Thursday, March 31, 2016

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

This gravel patio was created for a patio makeover by Kevin O’Gara, the editor and founder of Thou Swell. Read about how he decorated his new patio in A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue.

Here’s Kevin’s step-by-step tutorial showing exactly how he built his new gravel patio.

How to Create a Gravel Patio

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

Materials


Step 1: Measure and Prepare

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

Start by measuring the area you’d like to fill. In my case, an existing retaining wall runs the length of one side of the patio, so we built the gravel barrier around the other three sides.

If you’re filling a dirt area, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve leveled the area as well as possible, but with careful attention to flattening the outer edges so the lumber will lay flat on the ground. If your ground is particularly soft, you can consider covering the area with a layer of landscape fabric.

Determine where people will be entering the area and accommodate for easy access – we built a little concave landing area outside of our back door to decrease the tripping hazard of the wood.


Step 2: Gather Materials and Lay Out Your Wood

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

Once you know how much wood you will need, you can either have it cut at your local Home Depot store or take it home and cut it yourself.

To ensure water drainage, use a hammer and chisel to create notches on the bottom side of the 2 x 2 wood. In our case, we made about four notches at the ends of the wood farther away from the house.

Once you’ve laid out your wood, connect the corners using corner brackets. Use a 90º angle to ensure accuracy and make sure to screw in the brackets on the bottom side of the wood so they’re out of sight.

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

For the pebbles, the standard recommendation is to use about a third of a bag per square foot, however, perhaps due to the foundation layer being concrete and providing no sinking for the rocks, I ended up using less gravel than I expected. I covered 524 square feet with 105 bags of Vigoro pea pebbles.


Step 3: Secure the Wood and Adhesive

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio

To secure the wood, we originally planned on screwing the wood into the concrete, but the concrete proved way too difficult to drill into for our screwdriver!

Instead, I used an indoor/outdoor construction adhesive. It was easy to use, and it’s very secure. I glued the bottom of wood at the ends and corners. After about 30 minutes, I could already feel the adhesive setting. It’s important to secure the frame first because once the gravel is down it can be difficult to keep it from slipping under the wood and preventing contact with the slab.


Step 4: Spread the Gravel

How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio
How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio
How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio
I mainly used my feet to spread out the rocks, but you can also use a rake to smooth it once you’ve poured all the pebbles out.

You may also consider putting your patio furniture in place before spreading the gravel to make sure it’s sitting on even ground.

Once it’s all spread out, sit back and enjoy your new gravel patio!

Kevin O’Gara is editor and founder of Thou Swell. He’s inspired by a mix of traditional and contemporary design.
He built this gravel patio as part of a total patio makeover–A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue.

Check out more DIY projects here on The Home Depot Blog, and follow our Outdoor Living board on Pinterest for ideas on how you can make the most of your outdoor spaces.

The post How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.



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How to Plant Using Large Containers

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook discusses the beauty and benefits of large-container planting

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All About Hydrangeas

For generations, these beloved shrubs have charmed with their big blooms and carefree nature

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

This backyard entertaining space is defined by the gravel floor, palm plants for the virtual walls.

For our Patio Style Challenge series, Kevin O’Gara, the editor and founder of Thou Swell, remade his patio for our Patio Style Challenge series. He focused on an airy light blue color scheme with contrasting outdoor accessories, all from The Home Depot.

Here, he shares the outdoor decorating ideas behind his new outdoor entertaining space.

A Beautiful Outdoor Entertaining Space

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

Materials seen in this patio makeover


When I started dreaming up my patio makeover, I wanted to create a new outdoor room in a space that was a rather bleak concrete pad. I imagined defining the floor with gravel and the walls with palms to make an inviting space that felt intimate, but accommodating and inviting.

Using these elements and our new Beverly sectional, the patio transformed into an outdoor living room with lush plant life and a splash of color.

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

I love our new sectional because it has a durable wicker weave and simple, contemporary lines that give it a timeless shape.

