If I can find something like that I'll consider it. I also thought of getting a "Table Mate," but they are all so cheap and tacky looking. "As seen on TV." I couldn't leave them outside even if I wanted to because they are not intended to be outdoors (rust and fade from weather) so I would have to keep lugging it back and forth out to the uncovered patio whenever I wanted to use it.. Carrying a small tray that fits on the chair arms wouldn't be that bad if I can find something like that and I wouldn't really care about the looks of it since it isn't furniture.

I just realized that my post didn't get posted yesterday so I will try again! As I said I am right there with you! I have 12 x 12 covered deck that isn't quite finished yet but I did find an armoire for $35 at the local fleamarket that I painted last year and put up against the house on the deck for storage. I also have a kitdchen island cart painted out there. Dh just got an air compressor so I've bought a paint gun and plan to use a better quality paint on both of them. Just off the deck steps there is a huge patio that we poured last fall for a hot tub. The contractor decided to use up the concrete and it ended up being alot bigger and that put enough room for the hot tub on the other side of the door into the garage. So... I painted an old set of outdoor furniture and put it on there but it just isn't enough and I had gotten the air mattress idea from here and planned to build a daybed like I've seen on HGTV. My dh is not well so it wasn't looking good about getting it done. But he would love a place to pile up out there. After this post, I went to a local antique/thrift store and found a full size iron bed that will be perfect once I either paint it or use a marine grade wax on it. I can't wait to see it in action. The only problem is a cover for the air mattress that will look like it belongs out there. I will try to post some pics over the weekend. I plan to borrow my mom's truck tomorrow and pick up the bed. You encourage me! Alicia

Yikes, you're absolutely right. It is a nice set. If it won't lasts long in Ohio, I doubt that it would do better here in Houston. It's very humid here. I planned to move it back 'n forth from under cover to outside, partly shady area. I may put wheels so I can store it in the storage/garage room and only take it out during the cool season. It doesn't have the waxy or oily feel of it. Hum... Would bringing one of the chair to a local Home Depot or Lowe's help me to get the right coating? Maybe I should leave it natural, no paint, since it would look nice under the oak tree. This table set became an extra set when I had a chance to purchase a used antique mohogany dining set for $175! Whether the set is a real antique or not, I don't know. This antique set has chipped and flaked veneer. Although, it needs to be restored back, it is in a very good condition. The antique set would fit better in my formal dining room once it's restored. Anyway, I thought this pine wood set would look nice outdoor. I've been looking for a patio set but now, if I use this one, I wouldn't need to. I have no clue what kind of coating it has right now. It's certainly not lacquer, it's not glossy enough. Hum... Would bringing one of the chair to a local Home Depot or Lowe's help me to get the right coating? Sometime, I find the sales people there don't have a clue. At times, I seem to know even more than they do. I think I'm going to keep it clear, with the natural look, no paint. It'd look better underneath the oak tree. I just need to make it weatherproof.

I am a little confused by the fountain, is that a recessed pool surrounding it, you are calling it a lower level, does it have drainage? Have you ever grown plants in this space before? Because of the canopy, I wonder how much true light would enter the space. Any way, I believe the lower level was designed for water or flower pots. I don't care for the rock garden idea myself, I think something that casual will tend to work against the room, perhaps if you painted the pillars black or in outrageous colors (just an idea). The thing is, I love the dark red floor tiles, and these would be a great complement for plants. (I might paint the pillars, in any event -too jarring) I do like your idea of long planters along the edges, or even try pots lined up along the edges, and then a few taller ferns in larger pots in the center. If I planted the recess, I might try a semi-formal planting, perhaps in green pots spaced in a somewhat geometric pattern that doesn't slavishly follow exact symmetry; for instance in one center of a 'medallion' there's a palm, in the other a fern. You get the idea. A trend that is big now is to purchase pottery all of the same color or glaze, but in different shapes and sizes. In your case, I would go with green, but you might like cream or white if you decide not to paint the pillars. If I had the space, I would probably do a full and complete planting in the pool area. side by side plants like lawn or carpet, all of the same variety and size, maybe even same color. I would suggest impatiens, they will grow under lower, indoor light, bloom continuously and will last for 2-3 years with little maintenance. Ferns would also be nice and last longer. I see that you have an example with, Sansevieria trifasciata, another good choice. But there are many indoor plants that would work well under the canopy, even potty moss. The bamboo you found in your inspiration photo, would struggle to live here. If you use individual flower pots, you can move them around the room when ever you like, rotating them in and out of sunny areas every couple months. (but some plants, like ferns and ficus like to stay put). Your seating ideas are good. But you don't need to go with a theme, like Moroccan, I wonder if the space has the elbow room for it, and in fact Moroccan themes can be a little pretentious and gimmicky at the same time. I'd try a semi-formal approach, or Transitional, if you will. I honestly believe that the space may appreciate a more semi-formal seating. But something too sparse and too formal may come off as "I gotta put something here so I found these 4 dumb thrones". I would look for teak, colonial-style patio furniture. Unpainted and just oiled (or treated for outdoor use.) The wood will soften the expanses of tile, as opposed to metal. The seating can have cushions with outdoor fabric. First, think about how the decorated space would really be used. Are you likely to actually sit there and read a book, relax with a cup of iced tea? Perhaps if there was a nice planting there? Or would this just be overflow for a party room? You can always add or expand the space as you find uses for it. A small table for two could be a lovely place for coffee and the paper in the morning. There does seem to be plenty of room for the walkways on the sides, both in length and width. So you may want to have it reflect a baronial hallway (if you know what I mean) but updated, with the oiled teak. I think of those long hallways in the old castles, with side tables, and side chairs spaced between doors, massive paintings and elaborate mirrors. You get the idea, but that furniture arrangement can be updated, so it doesn't look like a castle, and more like a 1970s get away for Jackie Onassis. So you might have a comfortable teak Chippendale couch centered on one wall, perhaps with end tables. You might then leave wall-space with some sort of wall-art, a carved wood piece or Bas-relief; perhaps raw terracotta, architectural remnants, or sconce shelf with bronze or Blanc de Chine, A mirror, etc. Then there's a teak side board (it could hide garden tools inside, glassware, a small bar etc.) with Large sculpture or ceramic vases on top, these don't have to be Chinese import porcelain, you can look to local potters for contemporary work. A couple of side chairs to flank the side board. To arrange the room, You divide each long wall into three sections and make three seating/display/vignettes along each long wall, each vignettes a little different and it doesn't have to be symmetrical with the other wall. Perhaps large potted trees or your bamboo, or tree ferns between the vignettes, (because there's more light along the wall), instead of art? Search: teak colonial patio furniture TEAK KIPAS DINING CHAIRS TEAK BATAVIA DINING CHAIR TEAK BATAVIA BANTENG ARM CHAIR TEAK SILANG CLASSIC DINING CHAIR Teak Sideboard 2 Sliding doors and 4 Drawers Teak Sideboard 4 doors and 13 Drawers Ceylon Teak This post was edited by Lilylore on Fri, Nov 28, 14 at 11:52