A Summer Tour of the Balcony Part One – Ξενάγηση του Μπαλκονιού  Πρώτο Μέρος

I have been busy this past month cleaning out the balcony and DIYing all sorts…

I have been busy this past month cleaning out the balcony and DIYing all sorts of little projects to make it functional and beautiful. Finally I am ready to show  you what it all looks like put together. And so here is a tour of the balcony, part one.  Because it is way too big to show you in one sitting. 

To see Part Two of the Balcony tour simply click here. ​

Ήμουν απασχολημένη τον προηγούμενο μήνα με τον καθαρισμό του μπαλκονιού  και εφτιαχνα  μικρά έργα ώστε να είναι λειτουργικό και όμορφο το μπαλκονι.  Επιτέλους,  είμαι έτοιμη να σας το δείξω.  Ξεκινάμε με την ξενάγηση του  μπαλκονιού,  πρώτο μέρος. Επειδή είναι πάρα πολύ μεγάλο για να σας το δείξω σε μία ανάρτηση.
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fruits and flowers on the table. A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
In the past few years the balcony has gone through some changes.  We live in a house that is on a major street, so during the day there is a lot of noise and the houses are also pretty close to each other. In order to combat this we installed a piece of plywood  to act as a screen.  It blocks the view from across the street and cuts down on the noise.  You can see our first attempt below and the details here. 

Στη διάρκεια των τελευταίων ετών έχουν γίνει κάποιες αλλαγές στο μπαλκόνι. Ζούμε σε ένα σπίτι που βρίσκεται σε ένα μεγάλο δρόμο, υπάρχει ένα πολύς θόρυβος και τα σπίτια είναι πολύ κοντά το ένα με το άλλο. Προκειμένου να βρούμε λύση βάλαμε ένα κομμάτι κόντρα πλακέ. Μειώνει το θόρυβο και μας δίνει σκιά. Μπορείτε να δείτε την πρώτη  προσπάθεια μας παρακάτω και τις λεπτομέρειες εδώ.
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The balcony one year ago, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
It was a good solution but we felt we needed more, because let’s face it that flimsy bamboo fence was not doing the trick. We added two more plywood pieces. I covered them with vinyl. They create an outdoor room. And I get to use them as a backdrop for photographing my projects.

Ήταν μια καλή λύση, αλλά χρειαζόμασταν περισσότερο, γιατί ας το παραδεχτούμε ο μπαμπού φράχτης δεν ηταν αρκετός. Προσθέσαμε δύο ακόμα κομμάτια κόντρα πλακέ. Τους καλύψαμε με βινύλιο.  Δημιουργούν έναν υπαίθριο χώρο. Και τα χρησιμοποιώ ως φόντο για να φωτογραφίζω τα έργα μου.
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Adding two more screens, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
At one end of the balcony, we have some tall plants that will not die despite my best efforts.  I added an umbrella there to keep the sun and heat to a minimum. The repurposed milk crate as stool is in the front. To see what this corner looked like last year click here. 

Στη μία άκρη του μπαλκονιού, έχουμε κάποια ψηλά φυτά που δεν πεθαίνουν παρά τις προσπάθειές μου. Πρόσθεσα μια ομπρέλα εκεί για να κρατήσει τον ήλιο και τη θερμότητα στο ελάχιστο. Το κιβώτιο γάλατος που έγινε σκαμνί ειναι στο μπροστινό μέρος. Για να δείτε πώς έμοιαζε αυτή η γωνιά πέρυσι κάντε κλικ εδώ.
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A corner of the balcony, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
I have placed my  repurposed nautical lantern on top of a planter. I killed off the plant so why not use it this way. And I carry over the idea of the rocks onto the other planter. The blue fabric you see behind is actually a shower curtain that I’ve  put there to cut down on that glaring sun. 

Έχω τοποθετήσει το  ναυτικό φανάρι μου πάνω σε μια γλάστρα. Σκότωσα το φυτό, οπότε γιατί να μην το χρησιμοποιήσω έτσι. Και κουβαλάω την ιδέα των πετρών στην άλλη γλάστρα. Η κουρτίνα ειναι εκεί για να μειώσει τη ζεστασιά του ήλιου.
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Pots used to hold Nautical lantern, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Rocks in a planter, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Hanging from the umbrella is the versatile saucer that holds tealights, it was originally a grill part.

Κρέμεται από την ομπρέλα o δίσκος που κρατά ρεσώ, ήταν αρχικά ένα κομμάτι της σχάρας.
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The hanging saucer for tealights, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
The white metal table has a set of chairs which I’ve covered in the same fabric as the balcony screen.

Το λευκό μεταλλικό τραπέζι έχει καρέκλες που έχω καλύψει με το ίδιο ύφασμα που  έβαλα στο κόντρα πλακέ.
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Screen and matching chairs, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Dried flowers in a basket, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
A table and two chairs, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Basket with cans and jars, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Here you see the corner with the sun shining brightly.  The glass doors are pretty but not at all practical since they act like a hothouse in the summer. The  great thing about the balcony is that there is usually a breeze so that really helps us to stay cool.

