Fire pits are great—instant cozy vibes. Curious, did you add any seating around yours? I've been eyeing some Adirondack chairs, but can't decide between wood or poly... durability vs. looks, ya know?
Went with poly Adirondacks myself. Wood looks gorgeous at first, but trust me—after a couple seasons of sanding and restaining, you'll wish you'd gone poly. Mine still look new after 3 years and zero maintenance... worth it for practicality alone.
Poly definitely has its perks, especially if you're short on time or patience (guilty here...). But I gotta say, there's something uniquely satisfying about restoring wood furniture—it's like breathing new life into it each season. Guess it depends how much you enjoy DIY therapy, haha.
Totally get what you're saying about DIY therapy—there's something oddly calming about sanding down an old chair and watching it slowly come back to life. Although, if I'm honest, my patience tends to run thin halfway through staining...and then I'm kicking myself for not choosing poly, haha. But seriously, props to you for sticking with the wood restoration route. It's definitely more labor-intensive, but nothing beats that warm, natural look when you're finally done. Plus, there's a real sense of pride in knowing you brought something back from the brink yourself. Keep enjoying that cozy outdoor space—sounds like you've earned it!
"Although, if I'm honest, my patience tends to run thin halfway through staining...and then I'm kicking myself for not choosing poly, haha."
Haha, been there more times than I'd like to admit. Poly definitely saves time, but there's something about the finish of a good stain that just feels worth the hassle. That said, I've learned the hard way that prep work makes or breaks it—skipping sanding steps or rushing through can haunt you later when imperfections show up.
Speaking of outdoor spaces, anyone here tackled DIY outdoor lighting? Recently installed some string lights around my deck area—thought it'd be an easy weekend project. Turned into a bit of a headache routing the wires neatly without making it look messy. Got it done eventually, but can't help feeling I could have simplified things... Curious if others have found smarter solutions or tricks for keeping things tidy without too much fuss.
