Sunday, May 28, 2017

Table Top Becomes Courtyard Patio!




Our new Patio- Courtyard... made from a salvaged patio table top.




We had a patio table top someone had gotten rid of... it was metal with tile and was beautiful, but there were no legs.














There was a broken tile on one side, which was why the people didn't want to bother with it. We figured it would still be good as a table if it had a base.

After all, it was a beautiful table top! 









 We were going to sell it, but then I had an idea. I tend to think "outside the box" especially for garden ideas... and I wondered, "What about turning this tabletop into a small patio?" I knew my guys would shoot the idea down, but I voiced it anyway.

 I was surprised when I mentioned it first to Son #2 and he thought it was a possibility.. then to my husband and he liked the idea.  They checked it over and agreed it would be strong enough since it was metal with tile on top... and they agreed it was a good idea. Wow! So we looked for a good place.

 We decided on the area outside of the back garden... it's an area I just haven't ever figured out what would be nice there. We have some surprise lilies at the back, but it's just one of those areas we don't use much at all.... SO... I asked about putting it there.

You can't see it very well, but it's the best picture I could find.

 I drank tea while I contemplated how this project should be done. I enjoy tea on the deck in the morning.




 What fun that my husband was willing to do the project... and started right away.  :)




 The digging has started!  First, my husband put the table top on the ground where we wanted it and then cut into the grass all around the edge, making a pattern.

After he lifted the table top off, he started digging out the center and put the dirt into the wheelbarrow.









 Son #4 was working on the project also and here he is putting the table top down on the dug-out area to test it. They did this a few times.. and that table top is HEAVY!

They took it back off and dug some more.









When they had enough dirt off, they added sand. (They used sandbags that were leaking from being carried in the back of a pickup all winter. Then new ones can be used next winter.)













Another test... getting closer.

By the way, the center of the table top has a hole for a patio umbrella, so my husband used a can lid and caulk to seal it to the bottom and it is working well. I plan to paint it to match the brown in the center section, but haven't yet.







Dirt was added under to finish up the leveling process.
















Okay.... it's done...  now what? It looks okay, BUT now it was time to make it look nice.

It's not a large patio... only 5 feet in diameter.....  so there isn't a LOT of room, yet I wanted to add something to make it inviting... and useful.




I added a chair and table... both are plastic. I didn't want to take a chance on using metal that may be too sharp or heavy for the patio. It is a table top, after all.  :)

I also didn't want a leg to get stuck down in the spot where the hole had been for the patio umbrella.

That was better... but it needed something.





Next I put a hanging basket of flowers and some lilies. That was better, but the hanging basket of flowers was newly planted and didn't show up much. Plus, overall it didn't look right yet. More brainstorming..













 You can see the small patio out there, but it looks uninspiring... and it NEEDED something.....












We had an old gateway arbor not being used.... it's not in perfect shape, but I really liked how it tied the area together. We opened the gates and left them open so it provides a nice backdrop to our new little patio area.

I also put a hanging pot of purple petunias ( a gift from my husband!) in place of  the other hanging pot and it added that "pop" of color that really helped.

I have thought of putting a wrought iron decoration on the fence inside the arbor area, but haven't found anything yet... it will have to be something I already have or something at a very cheap price from a garage sale. I will wait and see what God provides... or will use it the way it is. Either way, I like it.  :)



 Here you can see the patio area with some long thin garden beds in front.. that "bush" is our peas! They did great this year!  :) 


 The next picture shows looking through the pea plants. 





























We like our new little Patio Courtyard area. Now, the area that was a bit of an eyesore, has an appeal all its own.

I have looked out the window two different mornings, so far,  to see my husband using the new Patio Courtyard to read his Bible.  :)




























I'm really enjoying our new little Patio Courtyard and I love how it looks.


There's always something to do when you own a house.. something to fix... or to fix up. It's amazing how sometimes just a small change can make a big difference. It's also nice when the supplies are free! It doesn't always happen, but when it does, it is extra special.  :)









The morning sun on the backyard gardens is so beautiful. I love this time of the year. Thank you for visiting....  I hope you are enjoying gardens and growing things also.

































Shared on:

Talk of the Town
Make It Pretty Monday
Tip Tuesday
Gardens Galore
Dishing it and Digging it
Scraptastic Saturday
Simple Saturdays
Friday Frivolity
Blogger's Pit Stop
Share Your Cup Thursday
Vintage Charm
Wednesday AIM Linky Party
Homemaking Party
Friends Sharing Tea
Wise Woman
Tuesdays w/ a Twist

Inspire Me Tuesday
Project Inspire(d)
Cooking and Crafting w/ J and J
Modest Mom Monday
Art of Homemaking Monday
Over the Moon Link Party


Featured on:

Vintage Charm Party


48 comments:

  1. What a cute idea! How precious to see your husband studying his Bible out your window. May is my favorite month of the year but I have missed it due to bathroom remodel which is much needed so I will not whine too much. : )

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    1. Thank you... and yes, it was precious. I love May also... I hope your remodel goes well and you enjoy it soon. Remodels are a LOT of work! :)

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  2. Your new 'patio' looks like such a. nice place to sit and read or just enjoy the outdoors. Adding the old gateway really did the trick to make it look complete.

