Sunday Worship

source

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confidant expectation of salvation.  And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5: 3-5, NLT

How to Create an Inviting Outdoor Space

Now that Spring has arrived and Summer is right around the corner, I've joined the bajillions of people who are sprucing up their outdoor space(s).  In the past (meaning pre-blogging days), I just filled a few pots with flowers, tidied things up and called it done.  All of you have inspired me so much that I want to put more effort in my outdoor spaces this year.  Specifically, I want my deck to feel more like a room instead of just a place for some potted flowers and a table with an umbrella.

While spending hour upon hour on Pinterest doing a little research,  I put together a few pointers for creating an outdoor room that have helped me and I hope you will find helpful too.

The Basic Elements

Determine how you want/need your space to function.  That will dictate what type and the amount of furniture that you'll need.

Do you only want a place to relax and enjoy being outdoors?  If that's the case, arrange your furniture with the view in mind.  It could be arranged to enjoy a focal point or to enjoy nature's beauty. 

  Southern Living

Or do you want a multi-functional space?   Whether your space is small or large, one level or two, grouping furniture together according to it's function will enhance the feeling of having multiple outdoor rooms.

HGTV

House Beautiful

Consider adding "walls" to your outdoor space to further the idea that this is meant to feel like an outdoor room, not just a wide open space.

A row of planters filled with shrubs or plants will give you an instant wall with no construction necessary.

AHBL Landscape Architects

You can always choose to build a wall where nothing currently exists.  You don't have to have a roof and the design is limited only by your creativity.

Party Lite

The addition of drapery panels is a great way to define your room and create intimacy.  You don't have to have a roof or pergola - there are many ways to diy a way to hang drapery panels (do a search on outdoor curtains on Pinterest).

Umbrellas aren't just for covering a table.  They're one more way to define a space.  I'm planning to have two umbrellas on my deck this year.

Sunset

Grouping different sized planters together is another way to define the different "rooms".

Tobin Parnes

Make it Comfy and Inviting

Add a rug (or two).  Nothing says “this is a room” like an area rug.  An area rug helps to ground and define a space.  The design/style of the rug that you choose will go a long way toward pulling your outdoor room together.

CoCo Cozy

Pavers make a great "rug" if your outdoor room is in the yard.

Better Homes and Gardens

Whether you prefer a trickle or a gurgle, the sound of running water is so soothing and relaxing.  I think it can even fool you into thinking it's cooler when you're near it.  The selection of portable outdoor fountains is huge today.

Landscaping Network

Have you ever taken a nap outdoors?  If the setting is shaded and peaceful, it is divine!  When thinking about comfort, a long, nicely cushioned couch would be a perfect addition to your room.

Steven Gambrel

Soften up the hard edges by making sure there are lots of cushions and pillows.

WSJ

Create interest by mixing styles and finishes of furnishings, fabrics and accessories.  

Southern Hospitality

Fluff It!

Create ambiance with lighting - fireplaces (portable or built-in), tiki lamps, candles and outdoor lamps.

Titan Designs

Music playing in the background adds another level of ambiance.  Consider adding outdoor speakers or simply invest in a portable cd player that you can bring outside when needed.  How about speakers concealed in a planter?

Kellowin 

Create layers of decorative elements using plants, textiles and accessories.  Vary the shapes and heights.

The Polohouse

House Beautiful

DIY Network

Don't forget your feathered friends.  If you enjoy watching birds or other wildlife, consider incorporating a feeder into your space.  This cool "birdalier" is just a repurposed chandy hanging from a crook meant for a hanging plant.  Click on the link below to see it.

Craftster

Linky parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much

Your Cozy Home Party on Monday at Cozy Home Scenes

Motivated Monday at Be Colorful

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design on Wednesday

Wild Wednesday at Chatty Chics

Uncommonly Yours on Wednesday at Uncommon Designs

Show and Share on Wednesday at Southern Lovely

Show Me Extroidinary on Thursday at The 36th Avenue

Grace at Home on Thursday at Imparting Grace

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations

Tickled Pink Fridays at 504 Main

Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Feature Friday Free for All at Five Days...5 Ways

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Weekly Top Shot on Saturday at The View From Right Here

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Overflowing with Creativity on Sunday at It's Overflowing

Sew Darn Crafty Sunday at Sew Many Ways

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Simply Klassic Sunday at A Simply Klassic Home

Sunday Worship

source

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?

Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay him?

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever!  Amen.

Romans 11: 33-36, NIV

It's All in the Details!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Leviton for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

How many times have you heard, “It’s all in the details.”?  Like it or not, it’s true!  How many times have you walked into a room and the first thing you noticed was all of the switches and outlets?

