Disclosure; This post is sponsored by . As always, all words and opinions expressed are honest and my own. I have partnered with many times over the years and I am excited to be working with them in our new home.
An advantage to moving into a home in late September is that we are entering one of the most beautiful, outdoor-entertaining-friendly weather of the year. It’s usually pleasant outside, not too buggy, not too muggy, and nature starts to put on a colorful display. It’s a nice time to be outside, which is perfect when you want to escape from boxes that need to be unpacked and things that need to be put away.
Since we sold all of our outdoor furniture when we moved here (including favorite BHG chairs from ), we decided to buy one really beautiful, well-made patio set to provide a place to sit, work, entertain, and enjoy the weather. This house has a great outdoor living space with a fenced-in backyard and a pool, so we wanted to get the patio set up in the early days of living here.
After browsing extensive porch, patio, and outdoor furniture collection, I selected It’s timeless, fits the space perfectly, and will weather well over the years. The set was very easy to assemble and the chairs are comfortable without cushions. I am looking at cushions to get in the spring if the seats get uncomfortably hot in the summer sun.
It is heavy and solid and was easy to put together. I’ll let you know how it weathers after a few years, but based on other cast aluminum sets I’ve seen, I’m expecting this one to grace our patio for many years.
It has a beautiful finish and subtle texture, too.
We’ve already enjoyed family dinners, relaxed conversations, and meetings over future projects around and I know it will be a place where many new memories are made.
In addition to the table, we purchased a. My parents have one and it is the best fire pit! I enjoy sitting around a fire when the evenings are chilly, but I dislike smoke billowing in my face. The Solo Stove is smokeless so we can enjoy the heat without the smoke! We can pull a few chairs from the and enjoy being outside with family and friends.
We’ll probably set up some pavers or a ring of pea gravel under it.
While this post is about entertaining outside in the fall, the patio set and the solo stove are both staple pieces that can be used year-round. I think that is the key to good seasonal decorating. It’s fun to buy pumpkins, mums, and other fall decor, but put your decorating dollars where they really count in pieces that aren’t season-specific and don’t have to be packed away in bins.
A few other pieces I picked up to use as accessories and bring some personality to the space were . They are not specifically for outdoor use, but I typically bring pillows inside when not in use anyway, and they are washable, so it won’t be a problem if they do get wet.
And I bought this drink dispenser. I think it’ll be perfect for serving up cider in the fall and water or lemonade in the spring & summer.
I picked up this planter as I was browsing around and has the best texture! It was on clearance for $7.00, but I couldn’t find the link for it on their website.
I also spruced up the patio door with welcome mat and antique concrete urns that have been at three generations of homes in my family.
I bought the mums, pumpkins, apples, cider, and everything else at , too. It was truly a one-stop shop this afternoon for groceries, lampshades, paper towels, socks, organizer bins, and all of the things that were on my shopping list.
Since we just moved into, we haven’t had any guests aside from my parents, but we are looking forward to having new friends over soon! With a few key pieces from we are set up to do some great outdoor entertaining.
22 Responses
Gorgeous!! Love the pillows! Didn’t realize Walmart has such cute ones!!
Starting to look like you. So happy for y’all. The Lord has truly blessed you and your family.
Your home will be fantastic and warm. I’m from the Biglerville area and am looking forward to your progress at this home.
I LOVE that planter. It’s fantastic!!!!
It must feel good to get one little area all prettied up to use. One baby step at a time.
Enjoy Fall. It’s a beautiful time of year.
What a good looking table set. I’m so excited that fall has arrived.
So pretty and practical! It’s smart of you to set up an outdoor area where you can get a break from all the tasks involved in moving.
Marian, you are a real wonder already decorating and only in your “new home” a few weeks ! Target has great pillows also in the Magnolia store. Looks so good and perfect time of year for an outdoor fire ! I know you will Enjoy the Process to the fullest !I look forward to your posts and even more now that you have a new home to show and talk about !
So pretty & cozy! You’ve already made that space look like you!
Welcome home!
What a good decision to set up a custom space for your family OUTSIDE! No boxes around so you get a reprieve from the chaos of moving. And you got to shop and decorate something! It makes me want to get to work outside!
So typically you and so nice to see you decorating again. I enjoy all of your posts, but it’s been awhile since you’ve done one on decorating and table decor. It must feel really good. So happy for you and I can hardly wait to watch you turn another home into a masterpiece.
Oh how pretty. This is a great space and love the things you picked. Enjoy!!!!
