Some days, I’m just doing the afternoon dishes and I look up and oh my word, there are grapevines growing in my backyard.  Y’all know I love wine, I drink my fair share of it, and even dream of starting a wine blog someday.  Life is good, you’ll get no complaints from me.  I’m still pinching myself that we were given the opportunity to redeem American Express Rewards points to spruce up our sad patio.  Thanks so much to all of you who shared your input two weeks ago. 

We thought about the purpose of this space, and it’s mostly for lounging and sharing a beverage with friends.  The BBQ is up on this patio, so my mister and I envision a place where the family and friends can seek shade and visit with the BBQ Master (aka Mr. CG) while he cooks up his latest concoctions on the grill. 

I decided on a simple and breezy ‘fits the style of my yard’ design, one that wouldn’t compete with the view of the vines. This patio plan is filled with natural wood tones and woven textures, to be decorated in neutral shades of taupe and cream, with pops of green and yellow.  I’m so excited to pull this all together!

There is no place for shade in our yard, so a seasonal covering was essential to the design plan.  We chose a 12’ x 12’ cabana that is on its way, also some outdoor cushions and pillows, as well as some accessories for sharing a beverage while meals are prepped.  I love the idea of enchanting lighting, so I’ll definitely be hanging mini lanterns!  Some new plantings around the corners will be nice, perhaps some olive or citrus trees in pots.  I’ll link to all the items in the big reveal. 

Wine barrels are readily available for cheap in these parts, so I foresee one or two DIY projects in my near future for this patio.  I’m inspired by these uses for wine barrels, and I’m sure I can pull off a less expensive version! 

Wine barrel cooler; tiered planter; endtable 

That’s the plan, I’m hoping to have something to show y’all in the next two weeks!  All of this courtesy of the American Express Rewards Program, who are also sponsoring today’s giveaway, a $100 gift card to Home Depot! 

Want a chance to win it? 

Eligibility to win the $100 gift card to Home Depot:

1) Answer this question: What would you do with a $100 gift card to Home Depot?  Some paint or a new faucet?  Perhaps an outdoor project of your own?  Simply share your home improvement need for a chance to win.

2) For additional chances to win, link to this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter, then leave additional comment(s) stating where you linked (FB or Twitter).

One winner only, chosen at random.  Giveaway ends Monday June 6th at 10 p.m. PST.

I’m off to the salvage yard, my head filled with ideas! 

Good luck in the giveaway, and happy weekend !!

Disclosure: I have been provided with 150,000 complimentary American Express Membership Rewards points to spruce up this outdoor space.

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Some people have written to me asking, “Hey Kate, we’ve seen the close-ups of your flowering plants, but why have you never given us a full tour of your backyard?” 

*crickets* 

Okay, I’ll be completely frank. There are sections of our yard I’m rather proud of, like our grapevines, my lavender plants and my perennial beds which give me gorgeous blooms. Then there are sections that, truth be told, are still in an unfinished state, hence the silence on the backyard tour. 

We have a very nice courtyard area next to the house (will show that on Thursday at the ‘Outdoor Ideas’ par-tay) but we also have a large patio area we’ve never fixed up, times are tight doncha know.  We’ve grown Syrah grapes in our back hill for the last ten years (you can spy them growing to the left) and this is the one area of our yard that has the best view.  But as you can see, as of today, this space has nothing going for it except a pretty good BBQ.  

I have a decent set of outdoor furniture, but my cushions are several years old and the fabric is ripped and in my opinion, pretty gross.  This patio zone has been in need of some serious help for some time.  The other day, I was contacted by American Express Membership Rewards, offering me access to points to show people how to spruce up an outdoor space.  Count me in, cause I have the perfect space that is in dire need! 

The assignment?  Create a stylish outdoor space that provides shade and comfort to relax and entertain guests in the summer months.  Also, we plan to fill in this circular patio (below) I mentioned earlier this year as part of our Home Goals of 2011.   I’m not quite sure how at the moment, but I’m looking at all options, including mosaic tile and various stones. 

I need your advice.  I’m still coming up with a design plan, but I need to know, what do you see happening in this space?  A pergola or cabana?  An outdoor rug, new cushions, planters, a few outdoor accessories?  That’s what I have in mind so far.  I would love to hear what you think I should do.  Those of you who have tackled this kind of patio, what do you recommend?  Tile, flagstone, slate, cement?  Do share your tips.

