When I moved into my white house on the hill, the house came with a patio and a semi-garden, one can say. Until then, I have always lived in apartments and only had small balconies, at the best.I was thrilled by the idea of having a space to use outside as well and went on a hunt for garden furniture that would be suitable for my terrace. I never realized how expensive these are. After visiting numerous stores, I finally settled on a really inexpensive set from IKEA. I love that store and almost my entire house is furnished with items purchased there.
I have never been much for tending to anything that stands outside, except for my plants. The rest has been left to the mercy of sun, rain, wind and snow, therefore my furniture slowly but surely started to decay. I have oiled it occasionally, but that can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The fact that the furniture still stands is a clear proof of the superb quality of anything sold at IKEA.
I knew it was time to either throw it away or restore it and when my father offered to help on my parents recent visit, I happily accepted.
He did most of the hard work of stripping the old paint and sanding down the wood. I could not believe how beautiful the light wood was, which was hiding beneath the worn cover of old paint and flaky surface.
After two coats of red brown varnish, the garden furniture became fully restored to its original splendor. In fact, I have to conclude it looks better than when it was new. And for a fraction of the price.
(Please click the images to enlarge.)
19 comments:
Top marks to your father - he has done a fantastic job! I think the table and chairs look great now, although I do like the old and battered look also, especially when wood goes that lovely silvery-grey shade. I painted our garden table and chairs this year - a very nice cream colour (a photo is shown on my side-bar ...)and they will definiely be going into storage this winter!
I love the links to your Front Terrace and Lunch for One.
Have a wonderful day.
Jeanne
x
That looks like a very impressive re-make job. Kudos to your father for releasing a new life to a battered furniture and making it a masterpiece. I imagine myself sitting on the bench reading the news and/or reading "The Ingenuity Gap" :))
P.S. Have a great weekend.
Oh my!! I need restore my patio table! You have inspired me again!
It looks beautiful...
do you think your dad can come strip my table for me first??
Your dad did a great job! Wasn't that nice of him. Refurbishing the furniture has given it a new lease on life. My daddy restored a little cabinet and a couple of chairs for me a few years ago.
I agree about Ikea. I have to travel 2 1/2 hours to shop at the nearest store, but I try to drive over there at least once or twice a year.
There is no doubt your Father has done a wonderful job. So many people throw out and replace things that could be repaired or refurbished. Your garden furniture now looks great AND you have actually done something positive for the environment.
What a great project... the furniture looks great! We have a new IKEA about 90 minutes away. I've been once...it was sooo fun!
Your dad surely did Fabulous! The furniture looks so unique!
What a great job! They look fantastic! I think you chose a good color. It makes a perfect match to the green of the garden.
That is definitely great restoration work. It does match the home and garden.
Absolutely wonderful!
So glad your dad could help you and there is a memory for you in that furniture!
VERY attractive.
Hello from Denmark! Could you please email me? I need to ask you a question... :-)
Ikea rules! So do dads ;) xo
It's GORGEOUS!!!! And the pictures are great too - you should do a tutorial :)
I love the color! It's beautiful. Your dad did a great job with it! ;-) I don't live near an IKEA, but I have heard a lot of good things about that store.
Hope you had a fabulous weekend.
xoxo, Shelly
=Jeanne,
my father would be happy to hear your kind words.;))
Your garden set is indeed lovely; light colours are so suitable for the summer. Always appreciate when you stop by.;) xo
=Mahmud,
my father will be so glad hearing this.;)) Your words are the greatest compliment; hope your week is wonderful as well.;))
=Julie,
I am sure my dad would not oppose too much to a trip to sunny California.;)) Great comment as always dear friend.;)) xo
=Stevie,
yes, my father did a great job, glad yo agree.;))
How fun like IKEA; it is my favorite home/decoration store! Now, if they just would make the parking lot in front of it bigger in my city; the parking there is a true nightmare.,))
=Blogaire,
hearing you is like hearing my Irishman, he is too very aware of the environment and of recycling. He has introduced me to the beauty of vintage and second-hand stores.,))
Always happy when you stop by.;)
xo
=Betsy,
yes IKEA is definitely a great store; 90 minutes is not so bad. I have a store right in m city, however it is over-crowded at all times.;)) xo
=MelRoXx,
thank you so much, my dad will be please about all these kind words.;)) xo
=Claus,
so funny you mention the colour; we were originally thinking of keeping it clear, having the light wood showing through, but opted in the last minute to go for the original, "teak" colour. And I am happy we did, it makes the garden more alive.;))
Thank you for your always kind comments.;))
=Rajesh,
thank you so much, that was kind of you to say.;))
=Jill,
thank yo so much, my dad will be so very pleased when he learns everyone likes his handy-work.;))xo
=Jacki,
welcome to Denmark! The weather is ok so far, hope you will get to enjoy some sunny days, at least a few.;))
=Diane,
so right you are on both accounts.;)) Always glad when you stop by dear friend.;))
=Hazel,
that is so kind of you to say; thank yo.;)) As a child I always illustrated all the ext in my school books; so I have always liked making collages and to draw.;)) xo
=Shelly,
my father will indeed be happy to learn his hard work was not in vain.;)
Yes, IKEA is a great store, even though I think it used to be even better.
Thank you for your always lovely comments.;))xo
Wow! Do you think your parents would like to vacation in Canada for .. say.. a few months? ;) Your Dad is wonderfully handy. That furniture turned out beautiful.
=Hilary,
I will for sure suggest it to them.;)) But be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.;))
Thank you for all the lovely comments dear friend.;))
xo
Isn't it a great feeling when, with a little work, something gets a completely new lease of life? Very rewarding. We use plastic garden furniture out here, very good quality plastic. It's not very aesthetically pleasing, but with the harsh climate, it's probably the best choice....
=gaelikaa,
I too have a sun chair that is made of red plastic. It was left behind by the previous owners of the house. As you say, plastic is not the most beautiful material, but is very sturdy.;)
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