The Beverly Collection offers 16 options for fabric colors. I knew I wanted to add a subtle pop of color to the patio, so I chose a classic spa blue called Spectrum Mist. It looks beautiful with green plants and the dark brown wicker of the sectional.

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

The black lattice throw pillows pair well with the lighter blue pillows to add some contrast.

Our patio also opens up to the back room of the house with two garage doors, so I brought out the shades of blue in the back room to the cushions.

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

The accent tables provide the perfect place for appetizers, and even provide some storage with a shelf underneath.

Adding flower arrangements – even simple ones like the three hydrangeas on the coffee table – and potted flowers on your accent tables will add life and seasonal accents to your space.

Our versatile pouf also provides a place for a tray to create another side table, or it turns into extra seating or even a footrest. Its woven texture and resistance to mildew makes it perfect for the patio!

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

For the ‘walls’ of the space, I brought in potted palms to define the two areas of the patio and create a lush visual partition and more private setting.

I placed the grill at one end, conveniently located next to the dining table. Our shiny new Dyna-Glo grill is large enough to cook for groups and it has a side burner that can be used like a cooktop eye for making sides or even frying chicken without leaving a smell in the house!

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

With the space defined by the gravel, grill and palms, I focused on the décor.

First, I gave our existing patio furniture a touch up. I used Rust-Oleum matte black spray paint to give our worn-out metal dining set a facelift, and then used the same spray paint to cover an old kitchen cart. The kitchen cart became a potting table or entertaining hub, perfect for serving drinks on or potting some new plants.

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

Enjoying dinner al fresco is one of my favorite parts of outdoor living. As the sun goes down, flickering candlelight creates a beautiful ambiance from the lanterns, string lights, and tea lights on the table.

For the tabletop, I used a bromeliad to create an energetic centerpiece in a pretty pot with an ivy motif, and set the table with lots of green to bring together the patio’s palette with a simple, elegant setting.

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue

With the dining area right next to our seating area, it’s easy to move from appetizers on the sectional to dinner on the table. I also chose tufted seat cushions with the same color fabric as the sectional cushions to carry the spa blue palette to the dining area.

We will be enjoying our lush new patio all spring, summer, and fall long, and I’m sure it will be the setting for days spent relaxing in the sun with a book and many dinners under the night sky. Ready to tackle your own patio makeover? Consider these tips: add gravel for a chic foundation, use potted palms for lushness and intimacy, stick with dark colored furniture for durability, add ambient lighting with string lights and lanterns, and tie together your space with a consistent color palette.

Kevin O’Gara is editor and founder of Thou Swell. He’s inspired by a mix of traditional and contemporary design. After voraciously pinning interiors throughout his early teens, Kevin decided to write and produce his own content. In 2013, he created Thou Swell, named after the famous jazz standard and inspired by the song’s spirit and nostalgia. In just a few years Thou Swell has become a destination for interior lovers and entertaining enthusiasts.

Check out his companion post, How to Create a Chic Gravel Patio.

Browse our customizable patio collections, each with 16 fabric color choices and plenty of coordinating outdoor accessories. Follow our Patio Style Challenge board on Pinterest for more great outdoor decorating ideas from some of the most talented bloggers on the internet.

The post A Backyard Entertaining Space in Blue appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.



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One Set, Four Ways: Transform Your Patio

With a little imagination and some simple accessories, you can transform your patio in countless ways. See how one classic patio set, The Middletown by Hampton Bay, serves as the perfect canvas for four different theme parties. Just hover your mouse over the items you see, or tap them on your touch screen, to shop the look you love.

One Set, Four Ways: Transform Your Patio
One Set, Four Ways: Transform Your Patio
One Set, Four Ways: Transform Your Patio
One Set, Four Ways: Transform Your Patio
See more of our customizable patio collections, each with 16 fabric color choices, and numerous coordinating accents and patio accessories.

