Project Reveal // Updated Patio Table

I've been hinting at several projects still in the works that will complete our backyard reno this summer. One of these was a make-over of our existing patio table set. We considered upgrading to a brand new set this year. After all, the patio table and chairs we already owned had been painted and repainted several times over the past 8 years. 

But I really liked our garage sale find chairs and the structure of our old IKEA table and decided to try my hand at updating them once more. 

If you are following me along on Instagram, you've likely already seen a partial reveal. For those of you  who are not, behold - a modern re-do on our old patio dining set.

We repurposed the old base, painting it black to match the new paint on the chairs. The old tabletop was weathered beyond repair and needed to be ditched. 

A quick trip (or three) to Home Depot and I returned with some pre-cut pieces of birch that would form our new table top. They were in pretty good shape to begin with, but I sanded all sides of each board down to a smooth finish before then staining all sides. 

I enlisted The Mister to help me put it all together. On the underside, we ran four boards vertically to allow for extra support and durability. Once constructed, the tabletop was screwed back into the painted  IKEA metal base and then coated several times in Varathane for weather and sun protection.

These favorite chairs were picked up as leftovers from a garage sale that had largely sold through and get this... for a mere $10. When we originally bought them, they were a rusty chrome. Eventually, we painted them white and that look held us over for several years. 

Currently, I'm feeling the black paired with warm wood vibe and this new combination is quite at home in our redesigned backyard. Our patio bar on the opposite side of the yard is constructed of the same wood and stained the same light walnut. 

Eventually, we will probably swap out the seat cushions for a darker fabric. For now, they are in pretty decent shape and we will probably squeeze one more year out of them.

Despite all the weeknight labor that went into this, it was a really satisfying project. We're already planning for lots of al fresco, poolside dinners this summer.

Stargazing // Griffith Observatory

I count Griffith Observatory as one of my most favorite places on the planet. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with all the nostalgia I have wrapped up in it's exhibit halls and views of our beloved city. Truth be told, the grounds overlook some of the most incredible views of Los Angeles to be found. But from a design perspective, the combination of finishes that went into first building and then renovating this remarkable building, well, I imagine they rival some of the great monuments on this continent or any other. It's truly a marvel - there is no other word to describe it. 

On Saturday afternoon, The Mister and I headed up to Griffith Observatory for it's monthly "Star Party". I had been anxious to share a place I have such a fondness for with him for so long. He's a native Angeleno and yet had never been up to see it- blasphemy!

The "Star Party" hosted each month by the Observatory draws an atypically large crowd. Parking stretched down the road for nearly a mile... which translated into a mile hike upward for most attendees.  But once to the top, it truly was a party, complete with amateur astronomers that bring their prized telescopes out onto the lawn and offer the curious a glimpse into galaxies far, far away. Ok, maybe that is hyperbole, but for our own viewings, we saw close ups of our own Moon, Jupiter, Venus and the Rings around Saturn for the very first time. We look up to the night sky every night, but I'll be damned if we weren't a little dumbstruck seeing it all through the lens that night. 

Amateur astronomers setting up telescopes on the lawn. Here you see the Planetarium dome (center), flanked by the East and West domes of the building

The South view from the Planetarium balcony. On a clear day, you can see straight through the city to the Pacific Ocean.

Little bronze doorways lead into the domes from adjacent balconies.

Deco embellishment set right into the famous concrete walls around the West dome.

A view of the Hollywood sign from a recently renovated area over the Observatory's restaurant

 If I'm being totally honest though, I was equally captivated by all the architectural details and finishes throughout and outside the building. Bronze, copper, brass, leather, concrete and marble all work together in spectacular fashion in the Deco-style design with moderne and modified greek influences and a beaux arts influenced plan. While history tells us that the drop in cost during the Great Depression allowed the Griffith Trust to indulge in more luxurious building materials, I have a slightly more romantic perspective on it. It's as if the original architects were more influenced by the stars themselves and made sure to highlight all of the natural elements found within our own star when planning the design.

There is also the greek key and scalloped detailing cast directly into the stark white concrete on the building's facade.  

The famous Hugo Balin Murals in the Rotunda ceiling just as you walk in the front entrance. This hangs right over the Foucault Pendulum, the first exhibit to be built at the Observatory in 1935. The Pendulum boasts a 240 pound brass ball and demonstrates the Earth's rotation.

Ceiling details

A glowing interior hallway

More finishes and details

The Gunther "Depths of Space" Exhibit

You can read up a little more on the Observatory's history and the extensive renovation process that took place in 2002 here. 

The Observatory hosts a monthly "Star Party". The full schedule and details can be found here. From our own experience, be advised that the grounds are quite crowded during this time so browsing time among the exhibits is not optimal. Plan to arrive by 4pm and stay the evening- but be sure to purchase tickets for the Planetarium shows right away, as they are first come, first serve with no reservations. Comfortable, layered clothing and shoes is a must, as parking will likely be quite a ways down the hill. Tram service is unfortunately not available.

Advice to Brides That Will Be

Today, we're 5 years in.
In the midst of wedding season and all the stress and nerves that go into planning a wedding, may I offer up a bit of unsolicited advice?

