Monday, July 13, 2009

A Little Outdoor Cutie

Last year I did a makeover on my back patio. My goal was to have it be fun, summery and a bit retro. I painted my collection of vintage metal chairs and other accessories in the colors of red and yellow. My boys teased that it looked like ketchup and mustard, which meant I had accomplished my goal of having it fun and summery. I also chose to decorate the patio so that it connected to the yard and flower garden, with garden accessories galore.In the spring of this year I stood at the back of my yard staring at my patio. I no longer loved what I saw. The bright colors were fun, but they also created visual clutter. So I chose new goals for my patio. I want it calm, classy, and more of an extension of the inside of my home.
One way that I chose to accomplish the home to patio connection was to incorporate another furniture piece. I decided that a china hutch would be the perfect choice. It could provide storage for cushions during the winter, and beauty and a bit of privacy during the summer. I began my search. The hutch had to be a bit on the smaller side. I didn't want it to overwhelm the patio. It had to have character. It had to be free of glass (who wants to continually clean?). And, most of all, it had to be cheap!
After looking through several thrift stores with nothing to be found, I started my search on our local on-line classifieds. I found this hand-made cutie for twenty-five dollars. What? You don't think it's cute? Well, it did have that grandpa's cabin look, and it was a bit short, standing less that five feet tall. But it did have character and it definitely had potential!We added legs and feet using a 4x4 that we'd found in the dumpster, and fence finials from the thrift store at 50 cents each.I gave it a fresh coat of spray paint, but found the color a little too boring, so I sanded it a bit to prepare it for it's next coat. I pulled out a mis-tint that had the wow factor. The paint was beautiful, but I wanted to add back some of that grandpa's cabin character. Out came the sandpaper and the stain.Thanks to the addition of the feet, this cutie now stands at 5'8'' and looks like a piece unearthed from an attic.
I love it!
Linked to Southern Hospitality and Metamorphosis Monday.

60 comments:

★Carol★ said...

Gor-geous!! Love the redo, and I love adding those bun feet to everything! The patio is looking great!

Laryssa Herbert said...

Your hutch is beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration to look beyond the surface. :-)

VintageSunshine said...

Such a beautiful redo!!! You make me want to comb all the thrift stores within 50 miles to find one for myself!! Thanks for sharing!!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

I love it, too! Amazing transformation!!!

Amy

Darlene said...

I too LOVE it!! I can't believe it only cost $25.00!!!!! Cheap and you made it beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

It looks great! I can't believe you got it for $25- what a find!!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Beautiful re-do...

Sue said...

And I love it too! I have been looking for a similar piece for my patio but without success- so far! Enjoy!!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Beautiful! I was going to ask what the paint color is, but OF COURSE it's a mistint :-). I swear, all of my favorite paint colors of yours are mistints. Amazing. You're the reason I have to check the mistinted paint everytime I go to Home Depot.

Amy Lynne said...

Love it! So cute!

Steph said...

What a fun patio! Love the hutch. The feet you added really make it! Love the color and treatment you did as well.

bj said...

Why, of COURSE you love it. It is just adorable and perfect for your space. Now...I gotta go find myself one...for my dining room! :)

Victoria said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

Sarah said...

How cute! That turned out really nice!

The Dragonfly said...

Man you have a gift! For seeing potential, for adding on to something and making it better, for beautiful repro finishes, and for just rocking at making things amazing. I adore you!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

What a great transformation! Such a huge improvement - I love it!!

Jane said...

That is fabulous! The legs make such a difference. Love the ketchup and mustard comment. Too cute!

Alaskangal B said...

I would not have thought that piece could look like that. I look forward to the rest of your changes on your patio. Have a fantastic Monday/Family Night and I love the changes to your header

Lewaina@cliffsideranch said...

Well, here you go again!!!! I love it! I love love love the legs and feet! Glad you posted it! Thanx. ♥

Heather at Happy Chippy Junk said...

OOOO La la!! It looks darling!! Almost to good to be outside!!

K@The Thrifty Teacher said...

WOW! That is so cute! I agree that it makes me want to find something like that myself.

