Dine out with Ikea! (plus a sale date announced)

It is technically not even spring yet, but if you're in the market to do some outdoor furnishing we are approaching the time to shop! Stores will soon stock their new outdoor selections and if you wait too long you may miss out on first picks.

At this time a year ago my husband and I had a brand new deck to furnish and we just weren't having any luck finding anything we really liked. We were very excited to have built our deck within budget but there was little money left for furniture. Even looking at bargain stores and various resources for used sets, we could not find anything that was our taste for a reasonable price. So when we discovered Ikea's hip and inexpensive selection of outdoor furnishings we were on cloud 9! Our vision was to have some color and to sort of mix and match a set of our own. I posted about our mix-matched Ikea set last April and, according to blog stats, that post has been one popular Chelsea's Garage read lately! So, I figured this is a perfect time do a follow up of what Ikea has coming in this season!

Here are some of my favorite picks from what Ikea is offering this year for outdoor furnishing; specifically chairs. I could spend many a warm summer evening lounging in any one of these:

Roxo chair, $20, also available in gray or white: (we have these in yellow, which they do not appear to be offering this year)

A favorite because:I really like the clean lines, the fact that they're easy to wipe clean, stackable, and I love snap of color they add to the table!

Hasselon armchair, $45

A favorite because: This chair has a nautical swag that is so appealing! The crisp white with the natural wood armrests is so fresh and chic. It's a simple shape but this chair hardly blends in. 

Vasman armchair, $39.99

A favorite because: As a born fidgeter I love chairs with a bit of movement. I'd be bouncing all evening long in this seat! It's a funky chair. Why not?!? 

Hogsten armchair, $79.99

A favorite because: It's like a modern twist on wicker!!! I absolutely love the design; even if it's a completely different style from what's inside your home, the crisp white keeps it from going too far. Love this!

Haro folding chair, $14.99, also available in blue or white

A favorite because: For fifteen bucks each you can have an edgy punch of color around your outdoor table! Outdoor dining chairs don't need to be fancy so have some fun with it! They're easy to wipe clean, easy to store, and are available in multiple colors; what's not to like?!

*Ikea will have their first shipment of outdoor furniture available the first week in April. After that they will get only one more partial shipment, so the early bird really gets the worm!

 Let me show you what we put together a year ago:

Falster table and armchairs + 4 yellow Roxo chairs = Our very own original set!

The woven yellow striped rug by the door was another Ikea score for a mere $5, (and was available in basically all the primary colors)

SALE ANNOUNCEMENT:

The next Chelsea's Garage sale is officially set for 

Saturday May 4

Location in Herndon, VA (contact me at chelseasgarage@gmail.com for address)

I sure hope to see you then!

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured under Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt.

Paris Grey sideboard

Happy Friday!

It was my recent good fortune to find this mighty sideboard while out thrifting with my brother's girlfriend, Cate. Our cart and arms were full as we were about to step in line, but then I made a beeline across the room as soon as I spotted this piece. Sideboards such as this might be one of my favorite furniture types to refinish. They are so versatile and among my most highly requested. After a bit of inspection I mentally checked off all my requirements; sturdy, functional, beautiful/unique detailing, and affordable. Done deal :)

The detailing on the doors of this piece inspired me to go with Paris Grey by ASCP. Though a large and substantial piece, the details give it an air of elegance and romance that I wanted to hype up with a soft and airy hue.

New again

 I have always enjoyed the contrast of a soft grey and cream together. I decided to use Country Grey, (which really is more of a lovely cream, also by ASCP), along the edges of the cabinet doors for a subtle differentiation.

Putting together these small vignettes are really too much fun for me. This little exertion of creativity is a welcome contrast to changing diapers and scraping food stuck in the crevices of our dining table :) The silvery string was a last touch - and totally unnecessary - but I like things a little off beat.

So there ya have it! This piece will be available at the next Chelsea's Garage sale! Date TBD.

The low-down on this piece is pretty simple:

-2 coats Paris Grey

-Taped the inside and outside of the doors and painted one thin coat of Country Grey along the door edges

-Used a fine sanding block and steel wool to distress

-2 coats of clear wax on the top surface, 1 coat over the rest of the body.

This piece is linking up to: Blue Egg Brown Nest

Have a beautiful weekend!

Speaking of weekend.....The Reston 10 miler is on Sunday! The race and the distance are really nothing important; what's important is the cause. I am running to bring awareness to an awesome foundation called AHOPE for Children. In short, AHOPE rescues and cares for the wee ones of Ethiopia who have the least amount of hope; the precious orphans affected by HIV. Every little bit can help make a difference for this incredible ministry that relies on support to care for the growing number of children they are taking in. Besides providing medical treatment, AHOPE also educates their children so they may be productive, successful adults in their country. How cool is that?! If you have any interest in either a one time or monthly donation to AHOPE for Children, please visit my fundraiser, (below), Running for AHOPE, or see their website here and follow the Donate Now instructions. 

LINK TO FUNDRAISER

Thank you so much for reading! 

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured on Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt!

Quickest party decorating idea ever!

Hey everyone! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! We threw a little birthday shin-dig at our house for my brother and I learned a really fun party decorating trick that I couldn't wait to share! You know those paper lanterns that are all over the place? We were given some a year or so ago by a friend and I've hung them up for every birthday party we've held here, but this time I decided to just keep it simple and kept the lanterns flat!

Don't they look cool together?! The big white ones on the ends were another thrift store score last weekend for less than $2 ea! They were unused, unopened from Ikea!

The Happy Birthday banner I made for a special birthday party for my Mom 3 years ago. It has now been hung for 14 different birthdays, I believe, (including one in Florida) - and is still in great shape! Made from cereal box cardboard, silver ribbon, ivory crepe paper, and glitter glue.

Hanging it is one of my favorite birthday traditions now :)

Why bother gathering and displaying balloons when they're fun enough to kick around on the floor!

A fun treat for little ones, (and keeps them out of trouble at a party)!

Anyway, I just wanted to pass along the easiest party decorating idea I've ever stumbled upon.

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

This post was originally featured on Chelsea's Garage, now affectionately known as StyleMutt!