When you think back on your wedding day and look through your wedding album, I'm willing to bet that you probably won't even remember the color of your nail polish, how the cake tasted or the meaningless family squabbles. What you'll remember most about your wedding day are moments like these, when you finally let it all go and just enjoyed that one perfect night. 

In the end, it all seems to work out anyway.

Outdoor Fabrics That Play It Cool

As we wrap up our latest spring fling and spruce up around the pool deck, I have found myself looking into some new fabrics for final outdoor upholstery projects. In earlier days, I might have been a little more frugal in selecting fabric for use by the pool. After all, suntan lotion {and perspiration} combined with spilled drinks and condiment droppings make it difficult to keep anything nice for more than a season. But just because these fabrics will take a beating doesn't mean we need to resort to some Mass Club grade beige or orange. This year, there are plenty of durable designer textiles that'll help us play it cool by the pool. 

Here I'm sharing a few of my favorites. 

The fabric on the white patio banquettes has held up pretty well over the last two years, but I'm envisioning something different. We also are working on a seating plan around our new fire bowl- one that will incorporate some overstuffed cushions. 

Any guesses on which ones I'm leaning towards?

Fresh Ideas // Cargo Collective

It's been a while since I did a Fresh Ideas post. So much of what I have been seeing out there online and in magazines lately has been, well... different variations on the same. But when I came across this creatively styled and appointed apartment found at Cargo Collective, I knew I needed to share it with you all. 

All the rough textures and odd angles in the apartment are pulled together by a neutral palette and bold furnishings. I like this small space so much for it's simplicity - you certainly don't see a lot of excess here, it's really all about the basic living components. But what fills these rooms certainly hints at a well lived life, one full of music, dinner parties and an enthusiasm for good design.

But there is even more to see!

Around Here // The State of Things

As we make the final haul towards summer, we spent the better part of the weekend working on a few more updates around the house.  I thought I'd kick off the week with some progress shots and the intention of revealing final state later this week. 

This was the biggest happening around here this weekend. 

Last week's surprise heatwave brought out the worst in our pool and we decided to turn lemons into lemonade and just have the entire thing acid washed. So Friday night, we began pumping the yuck out and spent the better part of Saturday rinsing the surface down as it drained. Our pool guy was here most of the weekend, managing the pump and acid washing. Today he's finishing off the sanding and we'll spend the next day or so filling it all up again. 

Once drained, we could not believe how big our pool actually is. They rarely make them this big anymore. We're talking 10 + feet deep at the diving board!

Frankly, the big gapping hole in our yard unnerved me all weekend and I'll be happy to see water in it's place once again.

Our contractor is due in to run the gas line to our new fire bowl from Potted. Once that is done, we can bring in all the decomposed granite and remaining beach pebble that will fill and finish that side of the yard. 

In the meantime, I've been overhauling our patio dining table. Our little Ikea table and garage sale chairs have served us well, but it's time for a new look - one that will compliment our modernized backyard landscape design. This one's closest to being finished and I hope to share the result of a week's worth of sanding, staining and painting with you all before this week comes to an end.

Spring really is made for projects around here. But I'm looking forward to a Summer spent relaxing and enjoying the spoils of all this hard work.

Filler Floral // In Defense of Greenery Arrangements

Taking advantage of some of the unique flowers that are only available this time of year, Spring weddings in particular are filled with colorful blooms. But seasonal blooms can certainly become costly. Today, I'm here to make my argument in defense of another option many brides disregard, but one that can be just as unique and beautiful-  and a much less costly endeavor at that. 

Here I present a defense for an all green arrangement.

Always drawn to the dark side, I'm partial Nicolette Owen's take, with her moody and explosive smoke bush arrangement in a modern glass jug (above). This would look sensational paired against a dark tablecloth, or backlit by candlelight. 

But, I will plead my case with some other examples as well.

Exhibit A - Preston Bailey 
Master stylist Preston Bailey recreates a  table top tree out of Philodendron leaves.

Exhibit B - P. Allen Smith via Tobi Fairley

P. Allen Smith uses Chinaberry as a coffee table centerpiece. This draping arrangement would be just as much of a conversation starter en masse, down the center of a long dining table.

Exhibit C - Petite Pots

Sansevieria trifasciata, also called snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue potted amongst other succulents in an urn makes for a modern take on a classical arrangement

Exhibit D - Mark D. Sikes via House Beautiful

 Mark D. Sikes makes a welcoming arrangement out of simple eucalyptus in this house's foyer. 

Exhibit E - Nanette Gower via Urbanlist

Nanette Gower rebels against a typical floral bouquet, creating a tropical looking bouquet out of succulents and lily foliage.

Exhibit F - Bash Please via Style Me Pretty

Bash Please kept it wild near the alter with lush branches flanked by fern and english ivy. 

Exhibit G - Honey of a Thousand Flowers via Once Wed

Speaking of fern, Honey of a Thousand Flowers shows us that sometimes less really is more. Paired only with candles, this arrangement even forgoes vases, making it one of the best ways to make a floral statement on even the leanest of budgets.