The post One Set, Four Ways: Transform Your Patio appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.



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8 Safe Storm Cleanup Tips

The weather may have cleared, but you’re not out of danger just yet

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How to Install a Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how the pros retrofit a compact cooling unit

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How-to Paint Fiber Cement



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How to Fix a Patchy, Weedy Lawn

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook resuscitates a dying lawn

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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look

Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look

To create an outdoor décor that’s uniquely yours, choose a highly customizable patio collection with lots of good options for fabric colors and coordinating outdoor accessories.

Take a look at this lovely green, natural look that Gloribell Lebron created for her patio with the Edington Outdoor Collection.

As part of our Patio Style Challenge series, Gloribell takes us on a tour of her relaxing outdoor space with a soothing organic vibe.

Tired of not having a decent outdoor space to enjoy with our daughters, we decided to expand our patio a bit. We had a company pour concrete based on a design I made. Elsewhere, I also designed a patio extension made with concrete pavers and landscape rocks. This particular spot has the privilege of receiving the soft morning sun and during the rest of the day, the perfect shade. It was on this last area that we envisioned the perfect and relaxed gathering spot from where we can sit and talk while the girls enjoy playing.

Customizable Patio Furniture

To make our patio dream come true, we started by choosing the ideal outdoor furniture. I found at The Home Depot the Edington Deep Seating Set that, besides being comfortable, has a beautiful design on the back of the chairs and on the top of the coffee table that matched the organic look I wanted to achieve. The Edington is among The Home Depot’s fully customizable patio sets, with 16 color options for the cushions, and a whole array of accent pieces, outdoor pillows and even four options for umbrellas– all which coordinate perfectly with the set. I chose the Celery color for the cushions. The light green brings a fresh feeling to this gathering area.

Subtle illumination for the nights was a must. For this purpose we used the Hampton Bay LED Black Coach lights, which comes in a pack of four. These can be placed in two different forms (either by hanging from the provided hooks or displayed on the provided stakes) and are very easy to assemble. I love how these accentuate the pattern on the floor at nights besides enhancing the rectangular form of this area.

Outdoor Accessories

Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look

The outdoor set came with a two pillows in an ikat pattern, but to complement its look, I added two Roux Palm toss pillows. The soft sand color blended very well with the rest of the décor and the palm trees leaves add an additional organic texture to the chair.

Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look

Another accessory I added was a ceramic garden stool with an intricate design. It serves as an additional sitting place or side table for placing the coffee while reading the newspaper.

On top of it I placed a 12-in. galvanized metal lantern (I used the 19-in. galvanized metal lantern, too) to add ambiance to this corner at nights.

Outdoor Plants

Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look

Plants give this area its fresh look. To make them stand out I used different planters besides the common terra cotta ones. For the palm trees I loved using the stylized urn shaped planters because, besides adding height to the plants, they serve as an added sculptural element to the space. I also used the artichoke ceramic planter for the big fern to complement its texture.

Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look

Other accessories that I found at The Home Depot were the Hampton Bay Galvanized Trays. They come in a set of three, each of a different size. I love using these to hold the beverages to serve to my guests, but they also came very handy for carrying some of my gardening tools as I take them wherever I need.

I love how this space now looks. It is a mini retreat for my husband and me, a place surrounded by nature and that breathes peace and a feeling of accomplishment. The soft green palette I chose provides that extra fresh appeal and the textures used add warmth and a welcoming sensation.

Now, let’s invite some friends and open a bottle of wine!

Gloribell Lebron is a graphic and interior designer in Miami. She writes about decorating on her blog I Don’t Know How She Does It! There you’ll find decorating ideas and easy tutorials to decorate your space.

See her gorgeous small balcony makeover here on The Home Depot Blog.

Browse our customizable patio collections, each with 16 fabric color choices and plenty of coordinating outdoor accessories. Follow our Patio Style Challenge board on Pinterest for more great outdoor decorating ideas from some of the most talented bloggers on the internet.

