Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

#ProjectPatio

#ProjectPatio & The Home Depot Canada #Giveaway

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NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

With the end of the season right around the corner….  yeah, I know. Bite my tongue; it’s finally starting to feel like summer in Southwestern Ontario.

Regardless, in just a few short weeks, the kiddos will be back in school, I’ll be breaking out my Tory Burch riding boots, and sadly, packing away my patio furniture. Ah, my beloved #ProjectPatio.


I want to express sincere thanks to all those who followed along as we turned our backyard from ordinary to an oasis. Since the reno was completed back in May, I’ve enjoyed many drinks on the patio, and have even developed a new appreciation for barbecued everything.

Of course, I also have to show my appreciation to The Home Depot Canada, who partnered with me on this amazing makeover. I am so fortunate to have teamed up with the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer; a company whose core values include respect for all people, giving back to communities and of course, excellent customer service. Thank you so much for helping us create the patio of our dreams!

Now if you’re thinking that it’s time to take on your own #ProjectPatio for 2014, there’s no better time to get started; you’ll recall from my Buy it Now! Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set post that many of the dining sets are on sale (check in store for the best prices – only a few options left!) and you can find great deals on other summer must-haves as well. And… shhh… a little birdie told me that y’all should be checking out Home Depot Canada’s enviable selection of BBQs over the next 2-3 weeks… you may be BLOWN AWAY by the amazing prices!

Speaking of BBQs, we’re kind of obsessed with our Weber Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill. The top-of-the-line grill creates an atmosphere of pure grilling excellence! Its high-heat Sear Station burner, three standard stainless steel burners and electronic ignition system are just a few of the noteworthy features we can’t resist.


So WHY all the patio talk, so close to the end of the season? Trust me, I’m not trying to torture you. I simply want to provide some inspiration for your own #ProjectPatio for 2014… and The Home Depot Canada will provide some FABULOUS incentive!…

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Grill On. The Weber Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill

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Disclaimer: Reviewing the Weber Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill is kind of like reviewing a luxury car. I mean really, what’s not to love? You simply won’t find a better grill for the price.

We were fortunate to receive the grill for review from The Home Depot Canada as part of our #ProjectPatio overhaul. Now in the spirit of being completely honest… and you know I always am… I actually haven’t used this grill once. Frankly, I don’t even know how to turn it on. To me, it’s nothing more than a shiny new appliance that looks kind of spectacular on my shiny new patio.

However, the MAN CHEF in my family is near-orgasmic over this contraption. In fact, my husband has attributed most of his happiness this summer to the addition of the BBQ. Hence, when he’s not wiping it down or admiring it from afar (yes, I have caught him staring), he can usually speak to its features and attributes.

“This stainless steel rendition of our top-of-the-line Genesis natural gas grill creates an atmosphere of pure grilling excellence. It’s high-heat Sear Station burner, three standard stainless steel burners, and electronic ignition system are just a few of the noteworthy features you won’t be able to resist.” – Weber Grills

– 38,000 BTU cooking system provides powerful heat and performance
– The 10,600 BTU sear burner is designed to step up the heat on demand for searing
– The 12,000 BTU flush mounted side burner let’s you multi task at the grill
– The stainless steel rod cooking grids have a 7mm diameter
– Includes a 10-foot flexible natural gas hose
– Two stainless steel work surfaces offer plenty of room for all your grilling needs

Of course, before I let him get into the nitty gritty, here’s what I like about the Weber Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill:

Okay, it’s pretty obvious that I’m a huge fan of our new BBQ, for obvious, delicious reasons. But why is my husband on cloud nine?…

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Buy it Now! Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set

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So many of y’all fell in LOVE with my Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set, available at the Home Depot Canada. It was prominently featured in my #ProjectPatio: The BIG Reveal! post, and we too coveted the set from the first moment we laid eyes on it.

(And now that I’ve hyperlinked the hell out of it, it’s time to get down to business!)

Here’s the deal. When we first started planning for our backyard patio, we assumed that we would prefer lounge-type seating. After all, drinks on the patio and wicker sectionals go hand-in-hand, no? However, after much thought and a careful reassessment of our family habits, eating preferences and lifestyle, we concurred that a standard dining set would likely be the better choice. However, I was very particular about the features of the dining set; it had to have:

a) comfortable seating for six
b) sturdy, stackable chairs, and preferably two that reclined
c) a unique style that is contemporary yet functional
d) rust proof framing and weather resistant fabric
e) a timeless colour coombination that coordinates well with all décor

Thankfully, it didn’t take long before we settled on the Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set. I was quite taken with the cast iron dining table; its intricate design and aged bronze powder coated finish was perfectly stylish and functional, and I appreciated the quality of the design….

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#ProjectPatio: The BIG Reveal!

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Well, it’s been an interesting few weeks. (*Shakes fist at Mother Nature*)

Back when I first announced #ProjectPatio, I truly believed that my backyard oasis was around the corner. Like, days away. But then, a little something happened – a frost warning. IN MAY. Followed by days of rain and chilly weather. In case you didn’t know, frost + rain + chilly weather = Lena’s non-patio.