That’s the case in my kitchen. There are a total of eleven switches, outlets and GFCI outlets in the backsplash in my kitchen.  I really love the number of outlets that I have, but did the builder really have to use glaring, white outlets against my backsplash???

 

Well, I think I may have just found an easy solution.  Enter Leviton’s new product, Renu.  The Renu product line consists of switches, combination switches, wallplates, dimmers/remotes, tamper resistant outlets, tamper resistant GFCI outlets and quickport connectors.  All available in 20 popular paint colors to better blend (or contrast!) in with your room’s décor.

 

I’ve been working to give each room on the main floor of my house an updated look.  When I get to the kitchen I think I’ll change all of those glaring white outlets in the backsplash to one of the Renu colors like Dapper Tan or Whispering Wheat.

 

Here’s what Leviton has to say about their cool product:

Renu is the smart new way to update the look of a room in a snap, now and later. The Renu collection includes switches, dimmers and outlets with faces you can update yourself whenever you're ready for a new look. Available in 20 popular paint colors, Renu products can blend in or contrast with a room's walls or trim. Renu turns the electrical device into a decorative, easy to change accessory. When only the perfect color will do, Renu!

Renu

Leviton is hosting 3 Twitter events.  The dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, April 18th at 9pm EST

Thursday, April 26nd at 9pm EST

Wednesday, May 2nd at 9pm EST

Follow @Leviton and #Renu for the Twitter events for a chance to win gift cards to Home Depot!

I encourage you to like Leviton on Facebook to keep with all of their latest and greatest.

Leviton on Facebook

Another Great Resource and An Invitation to You!

We have a date!

We will meet at my house on Saturday, May 5th at 10am.  My house may not be all tidy and there will likely be unfinished projects around, so don't judge me! 

The should give us a few minutes to visit and be in High Point by 11am.  

We can decide once we meet up whether or not to do lunch together (it would be a late lunch).  You may want to bring a snack.

Email me if you're going so that I can make sure you're not an ax murderer and I'll send you my address.

I've mentioned a time or two before that there are great deals to be had on furniture, lamps and home accessories in High Point, NC.  For those of you who may not know, High Point is known as the "Home Furnishings Capitol of the World" and hosts the largest furniture market in the USA twice each year.   

As a result there are a multitude of market samples available and there are several businesses around that make their $$$ by buying out showrooms and reselling the samples.  Some of them are open to the public (like the one I posted about here) and some are open only to those with a tax id.

This is exactly the type of business that my granddaughter, Miss K's daddy has.  Jeremy owns High Point Liquidators and he partners with Sharon who owns Sample Studio. 

I'm talking serious bargains, y'all.  That is if you don't mind shopping in a warehouse instead of a fancy schmancy retail store or showroom.  How about 25% of off of wholesale!  Oh, if I could only share with you all of the major bargains that I've found here over the last few years. 

So here's the deal...Jeremy and Sharon's warehouse is only open to those with a tax id, but guess who has a tax id?  That would be me!  I bet some of you do too.  I would like to get a group together to go shopping (using my tax id or your own) at their warehouse one day in May.  And everyone is invited!  You do not have to have a blog or a tax id. 

Before I get to the details, I want to show you some of the pictures that I took when I was over there last week.  Now keep in mind, this is a warehouse, not a retail store.  There are lots and lots of pictures here, but I wanted to give you a good idea of their current inventory. 

Make sure you go all the way to the end to see the details about the shopping day!

Here are the deets!

HIGH POINT SHOPPING TRIP

Who can go?                     Everyone!  You don't need to have a blog or a tax id.

When?                               Date to be determined – sometime in May

Where?                              We’ll shop in High Point (about 35 min from my house in     Greensboro).  I’ll decide where to meet once I know how many are coming.  Maybe my house.

Method of payment?          Cash or personal check (it will be payable to me and deposited on the next business day)

What will we do?                First stop will be High Point Liquidators/Sample Studio.  What we do next depends on how much time we spend there.  We could stop at Wagoner Byrd Furniture that I blogged about here.  There are some great fabric stores nearby where could also stop.

What do you need to do?   If you’re interested in coming along, send me an email to: handgrs@gmail.com.  Put HIGH POINT in the subject line!

I would so appreciate it if you would help me spread the word via your blog, Facebook, Twitter or any other method!

Here's where I'll link up!

Thrifty Treasures on Monday at Southern Hospitality

Wild Wednesday at Chatty Chics

Grace at Home on Thursday at Imparting Grace

It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Overflowing with Creativity on Sunday at It's Overflowing