Now all my scavenged deck furniture is looking good, don't you think?
This is where we were:
See the settee? It was the last man standing (with a man lying down on it!). That plaid had to go!
Otherwise, not bad: A good amount of this deck furniture covered with nice Sunbrella fabric that resists everything and always looks as good as new.
To recap my deck furniture journey:
The fake-y wicker, which by the way is a fabulous use of plastic and metal, because real wicker requires an enclosed porch or preferably room and constant upkeep (and no cats), was given to me by generous friends. It consists of settee, two chairs, and a coffee table, including cushions with a jungle print of ugliness. Once again, sorry if you are a jungle print fan. But not only is it hideous and ridiculous (we don't actually have any sort of jungle vibe going on out there), it was always dirty-looking, even when just scrubbed.
The iron furniture was a Craigslist find. Settee, chair, ottoman, and two tables for $150. I truly was in fear that the man would change his mind between the time I told him I'd be there and when I actually got there (after making Will borrow a neighbor's truck, because we foolishly, shortsightedly did not have a pickup back then, opting instead for a vehicle to move children around).
At first I wasn't sure about the coverings, but actually they ended up being really practical. Water just drains through and they never look dirty, other than the obvious dinginess of the original style — I wish that the settee had just been the dark brown of the chair and ottoman.
Here is a before of all my deck furniture, if you are interested, including me spray-painting that iron! And it can use a touch-up, which I will get to after we are done with the bathrooms.
Anyway, last year the seams started going on the plaid cushions — and I could procrastinate no more!
I had found the Sunbrella on Fabric.com for the world's cheapest price of $5.94 a yard when I was recovering the wicker.
Now it seems to be around $21-25 a yard, which is fine until you need 10 yards.
I just looked at the sale prices and tried to find something that I could live with. I didn't want anything light or loud, figuring I could jazz things up with the pillows — and the little waves pattern went really well — miraculously well — with the existing coverings of the iron furniture (honestly, it just reads as solid brown) — important, because I also didn't want to do more than the wicker. I just… couldn't.
Edited to add: Here is the fabric close up:
And to let you know that this is not in any way a sponsored post. I'm just telling you exactly how it went and why!
I know that sounds a little silly, but we are always on a budget, of course, and also I just couldn't face crawling around, wrestling with the big pieces, and the anxiety that always haunts big projects like this — will the fabric be enough, is it actually a good purchase given the use, will I like it, will I do a good enough job to justify the effort and expense, blah blah blah.
So I compromised.
This compromise means that when I was ready to do the job, I couldn't find the fabric. So we limped along last year. This year I found it (I would occasionally just do a Google search) for the not unreasonable if un-astounding price of $15 a yard, on ebay (with some pricey shipping, boo), so four yards later I was in business.
I will say that the old fabric really has stood up. There is virtually no difference between the old and the new, which ought to impress you, as we are always leaving the cushions out under the maple tree, in the rain, under the dog and cat, etc.
I like how the dark brown goes with the dark brown of my also fake wicker outdoor dining chairs. (Can you spot the cat under there?)
The dark brown of the chair and ottoman are in perfect condition, so I'm just keeping them as they are. (You have got to hand it to the manufacturer — they are probably 50 years old, I'm guessing.)
I have to say, I love it all! We are always so comfy out there — we can sit and chat or read for hours. Total cost for the living area — furniture, spray paint, fabric, and pillows: about $285. If I had known that the Sunbrella would be so worth the time, effort, and money and had bought enough to start with, the cost would have been $212. Ah well.
Tell me what you think!
Claire says
What a lesson in savvy living!!
It looks super inviting and comfortable. I particularly like how the pillows give it a fresh, summery look.
Bet you’ll have someone out there all summer!
Barbaral says
Nice work Leila…you should be proud!!! Thank you for the inspiration…
Jen says
Looks great–very impressive! I also find myself hedging on DIY purchases for all the reasons you so well articulated. I keep needing to remind myself not to let perfection get in the way of good (or whatever the adage is). Thanks for the motivation to tackle some projects I have been hemming and hawing over for far too long!
elizabeth k says
I learned this late(r) in life: “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good” – Voltaire
Dixie says
Leila, how do you decide on the right measurements when you’re cutting to make the cushion covers? I have read all sort of different ways of measuring (measure all the way around the pillow and add seam allowance, measure and add one inch, measure and subtract one inch, etc.), and I never seem to get it quite right. How do you like to do it?
Leila says
Dixie, sorry that I somehow missed this question.
I don’t have an easy answer for you. If you really have trouble figuring it out, try doing it on inexpensive muslin first. Remember to take into account the depth of the fabric and where you want your seams to end up (you want the nicest seam in the front, obviously).
Definitely add a little extra for the seam allowance, especially for the side that you will be sewing up after you put the cushion in.
And take into account the width of your fabric so you can lay the pieces out with the least waste.
Julie says
Lovely!
Julie C
Mary C says
It looks great! So inviting and conducive to conversation and relaxation! I especially like the print on your pillows! When my kids grow up Id like to do the same. For now our deck is overtaken with water table, plastic pool, and matchbox cars.
Kathia says
Wonderful! I love seeing beautiful settings created out of great deals. We have some of that same fake wicker. Fabulous stuff. Ours is putting up nicely with salty humid air, lots of sandy dust, and kids.
elizabeth k says
When is the party?! 😀 It turned out beautifully – and now has me wondering why have I not made cushions for our deck chairs ( Adirondack) – they are not as comfortable as I bet they would be with cushions.
Margaret Thom says
Looks really good. Wish I lived in a country where we could sit outside like that. Not worth the effort in Scotland!!! Well done, very impressive. Enjoy.
Nancy says
They look great! Always enjoy seeing and learning how to take something that is thrifted, handed down, etc and make it like new.
Laura says
It looks wonderful! Very impressive! I have a set of patio furniture that very badly needs some attention… MAYBE I’ll get to it this summer. Or one of the hundreds of other house projects calling my name…
Speaking of sprucing up the home, have you ever talked about how to hone your decorating style when you are on a single income and everything must be thrifted or DIY, etc.? I think you have mentioned before that you would decorate differently if you had more money. That is my problem. How on earth do you hone in on one aesthetic and then stick to it when everything must be put together so piece-meal and you can’t foresee what styles will be coming to you next? Does that make any sense?
Leila says
Laura, sorry for taking so long (!) to answer this comment — I have posted about this here: http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2009/03/make-do-carafe-and-getting-your-style/
http://www.likemotherlikedaughter.org/2015/07/ask-auntie-leila-setting-up-housekeeping-building-a-home/
And elsewhere too. It’s just a matter of training your eye. And accepting that your style will be an emerging sort of thing! 🙂
Kari says
Nice! I understand sunbrella fabric, but with what do you stuff them so they are cushiony but not yucky after rain? Also, do you store them inside in the winter?
Thanks!
Kari
Lisa G. says
Good for you! All ready at the beginning of the season, to be enjoyed all summer.