Enjoy this time between the winter chill and the muggy nights of summer to by taking activities outside. Create an outdoor room on your porch or deck that will be perfect for dining, reading or napping. Begin by giving the area a thorough cleaning. Toss out those plastic flower pots that get stockpiled each year. Replace them with vessels made of natural materials such as clay, stone or glazed pottery. There are many faux stone planters available if you need something that can be moved easily. Fill your new pots with a combination of plants. Start with something low that will spill over the sides such as ivy, next tuck in impatiens that will grow to a beautiful puff of color. Your local garden center manager will be able to recommend the perfect combinations for your environment. Be sure to ask for something with a wonderful fragrance that will heighten the experience of sitting in your garden room.
Your new favorite space will need comfortable seating and a table. This can be a splurge of new furniture with a tailored classic look or you can rummage through the attic or garage sales for a mixture of pieces that give you a charming cottage feel. If you have a collection of mismatched pieces unify them by painting everything the same color. White is the most popular hue but find spray paint in color that makes you happy….that is what this area is all about!
To finish off this wonderful retreat, think of things that will appeal to the senses. Fill the seating with comfortable pillows. The market is being flooded with great outdoor fabrics so you don’t have to worry about a sudden rainstorm. Buy a great set of plastic dishes so that you don’t have to worry about breakage. From the dollar store to mall department stores, you can find plates and cups that are different from your everyday place settings. The change will make a simple sandwich seem tastier.
