My favorite room: Broken table turned blessing in disguise

Favorite room: Rehabbed deck, which has become a sanctuary during the pandemic.

Created by: Alice Sachs, Burnsville.

The back story: It all started when Sachs left the umbrella from her patio table open and the wind kicked up overnight. She got up the next morning to find a huge pile of shattered glass and a ruined tabletop.

Lemons to lemonade: Rather than just replace the tabletop, Sachs decided to rework the deck. The original deck had built-in benches and flower boxes, which were nice but limited how the space could be used. She tore out the built-ins and rebuilt the deck.

The end result: A bistro deck with much more space that allowed for multiple uses.

Finishing touches: Now there's room for a lounge area with cushy sofas and chairs. "I still have a small table and chairs, so outdoor dining is still done, but it's much more conversational with the addition of a love seat and coffee table," Sachs said. Lots of lights, both electric and solar, as well as a bounty of container planters add to the new-and-improved look.

Budget: The upper deck rehab bill came to $6,000 for materials and labor, plus another $450 for furniture and decor.

Who knew a damaged patio table could be a blessing in disguise? "It was the best thing that ever happened," Sachs said. "From that time forward, my deck began the transformation to a space that I, my daughter and my dogs spend hours enjoying."

My Favorite Room is an occasional series showcasing improved home spaces submitted by readers. A favorite room doesn't have to be a showcase of fine design — it can be fun, whimsical or downright quirky.

If you have a favorite room, send a snapshot or two, along with a brief description of what makes your room special, to myfavoriteroom@startribune.com. We'll showcase readers' favorite rooms in upcoming Sunday Homes sections.

Nancy Ngo • 612-673-4892