It was exceptionally difficult because we had these gorgeous pieces from the Home Depot Canada simply sitting in our garage; it was almost blasphemes not to put a WEBER Genesis S-330 to use (trust me, my husband tried), and I longed to break in my new Hampton Bay Millstone Dining Set. Still, we gave Mother Nature a wide berth and waited for the temps to turn around.

Finally, shortly after the May long weekend, I finally had a chance to bid adios to my plain, uninspiring backyard.

The above picture was taken seconds after the work crew began to dig; I realized in panic that I didn’t have any “before” photos. Not much to look at, to tell the truth; a vast landscape of overgrown grass and a lonely bubble mower. …

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It’s Time for #ProjectPatio!

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Hands up if you’ve waited for this long weekend… oh, ever since the very first snowflake fell last winter? The unofficial start of summer is among us, and I CAN’T WAIT!

The second and third weekend in May is notoriously busy for us, as Ryder was born on Mother’s Day, and Reid was born on Victoria Day weekend. Hence, there’s always something going on, whether it be a trip to grandma’s, a family BBQ, or basically anything that involves cake. Ryder is really big on the whole cake thing.

However, this year we’ve added a little more craziness into the fold, as we’re preparing our backyard for a complete overhaul. Yes, construction for #ProjectPatio begins on Tuesday! We’ll have to remove our old, flimsy patio set, tear down the boys’ mini playground, and say goodbye to the crappy, dandelion filled grass – that will soon be replaced with a stamped concrete patio. We’ve been in our home for almost 6 years now… which means that I’ve waited for this moment for over 2100 days. Yikes.

Of course, this is the perfect time to acknowledge my official sponsor for #ProjectPatio…. it’s none other than Home Depot Canada!

I am so fortunate to team up with the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer; a company whose core values include respect for all people, giving back to communities and of course, excellent customer service. I simply can’t count the number of occasions where me (or more often than not, my husband) has stumbled into the Home Depot Canada seeking help on everything from paint (it’s too green!) to gardening advice (I think we killed it!) to home improvement SOS (um… we just found out we purchased the wrong sized door). Through it all, the Home Depot Canada has been our go-to store, allowing us to create the home of our dreams!

And now… I have a very special delivery arriving today: products generously sponsored by the Home Depot Canada to create the perfect patio! Want a sneak peek of what’s on the way? Okay, I’ll share!

HAMPTON BAY Millstone 7 Piece Dining Set
$1099.99

The Millstone 7pc Dining Set is a great addition to any patio space. Includes two swivel rocker dining chairs and four stationary dining chairs and one open cast top 74×42 dining table. Comes with seat pads for added comfort.

– Aged bronze powder coated finish
– Rust proof aluminum frame
– Weather resistant fabric
– Dining chairs stack for easy storage
– Traditional design coordinates well with all décor
– Optional umbrella sold separately
– 5 year limited warranty

I am in love with the intricate design of the chairs and table – it’s a modern twist on traditional patio sets, and lends a certain element of style and differentiation.

HAMPTON BAY Millstone Umbrella – 11 Feet
$199.00

Enjoy the shade from this Millstone11ft umbrella. Coordinates with the Millstone 7pc cast dining set. Includes a crank lift for easy set up.

– Aged bronze powder coated finish
– Rust proof aluminum frame
– Weather resistant fabric
– Easy crank function

I’ve always wanted an offset umbrella that is situated on the patio vs the table; it allows conversation to flow freely between guests, and offers a certain Californian inspiration that I adore. The Millstone umbrella’s base is sold separately for $69.99; don’t forget to add that to your cart!

Finally, you could say that the next item supplied by the Home Depot Canada made my husband’s day year life. Alright, the truth is, he hasn’t stopped talking about it. (It’s borderline insufferable, to tell you the truth, but I just can’t burst his bubble when he’s so very excited.) Et voila!

WEBER Genesis S-330 Natural Gas Grill
$1249.00

This stainless steel rendition of our top-of-the-line Genesis natural gas grill creates an atmosphere of pure grilling excellence. It’s high-heat Sear Station burner, three standard stainless steel burners, and electronic ignition system are just a few of the noteworthy features you won’t be able to resist.

– 38,000 BTU cooking system provides powerful performance
– The 10,600 BTU sear burner for on-demand searing
– 12,000 BTU flush mounted side burner for multi-tasking
– The stainless steel rod cooking grids have a 7mm diameter
– Includes a 10-foot flexible natural gas hose
– Two stainless steel work surface offer plenty of room

(Yes, I think I have achieved “Wife of the Year” status. Thanks Home Depot Canada!) 

We are waiting with baited breath for the delivery to arrive, and then we’ll be keeping it under wraps until the patio is complete (timeline is approximately 4-5 days). Follow me on Twitter (@Listen2Lena) where I’ll be sure to post photos of the transformation!

Until then, wishing you all a wonderful long weekend – Happy Victoria Day!