Hi everyone. If you have been reading this blog long you know I favor a collected look in my home, my garden, and even my own personal fashion style. Why? A collected look has personality, interest, and history. By choosing to avoid a matchy-matchy look you can infuse your own personality and individual style into your designs. You can read more about my philosophy in this post The Collected Look How to Get It. For now, let’s chat about How to Achieve a Collected Look on Your Patio.
Our new home has beautiful outdoor spaces. The former owners planted beautiful mature trees, and thoughtful plantings, with beautiful details. When we saw the home we knew it was meant to be ours. In order to make it more personal and collected, here is what we are going to do: You can read about how I did it in my former garden in this post, The Collected Look in my Garden, How you can Get It.
HOW TO ACHIEVE A COLLECTED LOOK ON YOUR PATIO
If you desire a more collected look on your patio, follow these simple steps.
Let’s begin with a blank slate. This is what it looked like with our furniture just plopped down in a line on the back patio area. Not very interesting, right?
It is a great space, but it needs personality. We brought in the big pots to replace the small ones that housed some small roses. We will use them in the front courtyard. After moving our patio furniture from our current home, and our home depot bargain chairs, I thought yikes this space needs some love. In the larger pots, we will plant polka climbing roses (a new rose to me but highly recommended). You can purchase the polka rose on Amazon here. I photoshopped some in below. I like the color combination against the house.
Isn’t it amazing what the addition of plants alone can do to break up an area. When I took this photo we did not even have cushions on the chairs. To the area on the left, I am going to add some vintage shutters and a mirror that we already own( very well priced )here, an inexpensive outdoor coffee table/ottoman from World Market. I will utilize one of the olive standards that we already own to the great inexpensive home depot chairs here. Sorry the scale is off with my amateur mock up. FYI the Home Depot chairs do not look like that on the back when they are screwed tight. My husband forgot his tools that day.
In the middle area we are using the Suzanne Kasler for Ballard Designs sofa and chairs that we already own (highly recommended for their quality) as well as the coffee table that our friend Jim made. I shared my pillow plan for the furniture in this post How to Select a Harmonious Color Pallette for a Pool Area here,
On the right (under the kitchen window) I am ordering either this (kinda pricey) console from Pottery Barn or this less expensive but just as good option also from PB. I will add two of the potted topiaries on either side that we already own. The console will double as a serving area when we entertain (hopefully often). I will add some plants and vintage items to the console for interest. On the far right under the kitchen window is our beautiful zinc top table that our friend Jim built for us. It is surrounded by those great Home Depot Chairs that so many of you have purchased. The pendant lights are from Shades of Light here. You can buy the concrete orbs at Pottery Barn here. I still need to darken the bases of the coffee and dining table.
There are a few more things I would love to add to my back patio area to finish it off. Mother’s Day is coming up! Everything is from Pottery Barn except the napkins which are from Bed Bath and Beyond. I love these spa blue melamine plates from Pottery Barn. They do not look like plastic/melamine. I own the seagrass chargers and love them. I love the rattan covered bottle ice bucket and the small covered one. The bamboo flatware I own but may need to add a few more place settings. I think the shell napkin rings would be pretty with the checked napkins from Bed Bath and Beyond. I have been “pining” for the rattan covered glasses and pitcher for several years. I am ready to have a party, how about you?
GET THE PASO PATIO LOOK
Some of the retailers are finally marking down some of their “overpriced” patio furniture.
FYI Pottery Barn has 20% off on selected Outdoor Furniture here
Williams Sonoma Home 20% off Selected Furniture
Thank you for reading How to Achieve a Collected Look on Your Patio. I hope you found some ideas that you can utilize in your own outdoor space. You might also enjoy my post How to Achieve a Collected Look on Your Porch.
On Saturday our little Summer turns four. It will be her first big birthday party and I know she will enjoy every minute of it. I will be back on Sunday with Mary Ann and Annie for our Sunday Faves
Amazing that Summer is four already. That little cutie. Love love love your patio ideas.
Thanks Mary Ann…I can’t believe she is four either!
Cindy,
What an amazing before and after. I love the space and you made it stand out. It’s going to be beautiful, and I genuinely appreciate your links to most items. I’m working with a patio and atrium in my new “cottage” and always looking for something for those two outdoor areas.
Happy Mother’s Day.
xo,
Karen B.
