All decked out. Part deux.

This past weekend, we (collectively speaking for the residents of Winnipeg) finally saw some spring like weather. All I can say is it’s about time! I was this close (imagine my fingers almost touching) to digging through my winter clothes this past week to find a pair of gloves.....it was that cold.

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks wandering around online and in store to see if I could hunt down a bistro set that would work with my deck space. I’ve seen a few that have caught my eye, but nothing that had really wowed me; both in terms of style and also retail. I wasn’t ready to blow the bank on a set, but at the same time I didn’t want to be bringing home the same $69.00 three piece bistro set as everyone else in Winnipeg.

As luck would have it I was wandering around JYSK (poor man’s Ikea for those of you not in the know) this afternoon and stumbled across the three piece teak set that I’d previously written about. I’d checked the set out briefly about a month ago when it had first arrived but hadn’t really decided whether or not I liked it enough to invest in it. Flash forward to this afternoon, it was on sale for $159.00, they had it in stock, and I loved it from the get-go!

http://www.jysk.ca

Not one to just settle for the set itself, I hit-up my local Real Canadian Superstore where I picked up two PC Home indoor / outdoor cushions in vivid yellow and white for the princely sum of just over $11.00 each. I love the look of these cushions –they’re very fashion forward without the scary price tag of similar pieces. I’ve raved about the PC Home line before, but seriously folks, if you haven’t checked it out, you really don’t know what you’re missing. Cheap chic, trendy housewares at killer retails. Seriously, every time I head to Superstore for groceries I end-up coming home with another piece of serving ware or some sort of gadget or bath towels....

Anyways, back to my story. The bistro set assembled very quickly and easily. The chairs came two to a box, and were pre-assembled; the table took all of three minutes to piece together. I love that the table has some snazzy levellers. My deck has a concrete base, and though fairly smooth, the levellers did come in handy to prevent it from rocking.

I haven’t figured out the final layout for the space yet, but I gave the dining set a test run this evening when I made the best (I’m not lying) burgers ever for dinner. And I’m not going to lie; I did jump around my deck with excitement when I realized just how good it looked.

I’m a ways off from completing my deckscaping project. There’s still the small matter of hunting down plants, accessories and lighting for this space. I did wander around Rona’s greenhouses this afternoon and was intrigued by a number of displays that I saw, but it is still pretty early. I’m thinking that I might make the journey back over there later this week to see what they have for ferns. I love the idea of adding a lot of green and also introducing some shape and privacy. While checking out Michael Penney’s blog, I noticed that he’d purchased a number of huge ferns for his own home and I love the idea.....they love heat, can take the rain and get really big, really quickly.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com

I’m thinking that the cedars might be a no go. For some bizarre reason I had the assumption that there were smaller cedars that you could pot, without having to worry about them getting huge.....and that’s apparently not the case. I talked to a few greenhouse workers who said that at best, I’d be okay for two seasons before having to worry about them getting too big for their pots. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be here (hopefully less than two years), and it kind of seems like an expensive adventure...I’m thinking at least $100. I’m going to wander around some evening  this week after work to see if I can find some annuals or perennials that do well in pots that also achieve some sense of height.

Paper lanterns are also on my mind! I found some really nice white ones at Michael’s that I’m thinking about going back to pickup. They were under $1.50 each and will really add to the space. I’m thinking that they’d look great hunt as a large grouping above my bistro set....say 9 to 12 of them?

Regardless of how much work is left to complete the space I’m excited that it’s finally warm enough outside to be using it. No seriously, you have no idea....after what seemed like seven months of snow it’s nice to be finally able to enjoy an evening out on the deck with shorts, bare feet a burger or three and a good bottle of wine. That my friends, is what a Sunday evening during the summer should be all about...

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Come dine with me.

So after spending the past couple of weeks teasing you with promises of pictures and details, I figured that it was finally time to share the story of my dining room with you. So sit back, critique and enjoy.

In the beginning there was nothing, well, okay. That's a lie. There was carpet stained by the previous tenant, an air conditioner that hadn't been cleaned since installed and the sexiest of brass chandeliers.

Being on a budget, the room has been furnished as I've had the funds to do so. First up, this walnut finish dining table - snagged for the princely sum of $49.00. Each fall Superstore brings in an assortment of ready to assemble furniture and hawks it like crazy until they begin bringing in Christmas merchandise. And when they blow it out, there's no telling how cheap it will go! At the time, I had a truck and was able to easily lug it home and up the stairs. And the folding chair you ask? A whopping $6.94.

