Is your outdoor space ready for a season of tropical cocktails and DIY parties with friends? Whether you have a tiny urban patio or a full porch area that needs some new life, a colorful makeover doesn’t have to be extensive or expensive. In her recent interview with Domaine, Claire Thomas from The Kitchy Kitchen showcased just how important it is to think outside the box when creating the perfect (and budget-friendly!) outdoor space. Claire converted her drab carport into the ultimate spot for casual get-togethers, proving that sometimes the most unusual space can be transformed into a mini oasis. Check out the magical makeover below + find out how to GTL!
Claire and her hubs faced a problem that a lot of us do — their yard wasn’t big enough to host the kinda parties they want to throw. To fix the issue, they turned their carport, which ran the entire length of the house, into their new patio. Wasted and covered space = the perfect patio project.
First on her agenda was a picnic table with benches, a lounge chair and lots and lots of plants. Since the carport was mainly concrete, Claire wanted to give the space a “secret garden” feel. Five large ficus plants act as a hedge and then five more cover-up spots that needed extra camouflage, like in front of the water heater.
Claire used a mix of texture and layers to make the outdoor space cozy. One of the benefits of using a carport is that the space is completely covered, eliminating the need for expensive umbrellas and offering more protection for some unlikely outdoor furniture choices like a pouf and lots of non-waterproof cushions.
The blogger told Domaine that her vision was a space that felt like a living room that “accidentally found itself outside.” Style-wise, Claire went a little mid-century and a little boho. Since the house was originally built in 1964 and is very California-modern, she didn’t want the outdoor space to clash with that aesthetic. But she also didn’t want to go too retro, so she brought in tribal accents and funky baskets with boho vibes. And with the perfect balance of boho and mod, Claire’s outdoor oasis is definitely something to aspire to. If you are ready to get this look, check out our finds below.
We love the use of baskets instead of planters to add more natural textures. These graphic printed baskets from West Elm ($150) even come with a lid if you want to use them to store blankets for those cool summer evenings. A little side table is a must for creating a cozy lounge area, and this DIY metallic table is easy enough that you won’t mind putting it outside in the elements. Obviously string lights ($29) are a must for setting the mood, as are lots of tribal blankets ($42) — use them as blankets, rugs, bench cushions, etc. With a few tiny fixes like this, your outdoor space will become the magical, mod-boho patio of your dreams.
What little decor pieces have you added to your outdoor space? Tell us about your favorite finds in the comments!
(h/t and photos via My Domaine)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.