We live in a garden home here in Louisiana, so that means a postage stamp yard and not a lot of places for potted plants, flowers, etc.
However, we do have a sweet llittle 'courtyard' thing (actually, it's more like a glorified air shaft) where we can almost all winter enjoy breakfast or dinner out there. But, lately, it's been getting 'junked up' with pots, plant stands, etc., and becoming a bit crowded.
Now that the holidays are over, one of my main projects has been to take everything off the courtyard and then, very s-p-a-r-i-n-g-l-y put SOME things back. Yesterday, we took everything off (with the exception of the wrought iron table and chairs) and this is the mess I was left with!
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| There's the Han, my 'helpful' #1 assistant!! |
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| The charming view from the dining room-ugh! |
Lovely, right?
The first step was to thoroughly sweep up all the winter debris and wash off all the dirt from the aforementioned pots.
Already....a LITTLE better! (Maybe I should just paint the concrete a lovely lime green!)
Next, in order to take care of the lovely GREEN stuff on the concrete floor, a whole lot of bleach (I had to wait for a sunny day so it could really do its job).
Much, MUCH better; all clean...for a while! Of course, the only reason I'm able to do this is because it's in the MID-SEVENTIES at the END OF JANUARY here. Blah.
Table, chairs, a temporary centerpiece, and table setting back in place! Surely does look a whole lot better!
All week I've had in my mind yellow and black, a combination that I have never done. So, out came the black and white 'tablecloth' (actually a 54" square from HL), yellow placemats and yellow and white china. Oops....no glassware!
Starting with a white beaded plate....
...underneath a pretty yellow with an interesting border...
...topped with a cute little rooster plate. Just right for a breakfast al fresco!
I'll be sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Mop It Up Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tabletop Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Cuisine Kathleen
Show and Share
Home and Garden Thursday
Tips and Tutorials
Under the Table and Dreaming
Seasonal Sundays
Much, MUCH better; all clean...for a while! Of course, the only reason I'm able to do this is because it's in the MID-SEVENTIES at the END OF JANUARY here. Blah.
Table, chairs, a temporary centerpiece, and table setting back in place! Surely does look a whole lot better!
All week I've had in my mind yellow and black, a combination that I have never done. So, out came the black and white 'tablecloth' (actually a 54" square from HL), yellow placemats and yellow and white china. Oops....no glassware!
BEFORE...
...AFTER!!!!
Dinner or breakfast for two on a CLEAN courtyard, y'all!
Metamorphosis Monday
Mop It Up Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tabletop Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Cuisine Kathleen
Show and Share
Home and Garden Thursday
Tips and Tutorials
Under the Table and Dreaming
Seasonal Sundays
WOW!! The power of bleach and sunshine . I luv the combination of yellow and black. I especially luv your plates :-) I had a small problem with dishware, and glasses, and flatware... My one weakness :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your alfresco meal, and have a wonderful weekend.
Cheers, Gee
Yes, Gee, I certainly DO understand your 'problem!!' Thanks for visiting!
Delete~N
Oh, this is a delight little spot! Of course I'm smiling at your choice of table covering. '-)
ReplyDeleteYour table for two is a happy tablescape.
We are having crazy temps too. Yesterday in the 80s! I'm not ready to pack away my sweaters.
Sarah!
DeleteWe have the AC going here...I would MUCH rather some 50s instead of 70s!
So happy you like my table covering. Did I miss that from you???? I check with HL every week to see if they have something ELSE I can use!
Enjoy the weekend, and thank you so much for stopping by!
~N
What a transformation! You can come over and clean the green slime from my patio any time. I am always impressed with your tablescapes. This one is so bright and cheery. It would be perfect to cheer you up on a wintry day IF we ever had one!
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest, my dear, a couple of gallons of Clorox. That's about the only thing that can eat it all off!
DeleteKind of.....KIND of ....loving the temps, but worrying about what is to come: if we have mid 70s in January, what are we going to have in April? That's always the concern.
Happy Weekend!
~N
Wow. What an amazing transformation. Doesn't it feel good? Love the tablecloth and plates. I am enjoying the weather. It was 67 today. It will get cold again. We'll see what Phil says on the 2 Nd. :)
ReplyDeleteKaren
I'm kind of hoping we will have some COOLER weather; we haven't even had real winter yet! I'd happily take some 50s for highs for a while!
DeleteThank you so much for visiting!
