Well, the weather has finally warmed up! And this year to make the most of my patio I am treating it to a ’spring makeover’.
When decorating a room in the house I find it easier if I choose one element as a focal or ‘jumping off’ point – maybe a fabric I like or a piece of furniture that I couldn’t bare to part with. And then I choose toning wall colours and floor coverings. So – as I use my patio as a dining area – it makes sense to start with the table as the focal point.
I like to cover my teak table with an oil cloth if i am dining outside. It makes more of an occasion of alfresco dining – and it is much easier to clean than a slatted table-top! It is also an inexpensive and practical way to bring a bit of colour into the garden. Because my red gingham oil-cloth has seen better days I’ve been surfing the net for a replacement. Red gingham looks great teamed with bright red geraniums – but my new garden is too shady to do justice to those sun-loving blooms so it is time to move on!
I love the lavender and sage greens in this retro-looking oil-cloth - it’s inspired a few ideas! The new extension is ready to be painted and instead of the original cream colour I am considering a very soft sage green. And I think I will update the cushion pads using lavender fabric – so I’ll be sitting pretty (and comfortably!) on those long warm evenings that I am dreaming of.
The patio pots are ready to be planted up – and as I am still waiting for my raised bed I am going to start off some herbs and lavender in the pots (I can always plant them on later). Lavender is great for attracting the bees that fruit and veg need to thrive – and the soft green leaves of rosemary and sage are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Why not update your patio with a new, easy-to-clean oil-cloth – who knows what it will inspire!
That is a very good idea for an oil cloth. If you have kids, you could have them design one and use that for the table cover. Then you can brag about how creative your children are when company comes over.