Buy or DIY: Patio Furniture

I know I’m headed out of the country in a few short days, but I have already gotten a little antsy thinking about setting up our patio when we get back and the first weekend it will be nice enough to host an outdoor fête. Our patio furniture has seen better days, though, it’s three years old and the elements have really done it in.  When you live in open farmland, the wind just picks those things up and slams them across the yard.  Thank goodness the Subaru wasn’t hit, I’d die.

Anyway, I got to thinking about the look I want and really like some of the wooden furniture with white cushions, but they are price-y. Like, for the same amount I could go to France and live for a month?  No thanks. I did a little research on DIY furniture but was a little scared about that too.  I am over the pallets and don’t want it to look too generic or like I just nailed a bunch of boards together (ok, I’d actually screw them…)  Is that a little high maintenance of me? This whole afternoon has turned into a buy or diy moment.

Thoughts?

p.s.  If you haven’t seen it, we’re hosting a READER CHALLENGE!  Read the instructions to play here.

p.p.s.  If you have a trip planned anytime this summer, be sure to read yesterdays post on my experience hiring a stylist to put together a vacay wardrobe.