~N
Your courtyard looks inviting and your table pretty. Your plates are lovely and unique. The tablecloth reminds me of a checkered flag (for auto racing). Perhaps you would want to do a Nascar tablescape sometime (or not)! lol
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed to be able to escape winter weather. Enjoy!
Beth: probably no NASCAR tablescapes, but the black and white works for a while!
DeleteThank you so much for visiting!
~N
Wonderful courtyard! Your table is beautiful. I love the rooster plates.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! So glad you stopped by!
Delete~N
Nothing you couldn't fix beautifuly my friend! Your B&W tableclth and the gorgeous rooster and layers of dishes, just did it, all ready for a magazine !!
ReplyDeleteFABBY
Oh, my!! Thank you for those lovely comments, Fabby!
Delete~N
Nancy, coming over from Seasonal Sunday. Those cute little chicken plates caught my eye and also the b/w tablecover. Just perfect for a winter brunch. How lucky you can eat outside this time of year..Happy Weekend..Judy
ReplyDeleteHi, Judy! While we DO enjoy eating out there in the 'winter,' it's sooo warm here for January! Thank you for visiting!
Delete~N
What a charming little space for a meal. Those rooster plate are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marigene! It is, indeed, little!!! :)
Delete~N
Beautiful. Love the checked cloth with happy sunshine-y place mats. And the rooster dish is so cute. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara!
Delete~N
Love your assistant!
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
HA! She's just sooooooo helpful!
DeleteHi Nancy, It's so nice to meet you. Your little patio is lovely. Mine is covered with a few fall leaves and twiggs from the pin oak tree. It needs a good cleaning up too. Today it is snowing but Wednesday it is to be 65*. Go figure! Stop over for a visit when you get a minute.
ReplyDelete~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
Oh, my dear...I LONG for highs in the 60s! Maybe we will have them this week....after it rains AGAIN!!!!! Thank you so much for visiting!
Delete~N
Pretty color combo, and such a cute spot to dine!
ReplyDeleteHey, Patti! Thanks so much for commenting!
Delete~N
Wow - what a transformation! I know you are glad that you do not have a huge courtyard - lol!! Love all of you plates and they look terrific with that great tablecloth.
ReplyDeleteDiane: YEP! The little courtyard is just enough to seat four! We love it!
DeleteThanks for visiting!
~N
Very nicely done. What a transformation. You will really enjoyed your outdoor dining.
ReplyDeleteJocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com
Jocelyn: we love being outdoors, especially in the late winter/early spring. Just hoping to dodge those pesky MOSQUITOES!!!!!!! Thank you so much for visiting!
Delete~N
I love the table setting, it's beautiful. The plate combo is really nice. Enjoy sitting out there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather! It is a nice place--very cozy! Thanks for visiting!
Delete~N
This is a great transformation! How cozy and welcoming! I love it! Found this post from Let's Dish and I'm so glad I did! Very nice! =D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Home Girl! We enjoy it when the weather is nice. The transformation really didn't take that long; a couple gallons of bleach works QUITE fast!!!
DeleteThanks for visiting!
~N
Very impressive!!! That looks like a LOT of work to me, but totally worth it for what it yielded! Very pretty place setting, too!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Alycia: I do NOTHING that involves a lot of work!!! :)
DeleteA little sweeping, a sunny day, and a couple gallons of bleach. That's it! Thanks for visiting!
~N
Now that is a great transformation. I love the yellow, black and white. The rooster plates are soo cute. I love the colors. Crazy weather around here too.. xo marlis
ReplyDeleteMarlis: we had a big ol' storm the other day, and finally we have much more SEASONABLE weather (more spring-like than summer)!
DeleteThanks for visiting!
~N
I'm laughing at your air shaft description, because when we were young and just starting out in NYC, many apartments we looked at actually had windows on air shafts as the only light in bedrooms. Yes, windows are required for the room to count as a bedroom, and the air shaft opening was it! Your area is MUCH nicer that those areas! And the black and yellow table is so cheerful. We had temps in the 50s today, but snow expected Friday. Hmmm. I'm not ready for summer but today was a nice break. Linda
ReplyDeleteGotcha, Linda! We lived in married housing for a while, and had a true air shaft. This is much more 'fashionable!' Enjoy your weather. I am NEVER, EVER ready for summer!
Delete~N
I love black and yellow together, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking to Let's Dish.
Thank you, Kathleen, for commenting and for hosting such a fun party!
Delete~N