Friday, May 29, 2015

patio makeover with ae outdoor

*This post is sponsored by AE Outdoor (aeoutdoor.com).

Hey friends! Happy Friday! It's my kiddos last day of school which means it's my last 6 am wake-up call until mid-August.....and that my friends, is reason to celebrate! I am so pumped for summer break. It seems like the perfect day to share the makeover I gave our patio area as I know I'll surely be spending loads of time hanging here with friends and family this summer.

You might remember a few weeks ago when I gave you a little preview of our patio makeover in this Saturday Style Mix post featuring this fun zebra print dress.
patio makeover with ae outdoor
But really fast, before we get to the full reveal let's take a little trip down memory lane. Way, way back in the beginning of my blogging days, like back in 2010, one of the first projects I completed was this paver patio (with pavers from Lowe's). I'm sure you'll not be surprised to hear that my dad helped me with this one. (I tend to recruit his help on the biggies.) Where you see pavers now was previously filled with gravel and mud. Without a doubt this paver project made a huge difference in how our backyard looks and functions! If you've been thinking about a backyard patio project.......do it.......you will not regret it!


For years we used this patio area as an outdoor dining room.


But after we screened-in the deck above this patio we found that we no longer needed an outdoor dining area.......why eat here, when you can eat at the table on the screened porch and not have to deal with all the buggies? So to make a long story short, we decided to change this area into an outdoor living space. Something a bit more comfy and conducive to lounging and socializing with friends and family while the kids are playing in the backyard.

Enter the awesome new furniture from AE Outdoor!

Thanks to this awesome Bethany 6 pc deep seating set, our patio has now become my favorite spot to relax and unwind after a long day.

patio makeover - outdoor living

Apart from the fact that this outdoor furniture looks and feels more like indoor furniture, I also loved that AE Outdoor sent fabric swatches (a service they offer free of charge!). I just love companies that send fabric swatches. It really makes design planning so much easier......especially when you're purchasing something online.

AE Outdoor furniture provides fabric swatches

I love how deep and comfy this seating is, and I love this mix of colors with these zigzag patterned pillows. Also, I'm pretty much head over heels in LOVE with the cane weaving! Like total major love! This set is such a great combination of fun and traditional! It's such great quality too (rust proof aluminum with a 5 year warranty!), and you can't beat sunbrella fabrics for your outdoor spaces!

patio makeover with AE Outdoor furniture

I think one way to make an outdoor living space feel more welcoming and more like an indoor space is by bringing in elements that are traditionally used inside only. I gave this mirror (I found at Hobby Lobby) a little outdoor makeover with some white outdoor acrylic paint. I hung it with manila rope from two plant hooks screwed into the roof, so that I wouldn't have to drill into the brick walls. I think the mirror creates a focal point on this brick wall and makes this whole patio area feel more like a living room.

add a mirror to your outdoor living space to create a welcoming look

I love that these ottomans are so versatile! Pop a tray on top and together they make the perfect coffee table or separate them for side tables. Then if you need extra seating just remove the tray.

add a tray to an outdoor ottoman to create a coffee table


patio - raised box herb garden


More on this raised box herb garden found here.

I also "made" a side table by simply turning a planter upside down and topping it with a round basket tray I found at Restore and spray painted white. Simple. Easy. Effective.



The truth is though that while the little accessories do add to the welcoming vibe of the space, the star of this patio show is the new outdoor furniture.


More on the potting bench and our 2015 summer list found here.

summer list on chalkboard shutters

paver patio - potting bench

This furniture is so comfy! I may never leave this spot all summer long!

patio makeover with AE Outdoor

It's the perfect cozy spot to relax and watch the kiddos swing.

patio/backyard swings

But as much as I love hanging out here during the day, I love it even more at night! With the lights, candles and a fire burning it's the perfect place for a quiet at home date night........s'mores are the cherry on top of a perfect Sunday evening (see what I did there?)!

patio makeover - at night
Deets on the fire pit found here.

AE Outdoor furniture (both their 2015 and 2014 collections) can be purchased through the AE Outdoor website and through their retailers listed here. I can't say enough good things about the design and quality of this furniture! I'm totally in love! You can find out more about AE Outdoor by following their blog. They're also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

*Thanks to AE Outdoor for sponsoring this post. The opinions, thoughts and pure love for this outdoor furniture set are completely genuine. Thanks for supporting Our Fifth House sponsors!

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