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    1. Thank you... I liked how the old gateway seemed to frame the area. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  3. How pretty, and what a neat idea! Your back yard is just beautiful. What a lovely place to view as you sip your tea. :)

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    1. Thank you... I do enjoy the back yard... and the extra sitting area and focal point is certainly appealing. :) Nice to hear from you.

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  4. So cute your new patio at your lovely garden!Thanks for sharing!

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  5. What a great idea to use the table top in your yard.
    Thanks for sharing at C&C with J&J.

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    1. Thank you! I smile when I look out and see that pretty area out there. :)

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  6. I had a top just like that but got rid of mine. Darn it.
    Love how you repurposed it.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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    1. Oh, that's a shame! I love how this project turned out.. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  7. That is really cute! You did a great job here on your yard! I see that mug of tea too! Thanks for sharing and linking.

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    1. That mug of tea was wonderful! Yum. :) We are sure enjoying the results of the Patio Courtyard project. Thank you for visiting.

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  8. What a wonderful way to repurpose a patio table! Your courtyard patio looks great. I'm sure you'll enjoy many happy moments there.

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    1. Thank you... I was shocked when my guys approved this project... They caught the vision quite quickly and I love how it turned out. :) So glad you visited.

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  9. I love thinking outside the box.

    Your garden is lovely.

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    1. I like thinking outside that box too... I have to throw out some ideas, but then again, there are some really good ones out there. :) Thank you so much.. glad you visited.

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  10. Your yard is so lovely and fun. Your table mosaic looks perfect as a patio foundation. Great idea.

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    1. Our yard is a busy place w/ all of us using it... and I like trying to keep it usable... and pretty without tons of work!! :) Thank you for visiting.

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  11. You have a beautiful yard and your new patio so lovely! Great idea to use the table top! Now you don't have to move the chair when you mow! Your garden is way ahead of mine!
    Blessings,
    Nancy

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment! It is nice that the chair doesn't have to be moved... my guys don't like obstacles in the mowing! Our gardens are such a work in progress, aren't they? Add something here and there... change something at another time.... we have been working on our gardens here for almost 21 years!! :) Thank you for visiting.

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  12. Your tiny patio is totally adorable! I was about to comment that it looks like the perfect place to rest after working in your lovely vegetable garden! But then I read that your husband was using it in the early mornings for Bible study. How awesome. I think its perfect.
    :) gwingal

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    1. Thank you... we are sure enjoying it. It looks different through the day... the morning sun highlights it, the shade in the afternoon looks inviting and the evening sun brightens the area. :) I am really enjoying having that new little patio.... even just for its visual charm and the use it is getting is a real plus too. :)

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  13. Wow! What a clever girl you are! I would never have thought to make a small patio out of a tabletop! Love the arbor backdrop.

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    1. Thank you! I have used some strange things in my garden and people have been surprised to learn what they were originally... but it is fun to use freebies like this and enjoy them. :) I think that arbor backdrop just pulled it all together and completed the project. Thank you for visiting.. I loved reading your comment.

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  14. Such a super cute idea! I adore your yard!

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    1. Thank you... we like our yard, but it is not just for looks, so those pretty areas are interwoven w/ the not so pretty areas that are just for use... like the shed, bikes, lawn mowers, etc. but it works well for us. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  15. Such a clever repurpose! Just wanted to let you know you are being featured at tomorrow's Vintage Charm party!

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  16. Such a fantastic way to use this table top! A very special place to sit in your garden now.

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    1. Thank you. It is a great place to sit... and I love how it looks from the house.. a great focal point. :)

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  17. Truly inspired way to utilize a neat tile top. You have created a wonderful space for relaxing, I like the arbor too.

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    1. Thank you... I really enjoyed your comment. :)

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  18. Here's another item to add to my "look for at yard sales" list! Adorable; it made a unique space! I'd be tempted to litter it with pots of flowers and a birdbath or a gazing ball! A space where weeds can't grow in MY yard is always priceless! It's beautiful.

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    1. Flowers and a birdbath or gazing ball would be wonderful... I love the look of an area out where it had been just an undefined/wasted space. I hope you find one.... I wouldn't have thought to look for such a thing, but when I had one, it seemed like a good idea. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  19. Fabulous idea for upcycling. Looks pretty too!

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  20. Wow, you really thought outside the box.. what a great idea and it looks so nice in your garden! Thanks for sharing at Gardens Galore!

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    1. I was so glad to find a way to use that beautiful table top! I knew I would not use it as a table even if we could find a base for it, so this worked well. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  21. It would have never occurred to me to use the tabletop as a patio area, such pretty tile!

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    1. I had never considered such a thing either, until I had that table top available. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  22. Your clematis is gorgeous. I can see so much love and work in your post. How nice to have your husband involved and working along your side. Great to see him enjoying reading his bible in the new area. Warmed your heart I'm sure.

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    1. Thank you... we do enjoy that clematis.. and the garden... and it was special to have my husband involved. Seems like it is usually my kids and I that do the projects, so this was special.... and you're right... I love seeing him reading his Bible out there. :) Thank you for visiting.

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  23. It is actually a lovely little sitting area. Thank you for sharing it on Tip Tuesday.

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    1. Thank you... I love it when an idea turns out great like this. :)

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