Free Works For Me!

For the past week I've been painting (lots of painting), sanding, scraping and giving my patios a newer, fresher look. I guess you could say that I'm lucky that hubby goes "dumpster diving" for me on a regular basis! A lot of what I've furnished my patio with this season are "freebies" which, fortunately, have turned out to be a good thing! I do love the thrill of the hunt and finding something that I can repurpose and/or renew into something that's new to me and my constant endeavoring to "primp my house" (I didn't say pimp!). Let me show you what I mean....

This little pedestal I found a few years ago in a wonderful little antique shop in Birmingham - not free - but it's appeared several places in my house. It has been in storage but I recently had hubby bring it home. Don't you love the color?


Little round glass top free (found behind storage building); rusty lantern, terra cotta angel (with no feet!)

The wrought iron chairs are some I've had for 20+ years and we still enjoy them

Cushions are new this year from Target....you'll see more at the table on the upper deck
I also have a two seat glider that is getting painted black. I will have to make some pillows for it and it will face the two chairs. For about two years I've had a wrought iron table and 4 chairs in this spot but since I got the free one (see below) the "old" one is making it's way to daughter's house

I love this little chippy table (free off the street) and the two rusty old garden chairs are another free find!

All three of these plants came from my uncle's home about 2 years ago. They are still in the old pots he had them in...I can't bring myself to repot them yet. The "lace" fern is rooted from one that belonged to my grandmother - my mom has that one and it is about 75 years old!

I got a little carried away underneath the table but have since removed that stuff

See the wooden swing? That's another paint project....I will also be painting the frame and making pillows for it as well

I know for some folks these chairs are just a little too rusty and crusty but once I dress them up with pillows, they will look a little better. However, for myself, I like the rusty look

Here's the "new" table and chairs. Someone had thrown them out on the street and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. Spiffed them up with a new coat of black paint and waa-laa!
Found the limey green placemats at Goodwill - 8 for $4.00!

Used black chargers, Wal Mart plates and Bordello plates to set the table

I will probably "mix this up" again but I wanted ya'll to see how good they look with the cushions

Part of the reason I was in such a hurry was because we were going to be cooking out some with family here over the 4th of July weekend. Now, we are going to the lake, which I never turn down! Anyway, my porch re-do is almost complete and I'm very happy at how it has turned out.

P.S. Please excuse my droopy plants you can see on the fence in some of the pictures. That is the result of our 90+ temps and humidity here in good ole Alabam.....they got a good drink of water late this evening, which is the only time to water here!