Patio Project on a Budget

I always watch these shows on HGTV where they go out hunting garage sales and garbage cans and find these fabulous pieces of furniture they restore for next to nothing.  I've always wondered how that happens, because it seems every time I go to a garage sale, I generally just find worn out kids stuff, clothes that reek of moth balls, and furniture that's dated, worn, and unstable.

I have had luck, however, on Craigslist.  My latest prize?  A $50 teak patio set.

It wasn't even a week prior when I was paroling the Pottery Barn catalog and I saw this patio table.  I loved it, but thought $1,900?  Not on my budget!

Later that week while doing some searches for outdoor stuff on Craigslist, I came a cross an ad for a "wood patio set."  I immediately called them and asked when I could pick it up.  This is what I got:

 At first glance, it wasn't much to look at.  But as we brought it in, we realized it was actually teak.

So, my husband (with the help of my son) began sanding it down to it's beautiful bones.

Days (and lots of dust) later, it was ready for some teak-friendly stain and protectant.  I chose Behr Cordovian Brown in Semi-Transparent.

This is the finished product.  My husband surprised me by adding decorative stenciling throughout.  I'm pretty happy with my $50 find!

My Husband Orders Drinks With Umbrellas

My husband (and his Lemon Drop) on our Anniversary

My husband orders drinks that come with umbrellas and fruit sculptures.  He's not afraid to wear pink.  He likes make my Christmas gifts, and enjoys watching Housewives of Orange County with me.  But among his many eccentricities is his ability to make things beautiful.  Lots of things.

Ok, I must admit there have been times when I've said, "Honey, I think that's too much glitter," or, "Let's not overdue it."  And then there was that time that he came downstairs wearing black pleated slacks, a red Body Armor shirt, University of Oregon visor, and black Nike foam flip flops and claimed he looked like Tiger Woods.  Ah hem.  But lately he has done some amazing work.

Example one, take a look at these chairs he repainted for me.  Once we put in the new table and curtains, the black chairs were like a visual roadblock, so he painted them antique white and scuffed them up for me.  Ohh la la!

Before:

After:

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