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A Patio Start

On a whim – well, a whim that had me perusing Fabric.com for hours (one mouse click off the beaten path, and before you know it, you’re fifty pages deep in web land) – and with Scott’s approval of color and pattern, I bought one yard of each of these (top to bottom: Swavelle Water Lily, Premier Prints Cadence, Premier Prints Polka Dot and Swavelle Finnigan Stripe Tuxedo):

While I have no business using a sewing machine, I have romantic ideas of endless pillow piles on our outdoor patio, with the above fabrics as a starting point. We’ve agreed that a little switch-up is in order for the summer months, and we have ideas to incorporate a few new pieces with existing ones. This year, we’d like to weave in more blue, yellows and vibrant patterns; we’d like to pull our inside palette outdoors (with a kick). Sort of like our home – on drugs. But right now, that’s a far cry from our current state:

Strange how even the mildest of winters can still make for one sad patio.

Also, has anyone purchased and used a World Market (or Cost Plus, depending on your location) outdoor rug? For twenty bucks, they’re cheap enough to give it a go, but perhaps they’re just that – um, cheap. Or, maybe, it’s because they’re small – and for us, that works. Thoughts?

With all the ideas we have in mind (some are purchases, some are DIY), I told Scott I would at least try my hardest to work around last year’s rug, and I am trying (sort of). But considering we did so well at the last building-wide yard sale, we don’t have much to contribute this time around. That is, unless we have a certain rug to find a happier home. Eh, I’m over the red rug and feeling fickle – sort of like Grandma’s chair. In any case, it’s still up in the air.

Besides, don’t you love the freedom of an outdoor space? There are hardly any rules when it comes to mixing pattern and color – the more the merrier, really. (Unless it’s red. This year, no red for the Vargos.)

Have you started your outdoor planning? Or perhaps you’re already enjoying it (lucky!)? Can we peek?

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  • Elisa4.25.12 - 8:14 AM

    Oo, I definitely dig that rug. No idea what they’re like, though.

    We don’t have covered outdoor space, and if I lived closer to you I’d totally sew you some pillow covers, if not to just vicariously live through your covered porch! Pillows FOR ALL!ReplyCancel

  • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode4.25.12 - 8:32 AM

    I’ve never had a World Market outdoor rug. I do, however, have a Gaiam outdoor rug that was woven from recycled plastic bottles. We’re heading into a third summer with it and are very happy.

    If you need someone to whip up some pillow covers for you, with invisible zippers and all that jazz, I’d be happy to!ReplyCancel

  • Heather4.25.12 - 9:27 AM

    I love the Rio mat from World Market. I have been using one on my covered front porch for 3 years! It is wonderful, and holds up well.ReplyCancel

  • Staci @ My Friend Staci4.25.12 - 9:34 AM

    I got a natural-fiber circle rug from World Market for like, $6.99 when I went into college (7 years ago… gulp) and it’s still keepin’ on keepin’ on. It’s indoors but I am happy with the quality. Those outdoor rugs are made of plastic and I assume basically indestructible. I think they’re so much cheaper because they’re plastic and not wool, or natural fibers, or whatever. In fact they’re so much cheaper we have an outdoor rug in our dining room (what can I say, we are/were cheap newlyweds!!)ReplyCancel

  • Giulia4.25.12 - 10:05 AM

    I had an outdoor rug and it only lasted one season, and yes, it was a cheapo ;(
    I’d love to be planning our outdoor space, but we have to tear down our deck and hideous patio before I can even think of the pretty things.
    I have the perfect striped melamine dishes for outdoors, which means I can change my colours all the time ;)
    I like your new colours, but also really like your old red style.ReplyCancel

    • Kim4.25.12 - 10:28 AM

      Haha, thank you, Elisa!

      And thanks ladies for the input! (Staci, nothing wrong with an outdoor rug in a living room!)

      Jane, I may have to take you up on that offer… Hidden zippers? Yes, please!ReplyCancel

  • angela4.25.12 - 10:52 AM

    Ours is from World Market – we used it all last summer and it held up really well! Come on up and check it out – the quality is awesome. It is a more expensive one, but it’s nice and big….ReplyCancel

    • Kim4.25.12 - 11:16 AM

      Angela, we didn’t realize yours was from WM! We’ve always loved it!ReplyCancel

  • kaylan4.25.12 - 11:42 AM

    i love that rug! i’ve been on the hunt for a yellow stripes, but no luck (in my price range) thus far. our deck is huge (300 sq/ft, our apt is only 490 sq/ft), so i try to section it off to make living, eating, and cooking areas, but it gets pricey. my biggest goal for this year is to finish the living space – nice rug, lots of pillows, comfy chairs, and a coffee table. we’ll see how far i get before the money runs out :-)ReplyCancel

    • Kim4.25.12 - 11:50 AM

      That IS huge! And your outdoor living area to be sounds so cozy.ReplyCancel

  • Evelisa4.25.12 - 1:21 PM

    I always wanted an outdoor space that look like a huge living room but with budget and time it will probably won’t happen for a while. But thanks for these tips. These patterns look great.ReplyCancel

  • Dave4.25.12 - 4:51 PM

    Kimbo,
    Your eye for color continues to amaze me. Great choices!ReplyCancel

  • Kelly4.25.12 - 6:42 PM

    I have two of these, both in the yellow. One is on my patio and one in my kitchen. Both seem to be quite durable despite my two dogs and one 3 three-year-old son. I recommend highly/ReplyCancel

  • katie4.26.12 - 11:08 AM

    Wow – thanks for cluing me in to world market! holy heavens – that’s so much cheaper than any rug i’ve been looking at. and it’s so cute! i’m heading over to their website pronto. we’re also trying to pretty up our outdoor space since we moved in when it was too cold to do anything with it.

    i think all those fabrics are going to look glorious. and i do so love a cozy porch.ReplyCancel

  • Jen4.26.12 - 1:48 PM

    We did! A few weeks back I went and got some palms and geraniums for the pool deck and then we hung a string of those uber trendy clear globe lights over the patio eating area. The husband went one step further and put some net lighting we had in the garage and hooked it up into the inside of our patio umbrella. It sounds jenky but at night it glows like a lantern. And yes, we will enjoy all this for approximately 1 more month and then the hell begins that is our summer here and we will live inside most of the time. Go see here at the bottom of the page under “Backyard.
    “http://sunsetsandswimmingpools.blogspot.com/p/our-desert-home.html Cheers!!ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.26.12 - 2:12 PM

    Thanks, everyone! I have Scott on a WM scouting mission while I’m busy running around this weekend (what a guy!). I think we’re going to go for it!

    Jen, your backyard is stunning!ReplyCancel

  • Ashley4.27.12 - 9:43 AM

    Hey Kim, I actually ordered this exact rug and I should have it any day! Can’t really go wrong for $20. I hope I don’t eat my words ::gulp::ReplyCancel

  • Kim4.27.12 - 9:57 AM

    Ashley, you’re right. For something so sunny and cheerful, what’s 20 bucks anyway?ReplyCancel

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