A 60-year-old alfresco area was refreshed by painting the roof, adding greenery and cladding brick walls using mosaic tiles.
The project
Our vision was to experience a calming and relaxing retreat outdoors. The original patio area was original and about 60-years-old, and the plan was to bring it into the 2020s. First step was painting the roof with paint from Bunnings and then continuing downwards and into the garden. A labour of hard work and love was then learning how to tile and grout with the Bunnings tiles onto the brick wall, to give it an original but unique look. Then tying it all in with Bunnings furniture. This is now place to relax and enjoy with family and friends.
Steps
Step 1
Painted the ceiling of the entertaining area, first using sugar soap to clean the area. Initially used the paint brush to paint around edges and into the groves. Proceeded then to use a small hand roller and paint tray, to apply three coats to the ceiling. Slow work as a stiff neck ensued! Next project was covering up the existing painted brick wall. This was done using a sand-based paint that was used to cover burnt brick, from a fire to the back part of the house many years previously.
Seeing the mosaic tiles at Bunnings, and previous travel to Indonesia, gave me the idea to do the wall in the tile. Special order desk was a blessing for me and I got to know the staff well with all my ordering. The tiles went up and then I mosaic spare pieces around the corners of the windows and the rear door. Then taught myself to grout with Bunnings online videos.
Step 2
Completed the smaller wall first, as it was easier to put up, with no fitting around windows. Also a bit of a learning exercise before taking on the larger wall with windows involved.
Step 3
The second wall covered the yellow paint, by layering the mosaic tiles over the top, and then cutting out small mosaic stone pieces to fit around the windows and door, just like a jigsaw puzzle.
Step 4
Slowly grouting the wall which I actually enjoyed. A bit rough on the hands at times, but managed to get the consistency of grout worked out - it's a bit like batter for a cake!
Step 5
Both mosaic walls completed, with plants and outdoor rugs purchased. Added the stone around the pillars by using the silver black stacked stone and placing onto brick pillar using adhesive glue. Next came the wall above the pool room, which was covered with the Bunnings artificial hedge Boston Fern. I fixed these on by using my husband's nail gun.
Step 6
The pillar stone work up close, using the charcoal grey tiles and adhesive glue. Slowly working from bottom up.
Step 7
Fixed the tiles with my husband's nail gun and clipped them together. A bit of trimming up the top was required to fit around the ceiling beams.
Step 8
Bought furniture to complete and decorate both ends of our outdoor room.
Step 9
The bamboo fencing screens from Bunnings were placed at the back of the small garden bed to hide the old green fence. Put these up using my husbands drill and some screws to complete the look.
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
Tools used in the project:
More inspiration for your outdoor entertaining area
Bunnings Workshop member marissa4 created a crazy paved outdoor entertainment area.
Community member Benjie91 used decking, synthetic turf and privacy screens to complete an outdoor entertaining area makeover.
Get more ideas from 10 ways to transform your outdoor entertaining area, 20 paving ideas for outdoor entertaining areas, and 10 screening ideas for outdoor areas.
