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July 25, 2011

Stuff I Made: Cafe Light Canopy.

Dreamy strings of cafe lights have been draped across so many dinner tables and wedding celebrations lately. Check out these gorgeous settings. Wouldn't you just want to linger forever? Someone would have to call a cab for me and physically force me to go home. 


Nekos says I start one of out of every three sentences with the words, "So I've been thinking ..." 

So, anyway, I HAVE been thinking for years now that we need a dang pergola on our deck--mostly because I want to hang lights up there and grow wild vines and give the space more height and drama and privacy. I was at a cafe with some girlfriends last week and noticed how simple and romantic the patio looked with strings of lights stretched across the night sky. So Nekos and I came up with the idea to rig a faux pergola, and Nekos made it a reality while I kept Tessa from climbing the ladder, manning the drill, or engaging in any other emergency-room-worthy mishaps. 

We installed five flag brackets on the rail of our deck--evenly spaced out--and put broom sticks in each one. On the end of each broom stick was a hook, which connected a string of lights to our house, where we also put hooks spaced evenly apart. 

4 strings of cafe lights (Target): $51.96
5 broom handles (Home Depot): $24.90
5 flag brackets (Home Depot): $34.85
hardware (Home Depot): $11.96
= $123.47 Total Cost 

You guys? I love it. 






14 comments:

Lil Muse Lily said...

that's fun! and they look like floating bubbles during the day :)

Laura Mauk said...

i love it, too!

blair @ a case of the mundays said...

love as well! and of course love your big backyard - so envious! :) xo.

Jazmyn Alexandria said...

I love that idea! When we get our own home I'm definitely gonna have to try this idea out! :)

Oh Jazmyn♥

emily said...

yeah, outside lights make all the difference in the world! i have had a few strands up for over 4 years now and they are STILL WORKING! This inspires me to spruce mine up a bit before my dinner next week!!

Jessie said...

They are so gorgeous! Good for you guys for making it a reality!

Briana Shepley said...

Very creative and effective! We use those exact same lights in our backyard! Looks wonderful :)

Urban Mummy said...

So, I have been wanting to do this through the trees over my patio. Now that you have laid it out so nicely (and inexpensively) I am going to get off my booty and get it done. Thanks for the awesome tips!

Cindy said...

We've done something similiar last summer and it has been as dreamy as ever. Enjoy your wonderful new glowy space outside. :)

faithc said...

I too am obsessed with these lights! Love the rig job. It looks beautiful! I would love to enjoy a glass of wine under those night lite sky. *hint*

Anna said...

SO pretty! Now I'd like to sit on that porch and linger for too long...

huntressofnostalgia said...

I think it looks great, and am inspired! Maybe I'll try something similar on my back patio:)

Melrbled said...

I absolutely love this idea! And your blog is so cool. Thanks for following me. I look forward to reading more about your thoughts and lovely family.

Lu said...

Great DIY idea! It turned out beautiful!

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