Outdoor Living, Garden Decorating with Junk Ideas, Redoux Style!
We had gorgeous weather here this weekend and we took full advantage of it. I wanted to introduce you to my side patio, and my “Redoux” of it this weekend.
If you walk down this path….
You will smell this amazing wall of Jasmine
Then you will see my beautiful Hydrangea bush already blooming
Walk a little further, and there is a nice place to dine “dans le plein air”. If you would like to know about how to make this table, click HERE.
There is a new piece of outdoor furniture to greet you! Do you recognize me? With a changing pad on me, I have been host to many a little bottom. In fact, this changing table was a “free to me” from my neighbor who recently moved. It was used by her kids, a 16 year old, and her 7 year old twins! (yes, there are several sets of twins in neighborhood, must be something in the water….)
After I cleaned it thoroughly with TSP (it had been sitting outside for a while, between her house and mine, it wasn’t getting any love). I sanded it smooth with a 220 grit sandpaper. I then applied, ONE COAT only of my favorite CeCe Caldwell Santa Fe Turquoise paint.
**Update! I no longer use CeCe Caldwell’s Paints. I only use 100% Natural DIY Paint from Debi’s Design Diary. It is THE BEST Clay based paint. In fact, there are very few “clay” paints on the market because they are expensive to make. DIY Paint is a retailer profit company, all of their products are 100% mark up to their retailers and the prices are about $33 on average per quart. 
The colors are rich, vibrant, and the labeling is absolutely adorable. There is no stirring, special instructions, just open and paint. How fun is that?
I was painting outside, and it dried in just minutes. Since this was for outdoor use, I needed to make sure it was well protected. I sanded it smooth with a 400 grit sandpaper to really give a perfectly smooth finish. Now for the super lazy tip. You must have gloves on for this method. I sprayed each section (top, sides, drawers) with outdoor Polyurethane. I sprayed pretty heavily, then before it had a chance to dry, I “wiped” it all in with my gloved hand. Trust me, this works. It gets the clear coat into every pore of the paint and wood, and you don’t have to spend a great deal of time brushing it on. After the first coat dried, I lightly sanded, and repeated the entire process. It is no fail, and your arm will be sore from patting yourself on the back for being so efficient. (or maybe I am talking about moi again).
Anywho…..here is the finished product! I added glass vintage knobs to the top drawer, and just leftover knobs down the center for the rest.
Remember, this is a changing table, when the top is flipped down, it changes into a server!
The drawers hold everything we need for a lovely outdoor meal. No more shuffling back and forth to the kitchen for supplies.
Since I added some new furniture, I thought I would finally do something with those garage door panels I picked up for free. Mark thought maybe I had “junqued” out too far when I started this project. But I had a vision in mind. I used hinges at some points, then decided to just used scrap wood, secured it to the back of the doors at different angles. I purposely left the sides facing out that had the garage hinges and metal parts still attached. I thought it added to the industrial look of the entire piece. And yes, I did this completely by my lonesome. Which I don’t recommend. There was much heaving, using all four limbs to steady things, and probably took me three times as long, but that’s the way I Redoux around here.
I couldn’t leave just a plain wall, so I had to soften it up a bit. (My flowers need dead heading….)
Now for those junky aged pots. To make pots look truly aged, and to encourage them to keep aging, here is a simple and cheap method.
- Purchase box of Joint Compound at your local Home Supply/Hardware store. Mix in a bucket, a large amount (like a paint can sized for large pots) of Joint Compound and paint of your choice. I made these with leftover wall paint. This is a great way to use up old paint. Mix in enough paint until you get the color you want, but not so much that the joint compound is runny.
- Begin patting on the joint compound to the pots either with your hand, or a plastic trowel. This is a messy project, I recommend doing this outside. Keep adding the plaster mix until you have the look you desire. Either hit with a heat gun, a hair dryer, or leave out in the sun to dry (best method).
- When plaster is totally dry, you can lightly tap it with a hammer and some of the plaster will fall off in chunks, creating an old look. To get that dirty aged look fast, simply dampen the plaster where it fell off and rub some dirt, or sprinkle it on, then let it bake in the sun again. I kid you not, dirt works best here, and it’s free. Or, for the best way, plant your flowers of choice and with repeated waterings, the plaster will begin to flake and fall off and the dirt will naturally cling to the pots.
Added some artwork, The B comes from the former cabinet we had out here, that fell apart, literally, it had been repurposed several times, it originally started out life as a door on an armoir that a client gave me. Hopefully this will be its final resting place.
And here is the entire wall. I secured it on the other side with a pipe clamp, to what else, my trampoline! Isn’t that how everyone builds an outdoor wall?
I am picturing you – octopus like – creating that wall all by your lonesome! Maybe, in a few years, your body will evolve and sprout a couple of more much needed limbs!
I’ll never look at an old garage door the same way again! I never knew I needed a garage door wall until now!
And that changing table – who would have thought it once had all kinds of butts sitting on it over the years!
The joint compound on the pots – genius!!! They look amazing.
So basically, I am in love with everything (as usual)! It was worth the wait and so glad you linked to our party! And I am pinning quite a few of these fabulous ideas.
Kelly
okay – WOW!!! i am totally coming over for an outdoor dinner – i’ll bring dinner! 🙂 🙂 looks amazing. i am LOVING the green/teal and the rust red colors you used — and that outdoor table space is amazing. i am now inspired to NOT buy patio furniture and to just “redoux” something!
Karen! You did it again!
