Decorating the Patio

Currently, our patio consist of a hodge podge of items that we collected over the past 12 years of being together. Allan, being from Miami, and I love the look and feel of the cabanas of the South Beach 5 star hotels. So I want to see if I can re-create the crisp white linens and clean dark lines over looking crystal blue waters.

The backyard make over is one that will consist of several different stages. Within the next year and a half, we plan to install our pool, a basketball half court, and purchase all new decor. So as I decorate I need to stay focused on what we want the over all look and feel to be.

This is the feel that I am going for. This cabana is located at the Fountain Bleu south beach.

This is located at the Bal Harbor Resort and Spa.

Pottery Barn Catalog

I thought that I was getting lucky when I find out that Bed Bath and Beyond was going to start carrying the outdoor drapes. I thought for sure that they were going to be much less expensive than the ones at Pottery Barn but unfortunately, they are the same price. Well sort of. The price of the 50" x 96" is $59.00 but if I use multiple 20% off coupons at Bed Bath and Beyond they would be $41.20 each (times 7 the panels that I need equals $330.40). This is more than I really wanted to pay seeing that they are white outdoor drapes that will probably get beat up. Although, on the other hand, they are made of the Sunbrella fabric which is really nice fabric that holds up well outdoors. Not to mention the fact that I will need the 4 drapery rods to accompany them at $89.00 each ($358.00). There definitely has to be a cheaper way.

Aha. I can purchase this fabric from Fabric Guru and have them made at $7.95 a yard, needing about 22 yards including 1 extra yard for error. That would equal $174.90 plus $4.99 shipping. Voila.