Update to Heather's Hideout

This is the space I use to call Heather's Oasis, but I think Hideout has an interesting ring.  It had a bookcase, chair, and plants. I decided a while back it would be nice to have a work surface, so my husband built me a bar top out of a piece of bowling lane. I think it turned out. I do a lot of writing and typing and reading in this space. I would like a spot to do some creative projects too. The stool was clearance from Sam's.

House to Home - Porch/Lounge Evolution

 Well we have this little enclosed back porch. I had an outdoor/ oasis at my previous house. I knew I wanted part of this space as a place to hang out/hide.  I used my back patio at my old house. At this new house, I spend about an hour each day keeping office hours as I call them. This is when I read my book club book, blog, and pay bills.  It is usually from 8am to 9 am.  This is my hour to get my day started. I started this spring to do my office hour out on our back enclosed porch.  It was a mess. This had turned into a landing place for lots of misc stuff. We have a small closet we are using for tool storage. We also have our upright freezer here as well. I am trying to keep all that stuff on one side of the space. Here below is a picture of how it looked.

This is what you could see from the rocking chair I have on one side. It was a disaster.

I worked on it a bit and at least you could sit more easily here. Still a boat load of junk everywhere and not that great if working conditions. 

I decided to put the coffee table that my dad made during high school in the oasis. I also got a 9.99 palm from Sam's club. Getting a great tropical desert oasis vibe.

My Husband gave me an early Mother's Day gift of a bookcase.  He built it to fit just right.

Above is the oasis in the current state. It is looking pretty good. I hope to add a rug and I will call it good enough.

DIY Bookcase

 I asked my husband to build a bookcase for Heather's Oasis in the Desert. It only took him a couple hours to make it. I think it turned out wonderfully. I picked a blue stain for the bookcase. We had a good time staining it together.

We stained it at the end of a hot day and the stain dried almost immediately. It was the first project we made a top of our slab for the workshop.

North Sea is the stain color.  I can't wait to show you the mostly completed oasis.

My Oasis

 During the summer I usually set up an outdoor space for me. This is where I retreat from all the people in my house.  Our house is scheduled to be painted but our painter is MIA.  I decided to set it up anyway.

There is nothing new in this picture except plants. I like the plastic rug as the concrete gets quite hot and the mat feels good on the feet. Folding chair because normally we get a lot of rain.  Plants are Bunny Tails, Geranium, and Mini Dahlia.  Most of the day this is pretty shaded too. Its a nice place to read or hang out. It is really the only private place in our yard that can't be seen from school playground or the neighbors towering house.

Grew these bunny tails from seed. They are so soft.

Oasis Dreams

I have written about my oasis before - Here. It is my hideout from my children. Well with a new deck I think I really need to up my game. Picture above is of my current situation. I would really like some rocking chairs but this will do for now.

My requirements for an Oasis

Comfortable seating

I use folding camp chairs. My patio has no cover except for a slight roof overhang so the ease of picking these up outweighs the comfort. Check out the post The Outdoor Chair that Saved My Quarantine

Place to set drink or book

I have a small glass patio table. These are pretty affordable. I got mine at a garage sale so it was super affordable

Shade 

There is a slight overhang which keeps this area somewhat dry. No one should fry in their oasis. 

Budget friendly

Our summer season is rather short. We can get a lot of rain. So most items are clearance or thrift. The table in my oasis I got a garage sale. The outdoor mat was from Micheal's I think I paid $12. I have used for several seasons. The flowers (geraniums) were on the distressed plant rack at Walmart. The pillows are the $5 outdoor ones at Walmart. I have had them for several seasons. I do put them away during the winter.

Outdoor Outlet is a plus. You know you are going to want to plug in your phone. You might want to stream Netflix on your laptop etc. 

Some inspiration links

Rental Friendly Patio Makeover

Deb and Danelle's Porch Makeover with QVC - These gals are awesome. I love love their style.

Sara's Budget Backyard Makeover on $350 budget

My Oasis

2018

Last summer, I created an oasis for myself in my back patio.  This is where I like to get away from the noise in my house. I sit and have coffee. It was not fancy and all the furnishings were sale, thrifted, or I already had.  This year kicked it up a notch with more chairs and more plants.

2019