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love it!!! Looks so much better with the paint job & the addition of the feetsies. Want to come over & paint my hutch? I didn't think so, but it was worth the try.

Andrea said...

wow, wow, WOW! Your hutch looks fabulous!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I love those red shutters..it's wonderful!
sandy toe

Marianne said...

Oh my goodness! That is so stinking cute!

Unknown said...

You did a fantastic job on the hutch! Wow!

Nancy

Shelise said...

You never cease to amaze me!

Rachel said...

Fabulous!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Great job, Joy!! That is one gorgeous piece now. You do some wonderful projects.

Kammy said...

Very cute and oh so sheek looking ! Your patio is fab !
Hugs ~ Kammy
$25.00 - WOW WOW WOW

brokeintrovert said...

I love your work. The hutch looks great!

Southern Fried Gal said...

Wow - that is amazing! I've got to start looking at furniture differently!

Unknown said...

What a great piece! You always find the greatest treasures.

Mimi Sue said...

Very nicely done, Joy. Mimi

Nicole A. said...

This rocks! I love love love it! It looks so awesome! Love the color too! You did a WONDERFUL job!

J. Paige said...

amazing!

Amber said...

That is an awesome redo!

Recaptured Charm said...

Your hutch is absolutely stunning. I love the choice of colours. Great Job!

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Gorgeous! I never have any luck with Craigslist in our area!

Richella Parham said...

I love this! You were brilliant to add the feet--the extra height makes a huge difference. And that color is so calming and soothing. You're right: bright and cheerful is fun, but it seems like the state of things our world calls for our homes to be places of peace. Great job!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh wow! What an incredible find. I adore the color.

sam and kyrsten said...

you are incredible!

annelise said...

You have outdone yourself this time... This is my fave of your projects... it looks amazing... you are my inspiration...

Kelli said...

Fabulously gorgeous!! Love, love, LOVE it!!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

AMAZING! I love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!!

Free Art Printables said...

Joy, you scored big on this project!It's awesome!

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

You are so unbelievably talented! You always add just the right touch. This piece turned out gorgeous!

~Amanda

Kim said...

That turned out so great. I'm always amazed at your bargains and creativity.

I've made many comments on your blog only to find out that the posts I made through my google reader list, didn't actually post. No wonder you have never answered back.

Its So Very Cheri said...

Great job-I love restoring things and making something old and ugly beautiful again.
Come for a visit-I have a GIVE AWAY going on all month
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

Wendy said...

Joy! I love this redo. I just have to ask you where you got the cute bee tablecloth weights. They're darling!

The Buchanan Family said...

WOW IT LOOKS GREAT-NO SURPRISE THERE!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

WOW!! That is so beautiful! What a find for $25. How fun to put a piece like that outside!!

Michelle said...

You have such awesome style...love everything, especially what you did with the hutch! Your patio looks like a wonderful place to relax. Thanks for sharing!

Have a lovely day!
~Michelle
(Treasure the Moment)

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm constantly looking through craigs list but have never stumbled accros anything that cheap. Great find!

Lisa said...

That hutch is amazing!

Anonymous said...

Love it! I am in awe of the fact that you can look at a piece and "see" what it can be!! The legs and feet added just the touch to the Hutch. Good call!!

Tracey

Mama Groke said...

You have got to be the most talented person I have ever met--well would like to meet anyway. Of all the creative stuff you have done, the hutch is by far my favorite. I am a garage sale-aholic, but I don't have the talent you do. I look at a hutch and it looks like that--a hutch. So I don't buy it. When I grow up, I want to be like you.

Thanks so very much for sharing with us. Deanna in New Harmony

Mama Groke said...

You have got to be the most talented person I have ever met--well would like to meet anyway. Of all the creative stuff you have done, the hutch is by far my favorite. I am a garage sale-aholic, but I don't have the talent you do. I look at a hutch and it looks like that--a hutch. So I don't buy it. When I grow up, I want to be like you.

Thanks so very much for sharing with us. Deanna in New Harmony

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Joy, this is awesome! I would have never even thought of adding the feet...you are brilliant, woman! Great color...I have this thing about hutches. Maybe it's my china addiction but you can just never have too many! :-) Susan

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