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On the weekend we got so excited about October arriving, that we set up a little outside area for eating and reading on the front deck. After a month or so of searching for some outside furniture, we decided to go for the recycled option, and bought this old 1950's mint-green formica table from the Recycling Centre. We also found four old chairs (wooden with chrome frames) and a palm-leaf printed sun umbrella complete with tassled edging- I think the whole lot cost us $20. The table is quite easy to move around, so we can pop it inside the shed if it rains. 

After giving it all a good scrub and stringing up some fabric flags for good measure, we joyfully ate dinner outside last night. Even if we did have to wear warm jerseys and hurry back inside as soon as we were finished eating. 

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36 responses to “spring enthusiast”

  1. Lovely World Avatar

    Oh my you have been busy – but your set up is just lovely. I always find it so satisfying to find second hand furniture!

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  2. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    such a wonderful spot to enjoy some meals together

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  3. Carrie at Rhubarb Sky Avatar

    YAY for Spring! You got a fantastic deal on such lovely deck furniture!
    We’re only 3 weeks away from leaving this dreary Northern Autumn and coming down to NZ for a second Spring and Summer. We cannot wait.

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  4. Holly C. Avatar

    I love the recycled option!
    It’s so hard of me to think of October as spring. 🙂

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  5. meg Avatar

    I love the handles on top of the chairs and I love that they are part of the structure of the chair. I guess what I’m saying is nice chairs!

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  6. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    It looks like such a perfect space. I cannot believe you accomplished it all with less than $20. You are so talented.

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  7. tinyhappy Avatar

    ha- thanks, denise- but probably were just cheap… and lucky!

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  8. tinyhappy Avatar

    hey thanks, meg- they remind me of old-school NZ town hall/church/school chairs, but thats not such a bad thing.

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  9. Jessicah Avatar

    Oh, we did exactly the same last night! Dragged a spare formica topped table into the last patch of sun on the lawn and ate our chicken sandwiches rather quickly before scurrying back inside. I sat there shivering for 5 minutes wiating for Michael to finish his 3rd sanwich before I gave up and started clearing the table!

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  10. victoria Avatar

    Gorgeously retro!

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  11. Marty Avatar

    It’s been unseasonably warm here in Montana, and I am loving the extra time outside-knitting, snacking, or watching the grandchildren play in the leaves. That sitting outside is the best! Too bad that after the warm spell is done it will be months and months before we can do it again!

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  12. Stephanie Avatar

    $20?! You guys are legends. Love it :o)

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  13. Mary Avatar

    So ironic – I was packing the outdoor furniture away this weekend ;^) Your set is so perfect and so summery, and I can’t believe you got such an awesome deal on that retro set because the table alone would fetch a whole lot more over here. Well done you!

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  14. whitney Avatar

    what a cute set-up. 🙂

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  15. Desiree Fawn Avatar

    That table is fantastic!

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  16. Miss J Smith Avatar

    Why in the heck did it never occur to me to use old school chairs with our formica table??? I’ve been thinking about what sort of chairs to use with our table for about 5 years and I’ve never come up with anything so cool as that. Your outdoor area looks awesome.
    Hope the dreaded curtains are going well.

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  17. Francesca Avatar

    I find that eating al fresco is just like a little special celebration at every meal. Hope you’ll soon be able to take your sweaters off!

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  18. lorellin Avatar
    lorellin

    I love the recycling centre, there is always a bargain to be had there! We had our first bbq on Saturday, we had to run inside as soon as the sun went down but it was just lovely.

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  19. Sarah S Avatar
    Sarah S

    We had a tassled umbrella like that when I was little – a lime green floral number from Farmers, I think. We had our first outdoor dinner last week, nice to be able to sit outside at nights now.

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  20. louana Avatar

    I’m jealous of those chairs! I’ve got a small table with a little bit of that green formica on it, must have been a very popular option I see it quite often. I think your recycling centre must have great prices, $20 seems like such a bargin. Bring on the sun!

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  21. Sol Avatar

    I love the retro look. And also Keiras Norwegian sweather.
    Hugs from Sol

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  22. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi sol! thank you- the norwegian sweater is a favourite of ours- it was first knitted for arlo by a friend in bergen. im sad that ks nearly outgrown it!

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  23. nath Avatar

    SO perfect!

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  24. lizzie Avatar
    lizzie

    Lovely arrangement and the price is spot-on. The umbrella reminds me of a seaside town.

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  25. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    It looks wonderful………..you do manage to get some good prices. Your children look like they are enjoying it very much already. Great find.

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  26. Melbourne Road Avatar

    so fun to claim areas and set them up!
    hope you get tons of warm weather to break the new area in :o)
    Lori

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  27. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Great photos
    We had a similar table in 1980 but in red tones, very practical eh!!
    Hope you are getting better weather really soon.
    Cheers

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  28. Julia Avatar

    I really like your new outdoor furniture. All my garden furniture is recycled too! Now that we are heading into Fall, I can get my Spring fix by visiting your blog.

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  29. Jill Wignall Avatar

    Love the furniture! You’ve made alovely place to start enjoying Spring.

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  30. Alicia Avatar
    Alicia

    I am so jealous of your Spring 🙂 October is synonym of the end of the summer and shorter days around here…
    Enjoy the Spring…you deserve it after two winters in a row.
    Incidentally, your furniture looks fabulous, and so the price (^__^)

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  31. Hadley Avatar

    So awesome! I can’t believe how cheap it was! So much better than anything new would have been.

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  32. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    Awesome bunting flags! 🙂

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  33. ahipara girl Avatar

    u make me want to redo my whole house. how u put things together very simply and create such effective and stylish spaces. love love love this, ur blog and ur creativity melissa. roll on summer, these past few days have been fabulous. feeling very lucky indeed.

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  34. guildmaker Avatar

    a beautiful spot for dinnertime, or anytime really. Love your bunting!

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  35. tinyhappy Avatar

    oh- thank you, rachelle! x

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  36. Lori Avatar

    love your set-up!! 🙂

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