How to Turn Your Patio Into A Parisian Café!

If you’re like most people, you want the outside of your home to look as beautiful as the inside. That means flowers, statues, fountains, or any accessory that adds a distinct flair to your exterior.

Four years ago, I took a look at my front yard, and decided that it needed a major overhaul. There it stood in all its gory; wilting lilies, grass that had seen better days, and a fountain that looked more at home in a salvage yard than a garden. Staring at the dejected mess, I was determined to turn my yard into an enchanting vision, but how?

At first I decided on a traditional garden, then changed my mind after realizing that the word traditional conveys several meanings. For example, traditional can mean something as simple as a rose garden, or as elaborate as 20 Greek statues surrounded by a huge waterfall. Contemplating every idea that crossed my mind, I still hadn’t found a winner. Then it hit me, why not turn the patio into an outdoor café, similar to the ones found in France.

My Parisian Cafe (above)

The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. Reeling from anticipation, my next step was to make a blueprint. To reiterate, my front yard is a site for sore eyes, but there is one feature that I absolutely love, the brick patio comprised of 12 inch red and green stepping stones.

To make the café look authentic, I needed tables, chairs, flowers, table cloths and any fixture that evoked Paris’ ambiance. By the time I finished my blueprint, I couldn’t help but smile, but there was something missing.

Entering the house I spotted a home and garden catalog, one of the hundreds I receive annually. On the cover was a patio enclosed in lattice. "That’s it", I thought. "My patio is going to be surrounded by miles of white, vinyl lattice."

Three weeks later I purchased an oval table with two matching chairs. And in keeping in step with my theme, I brought a green Victorian bistro set, which had Paris written all over it.

1. For the table, cover the top with a table cloth designed to tolerate rain and other hazardous weather conditions. I chose a red table cloth with a rose and silver insert. And for an extra dose of Parisian authenticity, make sure the chairs face the same direction. Next place a large head statue preferably made of alabaster or concrete in the middle. I chose a Greek head and finished the setting by placing 2 glasses on each side of the bust.

2. For the bistro, place 2 glasses on the table and put an oblong candle in the middle. To complete the project, take two terra cotta planters and fill them with white flowers. For a touch of realism, add greenery in the form of palm and ficus trees (real or artificial).

Looking at my new patio I thought it was a dramatic improvement. And I knew it was going to look even better once the lattice was added. Staring at the lattice through twinkling eyes, I began to ponder the what if’s. What if I brought a frog and placed it on the patio to be used as a mascot? What if I attached a portion of the lattice to an arbor that was languishing in the back yard. The arbor is off –white, with two large box planters and a 8 foot trellis, a perfect companion for the café.

The next day my mom, whom I characterize as a weekend warrior when it comes to decorating (interior and exterior), helped me get started on the lattice. We began by taking a 4 x 8-foot panel and placing it against the edge of the arbor. Securing the lattice posed no problem since they come with self-standing posts. We then took another piece of lattice and did the same thing on the other side. Next, to create a unique visual effect, we adjoined the lattice on each side of the arbor. When it was completed, our café was surrounded by a beautiful arbor encased in lattice.

Next step, the mascot we mentioned earlier. Fortunately, I only had to look in my closet to find the large, green, concrete frog I brought at a flea market several years ago. Smiling, my mom and I cleaned up Froggie until he looked brand spanking new and placed him directly in front of the terra cotter planter, where he greets visitors and passersby.

To complete the café, we placed tropical flowers on the inside of the lattice, that gave it the Parisian flavor we were looking for. Before starting the project, my goal was to turn my patio into a Parisian café, which I feel I accomplished.

However, for the more adventurous, who want to take the project to another level, you can set the tables just like you would a regular table, complete with plates, napkins and dinner ware and eat outside. However, if you simply want to create a Parisian display for exhibition, purchase food that looks real but is actually imitation and place it on the tables. Fake food ranging from apples to popcorn can be found on the Internet at www.ebay.com.

· Glasses (preferably plastic)

· Candles (optional)

· Flowers; plastic or real, the choice is yours

· Table cloths

· Fake food (optional)

· Large head statue of an eagle, Buddha, or whatever you prefer

· Planters (preferably large, since they create a more interesting view than smaller planters).

· 2 tables with matching chairs (make sure the tables and chairs are weather resistant). If you want more tables and chairs add them. The number depends on the size of your patio, and how many tables it can accompany without looking overcrowded.

· Concrete statue (dog, frog, turtle, etc) to serve as your official mascot.