Εδώ μπορείτε να δείτε τη γωνία, με τον ήλιο να λάμπει έντονα. Οι γυάλινες πόρτες είναι όμορφες, αλλά δεν είναι καθόλου πρακτικές αφού δρουν σαν ένα θερμοκήπιο το καλοκαίρι. Το καλό με το μπαλκόνι είναι ότι υπάρχει συνήθως ένα αεράκι.
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The corner with the glass doors, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
This olive oil barrel which was redone last year serves as a side table. 

Το βαρέλι λαδιού που ανανεώθηκε πέρσι χρησιμεύει ως ένα βοηθητικό τραπεζάκι.
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Olive oil Barrel as a side table, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
The daybed is actually a folding cot. I simply covered it with a duvet and secured one end on the window sill with a piece of wood folded under the fabric. 

Το κρεβάτι είναι στην πραγματικότητα ένα πτυσσόμενο κρεβατάκι. Το κάλυψα με παπλωματοθήκη.
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A day bed, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Duvet cover and pillows, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Drift wood, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Of course we need to have lots of pretty colorful pillows to put us in the summer mood. 

Φυσικά πρέπει να έχουμε πολλά όμορφα πολύχρωμα μαξιλάρια για καλοκαιρινή διάθεση.
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Closeup of pillows, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Looking down the length of the balcony you can see the bay and mountains on the other side. 

Κοιτάζοντας προς τα κάτω μέρος του μπαλκονιού μπορείτε να δείτε τον κόλπο και τα βουνά από την άλλη πλευρά.
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The length of the balcony, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Who is going to notice my dead plants when I have a view like that?

Ποιος θα παρατηρήσετε τα νεκρά φυτά μου, όταν έχω τετοια θέα;
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Dead plants and a view, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Here is my  milkcrate table all dressed up for summer. 

Εδώ το τραπεζάκι από κιβώτια γάλατος ντυμένο για το καλοκαίρι.
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A Milk crates used as a table, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
A lantern and a flower vase, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
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Knicknacks on the table, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
The cherry plums are from the farm and look really great next to the flowers.

Τα κορόμηλα είναι από το αγρόκτημα και φαίνονται υπέροχα δίπλα στα λουλούδια.
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Cherry plums and flowers on the table, A Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
I was able to create a fun and pretty balcony with just things found in the basement. One thing that I did not mention is that my balcony wraps around three sides of the house.  Next  time I’ll show you the rest and some more spectacular views .  I hope that you have enjoyed the Summer tour of the balcony.  What was your favorite part?

To see Part Two of the Balcony tour simply click here. 

Δημιούργησα ένα διασκεδαστικό και όμορφο μπαλκόνι με απλά πράγματα που βρέθηκαν στο υπόγειο. Κάτι που δεν ανέφερα είναι ότι το μπαλκόνι συνεχίζεται στις τρεις πλευρές του σπιτιού. Την επόμενη φορά θα σας δείξω το υπόλοιπο με εκπληκτική θέα. Ελπίζω ότι έχετε απολαύσει τη ξενάγηση του μπαλκονιού. Ποιο ήταν το αγαπημένο σας κομμάτι;
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Cherry plums and flowers on the table a summer balcony tour, #balconytour #summerdecor #outdoordecorating #diyprojects #easydecor #colorfuldecor #seasonaldecor #repurposed #upcycled #theboondocksblog , A Summer Tour of the Balcony, Part 1 www.theboondocksblog.com
If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest. If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox.

Αν σας αρέσει αυτό που βλέπετε, να το μοιραστείτε με τους φίλους σας, ή να το αποθηκεύσετε στο Pinterest. Επισεις μπορείτε  να εγγραφείτε στο blog μου και να λαμβάνετε τις περιπέτειες  μου δύο φορές την εβδομάδα στο e-mail σας.
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This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.​

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Hello, we're Jane & Sonja, sisters, moms and lifelong crafters.

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106 Comments

  1. Mary – thanks for this little tour of your balcony. I knew by reading the title that you would have some great DIY ideas again. The striped fabric of your chair is great. What an amazing view you have over those rooftops, then over to the lake and then the mountains in the background. Stunning!

    1. Ilka I feel that I have been blessed to live here. The DIY came recently, and I’m grateful to have found such a wealth of ldeas to use on my balcony.

  2. Hi Mary! Love your display with the plums! They look so good! Also like the way you are blocking the sun with that round umbrella. I can imagine the Greek sun is about as strong (or maybe stronger) than the summer sun in Alabama. Seems like it was dryer though, and not as miserable & humid as we get here.
    Anyway, back to your porch…I love the little white table. You are lucky to have such a big porch & have a water view too. Lovely! I think I’m like you about the plants. Used to have a green thumb, but now I don’t care if they die or not!

    1. Florence in this particular area it is a dry heat. But the sun is so bright that it is absolutely blinding. At least to these poor eyes.
      As for the green thumb! I have to agree with you. I throw some water at them and hope for the best.

  3. This is so lovely and comfortable, it looks like the perfect place to have iced tea and a chat in the evenings. I have only been to Greece von Holiday, I always asked myself what it would be like to live there. I love how you show a slice of life. Do you enjoy those large windows in Winter though?