What a great area and look. Do you need to worry about bees and any insects
with all the climbing roses over the patio? They are active on some of our bushes
around the pool and we have had some stings!🤔🐝
Hi Char
That is interesting. In Chualar Canyon the bees never bothered my roses. They were much more interested in the lavender and other plants. This is a different area. Something to ponder for sure.
Cindy, Greetings from Pismo Beach…I was very surprised to see you had moved! Are you in the same area? I look forward to viewing your new ideas in your new home.
Last year my husband and I designed and built and adorable and functional garden house. Some windows are 120 years old. One of the subject areas I taught was Interior Design. I look for to your blogs. Thank you!
Hi Nancy
We are moving next Friday. We will be in Templeton, not that far from you!! I would love to do just what you have done. I would love to see pictures!
Oh Cindy, I’m so inspired and love all of your selections. Probably my favorite since I have many of my patio basics are your sofa pillow accents and those Pottery Barn blue plates. Napkins, woven placemats, large mirrored arch, ok I love it all!! Happy Mother’s Day, thanks for all you share with all of us!
Hi Carol
I already replied to your message but it disappeared darn it! Happy Mothers Day to you too my friend!!
I wish I had your vision for garden areas. I’m in the process of re-doing my courtyard and have a nice man to do the work but he’s not as creative as I would like. Today I’m off to the tile store to try to select the proper material for the hardscape. It all starts with that. Wish I could have you along! Your Paso home will be the new chapter of your fabulous projects.
Hi Wren
Happy to help anytime you need it, once we are neighbors!!
I do the same. I buy sets of outdoor furniture but switch out the tables for something different, and add lots of plants & shrubs, plus interesting vintage pieces as decor. You’ve bought a beautiful place Cindy and I know you’ll work your magic inside and out.
Hi Joanna
It is way more fun that way isn’t it? We think we are going to love it. Movers are coming Friday!
Cindy, I enjoy your blog very much and appreciate the lifestyle ideas. I have a problem when I click on many of the shopping links–this message comes up: “This site can’t be reached Check if there is a typo in http://www.anrdoezrs.net.” It happens on other sites, too; and is so frustrating! I’m sure it is some kind of setting on my computer, but I haven’t a clue how to resolve. Maybe you or one of your readers can enlighten me? Thanks so much.
Hi Barbara
I emailed you. I think you may have a virus. I would run your antivirus software, clear your cache,and see if you can resolve your problem.
NIce to see that you are using sources that everyone can use, not just to the Trade! roses are a great suggestion! Thanks.
Hi Susan
Thank you. I will share more of my favorite roses soon!
TOTALLY STUNNING………..cant wait to see it after YOU put your touch on it!!
CONGRATULATIONS on finding the perfect CASA!
Hi Eliz
I hope it will be. It certainly has beautiful outdoor spaces.
I just love it. It’s like vacation at a resort every day. I can’t imagine actually living there. And what you are planning is just magnif. Since it gets down into the 20’s here in the winter, I have to watch what I plant outside.
I love all the plans and am very impressed that you can do photoshop and “amateur mock-ups.” Just another of your talents. Did you take classes, or are you self taught – I bet you use it for your design biz.
LOVE IT!!! ❤️ We will need after pics…..
Hi Gray
I hope that is the feeling others (including myself) will have!!
Everything is Beautiful! I love it all!
Hi Teresa
Thank you so much. I sure Hope so!
Cindy, it looks beautiful! If is amazing how the planters, and the climbing roses completely change the look of this beautiful space. You are so incredible talented!
Happy birthday to your sweet Summer! 4! How fast they grow!
I love the collected look, and that is how my house and wardrobe is as well. Pieces from my travels, well worn books, antiques and some new pieces as well. I love it all and each time I walk past something special it brings me back to the time and place I purchased it.
I have had those chairs in my cart for weeks, I am on the fence because I have chairs that are fine and work in the space I have. And my kitchen is starting in a few weeks and the landscaping is moving on to phase 2 so I need to save my pennies.
Have a great weekend Cindy.
Hi Eliz
I sure hope we get to meet one day! There are so many choices in a new home, and unfortunately $$$$ as well. We have to make priorities, I understand.
You just can’t seem to help yourself! Everything you touch becomes beautiful!
Hi Judie
So true!! I hope you are right.