From Yawn to YAY!

I have SO much Blogging to catch up on!  

I have been very busy with lots of projects! 

 Let's head outside and see what I've been up to. 

 This is the patio underneath my deck.  The sliding door leads out from the basement.  We use this door a lot but kind of ignore this area.  

Why? 

 Cause it's Snoozeville!!!

But it has so much potential!!!

And it stays shady most of the time!  

And right now that is important.  It has been over 100 degrees for most of the week and I see no relief in sight.  It's too hot on the upper deck and even on the Screened in Porch.

  Let's see what we can do down here to spruce things up!

I have had this patio set for about 12 years.  

We bought it when we lived in California.  

I miss living there sometimes.  California is one place where outside living is a reality.  We used to be in our backyard with a pool from sunup til sundown. 

 Oh well, I have to live in the NOW.

 I would love to buy new cushions but it's not in the cards.

 (I priced them starting at $35.00X6=TOO MUCH MONEY)   So let's try to salvage these first.  

You can see by this photo that I have some mold and mildew issues.  And, I think the color of the chairs is a big sleeper too!

But, first things first, let's attack the mildew problem. 

 I mixed up a bucket with a little bit of Dawn Blue dishwashing soap and about a half cup of Bleach.  

I scrubbed the cushions with a stiff brush and let them sit for about 15 minutes.  

While I waited for the cushions to soak, I painted the chairs with Valspar Brown Spray paint.  OK, it took me longer than 15 minutes to paint them all but it's kind of like the magic of Television right? 

 Look at how happy they look already! 

 My grass not so much!  

Back to the cushions.

  Get ready to see all of this mold and mildew disappear! 

 I used a power washer, yes a power washer.  They sell them at Costco for $299.00.  Awesome things you can do with a power washer.  You might even consider going in with a neighbor, friend or relative to split the cost.  I don't have any pictures of me power washing the cushions so you will have to take my word for it.  My arm still hurts from trying to start the darn thing!  Why can't they make things like lawn mowers, snow blowers and power washers "girl friendly"?  I guess I had better step up the weight lifting.  

What do you think?  

YAY!

Big improvement!  

We are on our way! 

 Stay tuned because in the next post I am going to show you how I stained the concrete patio (all by myself, I might add!).

Now I am going in to get something cold to drink!

Until Next Time,

Beaux Reves,

XO Cindy

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Not Just a Housewife
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Roeshel  at DIY Showoff

Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Faded Charm for White Wednesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design 

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 From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
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