Fixing Up a Bench We Found on the Curb
A wobbly bench left out for trash pickup turned into a slower project than expected, with a joint I misjudged and a finish I redid twice. Whether it was worth it depends on the day you ask me.
Building a Simple Ramp for an Aging Dog
Watching Pepper hesitate at the patio step one too many times pushed me to build her a small ramp. The first version was too steep to actually help, and I had to rethink it from scratch.
Hanging String Lights the Right Way, After Doing It Wrong
My first attempt at patio string lights sagged, then came down in the first real wind. The second attempt took longer to plan but actually survived the season, and the difference came down to tension.
Restaining the Deck Railing in an Afternoon
I planned two hours to restain the deck railing before dinner. The prep work alone ate most of the afternoon, and I learned exactly why the old finish had been peeling in the first place.
Adding a Gravel Path Between the Patio and the Fence
A short gravel path connecting the patio to the side fence sounded like the easiest project of the summer. The edging and the base told a different story once the rain came through.
The Weekend I Built a Side Table, and What I’d Change
A simple side table for the patio turned into a lesson about picking the wrong joint, rushing the finish, and why I should have listened to my own first instinct about the legs.
Cushions, Covers, and the Upkeep I Didn’t Expect
I thought outdoor cushions would be a buy once and forget it purchase. Instead they turned into an ongoing chore of drying, storing, and fighting mildew that I never planned for.
Why We Went With Adirondack Chairs Instead of a Matching Set
I spent weeks comparing coordinated patio sets against simple standalone chairs before landing on Adirondack chairs, and the reasoning had less to do with looks and more to do with how our family actually sits outside.
The Storage Bench That Does Double Duty
I almost skipped the storage bench because it seemed like an unnecessary extra, but it has quietly become one of the most used pieces on the whole patio, earning its spot every single week.
Mixing Cheap and Splurge Furniture on One Patio
Some patio pieces earned every extra dollar, others should have stayed cheap, and a couple of my guesses about which was which turned out to be completely backward once the season actually tested them.