Revive Old Planters with this Simple DIY!

'Tis the season to be sneezin' .. This Spring has got me suffering with allergies. Regardless, I am still spending time outdoors and finishing up outdoor chores before summer BBQ's start. Last weekend during Mother's Day, my mom and I went to pick out new flowers for outside (Mother knows best). As we prepare to plant the new flowers, I realized that our flower pots needed a major revival. It was only necessary that I stop everything I was doing and run to grab all my painting supplies.

Here is a Quick Step-by-Step Tutorial to Revive your Outdoor Planters:

For this project you will need:

A tarp to cover the ground, Paint of your choice (Either Spray paint or Acrylic), a ceramic or plastic pot, protective spray coat (optional), stencil (optional)

1. Wash & Scrub existing planter. It is important that you have a clean slate to work on. Wash away dirt and sometimes spider webs hidden under the lip of the planter (gross)

2. Place tarp down to protect the floor and ground around you.

3. Paint the body of your planter with two coats of paint in the color of your choice. You can leave it solid and stop here or use this color as a background color and move on to the next step.

4. (Optional) Apply a Stencil or tape out stripes or a design of your choice. Color in your stencil with paint.

5. (Optional) After the paint has dried, add a protective top coat.

Here is the final result. I may go back in and add a design to the Cobalt blue pot. I am thinking of a Chinoiserie pattern because I am loving Blue & White right now. If you haven't been following me, check out my post from two weeks ago, "Chinoiserie Chic Decor".

I also painted a few solid yellow pots to coordinate with the sunflower stenciled pots which aren't photographed because I am waiting for my plants to grow. I didn't want to show you a pot of dirt :)  I'll share the growth on Instagram @byamadesigns.

Here are some other Pinterest-worthy designs that I would like to attempt in the future.

(Photo via In my Own Style)

(Photo via Centsational Girl)

Gardening is not my forte. What are some of your favorite outdoor plants and flowers? Share your favorites (especially flowers deer & other animals won't eat). I would love to know!

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you love this post, share it with your friends and pin it to Pinterest to come back this craft idea later.

Hope your day is as awesome as you are! :)

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Small Balcony, Large Style. How to Deck-Out your Deck

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen a small and stylish balcony that truly inspired me. Hours later, I spent the rest of my night on Pinterest gazing over many more trendy decks. So I figured, why not share my lovely findings with you?! As the weather continues to warm up, we start to spend more time outdoors. Your backyard is an extension of your home to relax and entertain. If you live in an apartment and don't have a backyard, why not deck-out your deck? By adding the right elements, you can create a charming outdoor living space that you can retreat to by yourself or with friends.

How to Deck-Out your Small Deck or Balcony:

1. Conversation Seating - Create a comfortable seating arrangement that encourages conversation between guests. If you balcony is tiny, try adding two chairs with a small table in between.

2. Scaled Furniture - Finding furniture that fits a tiny balcony is a challenge. The furniture needs to be scaled to fit the space both in size as well as visual-space. The photo below is the perfect example. The furniture is light-weight and airy. The chair and sofa has an open base and back which draw your eye through the furniture making the space feel more open. If the furniture had a solid back and base, this balcony would feel heavy, small, and cluttered.

3. Flower Garden - Flowers and plants not only add color to your balcony but create privacy as well. By adding a few tall plants along the edge of your railing you can obstruct the view from nearby neighbors. I love the hanging pots on the railing.

4. Herb Garden - If you like to spend time cooking in your kitchen, why not have your own outdoor herb garden? The picture below is a great example of use of wall-space and I also enjoy the pop of color from the flower pots.

5. Outdoor Rug - Make your balcony feel warm and inviting by adding an outdoor area rug. Rugs add interest and also ground furniture groupings.

6. Lights - I love using lantern Lights with candles outdoors. It creates a very warm and inviting setting. If you don't want to use candles, consider the battery operates votives and tea lights. For a similar feel, you could also add string lights and drape the railing or underneath an umbrella.

7. Umbrella - Protect yourself from direct sunlight by adding an umbrella for shade on sunny days.

8. Mesh Canopy - For buggy nights, add a mesh canopy to your balcony.

9. Privacy - Create privacy from nearby neighbors by adding a decorative screen or even draping fabric along the railing.

10. Outdoor Art - Add art to your space that can withstand the weather such as metal or glass wall hangings or sculptures. You can even add wind chimes to add whimsy to your balcony.

