We moved into our house in the middle of the summer last year and I started projects inside right away so I never really got around to fixing up the deck.
This year I've been a little better. Besides building a new deck, there's still a few little things that I would like to do, like hanging cafe lights and adding some fun color, but it's a much more comfortable space to hang out on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Like the inside of our house, our deck is small on space but all of the furniture that we had in Florida fits. It's a little snug but it's enough room for Mr. C², Finn and me.
I tried to make this a comfortable space for us and I didn't want to spend a lot of money so everything out here we brought with us. I know it's a little brown out there with that rug but it's good for this summer. The one thing I did buy was this beverage/plant cart that I found at Goodwill for $4.99. Score!!
It was a little dirty but in great shape and it's made of solid oak. I also like that it folds up flat so I can store it in the garage in the winter. When I was cleaning it up I mentioned to my husband that I was thinking about painting it...you know, because of all of the brown tones already on the deck. He 'bout had a fit right there in the back yard. "You aren't painting that", he said, "it's solid oak!" Why do all men think that it's a sin to paint wood? 😉 Well, as you can see, I didn't paint it. It wasn't because of him though. I didn't want to be hasty and paint it and then be sorry so I'm going to keep it like this for the rest of the summer and see how I feel next year.
If you've been following along this past year, then you already know that we have lived in the South for the past 20 years. I didn't plant a lot of annuals when we lived down there because of my back issues and the weather, so this is the first year I've ever had a fern and I have to say that I'm a huge fan.
Mine is a Kimberly Queen fern and it's doing really well with minimal effort. I love that it doesn't shed and it always looks great. I will definitely have another one next year, maybe two. Do you think it's just plain wrong to paint a wood like oak? Do you think I should paint my cart? What color would you pick?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Looking for some other outdoor decorating ideas?
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
Kristi, what a great cart! Love it! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the fan favorites tonight at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to the showcase. Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Kristi says
Thanks so much Kathryn...you totally made my Sunday! I will definitely be back this week. Love your party.:)
K.
Sarah says
It all looks really nice. Great find at GW, too. I just added a Kimberly Queen fern to our terrace. 😉
Kristi says
Thanks Sarah! I was unusually lucky on that trip to GW.;) Don't you just love the Kimberly Queen fern? I will definitely have one next year.
K.
Joanne T Ferguson says
G'day! Thanks for sharing via our #SayGdayParty!
Please make sure to come back, leaving comments on some people who also attended the party and of course we hope you are following us on Pinterest!
Cheers! Joanne
Kristi says
Thanks Joanne!
K.
kristin says
What I can't believe you scored that beauty for $5! So pretty, pinned 🙂
XO
Kristin
Kristi says
Thanks so much Kristin!
K.
Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says
This is a fantastic find!Your deck looks inviting and relaxing.
Kristi says
Thanks Megan! We are really enjoying our space.
K.
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
Very cute cart-- you can't beat the price! And your deck is beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!
~Abby =)
Kristi says
Thank you Abby. It was a great price. I just wish it would happen more often. 😉 I appreciate you stopping by to visit.
K.
Michele @ Alwayzbakin says
What a cute little cart. Your pictures are beautiful! I love Goodwill. It's become an addiction every weekend now to see what I can find.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Michele! I love Goodwill now too. 😉 I think it takes just finding one or two great things at a great price to get hooked.
K.
Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says
What a great little cart! And a great price! I love shopping at thrift stores. You never know what you may find!
Kristi says
So true Lisa! I hope to be doing it more. Thanks so much for stopping by.
K.
Nicki says
What a charming back deck, and I LOVE your cart. Goodwill finds like that are so exciting. My husband would say the same thing about painting solid oak. Men are so funny!
Kristi says
Thanks Nicki. I'm not a huge thrifter so it was exciting for me to find it. Haha...glad I'm not the only one with "one of those husbands". 😉
K.
Michelle says
Great find! I would have snapped that up too. Haha about your husband, I can relate.
Kristi says
Thanks Michelle. Aren't husbands great?! 😉
K.
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
Love the deck and it looks fabulous. The new cart is a great find and I like it left natural,but it would be stunning painted too. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Kristi says
Thanks so much Marty!! 🙂
K.
Brooke Berry Kroeger says
Very cute, I would paint it a bright color! Thanks for sharing... I would love for you to share it at this weeks Home Sweet Garden Party! http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/2014/07/home-sweet-garden-729.html
xxx....Brooke
http://creativecountrymom.com
Kristi says
Ooooh, love that idea Brooke. You and I think alike. Now I have to get my husband onboard. 😉 I'm heading your way to share...thanks for the invite.
K.
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos says
That is an awesome find my friend!
Kristi says
Thanks so much!
MaryJean Zajac says
Kristi,
I love the little cart! Since it's in such good shape I would definitely leave it alone, at least for now. You can always use some more colorful pillows to tone down the brown. Even some pretty flowerpots on your railing. I don't particularly like decks because of the upkeep, (I have a cement patio) but I do wish I had a railing for some flowerpots. I know you mentioned something about replacing your decking at some point, how about painting the deck instead?
I have to send you some photos, I finally finished painting my shutters and I did paint the man door, but I think I'm going to paint it again a different color.
I'm sure you will come up with something really great looking!
Kristi says
Hi MJ. It seems that the consensus is to leave the cart unpainted. I'm just glad that I didn't paint it before really thinking about it.
I do need to add some color to my decor...it's just not been my priority with everything else going on.
I would like to paint the deck, even talked to my husband about it but he won't do it. And I just can't. We've had decks before that have been painted and the paint never stays nice for long. It will just get to the point where my husband is tired of my complaining about how the deck looks before he decides to replace it. That's how I work it...patience.;)
I would love to see pic of your shutters and door. What color did you end up choosing?
As always, thanks so much for reading and for your input.
K.
Suzan says
I don't find your deck that small at all - and it's gorgeous !
I'd love to find a tray cart like that - what a perfect piece of furniture for the deck -
XOXO
Kristi says
Hi Suzan. I guess that the deck seems small with the furniture on it. I had all of this furniture in Florida by my huge screened in pool, so it seems so crowded to me on this deck.
I can't believe I found such a nice piece, I usually don't have luck like that. 😉
Thanks so much for your visit and your nice comment.
K.
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Love that first shot with the butterfly! 🙂
I wouldn't paint something that didn't require it, no 🙂 After a year or two if it's getting all beat up he might want to paint it himself! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Deb. I always love to look at your beautiful nature photos!
LOL I like your thinking. He may very well want to paint it himself. Thanks for your input.
K.
Jennie @ Got My Reservations says
For the past few years, I have been putting a fern on my front porch in the shade. I love the fluffy old-fashioned feel it gives to my entryway! As for the cart, I'd hold off on painting it. At some point, it's likely to be stained from use and you might want to paint it then. Right now, it's still pretty the way it is.
Kristi says
I can't believe that I never had a fern before Jennie. I guess I only knew about the mess that some of them can make. I'm a big fan now. Thanks so much for your input and for visiting. I think I will hold off painting it for a while.
K.
Kim says
I love Kimberly Queens and could not find any this year, only Bostons. Weird. That is such a cute cart.
Kristi says
That is weird Kim. I wonder why they weren't available by you? Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Have a great week.
K.