outdoor lanterns (for my fictional outdoor dining space)

once i get started thinking about something, i tend to obssess a bit. can't help it, it is just in my nature. so i keep thinking about when my outdoor table is finished (come on, chad!) i can't wait to have outdoor parties.

a few years ago we bought some oil rubbed bronze string lanterns for the backyard. they're still in their boxes in the basement. the other day i bought paper polka dot paper lanterns that are super cute. i was trying to find pictures online for both of these lanterns and ended up finding a ton of other really cute outdoor lanterns. check them out.

all of the above i found at walmart.com. the top set looks super versatile because they could go with almost any decorating style. and how cute are the tiny coleman lantern string set? those are solar LED. maybe i should get them for my mom (she just bought a fixer-upper cabin in the middle of nowhere). the last image is of martha stewart paper lanterns that don't light up. that doesn't stop me from loving them. they would be great hanging from the ceiling of a baby room or for an indoor party.

finding the LED colemans made me groove on the idea of hanging solar LED string lights in the backyard. here are some interesting ones i found surfing the net (when i should be working).

i like the above because they are plain and simple and, again, versatile.

these are a little more decorative. the bottom two images wcan be found here and here. the last picture is handblown glass but i would want the amber color - more cozy and warm feeling.

and i my absolute faves are these lanterns handmade by an etsy artist. although they are no longer in her shop.

i want, i want, i want...

these chairs to go with my outdoor barn wood table chad is going to make me. i posted about the barn wood we inherited last fall for the table. you can see the wood here and what the table will look like.

i love how they are old timey looking. from crate and barrel. you can find them here. we'll probably have two benches and then two of the chairs.

and this umbrella, probably in an orange, red or green, from pottery barn.

and i want to put this on the table with candles in it. i found it at an antique store a couple of weekends ago.

spring cleaning

last weekend was so warm that i decided to do some spring cleaning. i swept the front porch (although you can't really tell it now!). planted the flower pots and cleaned off the rockers. i'll be adding the outdoor rug and a table soon.

decided to put the spring sheets on. love the yellows - so cheery.


this is the first time you've been able to see the table in loooong time. i was so sick of seeing my craft supplies out in the open constantly. i finally put things back where they belong.

this is this weekend's project. organizing my closet, one of the spare bedrooms and the basement. fun times ahead! i bought plastic shoe boxes and am taking pictures of my shoes to adhere to the outside. i can't stand digging through piles of shoes anymore!

the great outdoor ... table

i am SO excited. do you remember earlier this year i posted about an outdoor table from sundance catalog that i loved? i'm on this kick where i really want original furniture for our house. anyways, i'd like for our outdoor table and our living room coffee and/or end tables to be made from old barn wood. well, this weekend we got a step closer to the outdoor table of my dreams.

see that dirty wood leaning against the garage? someone recently gave us some old barn wood! (ask and you shall receive). oh it may not look like much now but you wait.

one day it will look like this. but there will be a matching bench next to it.

i mean, check out that post. it's massive. this thing is going to be so freakin' heavy. and stylish.