Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention (or maybe desperation?). As most of you know we live in a four story apartment building and have a small balcony which has a solid metal 'railing'. Several years ago the building management decided to paint the outside of the building which included the balconies. Unfortunately the day they chose to paint our balcony it was snowing and raining (there was at least a couple of inches of snow on the upper part of the railing). Compounding that, they didn't use proper metal paint. So of course it all started peeling. Dreadfully. Last spring we put in a work order for a re-painting and just knowing that they would be along 'any day' to do the job we didn't put any plants out nor did we set up our chairs so we could sit out there. Summer came. And went. No paint. So....before the virus hit another work order went in for THIS year. Good luck with that happening now.
This is the peeling paint mess we've been looking at. The dark brown is the 'new' paint and beneath that there are at least two more layers of other paint...all in varying degrees of peel.
Not at all appealing!
So, Resident Chef and I put our thinking caps on and ordered (via curb-side pickup) a 4'x15' canvas painter's drop cloth and three expandable tension curtain rods. I cut the drop cloth into three sections, did some hemming, and voila....
At least it's not quite so hurtful to the eyes. The chairs are set up and now we wait for warmer weather. There will be several planters with tomatoes and some herbs added later on.
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A further note regarding the discussion about ease-of-use for the links here at Magpie's Mumblings and it seems the general consensus is that the current system seems to be working for most. All you need to do, in order to come back here after peeking at one of the links, is to simply click on your 'back' arrow button (which should appear on the upper left of your computer screen). If you click on the 'x' when you're at the link itself, it won't end up taking you back here. Clear as mud?!!
Instead of a quote today, I'm sending you (particularly if you're a mom) to listen to THIS . Happy Mother's Day!
I like opening in another window. Sometimes I want to leave that window open so I can go back later and look in detail, like the exhibits. Meanwhile, I can click back on your tab and finish checking out your links. I will mention in most browsers I know about, a person can right click on the link (yeah, extra work) and choose to open link in a new window or tab. I'm just used to a new window because I've surfed blogs since about 2009 and most have opened that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy. Now I'm curious to know which option you preferred - Link #1 or Link # 2 (my computer shows no difference so in order for me to know you'll have to let me know the number).
DeleteVery inventive and actually much nicer to look at than the railing anyway. I have noticed a few balconies here with various similar cover ups. I thought maybe it was to related to children or maybe pets but it could also be visual reasons as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day to you as well. I vote for link number .
It will look okay until the rust on the balcony behind it seeps onto the fabric. But then again, that might leave me with some 'interesting' fabric to create with!
DeleteIf you check back to see my response, could you tell me again which link number you voted for?
Oops...sorry...number 2. I num lock was off.
DeleteWell you had me at spring tension rod! That's a great solution.
ReplyDeleteAnd all the links work the same in my Android phone and tablet, so I'm neutral on the issue. I never use my laptop unless I need to scan and print. I looked at my own blog stats to see the operating systems used by readers. A lot of people seem to use devices other than laptops. Probably because of the portability. But that might change as people are more static.
I hope it's a great solution - remains to be seen once the 'curtains' get wet in the rain and they're weighing heavy. The tension rods aren't that thick so they might not bear up to the extra weight. We'll see!
DeleteThe links work the same on my computer too so I'm at a loss over what's happening with the others. T'is a conundrum!
Hi Mary Anne
ReplyDeleteI'm with Joy on this one - I think that's the one she's referring to anyway - and that is Link #2. Link #2 opens into a separate window, and Joy is right about being able to come back to it without losing your blog.
Having said that, I am quite used to using the Link #1 which requires the 'go back' arrow at the top left of the page, so it doesn't really matter so much. So whichever you choose will be fine by me!
Thank you again for your links, much appreciated.
Val (UK)
Thanks Val - as far as I can tell it's still going to be a two-step process for everyone, no matter which way I go. Glad you enjoy the links no matter HOW you manage to get to and fro!
DeleteHa ha, Mary Anne, is it possible for you to paint the balcony yourself and make it into a trompe l'oeil - then you would love to sit and look at it! :-)
ReplyDeleteVal (UK)
Hah - just the thought of having to scrape the rest of that awful paint off to start anything is beyond my physical capabilities, to say nothing about the fit the management of the building would pitch if I were to paint it 'fancy'. I agree it would be fun but I suspect one way to get it painted would be for me to do something artistic with it - they'd hustle right here to paint over it then.
DeleteLink style #2 works smoother
ReplyDeleteLove the balcony solution.
Thank you - the balcony looks a whole lot better for the time being anyway. At least we might be able to use it this summer. Thanks for the vote.
DeleteI also prefer #2 though I have never had a problem with number 1. It’s just nice to have the separate window, particularly on days when I am looking a several of your links.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Thank you for both the comment AND the vote!
DeleteMuch improved deck!
ReplyDeleteFor sure! At least now there's some incentive to actually use it.
DeleteThank you for your wonderful blog. I vote for #2.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment and your kind words about my blog AND for the vote!
DeleteYou know which link I prefer, friend. #2! :) Great solution on the balcony wall. How frustrating that you've had to live with the eyesore for so long. Grrrr
ReplyDeleteYes, you didn't need to vote Becki 'cause I was pretty sure which way you'd go...lol. Eyesore indeed, but it's the norm for some things in this building complex with absentee landlords. Rumour has it that the buildings are being sold, but one wonders if the new owners will be any better. Alas, moving isn't in the cards because we can't get anything else in this area for the price we're paying now. Even a one bedroom is renting for quite a bit more than what we pay for the 2 bedroom we have.
DeleteGreat idea with the balcony. Regarding your links, I always right click on my mouse to have link open up in a new window. Works perfectly for me. Otherwise, option # 2 is the best one. Happy Mom's Day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day to you as well - it will certainly be a different one than we might be used to this year. Thanks for the vote too.
DeleteLove your dropcloth disguise for the ugly metal railings that are “Shabby Chic”. Both links #1 and #2 worked the same for me...click top left back arrow and I return to your post. Happy Mother’s Day Dear. <3
ReplyDeleteShabby Chic? Well the shabby part fits, but the chic? Not so much! As for the links, they both work the same for me as well. I'm going to go to the #2 version though because it seems to be the one that works the best for most.
DeleteI rather love the rustic look of peeling paint.....but I do admit your drop sheets are a fabulous solution.
ReplyDeleteThere's peeling paint and then there's just horrible peeling paint. This fell into the horrible end of the spectrum. Eyesore!
Delete