Really amazing-that changing table rocks. I have our old changing table as a buffet in my dining room-versatile piece of furniture, huh?!
I think I need to try your CeCe Caldwell paint. That color is amazing.
xxx
Kim
Hey~Hey Miss K 😉
LOVING that aqua piece that is so fun! The whole look of it changed, it has a completely different vibe then the before picture. You distressed it perfectly 😉
I can smell that Jasmine! YUM! My hubs fav. I planted one…. but the deer like it really well.
you are so stinking cool! some day I am going to knock on your door and make you make me a cocktail and go sit in your junk outdoor room. Love!
Karen, We are on the same page today! Love, love, love those joint compound pots and your wall of shutters! So cool…..what a fun place to hang out and smell the roses!
I’m working on turning the insides of my old piano into a garden element….you’ve got my wheels turning on those shutters!
I love everything- especially the changing table. Oh- and that wall! Seriously!
C’est magnifique!
beautifully creative!!!
Was not a fan of the wall of doors at first, but grows on you.
Picture actually does not do it justice- works because of how it partitions
the patio off and the wind break is a huge benefit. Whether the stodgy neighbors
agree is a different story!
I’m inviting myself over for a picnic in your backyard. Seriously! It looks perfect for entertaining and relaxing!
just re-reading your comments…. I’m loving that you’ve been called stinking cool. That’s one serious complement! lol
Your outdoor room is so cute and charming. Love all your creative touches.
it looks AMAZING!!! i am on the hunt for a big long farm table to use on our porch…. wish me luck! i love the space you have created!
Everything you did looks AAAAMazing!! Great job!! Great Inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing,
you’re giving me some great ideas…Love your site so perfect!!
I hope you have a wonderful week end planned where you can enjoy all the fruit of your labor!!
Hugs, ~Theresa
OOOH love that wall of old closet doors
oh what fun
creating a little privacy
and a whole lotta style
for your backyard space
and why is everyone else
already getting blooms on their hydrangeas
but me?
hmph.
thanks for sharing
at Fridays Unfolded!
alison
love your use of the garage doors for your fence – genius idea…and good for you for doing it all on your own!
Wow…what a great space…so many great ideas out there 🙂 Laurel
Looks like a great place to relax!
I love the pots–thanks for the info on how to do it too!
Catherine
LOVE your wall of Jasmine! I have one growing on the front of our house now for about 5 years and ahhh like you said the smell is wonderful when you walk by. Great pieces you painted, you busy little bee! Have a great weekend.
What a great Redoux! I love that the changing table is now a server. Looks as though it was always meant to be! Great job!
It is a gorgeous oasis! I adore the space you have created it is magical and unique. I hope to have some sunshine and jasmine to share with you soon!
That’s it, I’m on my way over to hang out in your backyard. I’m going to see if I can jump high enough to make it over your wall – lol!
Hi– came over from FJI SNS #136
Love your fully repurposed wall of shutters and furniture! I just love the whole outdoor room you created. That walk way is stunning! Is it stone or repurposed concrete? Just wondering, it is hard to tell. I’ve done that before myself…made a walk of repurposed concrete….;)
I love the serving table too, very clever use of a changing table! Enjoy your outdoor room!
That project is just too crazy cool! Love that its supported by (and hiding …) the trampoline (which is not at all eclectically chic) …
Oh, and I’ve pinned it!
… so happy you shared with us all at the Great Outdoors llink party!
🙂
Linda
hahaha, I love that you attached it to the trampoline. This came out so, so awesome!! Thank you so much for linking up to our party!
Karah
That is my kind of outdoor living space! Love it all – the colors, the funkiness! I want it!!
Thanks for linking up!
Stacey of Embracing Change
That is so amazing! I love everything abut this post!! I’m bookmarking it for the tips in it – love those terra cotta pots 🙂 And the glove idea for outdoor polyurethane? I am SO remembering that one! Saw you featured a couple places – Yay for you!!
This is FABULOUS! Featuring you tomorrow! XO, Aimee
FAN-TAZ-MA-LISTIC!!! I’m so glad to hear the spray Poly works… I have a can for my porch swing!
It’s amazing GTC… and thanks for the tip about the joint compound. I have an UGLY planter that I just haven’t known what to do with!
I hope I don’t have to pick a favorite part, because basically I love it all! What a great spot for a picnic! And I didn’t even know they made a spray outdoor poly, but I’m going to try your trick on my potting bench!
Baby changer to outdoor server extraordinaire. Awesome!
~Bliss~
What a beautiful piece! Came here from Roadkill Rescue to find out how you applied the poly. Going to give it a try on a piece I’d like to use outside. Thanks!
If I have a wood piece I want to put outside, all I have to do is apply poly?
Very interesting and different remake.
I want to come and have tea with you in this space!
Mike
I love your outdoor table. Did you make the bench? If so do you have a tutorial for that?
I love your outdoor table. Did you make the bench? If so do you have a tutorial for that?
OK, I’m a little slow tonight…..do you just slather joint compound randomly on the pots, or cover the entire pot and then paint them. I kinda understand as the joint compound ‘ages’ it will fall off leaving the original pot to show, right?
I just love receiving your posts via email, so much eye candy and lots of sweet tips and ideas! 🙂
Love the Privacy screen!! We have been looking for ideas to block the neighbors. Good Idea
Shelly
minettesmaze.blogspot.com
Thank you so much Shelly! I actually have to put them back up this year!! They fell over with a windstorm, but I love that it creates an outdoor room.
It has lasted so many years before it was officially out of air.
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