The 'change my mind' bistro table

I had a rough Friday. My last firetruck of the day didn't go quite as planned (a post on my line of work is HERE) , so after filling up an entire garbage can of destroyed striping, I was ready for an easy weekend. You'd think 20 years in the business would have me a pro at what I do, right? You're never too good to improve it appears. :)

And then Saturday morning arrived. A week's worth of 6:30 am's totally caught up with us leaving us in zombie mode.  I looked over at my zonked out son and decided we'd enjoy a lazy Saturday to recoup. And head to the library to pick up my new weekend read that was on hold. Yipee!

I also took a little time to play with my new toy. This mini metal bistro beauty was at the neighbour's curb a couple days ago. I lurched my truck to a stop with rolling eyed son in tow, giggled and let out a whoopin' "SCORE!" as I heaved it into the back of the truck. Tell me this isn't cute!

I thought of all the fantastical things I could do with it as I silently recouped and read my book on the patio.

"I know... many would repaint you to clean you up. But I rather like the warm white color you are AND your rusty imperfections...." Figures. I can't even seem to MAKE an excuse to paint something these days. Why must I fall in love with everything as is?!?

So I played a little '"What's different about these pictures?" And totally took advantage of that little center shelf.

Hmmm... the fake ivy in a clay pot would be VERY easy to care for... 

Well... then again a little punch of freshly cut purple blooms is pretty too. And add the throw blanket in for good measure. And I'll just remove that bench...

Wait... maybe I ought to be flaunting some ice water instead of coffee...

Ah... right. And my ever present little girl. 'Bout time you showed up.

Oh cool! The sun makes a nice impression to the left...

Done!

The purple (and the cat) won. With the promise of the green stepping in when the purple is a done deal. Or maybe something else will transpire before then. Who knows.

The little bistro table in front of my pallet sofa is perfecto. It's regular table height which makes a great addition to a sitting area for when you wish to bring out a meal.

 As for the 'change my mind' shelf? TOTAL bonus for someone that can't make up her mind. :)

Pallet sofa reveal is HERE

Pallet sofa tutorial is HERE

A welcoming front porch I created at the Grille

 

The Vedder Mountain Grille is a lovely little restaurant located in Yarrow, BC Canada on Yarrow Central Road. It's situated in one of the older buildings, which instantly loads every nook and cranny with vintage character.

I have the privilege of decorating up the Grille... with MY stuff to sell. It's a win - win situation for Laurie and I and she's been patiently waiting for me to get my act together and start playing around. So this weekend I did something about it!

Laurie had previously summoned me to look out for some chairs for her front porch.  She wanted to create an inviting coffee area outdoors under the perfect overhang. So this weekend I landed a couple chairs with the most amazing patina ever.

I'm not sure how old these are, but I could never mimic the amazing finish on them. They don't need to be touched at all.

But I didn't stop there.

I shopped Laurie's storage area upstairs to see what other treasures I could use to spruce up the surroundings.

Doesn't this just beckon you in for a nice hot beverage over a friendly chit chat?

And yes, one of the chairs is from my own personal collection and is for sale. :) The sisal seat is in flawless condition and the chair is as sturdy as a rock. I've worked the stain on the wood to give it abit more dimension. It's a cool piece.

So eclectically cute! Note the reflection in the window? There's even a thrift store right across the road! Heaven I tell ya! :)

It's a very simple makeover due to the fact that everything comes indoors for night, however I believe it speaks volumes. Front porches always seem to invite friendly conversation and this front porch is no different. It's the perfect little addition to an already awesome restaurant!

And as payback for my shopping, Laurie cooked me up one of her pasta specials, homemade spaghetti and meatballs with homemade nacho chips and dip, caesar salad, and garlic bread. Ah... and her fabulous hot coffee a little on the strong side, just the way I like it! Yes... I love working with Laurie very very much. I even sat outside to enjoy it. :)

I'll be making and bringing in more of my treasures to the restaurant this week. And I'll be sure to show you what's going in and what we're doing with it this time.

Coming by this way? Be sure to stop in and let Laurie know how famous her front porch is. :)

SNS 85 rings in the summer with patio decor!

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #85

theme - patio decor

If you're new here, join in! There are three categories to link to. Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, plus the 3rd themed link up which stays open indefinitely. Check below for this weekend's theme.

Party starts Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm pacific, so you have all weekend to join!

I'll be featuring SNS highlights during the weekend on FJI Facebook, so join in and see what they're all saying about your stuff. :)

This weekend's theme:

~ patio decor ~

I LOVE funky little patio tables.

And I'm having just the most fun with these right now.

Funky Patio Table #1

 

A willow sidetable plus an old table top from elsewhere = 

A fab little table that I use for many MANY photo shoots.

The weathered old patina cannot be duplicated!
It shows up fabulous in photos! And is very cute on the patio too. :) 

Funky Patio Table #2

Presenting the collapsible patio coffee table you can make in a red hot second!

We're loving it! It's size is taylor made for this tight spot and it also adjusts to a full height eating table. How you ask?

Check out the full patio reveal  HERE.

