Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Back Porch Drink Station



I've had fun refreshing the back porch. We spend a lot of time out here; drinking our morning coffee, taking a break from working during the day, and relaxing in the evening with cold drinks.

I really wanted something to put drinks on so we don't have to go back and forth into the house. Hm, what to use? I didn't want just anything - it needed to be unique and speak to my fun porch vibe.

I looked at Canton, thinking an old wash tub would be fun. Yikes! The price on those have shot up. More than I wanted to pay. I then thought of a tiered cart. We found one for $15! Here I am taking it back to the car:

But my daughter wanted it so I let her have it. She said she was going to paint it bright yellow. Oh! That will match my porch stuff! Maybe she'd let me "borrow" it until she got her own place? She agreed and I thought that was that. BUT....

Then I remembered I had this sitting in the attic back in the city.


I had bought it years ago at a thrift store for my son when he started school. Hmmm, the wheels started spinning.

When I got home, I climbed into the attic and got the desk out. Yes, I think it will work. I asked Bruce to paint the bottom part. The top is plywood with laminate on top. One edge had separated so we glued it back together. Then I painted the edge  and bottom of the top yellow.



Still thinking it might need more protection from the elements, I found this fun tablecloth at Hobby Lobby, cut it to size, and  ta da! Cute!

Here we are all set up with everything we need - plus a dog or two to pet:
The galvanized bucket will be used to put bottled drinks on ice.

The bottle drying rack came from Canton, the dispenser base is a metal bowl I found at GW and painted red, the glasses are mason jars, and the mini pinwheels came from Hobby Lobby.

Ahhhh, this is the place to be!


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Last week was our 33rd anniversary. We spent it at the farm putting that drink station to good use at the end of the day. You see, we started on the bathroom renovation! We do fun stuff like that for our anniversary celebration. We did go out to eat, so don't worry - it wasn't all work and no fun. ha. It was a pretty intense week of work though. Stay tuned for more on that.


22 comments:

  1. I LOVE it Cecilia - love the red and bright colors ( including that drink dispenser )
    And that you can keep things in those shelves is such a bonus !
    The signs, all of it !
    Pour me a glass of that will ya?
    Beautiful job !
    xoxo

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    1. Come on down! But I warn you, you won't be getting away from reno work. LOL! The bathroom is getting close but we are tired! Been dragging since Sunday. :)

      :o)
      Cee

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  2. Congrats on 33 years! That's pretty admirable. I love the color on your back patio! It looks so fun. The desk is perfect.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. Bruce is the love of my life - can't imagine life without him. I'm loving the bright color too. Definitely makes it a happy place.

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  3. Oh! I love it! That is the cutest desk...I have a thing for desks. I think it's the teacher in me! The red and yellow are perfect! I would have had a hard time letting fo of that awesome tiered cart. I have been wanting something like that forever! Some day I will find one...it's the thrill of the hunt! Anywho, the cubbies on the desk are perfect for storage. I love the base of the dispenser...very clever! This is making me want my porch done so bad! We haven't had any time to start it and are thinking of having someone build it for us. I don't care...I just want it done! :) Happy late anniversary and congrats! Sounds like you guys do exciting things on special days too...lol! Home improvements are exciting to me though. Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thanks, Vicky! I've been holding onto that little desk for years trying to think of a purpose for it. I almost used it for a bedside table but like the idea of using for a drink station so much more. I've seen several tiered carts at Canton lately but way more than what we paid for this one. The reality is Megan beat me to it - haha. She was so excited, I couldn't stand to tell her I wanted it. :o)
      I love doing home improvement things but Bruce not so much. Thankfully, he indulges me and will generally go along good-naturedly. Good luck on getting your porch done...they are so nice to have! Hope your week is wonderful too.
      hugs

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  4. Love your drink station. What a great repurpose for an old desk. It is fun and funky with the summery colors. Happy Anniversary, to!!! xo Diana

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    1. Thank you, Diana. It will be fun to change out with the seasons, I think. :)

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  5. Replies
    1. Haha, I knew what you meant but you're probably like me and it drives you crazy to have the wrong form of a word. :D

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  6. First, happy anniversary - I was a 1982 bride, too! So many cute things about your drink station. Love the happy colors and using the bowl for a base was genius. Jane

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    1. Oh cool! I think it was a great year to get married. :o)
      I was happy to find that bowl and then for it to be the right size was a major plus. I think I only paid 99cents for it. Love my happy porch! Thanks, Jane!

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  7. Happy Anniversary Cecilia! 33 years... how wonderful! I love your drink station. Those happy colours are just perfect for summer.

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    1. Thanks, Tuula! Here's to 33 more!
      Me too - can't wait to change it up for the other seasons!

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  8. Happy Anniversary!!
    Wow...it looks so lovely. I like the fact that you're not afraid of colors. The chair, the tablecloth and the pillow are my favorites!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! No, I'm not afraid of color. I wanted bright for my outside space. I love all the bright colors...they feel so happy. Thanks for stopping in.

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  9. Congrats on 33 years, Cecilia ! We just celebrated 30. Love the colorful porch ! I especially love the lizard ! Where did he come from ??? I think I need one for the garden... we affectionately call my cocker a Lizard Slayer. He's constantly on the hunt for the next anole or gecko.

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    1. Congrats on 30 years! And thank you! The lizard came from Hobby Lobby. They had a lot of different styles but this guy stole my heart; he was so darn cute! Haha, I had a poodle who was quite the lizard hunter. My border collies would rather chase squirrels. My lizard population is grateful. ;)

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  10. Happy Anniversary Cecilia (and hubby)! We will be celebrating 32 years this month. Can't believe it!!

    I love the greens and reds together. They look so bright and refreshing, and I can almost taste some sweet tea . Great repurposing Cecilia! It would be fun to sit there with you on a hot summers day and shoot the breeze. ;)

    Is the flooring on the porch concrete? My wheels are spinning thinking about the colors you could stain it. I know...I'm just making more work for you! lol

    xxx

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    1. Thank you, Doreen! Wish you could come visit too! We'd have a great time.

      Yes, it's concrete. Not sure Bruce would let me stain it. I'd love a round rug but afraid the dogs would chew it up. Plus Bruce thinks with the sandy soil, it would just be a mess. Ha. Staining would be a good solution, I'm sure! ( But yikes! I don't need more work right now. Lol)

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  11. Happy 33rd! What an amazing milestone :) Your patio drink station is just perfect. You've created a happy, yet relaxing, space. Nice work--

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