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Adding Wicker to Our Backyard Patio

We’re in the home stretch of what we plan to complete this year for our backyard patio; with summer winding down, we’re calling this round one. After last week’s heatwave, the nights have started to cool off (good sleeping weather, as Scott would say), and I hate to admit that I craved my first pumpkin drink of the season, so we’re hustling to get to a point that we can call ‘done for now.’ And the latest addition to our backyard? Wicker!

After seeing this adorable photo pop up in my outdoor inspiration search, I asked, do we need wicker in our yard? These are words I never thought I’d say – I’ve always been impartial, I suppose? – but I showed Scott, and he agreed. Yes, we absolutely need some wicker in the yard. And so the search began!

I quickly learned that not all wicker is created equal. I would fall in love with a chair, only to find out that it wasn’t outdoor rated, or I’d find The One, and dive into the reviews, only to second guess my decision. In our case, we wanted two chairs to flank the heads of our soon-to-be dining table, and Scott was staying firm on a low maintenance buy. Nothing too precious, he said. In other words, we didn’t want to worry in the event of an unexpected rain shower. There are pricey options, and there are affordable options just like anything else, but after a few days on the hunt, I found myself jumping from leggy chairs to stubby chairs, grey wicker to white, or rattan to bamboo and back to wicker again. To my over-researchers out there, do you feel me? (Hear, hear!)

I went back to our inspiration photo to try and place what made me love it so, and I noticed how the wicker wrapped its way down the entire length of the chair, exposing only an inch or two of the feet. Bingo. With a clear mind, I could eliminate a lot of my options, and I quickly found a pair of these for a steal!

wicker-patio-furniture-02

We swapped the tan cushions for these Sunbrella striped box cushions, elevating them from plain-ol’-wicker-chairs to hey, now!-wicker-chairs. It’s the little things! As a side note, this is our third purchase of nice Sunbrella cushions – our front porch swing, the built-in bench and these chairs – and the extra cost is worth it. They’re so well made, virtually fade proof and dry quickly after rain showers.

wicker-patio-furniture-03

Until we finish building our patio table, we’re using them to cozy up around the fireplace, which, you guys, is so exciting! We just completed the conversion of our wood burning fireplace to propane, and I’ll be sharing that makeover soon. In the meantime, and because we considered All the Wicker, I wanted to share some favorites with you! Keep in mind that many of these are intended for indoor use only, which had me wishing for the space to add a pair to our own dining table. They add so much warmth! For all the wicker lovers in the world (consider us converts), this one’s for you.

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  • Amy9.13.16 - 6:52 AM

    These look great, especially with the new cushions. Be thankful you have dogs. I have wicker chairs in my backyard, and the squirrels love sharpening their teeth on the chairs and chewing up all the wicker. Sigh…ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.13.16 - 10:05 AM

      Oh, no! We have crazy city squirrels that’ll do anything for a bite to eat. We’ll keep an eye out!ReplyCancel

    • Sarah9.13.16 - 10:14 AM

      Oh no! Squirrels eat wicker?! It’s my dream to have these chairs!ReplyCancel

      • Kim9.13.16 - 10:39 AM

        We haven’t had any issues at all, but it’s good to know, I guess?! These chairs have a protective coating, so maybe that helps.ReplyCancel

  • Pamela9.13.16 - 11:51 AM

    I am totally jelly. :D I love the chairs but you are right what makes them a stand out are those cushions. Black and white was my original plan for our lanai but I bought something that I could have right away. That whole immediate gratification thing. I spent enough that I am going to have to live with my brown and cream pieces but I am having fun switching up the throw pillows with pops of color that can change with the seasons. Still, I like yours better. Congrats on a great look at a great price.
    PamelaReplyCancel

    • Kim9.13.16 - 11:54 AM

      Thanks, Pam! Swapping out pillows is just as fun. :DReplyCancel

  • Kari9.13.16 - 3:11 PM

    That lounge chair *swoon*
    Loving the progress on your backyard. Looks wonderful!ReplyCancel

  • Alanna9.13.16 - 4:27 PM

    In your research did you learn the difference between wicker and rattan? I don’t know the difference and wondered if you knew. Also, I love the black fireplace (I assume you will be posting on the change from orange to black soon)?ReplyCancel

    • Kim9.14.16 - 5:29 PM

      Haha, I love that you asked this. I DID wonder what the difference was! I looked it up a few weeks ago when I fell down the rabbit hole. Basically, rattan is the material, and wicker is the actual weaving process.

      And yes, we’ll be sharing details on the fireplace soon! We are still working on a few things to get it functioning perfectly, and we want to be able to test it thoroughly beforehand.ReplyCancel

  • Hillary9.17.16 - 10:59 AM

    I saw your chiminea last night in Can’t Buy Me Love! It was the original orangey red color, in the house where Cindy Mancini goes to a party at the beginning (in her mom’s white suede outfit) and again at the end of the movie. It was just a quick glimpse but I thought you’d be tickled.ReplyCancel

  • Jaime Lopez9.20.16 - 12:18 PM

    I love that foot stool/pouf… where is that little gem from? This space is truly so fun to see come together, step by step. Thank you again for showing us all the details and steps to make it happen!

    – JaimeReplyCancel

  • Peg Coble9.22.16 - 10:01 PM

    Learned about you in Better Homes and Gardens.ReplyCancel

  • Victoria10.18.16 - 1:57 PM

    Would you mind sharing what size you ordered for the cushions? I already have these chairs and would love to swap them out for something more fun but when I measured it seemed like they are in between sizes. Thank you!!!ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.18.16 - 2:17 PM

      You’re right – it is ever-so-slightly between sizes. I went with the 18″, and it fits perfectly side to side. However, there is a small gap in the back (maybe an inch?). It’s hardly noticeable, and the Sunbrella cushions are SO much nicer and more durable than the Target ones!ReplyCancel

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We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

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