Green Table and Chairs / Outdoor Rug / Scalloped Planter / Scalloped Dining Place Setting / Large Square Block Print Pillow / Outdoor Stemless Wine Glasses / Cement Planter Set / Umbrella / Lumbar Pillow Cover
This is my favorite “before and after” post yet! I did it entirely by myself, and I’m so proud. You know that soundbite going around the internet that’s like “if boys can do it”? THAT IS ME RIGHT NOW. 😂
Yet again, Birch Lane to the rescue. But before we get to how the space was transformed, let’s take a look at how it’s looked for the last five years:
Yikes, right? But also kind of exciting! We’d never really used this space because it was so dirty and gross, and it was definitely time to give it some much-needed love. The first thing I did was power-wash and stain it, which was a total disaster, haha. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that despite the one trillion weather apps I have on my phone, not one was right about summer downpours. But third time’s the charm, and I finally got the thing stained. Is it my best work? No, haha. But it looks a heck of a lot better than this! ^
But next up was making a vision board—which is always the motivation I need to finish a project. And Birch Lane had everything I needed to turn our balcony into a place where we could enjoy coffee in the morning, work during the day, and relax at night.
The first products to arrive were these scalloped planters, which are the prettiest planters I’ve ever seen! I mean, I’m obsessed with scallops—always have been, always will—and when I captured this photo of Noodle, my heart exploded. Scallops AND a dachshund? Be still, my heart. 😂
I also love these more modern planters, which I think balance out the preppiness of the scalloped ones. ;) I made the other ones, btw, and they’ll be available to purchase in candle form whenever Emmalou Candle Co. launches!
Green Table and Chairs / Outdoor Rug / Scalloped Planter / Scalloped Dining Place Setting / Large Square Block Print Pillow / Outdoor Stemless Wine Glasses / Cement Planter Set / Umbrella / Lumbar Pillow Cover
And then the rest arrived, and I put the space together in under an hour. My mind was blown. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could take a tired space and turn it into this. I picture myself doing all sorts of things here now that it’s cozy and inviting! Coffee, computer work (made possible by the umbrella!), reading, crafting, late-night dinners after the girls go down—I know it’s going to get a lot of use!
Green Table and Chairs / Outdoor Rug / Scalloped Planter / Scalloped Dining Place Setting / Large Square Block Print Pillow / Outdoor Stemless Wine Glasses / Cement Planter Set / Umbrella / Lumbar Pillow Cover
And we’ve gotta talk about this outdoor rug. I am a huge fan of Erin Gates, and have this rug in Emma’s room. So when I saw that she’d launched outdoor rugs I knew we needed one for the space! It also helps cover up some of the stain splotchiness. 😂
This one is technically gray, but I felt that it was a warmer gray, and one that really complemented the couch cushions. :) If you’re looking for a true beige, it does come in this color as well!
(Btw: Emma’s rug now comes in an outdoor version too, and I’m SO tempted to get it for our main deck! It’s stunning.)
And the pillows. How happy they make me! They really add so much warmth and coziness to the space. Emma and Lucy are still at Gammy Camp, but they screamed when they saw the photos of the space and said they couldn’t wait to cuddle up on the couch with the pillows and some blankets!
Pillow tip: Always order 2″ larger than the actual pillow cover. So if the pillow cover is 20X20″, order a 22×22″ pillow.
I’ve already gushed about these planters, but here’s the cute little modern one! What a deal, especially considering they come in sets of two!
In keeping with the scalloped theme that is 2024, I saw these place settings and died. And the set comes with a lot! I got four place settings, and we’ll use them for special occasions and also Family Dinner Night with Sammy, Charls and new baby. :)
And can we talk about this golden silverware? (Goldwear?!) I’ve never owned gold silverware before, but wow, does it make a table pop. And it gets great reviews online; no wearing off.
And last but not least, the little green table. Doesn’t it add a fun pop of color?! And it’s the perfect size for the space. I can’t wait to start writing my blog posts out here.
Needless to say, I’m obsessed with the “new” balcony, despite my sub-par stain job haha, and thank you to Birch Lane for partnering with me on my Instagram Reel and Stories!
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Green Table and Chairs / Outdoor Rug / Scalloped Planter / Scalloped Dining Place Setting / Large Square Block Print Pillow / Outdoor Stemless Wine Glasses / Cement Planter Set / Umbrella / Lumbar Pillow Cover
