In the journey from being an apartment renter to an apartment owner, Deborah Bonelli experienced a shift from a spacious three-room apartment to a more compact two-room dwelling. However, the trade-off came with a significant perk—a generous 18-foot terrace offering picturesque views of the Hudson River. Despite the advantage of extra space, the terrace’s aesthetics were far from inviting, featuring dull red brick walls and a lackluster fiberglass panel separating it from the neighbor’s space. Determined to transform this outdoor area into a vibrant and welcoming retreat without breaking the bank, Deborah embarked on a budget-friendly DIY adventure.
Brightening Up: Painting the Canvas with White
The initial challenge involved revitalizing the somber brick walls. Opting for a cost-effective solution, Deborah chose crisp white masonry paint, instantly breathing new life into the terrace. The transformative power of a brighter color set the stage for the creative and thrifty upgrades that followed.
Resourceful Furnishing: Clever Upcycling and DIY Magic
Furnishing the space on a shoestring budget, Deborah turned to ingenious upcycling strategies. A set of discarded kitchen cabinets found on the curb became a stylish charcoal gray sideboard. Employing wood fence post finials as legs showcased Deborah’s resourcefulness. On the opposite end of the terrace, a seating area emerged, featuring a repurposed futon from her previous residence. With careful handsaw adjustments, the futon fit seamlessly, adorned with a denim cover generously provided by her neighbor, a retired handbag designer.
Deborah’s keen eye for sales led her to four outdoor pillows, two of which she skillfully stitched together to form an elongated pillow. A vibrant cover, crafted from fabric scraps accumulated over past sewing projects, added a touch of multicolored flair to the space. Transforming the dreary fiberglass divider, Deborah utilized sewing scraps to create a captivating hanging display, turning mundane beige into a lively floral showcase.
Upcycled Essentials: A Table, Chairs, and Floor Covering
Resourcefulness extended to the terrace’s central table, crafted from a repurposed piece of wood formerly supporting the futon as a bed. Stained, sealed, and complemented by metal pipe legs from the hardware store, the table became a functional and aesthetically pleasing addition. Folding chairs, inheritances from her grandparents, underwent a makeover with a fresh coat of paint and newly recovered seats.
Completing the ensemble, Deborah introduced a floor covering that cleverly concealed old stains, adding a final touch of renewal to the terrace. The entire revitalization project, a testament to Deborah’s creativity and resourcefulness, carried a modest price tag of $135. In Deborah’s words, the now bright and cheerful space, adorned with a long table, has become a delightful setting for summer and fall entertaining—a serene escape in the heart of NYC.