Miss Mustard Seed! Its so exciting that you’ve moved!! For years I was a faithful reader of your blog as an at-home, homeschooling mom whose hobby was thrifting and home decorating. Then some very difficult life changes came my way in 2016. There was no longer time for my love of decorating, and no time for blog reading. But tonight, I happened to open this post in my email; then went back to read the full story. I feel some tears well up a bit… I feel like I’ve just caught up with an old friend! I’ve missed you. I’ve missed your beautiful photography, your gift of telling a story, and your leads on fantastic finds! Your new home looks like an awesome project. I look forward to ‘keeping in touch’ and watching the changes. And congratulations to your hubby on his new position in ministry! oxo
So glad that y’all are already beginning to enjoy the new home.
Marian, just love to see you adding all your personal touches to your patio and around the outside of your home — with your lovely flowers in your urns! Looks so nice! Such a great choice with the patio table and chairs. This set will last you for years. Enjoy making precious memories around your table and lovely yard. Bless you all!
Thanks for your inspiring photos, Marian. May I ask a question about the patio table/chairs? I’ve moved from California to eastern Tennessee and will be experiencing my first snowy winter in the coming months. Can this furniture can stay out on the patio all winter, or is it best to bring the future inside so that it is not exposed to extreme temperatures? Thanks for your help!
Every Walmart link I click on never works. Maybe you could let them know.
Wowser, you waste no time! 🙂 We had our patio enlarged as well as adding to the driveway. The driveway addition (as well as the patio) was measured out by us and gone over with the concrete dudes. Driveway part equaled precisely one half of a basketball court! “Let the good times dribble,” was the ‘battlecry’ around here. The other almost real crying were the concrete dudes who got the patio size wrong as well as the length of the whole kit and caboodle. We had to call them to come back- at least 3 more times. The markers were right in the ground-maybe they moved them. They left us for the final time-I mean this from my heart:why do I see, hear and feel that people are not taking any pride in their own work and get to have that “job well done” feeling at the end of the workday? Sigh! The last time we saw them was thankfully the last time we saw them! So, still short in the entire connecting length AND they dumped a plus-4 feet long & over two feet wide bunch of concrete in a mound, just touching the top of the patio and split! Now, I know they saw that so, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, would you have made them come back and dig that up, because it looks awful but more than that even is the safety factor. If I had been here when it was being done they would have had to do it correctly -they took our money and did a rotten job. Also, did not score the concrete to keep not from cracking. Oh well, that’s concrete under the bridge now. When my parents built our third and final family home–Dad was an Engineer from Georgia Tech-and he drew up the plans and blueprints in conjunction with Mom, who had very specific and good ideas. They worked together so well-what a great and fun team they were! Oops- need to finish the thought at the start of this sentence- really tired, am I-he measured the back of the house graded , prepped perfectly, did the math and bought the right number of full bricks, that went marvelously well with the brick they had picked out for the house- and I can still, in my heart and mind’s eye, see “Daddy” in his ‘working man clothes’ with all the paraphernalia around him and before we knew it we had a gorgeous and LARGE patio and he also did the steps coming off the sliding glass doors from the den and the sunroom, AND built an L shaped planter that served use well for oh so many years. Had two place to walk through and get a piece of equipment or wonderful patio furniture through, into the rest of the back yard, which was a couple of acres that he left naturally wooded. We took meandering walks back there and that was fun, too. We had so many family together times outside on that handmade patio-had my daughter’s graduation party there plus, the pool was great for them-they each took turns driving to the nearest Walmart and buying bigger and bigger water guns and they had a blast-literally. Mom and Dad had the patio laid out perfectly with the obvious buffet method. That being the plates, utensils and napkins followed by food in a certain order and turn right to the other tables for the beverages, cups, ice and of course, yummy dessert, brought out a bit later. Man, those kids could eat! Everything looked so pretty, too, Marion. It was decorated beautifully and had graduation themed decor plus certain plants were added for that time of year-oh, we ALL had the best time. They ran, laughed endplayed almost like 7 or 8 year olds except they were 17 or 18 years old! Such a nice group of friends! I’ll always remember it with great fondness and a special heart for it all. My daughter, Jenna, had such fun hosting her friends and Mother and Dad, who were experts, thoroughly enjoyed it all. So, patio, pool, living close enough to loving and active Grandparents–yeah, I’d say this move with your family had just what the Great Physician and the greatest ‘event-planner’ of the ages, always had it mind for you ALL. Thank you so much for sharing what you have been getting, styling and sharing with your followers. Keep on having fun! I feel that you are and will. Amen? Terri
Yay, Fall! Looks gorgeous, as always!
Beautiful as always! I bought 2 of the glass drink dispensers and use one in my laundry room for liquid laundry detergent.
So glad you are getting settled in, even if it is just one step at a time. Enjpy your evenings outside, and take plenty of breaks during the day as well!
Beautiful… Lock the white coffee mugs too..where did you find them?