Wrought Iron Salterini Patio Set

We owned a beautiful wooden outdoor table that we found at the Restore many moons ago. It technically wasn't built for the outdoors so I had to continually have it covered with an outdoor tablecloth to protect it. We also had 8 beautiful white modern metal and plastic chairs that went with it. Although I loved this patio set it was quickly showing signs of deterioration. The wooden table had many spots of warping.  It weighed a ton but we managed to get it to the curb for pick up. I knew when I spotted this Mount Vernon Patio set from Salterini at an estate sale hosted in Virginia from a beloved Hampden Sydney professor it would be perfect for our home.   I was the lucky bidder of this three table and nine chair set. 

Fortunately for us since our son goes to college there he sent us the listing. He was also available to load it for us into a U-haul we rented. 

In addition to the patio set, I also snagged four very large vintage planters from Campania. I was in complete heaven finding these at such great deals.  Anyway, the patio set was beige, but when I got them home and started to clean them and sand them I noticed that this was probably not the original finish. I could see parts that looked like silver. I know the Mount Vernon collection originally had silver in their catalog of finish choices. 

I donated the chair pads to a local charity, I knew I wanted white chair cushions.  Custom chair cushions were out of my price range but I snagged some cute ones for pretty cheap.  I spray painted the whole set with Rustoleum's enamel finish in glossy black. I've heard great things about this spray paint and so far it's holding up great. I will add that I did a thorough cleaning of these chairs with soapy water. Then dry sanded them with a wire brush. It took 12 cans of the paint to do two nice coats. I let them cure in the garage for a week just to be extra sure they were well cured before I put everything outside. 

I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Black is very classic and also very European to me. 

I found the beautiful blue and green hand blocked tablecloth on Etsy. It's really the only place I've been able to find extra long beautiful tablecloths that aren't super pricey. It's also 100% cotton so I don't keep it outside full time. 

I don't normally shop at Walmart, but I got word that these striped fringe patio umbrellas were there so I sprung for two. 

A view from the other side of the patio.

And a wonderful Easter meal was had by all!

I'll be happy to have this patio set for generations to come!

xo
Cathleen

DIY Garden Obelisks

I've always thought Obelisks were so cool!  But buying one just seemed silly when making one is pretty straight forward.  For less than the cost of one, we built two! 

We used pine wood and a good outdoor stain to keep them from rotting.  

Equipment / Tools needed
Electric miter saw or circular saw
Drill
Drill bits and drivers
Paint brush
Pencil
Tape measure

Materials
8 two-by-two lumber, each 8-foot

2 one x two 8 foot pieces
Wood glue
Paint or stain
1 box 3-inch exterior screws

 

We didn't follow some formula online, but there are plenty of DIY websites out there describing the process.

I used a solid rose colored outdoor stain by Cabot. I thought it would be fun to have a pop of color in the garden and not a use a traditional color. 

I love the height and structure they give to this bed and I can't wait to plant Clematis and Roses inside. Will have to update soon!

 xo

Cathleen

The garden lately (Spring 2026)

Things really started taking off this Spring in the garden. So many roses bloomed, tulips, phlox, Clematis, Peonies, Alliums, Rhododendrons, Baptisia, lavender and the Wisteria.  We also found a beautiful large concrete bird bath at an estate sale for the front yard (among many other garden decorations.)    We've had very strange weather, even for us in NC. It was a very cold winter and a very dry spring.  And that is why I think the roses bloomed so early.. I've already deadheaded much of them and hoping for a second flush of roses this summer.

These Foxy Foxtrot tulips were a fun surprise. They kept changing as each day passed until they looked like this!

It's always a delight to watch my three Viburnum bloom with white flowers and a make a wall! These are definitely in the privacy shrub category.

I have about 23 variety of roses in my yard, too many to name out. Google image search does a good job identifying plants if you are curious about their name.  David Austin Roses are my absolute favorite. I have never had any problems with them and they are disease resistant. 

The New Dawn Climbing roses over the garage really put on a show this year!  I think it was the meticulous pruning we did over the winter and the rose food! We like to add in compost from our own compost bin. And I just use Neem Oil when appropriate if I see any black spot.  

Yellow is not a typical color I use in my garden but there is something so cheery about these Lady Banks rambling roses, especially when they are the first to bloom in early Spring. 

My Drift Roses come back reliably year after year. They were buttery white to start out with but somehow have crossed pollinated with the peach drift I used to have along the driveway.

I have tall phlox and ground cover phlox all over.  They seem to be quite happy and get bigger each year.

I have several Clematis growing over various arches. Most deep purple and white ones.

I planted a bunch of Giant Globe Alliums last fall in my round bed in the back and they are just so much fun!

Lavender, just so great to use for dried herbs or oils. 

This purple Verbena overwintered really well and is doing great and spreading this Spring. 

American Wisteria, I have two varieties, planted in three locations. Amethyst Falls and Blue Moon. 

This white Rhododendron has done remarkably well in this pot with Eastern facing morning sun.  I have planted other varieties in the yard but they didn't do well. 

Here is the vintage bird bath. I love coming home and seeing birds in it. 

The chocolate colored Baptisia that I planted a few years ago also comes back reliably in the spring. I planted two at each hammock stake. 

Peonies are so beautiful!  I have decided I need about 4 large peony support stakes but until then I cut them and bring them inside so they aren't just flopped over in the yard.

Well that wraps up the Spring blooming plants in the yard. I can't get enough of plants and flowers! I must be a plant-addict!

Happy Almost Summer!

xo

Cathleen