Have you seen this month’s At Home in Arkansas magazine? Well…it’s all out there now! What do you think? I hope my little experiment convinces at least someone out there that today’s outdoor furniture is just as style-worthy as anything you might typically use indoors.
Indoors and out, even I can hardly believe the transformation this house has experienced.
Remember where we started:
Wow…a lot has changed!
For those of you who might be starting a remodeling project of your own, I thought I would recap the major elements of this project and why they are important.
Out front, the brick facade is probably the most dramatic change. It elevated the quality and sophistication of the house significantly and, along with the paint color, totally changed the look and feel of the entire project. New, larger windows, gas lanterns and a wood front door were further upgrades in terms of both quality and style. And, of course the garden, with its hedges, oversized urns and gate bring the new appeal right to the curb!
In the living and dining rooms, the original hardwood floors were revealed and refinished. New moldings and trim were installed, and everything was painted the same ‘Dorian Gray,‘ giving the space a calm, updated and unified feel. The new windows let in lots of natural light and helped to make the house more energy-efficient.
A new opening was created and pocket doors installed to connect the den to the living room and effectively double the entertaining space. Covering the back wall of the den with reclaimed barnwood created a dramatic accent and was a way to bring the outdoors in.
The outdated kitchen was brought into the 21st century with new cabinets, appliances and granite counters and backsplash. A counter-depth refrigerator helps keep this small space from feeling too cramped. Hardwood floors were installed to match the original flooring in the rest of the house, and an elegant bar area was created to facilitate entertaining.
The bathroom was also updated completely, with new cabinets, flooring and a walk-in shower. The large mirror, continuous floor material and glass wall help give the illusion of more space.
Back outside the carport structure was upgraded to match the house better, and the old tool shed was converted into a whimsical outdoor room. Simple pine boards clad the walls, a built-in daybed provides ample seating and hides drawers for storage, and french doors connect this room to the main outdoor entertaining spaces.
So there you have it. Together, these improvements add up to a pretty dramatic transformation! And things continue to evolve…
The garden plantings are filling in nicely, and I have begun placing furnishings in the various gathering areas.
A gas firepit is being installed just in time for the cooler fall weather. I can’t wait! It is a raw steel frame that I am filling with oversized black lava rocks. A Ceasar Stone top will cover the firepit in the warmer months to serve as a coffee table.
Veggie garden boxes have been built, and I have planted my very first edible garden! It is hard to believe that as long as I have been dealing with plants and outdoor spaces, that I have never grown my own vegetables. Well, it’s never too late, right?! Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are all growing rapidly, and little grape vines are poised to climb up the fence next spring.
Finally, I have installed a gorgeous 19th-century bronze door knocker from France. I just got it from my friends at French Metro Antiques, here in Fayetteville. It didn’t make it in time for the At Home photoshoot, but it makes a great finishing touch to the front door!
Speaking of the front door, come back next month. I’ll be giving the front door and entry urns their first Outside the Box seasonal makeover!