Next up came a fresh coat of paint. Okay, so it's a rental and you're asking "why would you invest time, energy and coin into this place?" Well, without rambling - basically I need wherever I'm living to feel like home. For me, that includes paint (even if not technically allowed)....

Throw in my favourite thrift find of all time - my Soviet era school map, which I cleverly picked up for $10 on the coldest day of winter at an indoor flea market. Apparently you can snag a great deal when it's -36 and you're the only one wandering through the market. I love this piece for the vintage appeal, the bright colours and for how it has become an awesome dinner party conversation starter.

I lucked out the following spring.  Once again, my friends at Superstore were offering a select assortment of furniture. Almost as good as the deal on the table, I snagged four gray parson chairs for $19.00...down from $49.99 each. I love this chairs! They've held up well and were stupidly easy to put back together. They're not the lucite Stark chairs that I dream of, but hey, a guy has to start somewhere!

Not to bad huh? Throw in a piece of President's Choice white ware and some strategically places fruit and you've got a scene.

Throw in a few more accents, like my vintage eight ball, some Value Village finds, an accent shelf from Winners, some of my fave pictures and my Mr. Peanut salt & pepper shakers....it's all about being around stuff you love. 

So there you have it! It's still kind of a work in progress (I don't think that I'll ever finish decorating a space before beginning to rethink it)....but I love it none the less! It's mine, it feels homey and it's where I enjoy entertaining friends the most. What do yah think?

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Around the house.

At some point I plan on giving you guys a snazzy photo tour of my humble abode - complete with before and after pictures.  However, that takes time and requires me to dust and vacuum each and every crevice of my place...which I really don't feel like doing right now (it's the weekend...can you blame a guy for wanting to be lazy?).

That said, I figured that I'd give you a sneak peek of sorts in showing you one of the favourite things in my place - the inside of my dinner and glassware cabinet.

You're probably thinking "he's nuts...on to the next blog."  But no, wait!  I promise you I'm not nuts....perhaps a bit eccentric, but not nuts.  Take a second to think about it though - I love entertaining, whether it be group of people or just one special guy.  Also, food and drink are two of my favourite things, so why not enjoy them with some nifty pieces.  That and I've got a small fetish when it comes to glassware and shiny things.  The cabinet might be full, but I'm still on the lookout for new pieces and sets to add to the mix....maybe a set of Mexican blue glass tumblers?  Or something in crystal?  Some beer glasses?  Hmmm....

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Black wine glasses / shakers / martini glasses - Value Village (I know!)

White ware - Canadian Tire

Wine glasses - Liquidation World ('The Cellar' line....originally from Macy's)

Carafe - The Bay (Gluckstein Home....on clearance for $4.00!)

Shot glasses - The Bay (House & Home collection)

Italian coffee glasses / lowball glasses - Real Canadian Superstore 

Spring where are you!?!

This weekend saw snow in Winnipeg.  Should I really be surprised?  I guess not.  After all, this is Manitoba.  That said, I figured that I was finished with with boots, shovels and windshield scrapers.  We've had an early spring here and the random sleet / snow combo that came down Friday night was an unexpected, and unwanted surprise.  That said, I decided to make the most of the weather outside, but doing what I do best - window shopping at Superstore!

While wandering around after work on Friday I came across the new PC Home assortment of outdoor furniture for this coming season.  I'm a huge fan of the whole Joe Fresh / PC Home / Everyday Living mix of products.  Who'd of thought a couple of years ago that you'd be buying cashmere sweaters, Christmas decorations and trendy housewares from the same place where you're picking up bananas, Cheerios and toothpaste.

I went into the store looking for lunch ideas for the coming week, and came away with my toothpaste and bread, but also with a wishlist of cool, vibrant, vintage inspired pieces that would look awesome on my deck this coming season (once the snow has finally disappeared....).

http://www.facebook.com

http://www.facebook.com

Wanna know the best part?!  Everything that I've shown is available for under $30.00 a piece!  I can't wait to see how I can tie a couple of these pieces into my outdoor living space.  Toss in a couple of snazzy adirondacks?  Perhaps a bistro set?  Maybe some white paper lanterns and some cool planters?  Hmm....I think that I might be on to something.

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