I will be redeeming points and shopping at these specific retailers: Home Depot, Kohls, Crate + Barrel, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and Restoration Hardware.  There is so much potential here, so stay tuned for all the updates over the next few weeks as we transform this space with a few DIY projects!

Disclosure: I have been provided with 150,000 complimentary American Express Membership Rewards points to spruce up this outdoor space. 

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Hey everybody, hope you moms had a relaxing Mother’s Day!  Last week, I spent a few hours constructing a media and storage center for our Alma Project.  I struggled for weeks on how to accomplish this task, at first scouring thrift stores and Craigslist for bookcases with no luck.  Why is it so hard to find two solid wood matching bookcases these days?  I contemplated either going to IKEA or having them built, but the bid came in at $400 which I was not willing to spend. 

My parents came to the rescue.   They moved all their belongings last week and they happened to have two solid bookcases they didn’t need anymore since they’re downsizing, so they generously donated them to this project. 

To create the new media center, I reused the existing TV stand and paired it with the donated bookshelves, one on each side.  Then I purchased two new pressboard shelves for the top and between the bookcases.  I primed the pieces, then assembled them all together and painted it all white to create one large wall unit.  And we did it all for under $60 dollars.

Here is what the family room wall looked like a few weeks ago:

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Here is the wall after we constructed a new media and storage center:

Fantastic right? 

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You’re all going to think I’m cah-ray-zah-eee.  Cuckoo.  Send me to the funny farm.  But let it be heard all across the land, I’m doing even more tweaking in our master bedroom.  After months of debate, it’s been settled that we will be keeping much of the dark wood antique furniture in the space including two dressers and an armoire.  The dark wood pieces are a little old fashioned for my taste, so I’ve got to design around them and give the space more modern appeal.  

I decided to freshen a bit more with the colors I love: gray, blue, green, white and bronze, and also bring in some textural elements like the woven shades I had cut today at Lowes, plus some other linen textiles too.

I’m also making another huge change.  Don’t freak out, but I’m painting over last year’s stenciled lattice wall.  *audible gasp*   Yes, I am actually going to do it.  I have to if I’m going to change the paint color in my room to coordinate with the new bedding, but fear not, the good news is I still have the stencil and I can always recreate it again. 

There is a method to my madness.  I’ve been in love with this mirror and this bedding for quite some time, so when I discovered I could snag both at a discount I took the plunge.  I reason if I spend 30+% of my day in my bedroom, it should be a reflection of everything I love.  And the mister too.   I’m supposed to say that.  (Got to factor in the husband’s tastes too, nothing too floral or girly, right?)  

Just recently I found this bench at Home Goods, but the zebra fabric didn’t work for my room. Now it’s now recovered in spa blue velvet (a score at $3 for a remnant) and the legs refinished in Krylon’s ‘Caramel Latte’ spray paint, plus nailhead trim too. 

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Hello hello, happy Monday!  Hope you had a great weekend!  There’s a lot going on this week around here.  Wish I had a ‘finished’ project to reveal today, but nope, just a whole lotta ‘works in progress’.   I have a fun craft to show you tomorrow, but today is a holiday, a slow Monday, a day to sit around in my pajamas with my kiddos.  Here’s just a few tidbits, musings, and thoughts from the past weeks.

First, I must share, I’m really enjoying this book with my morning coffee.  Don’t you love the cover?  And the teaser?  “An encyclopedia of forgotten yet delightful chic, useful, curious and otherwise commendable things from times gone by.” 

It’s filled with all those nostalgic things we treasure from the good ol’ days and hunt for at flea markets, plus the novelties we spy in old movies and hear about from our grandparents. 

Why yes think we should bring back braids, car tail fins, double features, kitten heels, pocket watches, and wicker baskets on bicycles ! 

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Next, the sad and happy news.  A tragedy occurred in our household a few weeks ago.  My Nikon D60 clicked its last.  I was snapping away.  Click!  Click!  Click!  Then all of a sudden I heard this. 

Cah-click.  Cah-click.  Cah…… 

Then nothing. 

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