Hello again and happy spring! I hope your June is off to a good start and you are enjoying lots of time in your garden and outdoor living spaces. No matter where I have lived, I have never been able to let a carport remain simply a carport. I just can’t resist the urge to convert these somewhat boring structures into exterior rooms. So, when I moved into my current house, I knew I would eventually transform the carport into a destination for outdoor entertaining. Indeed, I quickly converted it into a grilling and dining cabana where I could cook and enjoy al fresco meals. While I made the major transformation from carport to cabana shortly after moving in a couple of years ago, I recently decided to add a pop of color and a few finishing touches in preparation for a dinner party. So, I thought I would share with you how I went about creating the space. Hopefully it will inspire you to carve out a special entertaining space somewhere in your own garden. And, who knows? Together, we might just start a carport conversion movement!
To make the carport structure feel cozy and more like a “real” room, I first added curtains made from outdoor fabric. The durable panels, secured with contrasting tie-backs, give the space a resort-like feel and help set the mood for the perfect gathering.
Next, I softened the hard concrete flooring with a whimsical “rug” made of artificial turf…a sophisticated picnic touch, if you will. A generously sized outdoor table and chairs in colors that match the overall look of the cabana set the stage for a meal among friends.
For a centerpiece I simply dropped an asparagus fern into a terra cotta urn and added a bromeliad air plant for some additional interest. Talk about easy and affordable…plus, neither of these plants needs much water at all, so it is virtually carefree!
Hot pink votive holders planted with succulents brighten the scene and are just as low-maintenance as the larger centerpiece. A casual sea grass runner ties the whole ensemble together.
To continue the hot pink theme, I picked up a couple of outdoor accent pillows from Pottery Barn for the captain’s chairs. Although I like to use custom pillows when I can, this was a quick and affordable way to add some last-minute luxury!
Next to the grill, a peaceful Asian statue offers a hand towel and helpful utensils to the chef…
…and an unfurling Australian tree fern and eye-catching, dark-leafed begonias fill an empty corner.
And that’s it…with the decor in place, all we need now is a crowd!
See you next month,
dk
