KMart Outdoor Makeover Flamingo Soirée~Day 2

This is Day 2 of a four part series showcasing my outdoor makeover, courtesy of KMart, and a Flamingo Soirée, inspired by Party Bluprints dot Com, to celebrate my new outdoor space.

Oh my goodness…I am so excited to share this post with you. I believe this makeover belongs in Southern Living for sure!! Every time I look at the transformation, I want to break out in a happy dance!!! To understand my glee absolutely…you must see this…

This has been a crazy two weeks. I invited all my children, their spouses and their children to come to the beach for Memorial Day Weekend. We spend a lot of time outdoors here in Florida and I love to entertain. And to be true to my image as a creative lifestyle evangelist, I had to make it a bang up celebration. I promised not ‘just’ a party, but an entire outdoor makeover!!! So how do I do this? huuuummmmm……

Yesterday I shared the THE INSPIRATION ~ THE INVITATIONS ~ THE PAPER DECOR in the Day 1 post. Today we see the really big part of the event…

THE BIG KMart MAKEOVER

You know I began the makeover/party planning by browsing Party Bluprints dot Com. Dawn Sandomeno had two amazing posts just waiting for me (and you) ~Tips For Creating An Amazing Outdoor Party Space! and The Super Summer Outdoor Party Menu! She partnered with Kmart to come up with wonderful ways to transform any outdoor space.

I downloaded Dawn’s party blueprint and, on her advice, headed to KMart.com to browse their outdoor furniture. I finished with hundreds of amazing ideas, a lanai and backyard makeover and some awesome new furniture to boot!!! You can’t beat that!!!

I was really blown away by Kmart’s Outdoor Living products. There were so many awesome choices to fit any budget. I only have 2 old lawn chairs and a stainless gas grill…so I need everything. My budget was $500…so I had to redo rewrite revamp my plans a few times during the process. I was determined to stay within that budget.

My first wishlist had the Dutch harbor bar set, a beautiful Tuscan fire pit and some blue retro clam shell chairs and glider (shown above in red). I loved all those pieces and had great plans for them. However, when I went to order them, some were not available and the bar set price had gone up almost double. Bummer!!! I had no Plan B…

So I paid a visit my local (Amelia Island) Big K. I was very pleasantly surprised at how it had changed for the better. I even met Maureen, the manager. She was very helpful as were all of the other associates. Our favorite is Magi the cashier…she is really helpful and always smiling! Everyone had a smile and a cheerful attitude. Maureen helped me understand the ordering, shipping, delivery process and even told me I might find what I wanted at the larger store in Jax and gave me the managers name.

The next day I made the hour-long trip into Jacksonville Beach to a larger KMart on Atlantic Blvd. You know the grass is greener kind of thing plus I always look for an excuse to ride the ferry at Mayport. (See above)

On the way, I changed my mind and decided to get this Avondale 4 pc. Seating Set. I thought my budget would be better spent if I invested in one really good piece…instead of several smaller pieces. My Grandmother always said to opt for quality over quantity.

This store had a whole different vibe. The associate at front, when I asked to speak to the manager, would not call him. She called instead Ivan, a stock clerk, who was very courteous. He helped me understand that the online wishlist, that said I could pick up the items I wanted at this store, sometimes was incorrect. Most of what I thought I was getting was really not there (although it could be ordered). There is a tall turning display in the outdoor department. On it is everything that is available in stores. everything not on this would need to be ordered…so I went to Plan C…back to the island!!!

I finally chose a beautiful Jaclyn Smith Today Palermo 54 in. Round Patio Table with Lazy Susan and 5 hi-backed cushion chairs. The cushions so sumptuous you feel hugged by them. I chose this set because it is the right color for my home plus it has 5 large chairs. I could use some as seating on my lanai and some around the table.I purchased a matching side table to go in the seating area. I also love the lazy susan feature on the table. I am very pleased with this purchase as the set is beautifully designed, well-constructed and very sturdy.

This is what my lanai looks like today…every time I pass it I have to pinch myself…or dance…LOL no commentary necessary…the photos speak for themselves!!!

This was a complete outdoor makeover…so here’s the yard before…

need I say more? below is an after shot of the tent for tomorrows Soirée…

Assembly Notes: My hubby, who is not overly handy was able to put the set together in about 6 hours (once I let him alone). It was, however, a little chore to unpack the chairs…they were very, very well bubble wrapped. The chairs have many pieces and took a very long time, but are so worth it. We just have one alignment problem with one leg. The table instructions goofed us up a bit as I believe you would be better served to put the entire leg section together first and then attach it to the tabletop.

 

I am not much for matchy, matchy but I do hope to purchase this Jaclyn Smith Today Palermo 5-piece Cushion Patio Set some day soon!

There was a special where I got a $100 cushion storage box for FREE!!! I also chose a candle holder from Country Living that I plan to turn into a chandilier for the tent and three strands of flamingo lights. That was my $500 well spent.

My Big Kmart has really worked hard to clean itself up. It was pretty sad for a long time. Now it is bright and clean with a friendly staff. You feel good when you leave. Kmarts used to feel like bargain basement places to me. Now they have more upscale offerings, cleaner environments and even food and wine. A party waiting to happen indeed.

Tomorrow we discuss THE MENU and Tuesday you will see the whole Flamingo Soirée in the outdoor living makeover spaces…stay tuned…KMart Outdoor Makeover Flamingo Soirée~Day 3

Day 1

Day 3

Day 4

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own.