Funky Patio Table #3

This little weathered topped beauty now serving as my laundry stand was found beside a dumpster at a local thrift store. I saw the top, screeched to a halt and threw it in my truck with the sales people watching no doubt  thinkin', "Some people..."

And the newest funky patio table reveal on the net right now is at The Lettered Cottage... did you see it?!?

Funky Patio Table #4

A chicken coop outfitted with wheels and decked out in vintage yardsticks.

The REVEAL post is a gorgeous must visit, complete with a video reveal of Kevin's mom's reaction to her new space.

It is so fun to think outside of the box and play with alternatives!

Got a pretty patio to link up? Please do so in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!

What do you love most about your own patio/porch?

~ next up ~

'what is it?' junk projects

This linkup theme is one of my favs! 
Have no idea what that cool junky thing you picked up is? Great! Do something awesome with it and see you next weekend!

*the order of this list is subject to change: please check weekly for the new theme.

Be sure to check the themed linkups master list to add your newest creations anytime. 
They're always open.
List HERE.

 

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, then cut and paste that url)

 2. Please put a link in your post (button or text) that leads back to the party so others can see what's up. (see BUTTONS label under main blog header)

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style.

4. For Home Decor and Crafts, Sewing, Cooking, please link projects up that are new to SNS and/or within 1 month old. Repeat linkups will be removed.

The 3rd weekly themed link may have older posts and not brand new to SNS and will remain open for your new additions at any time. Click HERE for the main list.

If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

 5. By linking up to SNS, you approve to being highlighted on FJI Facebook, added to the themed linkups and for possible future features on Funky Junk Interiors' blog without additional permission required.

 Come on over and see if we're talking about you this weekend. :)

Rusty funky dreams for a patio

"Once upon a time, there was a girl that dreamed of..."

lounging like this... 

... on this. 

Fool hearted travesty this patio was! Oh the shame.

Failed and broken projects turned this space into a drafty workshop.

But alas... summer was to arrive and the desire to have a pretty outdoor space pushed the girl over the brink! (Ok, it really was because SNS's theme is patio decor... but she really REALLY needed a pretty patio!)

The plan:

livingroom with coffee table

eating area with table

lounging area with firepit

laundry line area

cushions for existing furniture

BBQ area

Impossible! Or was it?

So she started to invent:

a cheater no sew cushion

A canvas material with grommets found at a thrift store was the perfect starting point. 4 bed pillows and a cat plunked on top later, there was hope!

Twine was threaded through the grommets, the backing was pinned and voila!

A cushion easy to dismantle, clean and could be anything else in a red hot jiffy was born! 

The accompanying chair got a pillow and case thrown into place and she called it done.

Fair enough. She made the seating area work. But what about a foot stool? What about a coffee table?!? *sob*

She wiped away her tears of fret and created

the sawhorse foot rest coffee table

The legs were cut down on the to-die-for dreamy sawhorses she had just picked off the curb recently. They received a sanding and a rough coat of paint for their new adventure.

A table top was created out of planks of cedar and thinner boards for supports on the back.

What was she up to... was she nuts?!?

Why yes, yes she was. But did it work?

Why yes it did! A low riding relaxing coffee table you could also use as a well pillowed footrest worked fabulously!

Until she ate dinner out there having to balance a hot bowl of soup in her hands. Not cool.

So she created...

a hack (aren't they all?) eating table extension

The deadline of SNS rushed her so there's abit more to add at a later date on this one.

But did it work?

Why yes, yes it did! Fabulously even!

And she pulled a fast one on you. There was a reason for these incredibly brain stormy like hackish table designs.

The table can completely collapse to accommodate...

... the propane firepit of course!

Propane firepits like this one can be lit anywhere off of any existing propane tank. The base gets hot however if you place the pit on it's own lid, there is no base heat to worry about. 

But hey... she snuck some really fancy schmancy details in that there pic.

Let's browse!

Desiring to bring a wooden beamed feel into the space to chime in with the willow furniture, cedar planks were screwed onto an existing roof brace.

A place of honor for her beloved rust was desired so a little somethin' somethin' was added for behind the central licence plate.

Fresh flowers were added to the picket toolbox.

(how to build the tool box is HERE)

"HELLO  hello  hello"

A thrift store search landed this brass trimmed light. A coat of white was added to the cord/chain and entire shade, then the sections were hastily wiped to allow the light to penetrate through.

Two simple sheets were thrown over the wood beam on both sides of the patio for curtains. (wash line is to the left, clothes pins are in the hanging basket)

She loves Flea Market Style so she had to put out the spring issue because she's in it after all... (no hint there!!!)

Rusty chimes were hung to catch the wind with moody song. 

(that speak was a little too floral for me btw)

A beautifully fluted crisp white teapot serves as a vase.

The inspiration for the colors used came from the floral fabric to the left found at the thrift. It had a feminine vintage feel that prettied up the patio without creating fuss. Everything else was on hand.

From "The Patio Picture Show of Horrors" to...

"Hansel and Grettle's Little Cottage Getaway" with a twist of "Farmer in the Dell Junk."

Suddenly the blur and haze cleared and her dream became reality!

So she stretched and yawned, 

got comfy with her blanket,

and lived 

happily 

ever 

ZZZZZZZZZZ.