The post Outdoor Accessories Create a Green, Natural Patio Look appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.



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Patio Accessories Achieve Colorful, Coastal Look

Style 2_Shot #1_H

To create an outdoor décor that’s uniquely yours, choose a highly customizable outdoor collection with lots of good options for patio accessories.

We love the colorful, coastal look that Chelsea Coulston created for her patio with the Middletown Outdoor Collection. It has 16 different colored fabrics to choose from, along with lots of coordinating patio accessories. It makes decorating your patio or deck pretty easy, really.

Chelsea is the talented decorator behind Making Home Base. For our Patio Style Challenge series, she explains how she created this attractive coastal look for her patio with outdoor accessories from The Home Depot.

Patio Accessories for a Coastal Patio Décor

When we bought our home in October, the patio was a total blank slate. I imagined having a beautiful spot where we could entertain friends and neighbors, eat outside as a family, and just relax and enjoy Florida in the springtime. When The Home Depot asked me to partner with them again for the Patio Style Challenge I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to create that great outdoor entertaining space.

What I love most about this space is that is completely achievable. It didn’t require a bunch of labor or tools. We mostly worked within the space that was already defined and started with the Middletown Patio Dining Set as the centerpiece. I then used the gorgeous outdoor accessories from The Home Depot to bring the space to life. Accessorizing was the key to elevating our bland patio to our dream entertaining outdoor space.

Style 2_Shot #2

Outdoor Pillows

When it came to choosing a color scheme, red and aqua were the natural choice for me. That’s why I went with the Dragonfruit cushions for the outdoor dining set. To bring in the aqua I turned to my go to accessory for spaces indoors and out: throw pillows. They are the coziest accessory you could have.

The Home Depot offers a great mix of colors and patterns when it comes to outdoor pillows and cushions. I loved the Crab Shack Outdoor Toss Pillow you see above because it brings the red and aqua together, while tying in my love for coastal décor. I also picked up another aqua colored pillow that has some great texture and darling starfish buttons.

Style 2_Shot #1_V

Red and Aqua Color Scheme

The Middletown table and chairs are such a major focal point in the space I wanted to contrast the Dragonfruit red as much as possible so that it didn’t feel overpowering. I layered the aqua in by using the teal coral outdoor rug, and I chose the Sky Mist color for the market umbrella that coordinates with the Middletown patio collection.

Style 2_Shot #4

Throw pillows, string lights, plants, and lanterns are some of my favorite accessories for our patio. The 10 in. red ceramic lantern and the 5 in. ceramic lantern you see above are my very favorite, if I had to choose. They are great pop of color, and the detail is really pretty. Using the flameless candles in here are a must so you don’t have to worry about the mess of melted candle wax.

I used the flameless candles in the galvanized anchor candle holder you see below, as well. That’s another favorite accessory of mine.

Outdoor Dining Accessories

Style 2_Shot #3

I love all of the entertaining features of our new outdoor space. The dining accessories like these acrylic tumblers and this galvanized serving caddy with rope handles are great. The caddy is good for holding utensils, napkins, and other necessary items. I especially love the rope handle detailing. Also, the galvanized drink container is wonderful for keeping drinks ice cold during our warm Florida afternoons!

I’m so happy we were able to create the perfect entertaining space that is comfortable yet stylish with fun patio accessories. Thanks to The Home Depot for partnering with us to create this fun space. We can’t wait to share this space with our family and friends throughout the season!

Chelsea Coulston is a mom and a military wife. After living in five different states in six years, she’s become an expert at decorating and DIYing new homes. She shares her projects and inspirations on her blog Making Home Base.

Check out Chelsea’s previous Patio Style Challenge article– she made a very small courtyard patio look fabulous.

Browse our Outdoor Living Department for everything you need for your patio, deck or balcony. Follow our Patio Style Challenge board on Pinterest for more great outdoor decorating ideas from some of the most talented bloggers on the internet.

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