A Vivid Gazebo Makeover

We are right now editing our clip from our live interview on CBS6 so we thought we’d post this remarkable patio makeover to tide you over. When Julie and Mike sent us their vivid before and afters we could not wait to share the eye candy. Here is their letter:

We truly enjoy the Hands-on before & after pics featured on house renovation blogs, especially yours. Persistently reading your journal is frequently the kick-in-the-arse that motivates us to face yet another weekend of Home Depot trips and household projects. For the past few months, we have been fixing up our own first house – a compact ranch coastal cutie and loving every minute – okay, not every minute, but it has been a lot of learning, a lot of band-aids, and a lot of lively. We have long been dreaming and planning for an outdoor space where we can relax and entertain. We are so proud of our Hands-on project, we were bursting to share the pics with your readers. Also, over at our own renovation journal, there are bonus pics and a step-by-step photo follow-along of the “during” stages. At this point, our go-to room in our house is in fact outside the house. -Julie & Mike

And for anyone who is curious about what came from where (and how much it all cost), here is a handy dandy shopping breakdown:

• Wellington Gazebo from Target ($249)
• Indoor/outdoor rug remnant from Home Depot ($20)
• Better Homes and Garden patio set from Walmart ($249)
• Buddha candle holder from Target ($9.99)
• Mosaic capiz end table from Bed Bath and Beyond ($19.99)
• 3 small plants from IKEA ($.99 each)
• Solar string lights from Sams Club ($14.99)
• TOTAL: $564.00

Thanks so much for sending those excellent pictures our way Julie and Mike! Your patio transformation is truly mindblowing- as is the totally walet-friendly budget. An addition would have cost a fairly penny, but an instant outdoor room for under $600 is truly an achievement!