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to deck-out your deck. Enjoy the warm months ahead and spend more time outdoors. If you loved this post, share it with a friend who has an apartment or a small balcony.

For more design inspiration, follow @byamadesigns on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine, filled with tons of inspiration for the home and life. Also, receive a free Home Design Checklist to make your next shopping trip for your home easier.

10 Ways to Improve your Home's Curb Appeal

It is the perfect time of year to start working outside and improve the exterior appearance of your home. Whether your goal is to improve the attract buyers or to simply enjoy; the presence of your exterior will either welcome guests or deter them. In today's blog post, I will be sharing ways to create an exterior that everyone will want to know what is inside. Enhance your homes curb appeal with cosmetic upgrades and projects that can be done in one day or an entire weekend.

Here are 10 Ways to Improve your Home's Curb Appeal:

1. Statement Entry - The front entry is the focal point of your home. Create a statement entry by adding punch of color to your front door or by installing a custom wood door. Add a stylish Welcome mat and a decorative wreath to express your personality.

2. Replace Hardware - Update house numbers, the entry door lockset, and door bells/door knockers if they look worn from weather conditions or if they do not fit the aesthetic of your home. If you have a traditional home, oil rubbed bronze finish will work while brushed nickel suits more contemporary homes.

3. Mailbox - Select a mailbox that mimics the style and finishes of your home. A wall-mounted mailbox should compliment the color and trim of your home. Dress up a mailbox on a post by surrounding the post with flowers.

4. Lighting - Landscape lighting makes a huge impact when it comes to your homes curb appeal. It also provides safety and security. Illuminate pathways, spot light masonry details and trees, and an overhead light fixture by the entrance to welcome guests to the front door.

5. Paint - Define and highlight architectural elements by playing it up with a paint. Choose an accent color to accentuate decorative trim, railings, fences, columns, shutters, or other significant details that need more attention.

6. Renew Siding - Hire a professional or rent a machine to power wash the exterior of your home for a mini-face lift. If you're siding is in bad shape, repaint the exterior for an automatic transformation.

7. Balance and Symmetry - Creating balance is simple to arrange and also appeasing to the eye. For a stronger impact, try  flanking sconces and/or planters on each side of the front door.

8. Renew Planter Beds - Renew planters beds and flower gardens by pruning and pulling weeds. Add new mulch to restore color that was taken away from sunlight and harsh weather. Define your planter beds by outlining them with stone or decorative cast-concrete edges.

9. Outdoor Seating - Add a bench or a few chairs to your front porch to make your porch feel more inviting and so you have another outdoor space to enjoy on a nice sunny day.

10. Outdoor Art - Add weather resistant artwork to add curb appeal and express your personality. Select sculptural elements that complement your homes's color palette and style. Water fountains, bird baths, metal sculptures, stained glass, and wind chimes are few good choices for outdoor art.

With a little TLC you can upgrade your home's curb appeal with cosmetic upgrades that can be accomplished in a day or a weekend. I hope this post encouraged you to update your home's exterior.

Did you love this week's post? Comment below and share with your friends. If you want more design inspiration and tips, please follow @byamadesigns on Instagram

Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine, filled with tons of inspiration for the home and life. Also, receive a free Home Design Checklist to make your next shopping trip for your home easier.

How to Prepare for Spring

As we make the slow transition into Spring, we naturally turn our attention to cleaning and updating our homes. This is the time where I flip my home inside out and upside down for a major cleanse. To help prepare you for the always-busy months ahead, I've created a Spring Cleaning Checklist to use as a guide:

