My Vintage Porch

Interior Design, DIY, and Refurbishing

Summer Patio Refresh

Filed Under: DIY, Home Decor Tagged With: , ,

When we moved into our current rental, the back patio was not very appealing to me. It seemed small and the tall bushes just seemed “in the way”. With Hallie graduating in May, we decided it was time for a patio refresh to create more outdoor living space for a place to host a party and for us to be able to continue to enjoy!

This was a little screen shot of our patio space from our walk through before we moved in…not a great shot, but it shows a bit of it.

After adding some furniture and freshening up the space a little…it quickly became one of my favorite spaces in our temporary home! The last project I completed was painting the, once purple, chairs. It’s amazing what updating some thrifted items/furniture can do for a space!

One little problem we had run into with our back patio is the lighting! I would sometimes forget to turn the string lights off before we went to bed. I wouldn’t notice the lights until the middle of the night when they would wake me up, beaming into our room. It seems crazy how I could fall asleep with them on and then they would wake me up later…crazy, but I guess not surprising since I can wake up to the sound of a feather falling! When Lutron Electronics contacted me and asked me to partner with them and test out their Caséta by Lutron Outdoor Smart Plug, our problem was solved! I’ve always loved our Lutron Electronics controls and this new plug is just as amazing as the rest!

The Caséta by Lutron Outdoor Smart Plug is the perfect addition to our Lutron Smart Lighting system, as it now controls our outdoor string lighting, setting up the perfect lighting on our patio! It also allows us to access our string lights from anywhere, schedule times on/off for our string lights, and avoid having to always plug and unplug the lights by hand. Ours are set to come on at sunset daily and turn off 3 hours later. We can even turn them off earlier from our Lutron App right from our bed if we want to!

I wanted to add a bunch of American flags out here and these little ones are perfect to sit inside these Rattan LED Lanterns! Chester is pretty fond of this day bed too!

The new Caséta by Lutron Outdoor Smart Plug is WeatherProof+…it’s built to withstand the extreme Arizona heat and monsoon summer rain storms! We can even pair the Smart Plug to a Pico Smart Remote to control our lighting, by mounting the Pico Smart Remote anywhere its convenient…outside on brick, glass, or any other flat surface. I’m thinking that big window there would be a perfect space for one.

I also found a way to hang our large flag on the end of our patio, without damaging the stucco!! Living in a rental can bring various challenges when trying to decorate. I’m always looking for ways to hang things without causing damage to the surface area.

I remembered that Trav had these large clamps in the garage that we sometimes use for projects. I decided to try them out since we have a little bump out in the stucco area down here on the end of the patio. They worked!! They hook nicely around the “bump out”…I just clamped each end of the flag with them.

No screws, hooks, or nails were needed! Yay! I’m so glad we found a way to get the flag up there without damaging the house!

I would love to hear, in the comments below, what you think of our little patio space, and if you have ever used Lutron electronics before! We sure do love ours and can’t wait to use it in our new home to come!

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  3. 11heavenlygifts on IG

    You have such a knack for making furniture and spaces so beautiful and so inviting. But, more than that, you are always a bright spot in my day!
    ????????????????????????????????????

  6. Amazing…love the porch and have your light idea up in my kitchen space! Made me so happy during the lockdown! Thx for inspiring! Gods best to you!????????????????

  11. you really just can do no wrong ! I am still dreaming of your new cabinet find! what a treasure!!???????????? —inspired !

  13. * Natalie thank you for sharing all your beautiful projects with us and your heart as well. I could listen to you all day. Never lose your wonderful sense of humor!

  14. ???? I love the way you decorated for the Fourth of July. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas. Happy anniversary to you and Trav and many more!❤️

  15. ???? I’d love to get you friend’s magazine (the Christian one) with the money but I don’t remember the name.

  17. I’m in love with all of your refinished wood pieces. Getting ready to refinish my island! ????????
    @ourindianafarmhouse

  18. ????lauralaborde26

    I love this so much! Arizona holds a special place in my heart, I love seeing vintage decor in the desert!

  20. ????????
    Love following you on Insta and reading your blog ❤️
    @wishingIwasinNC

  22. This is perfection!!! Vintage patriotic hold a place in my heart.

    ????????????????
    Fannijo_

  27. Chester is the perfect lounger! Love how patriotic your space is for Summer! Great job as always! ????

    @christina_tyler08

  28. I love your patio, your heart, your sweet family, and I love Chester!!
    He’s the best model! ???? @pencilportraitsshop

  31. Love your Instagram posts and stories, excited about your blog!

    ????@lauralulubelle????

  37. You are always inspiring me. I love your style and your charming character and your love of God????

  38. I watched you talk about the porch refresh in stories. I love that light idea and how you hung the flag. Smart. ????????

    Shanna
    @our_military_home_front

  40. Love the patriotic theme, the daybed and Chester!!! ???? @sheryltututilly

  41. Love ALL THE THINGS INSIDE AND OUT OF YOUR HOME!! Absolutely Gorgeous ????????

  43. Love this patio decor and thank you for sharing the Caseta light plug. Must have!!❤️????????

  47. ???? I love it! Everything you do turns out beautiful!!

    Lisabeimers ????

  50. Such a great set up! And Chester is the perfect model!
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    @tularosa00

  53. Love the patio refresh, and sweet Chester he’s such a good boy ????????

  57. ????????
    I really enjoy watching all that you do.I really liked that store you walked through the other day ???? , probably a good thing I don’t live close.
    IG eekski

  61. Such a beautiful, cozy spot. No wonder Chester looks so relaxed. ????
    @shelaann24

  62. Love this! The flag is the cherry on top! So cozy and inviting! ????????????????????????????
    @marlalittle

  64. Love the July refresh! I enjoy watching your stories and have taken lots of tips, ideas, and product suggestions from you. I love your humor and I think your children and family are just precious! ????????

  65. Oh wow! I need to buy the smart plug, I didn’t even know an outdoor option existed! The way you arranged the patio really makes me wanting to come out and hang with you!! ???? @rox.amos

  66. You’re so creative, love what you did with your space! Thx for sharing!

    ????

  67. I love everything you do even in a rental!I CAN’T WAIT to see your new home build process ????????????????????????

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