A Sorely Needed Terrace Makeover
We have a lovely space outside of our master bedroom that has been sorely neglected. The terrace is located on the second story so when outside, it feels like it we are up in the tree tops. It is very private and surrounded by lush foliage. There’s a wonderful view over to the pool house and is ideal for watching sunsets. Since this space is not in a main traffic area, it doesn’t receive the regular maintenance and love.
After a bit of research, it appears this outdoor furniture is made by Pompeii Furniture Industries in Miami, Florida. However, I don’t believe they are in business. When I googled them, their furniture was being sold in avenues such as Chairish and Live Auctioneers.com.
Assessing the Mess
The outdoor furniture is aluminum with a powder coat finish that is clearly faded from the sun. You can see where the finish has a reddish/purple cast. Not very attractive.
Since this is a lightly used deck, debris and dried plant material is collecting in the corners.
The entire terrace and fireplace were added during the massive restoration of the house (see that post here). Typically this space gets used during the non-summer months, when the weather is more appealing.
Do you have a place in your home that doesn’t get enough attention or remain unused most of the time? Naturally since this isn’t a very inviting space, we didn’t want to spend time here.
After purchasing 5 cans of Rust-Oleum spray paint in Metallic Oil-Rubbed Bronze, I am ready to tackle painting the furniture. If you have ever used a spray can for any length of time, you know how much stress it puts on your index finger.
I am very happy to find this tool. It is very inexpensive and well worth it. No more stiff index fingers. The handle clips onto the spray paint can and all you have to do is squeeze the handle. It is the best $6.00 you will spend.
Prepping the Site
I confess to being a messy DIYer. But when using spray paint, make sure you cover EVERYTHING in the surrounding area. Using drop cloths, I protect the terrace floor. I also did this project barefoot and thankfully I did not take pictures of the overspray on my feet. What was I thinking!
Also, wipe the furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dust or cobwebs.
In order to get paint coverage everywhere, tip the chairs over and on their sides. Spray while sweeping the area so the paint does not puddle. Allow the paint to dry, and then tip the chair again to make sure you don’t miss a spot.
With only one coat of paint, look at the transformation! It’s hard to believe that a simple can of spray paint can make your outdoor furniture look new again.
The table top has a stone insert that was not removable so I covered it with paper and used Scotch’s blue painters tape to protect the stone from overspray.
After the paint dries, remove any painter’s tape and do another once over to make sure no spots were missed.
The After Photos
And here is the AFTER. The cushions are covered with Sunbrella fabric and it is amazing how well they hold up being outside all the time.
The rug I ordered online through Rugs Direct. I’ve had rather good luck with this company and have been very happy with their selection, their prices and the speed of their delivery. This 8′ x 10′ Caspian (1005D) outdoor rug cost $199 (with free delivery) and it defines the space. I’m not sure they have it in stock any longer, but check out their selections for the rug, style and color you want. Oh! I just found this same rug on Amazon and you can find it here.
It’s all in the details.
The throw, pillows, lanterns and acrylic glasses and tray are from Pier One Imports. Their retail shop closest to us is closed, but I found similar acrylic glasses on Amazon here.
Here is a similar green throw for $14.99, which is perfect for cooler spring and summer evenings.
Lanterns can be found at places like Home Depot or Lowe’s or even online. Pier One has such a nice selection of outdoor trays and dinnerware. Look at this tray-the details are so pottery-like but unbreakable!
Now the terrace is a welcoming place to gather in the morning for a cup of coffee, or at the end of a long day to watch the stars.
Adding seasonal, playful pillows pumps up the color on the chair and chaise.
Transforming this terrace from a neglected one to this took a bit of work, but certainly worth the effort.
Some key learning experiences regarding this project:
- Wear gloves unless you want to scrub off your first layer of skin to get the paint off.
- Wear shoes or socks. I was barefoot and yes, I had to scrub and scrub to get the paint off my feet.
- Make sure you put down an appropriate amount of protective sheets or drop cloths. Mine were a bit small and yes, there was overspray. Thankfully I was able to scrub that off the deck. Lots of scrubbing after this project!
- Check the paint color before you start. I didn’t dislike this paint enough to stop and purchase more, but I do wish it was a bit lighter.
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This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Mondays #604