• Purge Closets - Separate your items into piles as you pack away winter clothes. Donate or toss the items that you will no longer need or will not wear next season.
• Organize - It's time to tidy-up. Store toys in storage baskets/bins. Keep your desk neat with drawer organizers and file storage. Add hooks near the front door to hang those easy-to-lose keys. Find a home for everything to make life easier.
• Office Update - Freshen up your work environment by organizing your files, archiving old files, and even deleting unwanted files on your computer. Organize receipts by store so you can easily find them later. Shred paperwork that has personal information on it. Invest in a planner or other stationary, that you can use to jot down ideas and To Do items.
• Living Update - Your family/living room is very active. To preserve your furniture longer, flip and rotate seat cushions so they can wear evenly. Don't forget to fluff back pillows too! If your throw pillows have seen better days but the casings are in good condition, consider purchasing new pillow inserts.
• Clean Window Treatments - Remove dust from blinds and wash curtains to breath easily this Spring. Don't forget to clean screens daily during high pollen weeks.
• New Bed Linens - Revive your bed with new bed linens and sheets. Swap out your winter-weight duvet with a light-weight comforter or quilt.
• Fresh Scent - Enjoy walking into your space with a fresh scent. There is something about a nice smelling candle that instantly makes a room feel clean (doesn't mean you can skip cleaning tho!). Use reed-diffusers or display potpourri in a decorative bowl.
• Replace Doormats - Your door mat took a beating this winter. Freshen up your entry with a new door mat or hallway runner.
• Revive Exterior - Power wash the siding on the exterior of your home to remove winter debris.
• Prep Outdoor Spaces - Don't get stuck cleaning your porch the day of your first BBQ. Prep and clean your patio and outdoor furniture now to enjoy all season long. You will be happy that you did!
• Outdoor Entertaining Items - Keep your outdoor dishes and utensils near your outdoor dining set or where you prepare meals so you can serve guests with ease. Stop yourself from running in and out of the house during a party by storing entertaining items in a convenient place.

I hope you have found these tips helpful while you prepare for Spring.

What are some tasks that help you prepare for the warm months ahead? Share your favorite tip below.

Do you love AMA Designs? Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine, filled with tons of inspiration for the home and life. Also, receive a free Home Design Checklist to make your next shopping trip for your home easier.

10 Step Guide to Create an Outdoor Sanctuary

With the warm summer months approaching, It's almost that time to start prepping your outdoor spaces to entertain family and friends. If you follow me on Facebook, you may have noticed a few outdoor-related posts I shared. I'm in the outdoor-entertaining spirit! Easter is around the corner and I am hoping it's warm enough to eat outside or pull up a chair in the sun with a drink. Your backyard is an extension of your home that should not be undervalued. Today, I'll be sharing how to create an outdoor space that everyone will want to enjoy with 10 easy decorating ideas and techniques. 

1. Divide Backyard into Zones - Dining area, lounge area, grilling/barbecue section, outdoor bar, kids play area, etc.

(Photo by Helen Green Design)

2. Outdoor Lighting - Treat outdoor spaces such as porches, patios, and even screened in porches as another room. Add ceiling fixtures as you would with an indoor space. This makes the space feel more like a "room".

(Photo via House Beautiful)

3. Outdoor Furniture - Most indoor/outdoor furniture today is hard to decipher from regular interior use. Wicker seating and sectionals make for great seating whether it be outdoor or on a screened-in porch.

4.  Area Rugs - Area rugs not only define seating zones but they also protect bare feet from burning on a sunny porch (I'm guilty for this one!). Pick up a durable indoor/outdoor rug. Some examples are sisal/jute, poly blends, or even woven plastic that looks like straw.

5. Outdoor Pillows - As with furniture, indoor/outdoor fabric options have improved. Outdoor pillows don't look like your typical outdoor pillows anymore. Cozy up your lounge chairs and seating areas with decorative throws.

6. Outdoor Curtains - This ties in with #5. If you have a porch or a pergola, consider adding curtain sheers.

(Photo via Centsational Girl)

7. Light the Way - Light up paths for you and your guests with solar powered lights.

8. Discrete Outdoor Speakers - What is a party without a little music? Discretely hide speakers with speakers that are disguised as rocks.

9. Fresh Paint - Revive your deck or stairs with a fresh coat of paint. Are the high-traffic areas worn out? Consider using a stencil to paint a runner up your stairs or stencil a faux area rug underneath outdoor seating. The picture below is painted concrete. The pattern is intricate but I hope it has inspired you to try something new (even if it is a simple stair runner stencil).

(Photo via Lifeworkmediablog)

10. Storage - Create storage areas for common items. For example, if you have a pool, hang hooks near for towels or keep a cedar trunk filled with clean towels so your kids don't walk in the house dripping wet. If you have outdoor plates and glass ware, consider adding a shelf near the door that exits to your backyard. If your guests, need an extra cup or napkin, they know where to go. I love to entertain but sometimes I'm not always available to tend to everyones needs (especially for large parties). Think of the different types of outdoor entertaining you like to have and alter your storage to your needs. It makes entertaining much easier!

I hope you have enjoyed this post and it has inspired you to create your own outdoor sanctuary. Create beautiful memories outdoor this season!

Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine, filled with tons of inspiration for the home and life. Also, receive a free Home Design Checklist to make your next shopping trip for your home easier.