Weekend life: courtyard makeover

If you looked in my wardrobe two years ago all you would have found would be 50 shades of black.

Couldn’t get enough of it. It was where my head was at.

I didn’t think I could do colour so I played it safe. And that’s ok.

Then something happened. Suddenly I couldn’t get enough of orange, red, coral and now chartreuse and any shade of neon.

And whenever I now wear black it feels like a novelty.

So, it was not surprising (to me anyway) that the next part of my life to get a splash of colour would be our house.

Now, to the rest of the family, this all came as a bit of a shock.

What had been bubbling away in my head for some time, spilled over to real life the day I came home with my first coloured cushion purchase. And just kept bubbling.

By the time the cushion population had increased 800%, the eye rolls finally stopped and I could just get on with my vision.

And that vision was to “accessorise” our lounge room and courtyard with pieces that could be moved from one space to the other … as we did.

Our courtyard is one of the favourite bits we love about our little house but up until now we’d really under utilised it. Not enough cocktails had been consumed on weekend summer afternoons for my liking.

Mainly because there wasn’t anywhere to just sit and hang.

Now, with this courtyard makeover, we don’t have any storage so any soft furnishings that go into the courtyard have to live inside when we’re not living outside … if you get my drift.

This meant a lightening and brightening inside too. And that’s very ok with me.

So, come on a little photographic journey as I show you some of the “accessories” that are colouring my home life right now.

And never fear, I’m not an interiors blogger … not by a long shot. I just like fun stuff to make my living space a nice place in which to hang … pass me the cocktail please.

Before

After

Cushions. There are always cushions involved. These ones are from Peoni Home.

Practical features? This retro food server keeps flies off food. Fun features? It’s bright, colourful and fun. Bought at Willow & Bird. Table: Ikea.

I fell in love with these Freedom Furniture chairs when they were first released. Nothing’s changed. Still love them. Comfortable, weather resistant and retro. So retro, I remember as a toddler, jumping excitedly on one and putting my leg through it. These 2012 versions are helping me to finally move on from the psychological trauma

Let’s talk about the virtues of an indoor/outdoor rug, shall we? When not outside, this Brita Sweden rug from Down That Little Lane gives us a little something soft underneath our feet outside. It’s made from soft plastic foil, which is a cleaning bonus when drinks and canapes are shared here in abundance. The rug is the BUSINESS. It is.

This tangerine Table Tonic pouffe is a new addition (already had the silver one under my desk). When small child and teenagers are not around then they serve as ideal foot rests. Should said offspring join us for an afternoon drinkie and a slab of brie, then they serve as extra seating.

That little chartreuse table and blue mat? Freedom. Lantern? Ikea. Vintage-style bottles? Willow & Bird.

Let’s talk about the mood lighting, shall we? I sent Mr SY on a mission to IKEA. He’s good like that, working in the city and all. They’re solar powered, cheap as chips and just make things look so pretty.

More cushion love here with flamingos from Freedom and Keren Brown pineapples from Willow & Bird.

The beauty of only using accessories to decorate means that no two afternoons spent in the courtyard look the same. That blue cushion? Freedom. The “heart” hurricane lantern? Willow & Bird.

But let’s talk flamingos, shall we? I bought these from Retro Flamingos. They make me smile.

 

And of course, there’s always a drink served up. This one? Cointreau, blood orange, mint and soda. Yep, very good.

Cheers! It’s summer tomorrow. Do you have an outside space that makes you smile? Do you love a cushion or 16?