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Summer Deck Refresh

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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.

Our Back Deck and a Goodwill Find | Chatfield Court.com

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.

Our Back Deck and a Goodwill Find

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!!

Our Back Deck and a Goodwill Find

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.

Our Back Deck and a Goodwill Find

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.

Our Back Deck and a Goodwill Find

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?

Our Back Deck and a Goodwill Find Thanks so much for stopping by!

Looking for some other outdoor decorating ideas?

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About Kristi

Kristi here…lover and doer of all things DIY, home improvement, home decor, and quick and easy recipes. I’m the voice behind Chatfield Court where I share the budget-friendly DIY projects, crafts and decorating tips in the hopes of inspiring others that they can do it too.

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Comments

  1. Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse

    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

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

  3. Joanne T Ferguson

    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

    Reply

  7. Michele @ Alwayzbakin

    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.

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

  9. Nicki

    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!

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

  14. MaryJean Zajac

    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!

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

  15. Suzan

    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

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

  16. Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow

    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! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

  17. Jennie @ Got My Reservations

    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.

    Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

    • Kristi

      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.

      Reply

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