you with me? The kids would love it! : )

Have a wonderful weekend Lauren!

xojamilyn

Kathy said...

I have an iron table, chairs, side tables and bench, also from Lucketts. I just had to reattach the table top to the base and got a great deal. Sometimes you can really find great stuff there! Your home is looking great!

Privet and Holly said...

You are right, a splash of orange will look great on your new patio set... whether it be on the pads themselves OR in some pillows. I love your orange front door! I bet that you are counting down the days until school is out ~ as my kids are, here ~ and your husband is home. Have a fun weekend! xx P&H

Brillante Interiors said...

Good choice for the garden, I love vintage, always did, always will.
Enjoy the end of Spring.

Unknown said...

There's always so much to do ! I love that you are always working on something, and I enjoy watching the progress. I'm going to your FB page and "like" you. I invite you to mine....Sally J. Designs
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

I agree, the outside of our house is slow-going as well! we can work for a solid day and when I list the things we did it seems like so little! we'll get there :) can't wait to see your shed/playhouse! Wes is kind of lobbying for a shed, and after I saw Kelly's (High Street Market) I'm almost convinced we need one, too!

have a great weekend!

pve design said...

Good post, reminds me to show off the back patio....
Cannot wait to see the new face of your "out-back" yard. Love the face-book page link....I need to know how to do that next.
pve

Danielle Sigwalt Interiors said...

So funny...I was at Luckette's on Sat. I thought they had a great selection of patio furniture, Louis XVI chairs and mirrors. I loved some of the brightly painted outdoor sets. I have an old ball and claw set that brown and I love it, although it took 3 years to get cushions on it.
Happy for you and hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Kathysue said...

Lauren I just got cushions that I ordered for my porch chairs fron Cushions.com they are wonderfully made and such a good price. They were only $59 each for round boxed double welt cushions. I am in love with them and highly recommend this company if you need a custom size at what I think is a very reasonalbe price. I have a little sneak peek on my blog but I will be posting the whole porch soon with its new cushions.Just thought you might like to know since you now have new furniture!!It is that time of year, Enjoy the long weekend. I am painting a wicker piece this weekend!! Kathysue

Karena said...

Lauren, World Market was a good spot for cushions last year. It will be beautiful with your great taste!

Karena
Art by Karena

Mary Ann said...

hi lauren! thanks for the lovely visit. your front entrance looks great. can't wait to see the complete renovation. wishing you a fun weekend! verbena cottage

Vickie said...

Love your blog! Just read it from begining to current! I feel so inspired, thank you for sharing all of this.

Vickie

Marija said...

We really thought that once our house was finished and we were all moved in, we'd stick around and enjoy it. It seems no matter what, we are always out and about and this summer is dedicated to working on the outside. At least I know we're not the only ones ;)

Unknown said...

The way our house is positioned on our lot --- our backyward is not the best place to hang out. It's actually in my front yard in my andirondack chairs --- where the kids in the neighborhood come by on their scooters, bikes or skateboards and the adults walk their dogs. There's something to being outside with a magazine just smelling the spring air. Happy Weekend--- hope you get to relax!

Ruby said...

Really enjoyed today's post and all the photos :o) Great job!

DesignTies said...

Off-topic, but I love the front entry of your house :-) I'm sure you can't wait to get the rest of your house painted!!

Have fun making over your patio set. I agree, orange cushions would look great against your grey house, and it's a fun & fresh colour for summer :-)

Kelly

Anonymous said...

When choosing wicker furniture, it is important for a woven material that is close to choose. Wicker light is often dangerous and unreliable. It 'also important to find furniture, built on a frame of wood or rattan. Wicker Good quality does not crack or peel, but cheaper versions are often divided.

Verdigris Vie said...

Well now I can't wait to see it. I love orange and gray... I decided to go green and white on my chairs, becaue i have issues committing to a colour. Last year I added orange accents - this year I am hooked on turquoise.

And I love our outdoor dining set and oversized chaise. On warm days we are out there from morning til night..

debra @ 5th and state said...

YEAH a playhouse! your children will adore you for this and remember it always
debra

marbella said...

Yay for summer! For your wooden playset, check out craigslist. (I know, I am obsessed). I see really nice wooden sets free all the time, usually when people move into a house with no kids and the previous owners leave them behind. You usually have to disassemble them yourself, but to save $1000 or so it's worth it!

Sarah Engel said...

i LOVE that outdoor patio set. so beautiful. hope you had a great weekend:) xo

Rachael Clark said...

Where did you get that fabric for your throw pillows in the living room? I am looking to recover a chair and have been looking for that design.
Thanks!

Lauren said...

Rachel- Thibaut

love it!!

Hello Lover... said...

Looks like a productive weekend - love that new outdoor set! I really like the gray on your homes exterior - that little nook by the door with that lantern looks very inviting!

Anonymous said...

HI, I love that green/white pillow on the chair, can you tell me where that's from? I adore your blog btw!
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

look at hunky dave with his shirt off! LOL!!! xoxo