Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Front porch makeover

Why is it that some spaces just seem to get neglected? The front porch is one of those places. There's a deck off the porch that is one of my favorite places to sit. You can watch the sunrise in the morning and the moon rise in the evening. And you can lounge in a chair with a glass of something cool and refreshing, your latest book being your biggest concern. :)

But sitting there you have to look over at the porch. What happened here anyway? It had sortof become a potting shed and dumping ground for weird things (and was actually worse than this I forgot to take a true "before" photo). This door only gets used by people that don't know any better so I guess it was never a priority. Until now!

I cleaned away the things that didn't need to stay, which included this frame which once had glass and a print inside but after a windstorm it got knocked down from the top of that black shelf and shattered the glass and ruined the print.

I spray painted the frame gloss black and while I was waiting for it to dry I went and cut the seed heads off my oregano. They're a lovely green and I needed some greenery.


I tied it into bundles and dangled them from the cup hooks on this garage sale find from last summer.


These pots had the perfect sort of patina I was looking for. I dug them out of the garden shed but they were originally a find after the neighbors moved and said they'd left a bunch of garden stuff and to help myself. Woohoo! :) The rocks were some my brother found hiking. I'm a bit of a rock hound and he knew I'd like them.


I straightened the chairs, added cushions and a table runner to the garage sale dresser that holds decorative seasonal items.

Oh and made myself a little sign. ;)

While the second coat of paint on the frame was drying I scouted out a thin rectangle of wood from the shop. A couple coats of chalkboard paint gave me carte blanche. Since it was too small to fit in the frame I needed a mat and made one from the cardboard I took out of the frame when I painted it, covered it in kraft paper and stamped it. Cheap, easy, free. Not weatherproof though so this will have to come in when the weather changes.

"Joy of life" (a phrase I learned reading some classic literature) - is how I see it, sitting here admiring the flowers and watching the rising of the sun and moon.

I tried to mirror the swirls on the shelf


With the swirls I stamped on the mat


Now it looks rather like an inviting little stop in the shade, sipping a refreshment and watching the bees flit about the flowers.



And to think I had all the supplies just sitting around the house. I love projects like that!


From blech
To inviting






Linking to:

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Creations by Kara

My Romantic Home

The Shabby Nest



Funky Junk Interiors

16 comments:

theUngourmet said...

Your porch is just darling! I wish mine looked this cute! Nice job!

Frog Hollow Farm Girl said...

Hi Molly, thanks so much for popping over to check out my blog post on my back porch transformation - I think you might have popped over from Transformation Thursday?? We both did porch redos - and your's is just delightful. I loved that little matting frame you made from cardboard, just so simple and elegant. Great job! Ciao, bella!

malia said...

very welcoming and sweet. you are inspiring me to spruce up my front porch!
www.yesterdayontuesday.com

malia said...

and i'm your newest follower
www.yesterdayontuesday.com

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

I love the new look of your porch, it's so cozy and fresh!
gail

Anonymous said...

What a great idea. It looks great!!

Diane said...

OMGosh, your porch looks soooo inviting. I would love to stop by for a visit;o) Great re-do.

Thanks for stopping by Pittypat Paperie and leaving the nice comment. Come again anytime Ü

considerthelillies said...

great makeover! I would enjoy it watching the sunset with a nice cup of jo!

Theresa MacNaughton said...

What a fabulous job you did! It looks so warm and inviting. :) Congratulations - I hope you spend many fun hours relaxing and enjoying. Theresa :)

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

Love it! You did such a nice job! I love the greenery and the color of the dresser...the chalkboard was also a great touch.

Visiting from the shabby nest linky party

Kara @ mineforthemaking.com

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

That looks wonderful. I love the rack with the herbs on it.

Hootin Anni said...

It's absolutely charming!!!


My Friday Blog - Monkey See, Monkey Do

Hope your weekend treats you well!!

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

just by moving things around, who knew the porch could look this pretty! love it!

One Cheap B*tch said...

It looks so pretty now! I feel like I should be sipping iced tea on there right about now!

Jeanine

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Oh, how pretty and inviting!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

Linda @ it all started with paint said...

So very inviting and I love the price tag too!

:)

Linda
www.itallstartedwithpaint.com