It’s not often that I complete a project and am completely happy with it; I usually finish, or come close to finishing, and then criticize it to death and start changing right away. But I am really, truly happy with the way my porch is turning out! It has become the hangout; morning, noon and night. It makes me feel good.
Here is the before; not bad, but Ms. M’s furniture sat too low to the ground for a good view and wasn’t comfortable at all. You also couldn’t see a thing out of the curtains.
Here is it’s “storage” stage; remember when I asked your opinion on what I should do about the curtains? I wasn’t really digging the half-sheers.
Here are shots of where we stand today!
Dad built the bed for me; it’s fantastic. The cubby holes have wire baskets in them from the family farm in New Mexico; they aren’t filled right now which is just as well because the boys love hiding in there. 🙂 I made the pennant garland from my plethora of pillows I made from the vintage tablecloths; I’ll probably switch out the pillows eventually to make things a little less busy. But for now, they work.
I wanted a lamp, but the twinkle lights are a perfect substitute. Erick works late evenings out on the porch grading, etc, and they fit the bill very well.
I was completely inspired by The Nester’s Sign…
So I bought a $5 piece of pre-cut particle board and used chalkboard paint to make my own version. Inexpensive, and I really like how it turned out.
The bed is great for relaxing on and burying yourself under pillows…good for a nice stretch or a nap.
I like the details; the fan is one of my favorite house finds. It doesn’t work very well, which is a good thing; I can fit my hand in there! So we obviously don’t have it anywhere near an outlet. But I love the look. Bought the coasters at Roden Smith for my New Mexico-reading crowd; they fit in well! And I certainly need to refill our gumball machine. (With chocolate, preferably).
The porch swing was a birthday-money purchase, and I pulled the red cart from the attic so we could roll it out and set drinks and snacks on it when we are in the mood for swingin’.
And this little corner; I love it. I bought the pub-style table at Target, and we plan to eventually purchase a couple of counter-height barstools so we can pull the table out and eat there as a family. We still take advantage of meal-time on the porch anyway; the boys usually have their go-to sandwiches so they don’t really need to sit. I sip my morning coffee here, we have lunch here, we have Friday night pizza here. Thus the tongue-in-cheek Maine Street Cafe sign. We live on Main Street, in Maine, hardy har-har. Silly, but fun.
Here is the table relative to our entry way; the one other area that I’m satisfied with!
Ok, a couple more…this is a great place to watch the rain; yesterday we had plenty of chances for that! Nonnie came over and we had a nice time riding out the first of many showers while swinging away. Or standing, as the case may be.
And Erick installed our flag last weekend in time for Memorial Day; I love it!
So for now, I’m content. The only other change on the horizon is the carpet; if feels like concrete underneath; if that’s the case, then I want to pull up what we have, stain the concrete a nice shiny dark blue, and put some sisal rugs down. We can live with what we have now, though.
Come join me for a swing anytime!
Deborah said:
WOWZA! GREAT job, Jen! Your porch looks terrific. A perfect place to spend a quiet day reading or entertaining family and friends. Love the bunting and twinkle lights and all your signs.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Roberta said:
I absolutely love it. It’s gorgeous and I’d love to curl up and take a nap out there. I am desperately aching to just fly out there and wile away a few days in your gorgeous and your beautiful spirit. Love you.
Susan said:
I am in love with this room Jen! Please please come and help me decorate our house! You’ve done such wonderful things…and you’re adorable. Love you friend!
jenny said:
Looks amazing! I love what you did with that sign, looks just like the original…I bet that bed is a great place to get a nap right now while you are pregnant! Love this space 🙂
Holly Williams said:
I LOVE it!! I may take you up on the swing offer and perhaps a lovely iced tea at the cafe table! 😉
Grandma said:
I must admit between you and your mom and your various talents at making a place look like a fairy waved her wand over it you are great!! I love it all. You need to be in Home and Garden. If wishes were horses etc..I would come a runnin. Bless you with love from the Father above Grandma
Pingback: room redo wannaplay winner + a fabulous porch redo | the handmade home
Pingback: room redo wannaplay : June’s winner + an incredible porch transformation | the handmade home
reFresh reStyle said:
I love your porch! Thanks for sharing, I saw it over at The Handmade Home!
Debbie
jodi @ back40life said:
looks amazing – I LOVE all of it! If you’re looking for bar stools…I see them ALL the time on Craig’s List where we are…and definitely way cheaper than brand new!
{darlene} said:
fantastic!! I A.D.O.R.E{!!!!!} the sign you made!
– {darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com
Shaunna said:
Found you from the handmade home….love, love your porch makeover! You did such a beautiful job!!
🙂
shaunna
Kim@NewlyWoodwards said:
Wow! I just popped over from Serenity Now. This is just lovely. I’m totally inspired by all the details and the fact that you made this space a true room. Thank you for sharing.
Julie Wurth said:
Ooh, I hope my breezeway makeover turns out half this good … I have a lot more junk to show than you do! 🙂 So beautiful!
Pingback: My Color Conundrum «
Bethany said:
This is beautiful and such an inspiration to me! Thank you for sharing!!
Chie said:
The transformation turn out adorable. I can see that this is the same room.
Job well done.
Have a blissful Monday and a blessed week to come.
/CC from Stockholm
kirbycarespodi said:
I absolutely love this!
Laurel Stephens said:
I love the lights and bunting and pillows and swing… and, well shoot! I just love it ALL! Cozy and cute.