    1. Thank you Dalia. We like to eat outdoors during the summe months. It is especially a pleasure in the morning and the evening.
      As for those windows and the winter, yes we do enjoy them to let the light in but I think that the architect should have put the living room facing the bay where the water is. Right now, all we see from the living room is the neighbors balcony across the street.

  4. Good Morning Mary…What a great porch! But I can only imagine the heat you have to deal with and I am in awe of your ingenuity to deal wit that problem. I do have to say that the photo with the cherry plums and the flowers is just really lovely…the colors are carried through so lovely.
    Enjoy your Grecian summer day!
    Hugs, Lynn

    1. Thank you L ynn. I sit here typing to you with a bottle of water next to me trying to recover from this heat. Thank goodness we have a breeze up here. I hope you are also enjoying your vacation.

  5. Great ideas, Mary. We are back in the Pacific Northwest and have turned our attention to our well-used, but somewhat neglected back deck. I am spray painting flower pots and covering pillows this week. . .you’ve inspired me to keep it up even if the forecast calls for cooler than normal temperatures and sprinkles!

    1. There ya go Jackie. You cannot neglect your other home. A few strategic changes will lift your mood immediately. I amalso very happy with my colorful pillows.

    1. Debbie we are melting in the heat, it has to be about 95. And I am not ever going to get used to it no matter how many years I live here. I believe that the light here is like no other anywhere.

  7. You’ve really have been busy, Mary! Everything looks great and your mind must be going at warp speed with ideas to create! As they say, the view is worth a million bucks and you definitely have it! Can’t wait to see how the other two balcony sides show!

    1. Gail, I spend lots of time out there so it was only fitting that I should pretty it up. In the winter I take photographs out there because the lighting is good.

  8. Mary, I love your posts. Wow that view! I live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where we have about 7 months of winter so we tend to enjoy the sun when it finally comes our way. I always enjoy seeing photos of Greece, the blue and white that seem so iconically Greek.

    1. Josephine I am so happy that you have found your way to my little blog. And I am glad that you enjoy my little adventures. Thank you so much for your sweet comment.

  11. Mary once again you show how creative and innovative you are my friend! I know what it is to deal with sun and heat and you really make the best out of that and still get to enjoy your lovely balcony! I love the first photo, it’s stunning but I also really love all your little DIY details and those blue pillows on your chill out cot!

    1. Katrin you understand me better than anyone. Certainly these photos do not show how hot it is or how when you step on the tiles your feet can burn. I too like having all those pillows and when I get up in the morning I run to the daybed and plop down again.

  12. What an amazing balcony with an amazing view. Love what you have done with your balcony. Those table and chairs are ‘to-die-for’!

    1. Thank you so much Kim. The table and chairs were a gift from my mother-in-law over 20 years ago and I have kept them and painted and repaired them all these years.

  13. Mary, your balcony looks so welcoming and comfortable. I bet it would be a nice place to take a siesta or have friends over. Love all the things you have repurposed, especially the milk crate table and the olive oil barrel. The cherry plums are so pretty next to the beautiful flowers. You did a great job on the balcony!! Can’t wait to see the rest of the balcony and view!

    1. As long as there is a breeze I am happy. It was quite a challenge blocking out the sun and I had to wrangle that umbrella from the hubby. He wanted it for his fishing.

  14. Very clever ways to deal with the sun and heat, Mary! I’m a sun worshipper and as I type this I’m sitting in the deck chair with the most sun. So knowing me, I’d be visiting with you from the sunny uncovered side of the patio! 😎👒🌞🍺 enjoying that amazing view!

    1. Marie you have no idea what sun worship is till you come here. Many of the greeks are olive skinned and even they cannot stand to be out during the midday. I am fairskinned so I definitely have to hide during the day. I guess I’ll have to buy a bucket of sunscreen for you when you visit.

  15. Hi Mary, what a view!!! “Who is going to notice my dead plants when I have a view like that?” This made me laugh out loud because some of my plants on the deck are looking a little less than healthy in this Tennessee heat, but unlike you I don’t have the view to distract anyone LOL. Of course I love all the pretty blues you’ve used! Stay cool!

    1. The struggle is real Linda. I have banished flowers and such from the balcony, I only have hardy plants that will survive a beating.

  16. Mary you have certainly made the best of this space! You will enjoy relaxing out there all the more for knowing that you did it yourself and didn’t spend a fortune.

    1. I love it Michele. I had breakfast there this morning and it was such a pleasure.

  17. As I always say, Very talented. I must pop by in person. I adore the vinyl. I think I will pinch the idea.
    Regards to the family

    1. It is such a pleasure seeing your comment here. I am expecting you to come over pronto! We can enjoy the breeze and some yummy fruit.

  18. Mary, that is one awesome view you have. I like the day bed you created. I can see getting my book and reading all day long. You were very creative in blocking the strong sunlight and it is stylish also.

    1. It’s that view that keeps me outside on the balcony even when it is super hot. Thank goodness for that umbrella Debra!

  20. That is a big porch. No wonder all your projects fit! I figured you had filled it up by now. The view is the best!

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