make small spaces beautiful

It’s August long weekend in Canada!!! What prefect timing to post about a little project I’ve been working on called Operation: Balcony Summer Ready!

I’ve lived in my condo in downtown Toronto coming on to 5 years now…and in all that time, I’ve never really used my balcony.

Sad but true. It’s main purpose all these years has been to house demoted furniture that I’m not ready to part with – staying true to my South Asian roots. 😛

0ed2d500-01d2-4235-b3e4-856c5676d60d — Oh yes, that is a LaZboy armchair out there within a weather resistant cover. Huge Transformation “before” vs. “after” riiiight!? 🙂

I spent hours on Pinterest looking at what design worthy people did to their wee outdoor spaces and had some faves pinned, in hopes to recreate something similar myself.

Now, my first attempt alone in trying to get this balcony pretty and useable was… um, pitiful!!! 😦

Enlisting the help of a tall, handy and clever friend made all the difference to this space. Thanks Five Seventeen!!! ❤

What did we do & use to transform this space?

4 panels of curtains that I already had in storage – winning! I bought a curtain rod from Ikea (cheap). The rod was hung via zap-straps (already had those in my toolbox), which means I’m not technically breaking any condo rules. 😉

Then a string of outdoor bulb lights I bought a while back from a cross-boarder shopping trip.

The only major purchase to get the space to this point was a large lavender plant (who’s still alive and well – FYI) from COSTCO $10.

Simply re-adjusting the location of some of my existing demoted furniture already out there, was key to getting the space to this level!

Screen Shot 2017-08-04 at 2.37.28 PM — Oh yah…I repurposed that Jug of Beer into a vase. Those faux flowers were $8 a stem (I think) from Ikea.

The best part of Operation: Balcony Summer Ready is that this new-found space has added about 30+ sq feet to my living space!!! That may not sound like much…but that’s kinda of a big deal for us downtown-dwellers living in shoebox-sized condos!!!

There’s been a lot of rain this summer, yet I’ve been totally dry and comfortable in my brick-enclosed cozy balcony space. ❤ Don’t believe me, check the video to see what I mean:

With a little imagination and perhaps a space heater… maybe I can make this outdoor space useable ALL-YEAR round!!! 😀

Oh! You may remember that last scene with an out-of-place LaZboy armchair that totally not giving off ‘balcony vibes’, right?

Solution: Flamingo fabric tablecloth. Boom!

Screen Shot 2017-08-04 at 2.38.52 PM — It pays to shop all-the-time. How else would I have come across this perfect flamingo tablecloth at Winners! ❤

Since I’ve been off work and home for a little bit this summer… most of my time has been spent out here on the balcony, enjoying my new-to-me outdoor space with my two favourite things for company … 😉

I’ve even used this space to dry laundry – saving me $$ and avoiding being a strain on the grid. #morewinning

Plus, it was THE perfect venue for being barefoot with takeout and wine while hosting friends for Canada Day 150! Yay!!!

Screen Shot 2017-08-04 at 3.32.06 PM — THIS was the view from my balcony!!!! Click photo for fireworks in full action 🙂

I’m just so thrilled with what this new-found space has allowed me to do these past months. ❤ ❤ ❤

But I think my most favourite activity is sitting out there solo, late-late night with string lights aglow, with a lil’ medical J ***inhales deeply, exhale slowly*** in my Zen Zone!

Those are my crossed legs…relaxing in the evening hours in The Zen Zone ❤

Now, it’s not exactly “Martha Stewart” sophisticated and beautiful… It’ll do for this now. I’m pretty happy with it. 🙂

I’ve managed to update the insides of my place too. It’s been a long time coming… but Operation: Apartment Refresh is has made some significant gains over the year. Stay tuned!