When Nina first came to see us, her patio was completely empty. She had a beautiful covered outdoor area with a pool nearby, and she knew exactly the kind of space she wanted to create: a proper outdoor living room that felt luxurious, cohesive, and completely her own.
What followed was one of our favourite transformations.
Starting From Scratch: The Dining Setting
Nina's first priority was a dining setting. She was drawn to a bold, dark aesthetic and fell in love with the combination of a ceramic wood-look table paired with ornate cast aluminium chairs in black. The contrast of the warm timber-look top against the dark lattice-back chairs gave the space an elegant, timeless feel.
The dining setting - ceramic wood-look table with cast aluminium chairs
The full patio view - Nina's DIY hanging planters tie the whole space together
Nina's DIY Touch: The Hanging Planters
This is where Nina really made the space her own. She crafted a set of stunning DIY hanging planters from rattan-style baskets and trailing greenery, suspending them from the patio rafters above the dining table. The result is extraordinary - they add height, texture, and a lush tropical feel that perfectly complements the dark furniture and the garden beyond.
It's a great reminder that the furniture is just the foundation. The accessories and personal touches are what make an outdoor space feel truly lived in.
Adding the Sunlounges
With the dining area complete, Nina came back for the next piece: a pair of sunlounges for the poolside. She chose cast aluminium lounges with thick black cushions - durable, elegant, and perfectly matched to the dining setting she already had.
The poolside sunlounges - those scatter cushions are the perfect finishing touch
The tropical scatter cushions she added are just the right pop of colour against the black - bold without being overdone.
The Finished Space
Nina's finished outdoor living room - from empty patio to resort-style retreat
Nina went from an empty patio to a complete outdoor living room with two distinct zones: a dining area for entertaining and a poolside lounge for unwinding. The dark palette runs consistently through both spaces, and the DIY planters tie everything together with a personal, creative touch that no furniture store could sell her.
We love how Nina has transformed her outdoor room, and we love that she always brings a smile to our faces when she visits.
Inspired by Nina's Style?
If you love the bold, dark cast aluminium aesthetic, the Whitehorse Cast Aluminium Dining Chair is a beautiful option in a similar style - ornate, durable, and built for Queensland's climate. Browse our full outdoor dining settings to find the right table to pair it with, or explore our sunlounge collection for poolside options.
Visit us at our Brisbane showroom to see the range in person, or get in touch and we'll help you plan your own outdoor transformation.
