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Patio Season

Our patio has been complete for a few weeks now (those pillows were the last to do), but we’ve been nit picking ever since. For an outdoor space that comes in under 8’x10′ – it’s actually a similar size to our infamous studio (that we still need to share!) – we like to think we packed in more function this time around than in years past. And with a tiny, albeit much appreciated layout, it’s no different than any other part of our home; it’s a battle of inches. It’s hard to believe that one month ago, it looked like this:

Last year’s red rug was rolled away, new pillows were stitched, flower boxes made and a chair search ensued (more on that in a bit). We kept our string of cafe lights and oiled our table, and now, we’re seeing blues, mixed patterns and crisp whites:

After sharing with you our could’ve-been yellow rug, we decided to give it a go, only to be disappointed when our local World Market didn’t have it stock. But having a 20% off coupon burning a hole in our pocket (that expired the same day) forced us to consider other options, and on a whim, we went blue blue. We’ve said before that outdoor spaces are a place to play and experiment with color and pattern, so we went for it. The blue rug (see it right here) came in a larger 6’x9′ size (whereas our original choice was only 4’x6′), and with our coupon, we happily left the store having only spent $32.

The larger rug allowed us to consider other layouts, so rather than stick with our go-to option, we moved our bench under the window (to the studio!), allowing for extra seating – and a reason for more pillows, of course! Our cluster of terrariums sits atop a side table made by Scott’s grandpa, a sweet sentiment and the perfect place to prop your drink.

But with the moving of the bench came the need for more seating. Our solution for the last several years has been two Ikea chairs and a bench, and while that set up functioned fine, it felt more temporary than anything else. I took to Pinterest and fell in love with these white Tabouret chairs from Overstock – they stacked! They could be used outdoors! They were affordable!

However.

After getting the green light from Scott, our lucky stars aligned when I received a 10% off Overstock coupon the next morning. In addition, I had purchased a Living Social deal months ago that was good for another $20 off the total price. All of this turned out to be too good to be true when I logged into my account and saw that they were sold out. Having had our hearts set on these chairs, I signed up every one of our email accounts to be notified when they were back in stock.

But after being notified twice and being sold out each time I logged back in, I was about to give up. Our lighting love story came to mind, and persistence eventually paid off – third time was a charm, and it became available with another 10% promotional discount. Hooray! I frantically ordered our set of 4 chairs, and my shopping cart looked a little something like this:

Thirty-four bones a piece, and worth every penny.

Our planters are soaking up every heat-filled day, and our flowers are growing, growing, growing. Funny, we had planned to have the tallest plants in the middle, but our Coleus on the ends have sprouted with three heads, unbalancing our whole system. Ah, well.

Due to our mild Chicago winter, we were able to get started on our outdoor room a bit earlier than usual, although it seems as though we’ve been too busy to enjoy it as much as we’d like. Starting now, we vow to eat our meals outdoors and gather on the patio for our own weekday (and weekend) happy hour. It’s going to be a good summer. Jack approved, too (and that’s what counts).

As usual at this time of year, we’ve seen so many inspiring outdoor spaces lately. (Oh, how we long for a back yard – one day!) How are yours coming along?

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  • Erica6.21.12 - 8:42 AM

    Daaamn. Looks awesome!!ReplyCancel

  • Summer // House&Hold6.21.12 - 11:37 AM

    So cheerful, I love it! & crazy good deal on those chairs – well done!ReplyCancel

  • Britani6.21.12 - 12:23 PM

    This looks beautiful! And for so cheap too!! Great job- If I had a patio, I would want it to look like this!ReplyCancel

  • The blue looks great. I love how much color is out there.ReplyCancel

  • Jen6.21.12 - 3:03 PM

    So lovely!! Where’s the bar cart missy!? ;)ReplyCancel

  • Two Pitties in the City6.21.12 - 3:04 PM

    It does look so great! We have a similar rug that is also so good for the pooches. I love how the nicer weather does allow for our homes to expand.ReplyCancel

  • Kim6.21.12 - 3:27 PM

    Thank you!

    Jen, that’s exactly what we need now.ReplyCancel

  • Liliana6.21.12 - 3:37 PM

    Love how the patio came out, so colorful!

    ~ LilianaReplyCancel

  • Trude6.21.12 - 3:40 PM

    Loooove that rug, what a steal! The blue pops perfectly with all the brown wood and white. Those chairs are amazing too. You guys must be loving relaxing out there!ReplyCancel

  • Michelle6.21.12 - 4:28 PM

    Patio looks great! Nice to see the finished project. :-)ReplyCancel

  • Amanda6.21.12 - 8:18 PM

    It looks so lovely Kim & Scott. Is the rug going to be able to stand rain, or is it something you have to bring in at night/when expecting rain? (like the pillows)ReplyCancel

    • Kim6.21.12 - 8:24 PM

      Hey Amanda, the rug AND the pillows are both fine to get wet! The rug is slick to the touch; it’s a perfect outdoor rug – especially with Jack. And the pillows have a poly fill that dry easily!ReplyCancel

  • ann vargo6.21.12 - 8:36 PM

    We hope to see your cheerful patio live and in person soon. Grandpa would be pleased that you are enjoying the table! -MomReplyCancel

  • Kaitlin6.21.12 - 9:27 PM

    Well done! I’m so jealous of your outdoor space!ReplyCancel

  • :Liz6.21.12 - 10:28 PM

    The patio looks so inviting! You guys did a great job turning the space into an extension of your house. I think happy hours and many meals will be enjoyed this summer. I too am so jealous- maybe it will motivate me to fix our tiny porch up too :)ReplyCancel

  • Staci @ My Friend Staci6.23.12 - 10:31 AM

    I’m in love with your patio! Glad you made your last minute decision to go with the blue rug. I love how the blue and the wood tones look together. Bravo!ReplyCancel

  • Lauren L.6.27.12 - 1:18 AM

    I would love to sit out there! It looks awesome. I’m especially in love with that rug. Our backyard is coming along slowly but surely..ReplyCancel

  • Wow, I love it! The colors are so fun. And, let me tell you, you got a steal on those chairs. I’m jealous!ReplyCancel

  • France's7.6.12 - 9:15 AM

    Porch looks lovely. However, were the decks in picture built with proper permits and building inspections? The structure look a bit weak especially for a multiple level porch. Excuse the question but I only have safety in mind.ReplyCancel

  • Kim7.6.12 - 2:05 PM

    Hi France, no problem, thanks for asking! Our back patios are pretty sound, and we have check-ups done on the safety of our building by our maintenance team. I also used a wide angle lens for a lot of the shots, which tends to warp straight lines. Hope that helps!ReplyCancel

  • […] I met Kim at Business with Intention, and not only does she have an inspiring home (I LOVE her patio!), she also paints the most adorable pet portraits. Here’s a look at her life at the moment […]ReplyCancel

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