A couple from Italy were so tired of the unpresentable appearance of their balcony that she decided to turn it into something amazing. And it was possible, and with minimal financial costs.
Balcony Description
In the warm climate of Italy, a rare house does without a balcony. But only in modern buildings it is increasingly being made small, if not tiny.
So in the described case, a very small space was altered - no more than a meter wide, fenced with a forged grate. The owners of the apartment had few means and opportunities to turn it into something more than just a smoking area. But, in the end, they were tired of watching the disorder on a daily basis, and it was decided to start the repair.
The couple's goal was to turn the balcony into a private and comfortable place where, in the reach of others' eyes, they could relax after a working day.
Materials, tools and budget
Overnight, the balcony was cleaned of all objects and thoroughly cleaned the concrete. Further in the construction and hardware stores were sequentially acquired:
- Heavy-duty exterior blinds in muted green.
- Bamboo fascia (bunches pulled by a cord) - 5 meter long roll.
- Boards for flooring in fascia color.
- White stones.
The total budget was only $ 100 (6500 p.). The owners of the apartment spent a little more than a week on the whole alteration. They worked slowly and thoroughly.
Installation of coverings and blinds
Boards of color and texture of a beautiful tree were laid on an adhesive composition intended for such coatings. Each plank is treated with a protective coating that prevents the penetration of moisture, dirt and pests. However, it requires an annual update.
When installing between the flooring and the threshold of the room, there was a gap of approximately 10 cm, marking the boundary between the rooms.
The design of the blinds was especially complicated. They weighed a lot and were mounted on a special pulley system. Moreover, in order to mount them, the landlord needed to balance on the stairs at the level of the third floor.
Blinds are twice as long as is usual for closing windows. Due to this, they can be strongly extended from the wall and thrown over the fence.
Fencing
During the work, the couple encountered difficulties - it was impossible to change the fence in any way. Forged elements were part of the facade, any "attempt" on them was punishable by a serious monetary fine.
However, a solution was found - a bamboo fascia was attached from the inside of the balcony. This is not a continuous material, but it was already impossible to discern what was happening behind the fence. As fasteners used ordinary wire.
Decor, furniture and plants
After the main work, it is time to start decorating the resulting corner.
The gap between the flooring and the threshold was filled with white stones, laying them in such a way that there was no corner sticking out.
For the balcony, the couple acquired special furniture - light folding chairs for everyone and a miniature table on which only a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses fit.
Of course, not without plants. But they did not begin to clutter the updated balcony, confining themselves to three tiny, no more mugs, flower pots. And even then they were not placed, but hung inside and out.
On this rework of the most boring balcony was completed.
Intended use
Since the update, the couple began to use the balcony as a resting place. The blinds thrown over the railings provide a welcome shadow and privacy. At the same time, the owners of the apartment themselves clearly see what is happening on the street.
As a rule, spouses sit on the balcony in the evenings, drinking wine, discussing the past day and rejoicing that they succeeded in such an important creative work - remaking the balcony. And for a small amount.
