Wednesday, August 26, 2009

No Sewing, Finishing Projects

The last 2-3 weeks, I haven't been sewing much but I have been busy. Doing what? Finishing home decorating projects, I have a tendency to paint and change a room but then I don't get around to the finishing touches. I have been reading many decorating blogs lately and found wonderful inspiration plus these decorating blogs have just gotten me motivated to finish a few projects.

My first project started the first of summer. I purchased a design consultation from
Layla at The Lettered Cottage (check out her before and after pictures of her kitchen, amazing) and sent her these pictures of my front porch. I needed some suggestions to point me in the right direction. It is a great space but since the pool, we don't use it as much but part of that reason might be the sparse decorations.











Layla suggested painting my furniture black. I liked this suggestion but we had just put up dark bronze outside lights and we live on a gravel road (forgot to mention that to Layla). The dust from the road would be a problem on the black furniture so I picked a dark brown, called Java Bean and it doesn't show the dust too badly. Here is the corner of the porch. I gave a friend the wrought iron chairs, threw a tablecloth on the iron table, added some folding wooden chairs. I am still looking for small seat cushions for these chairs.

Close up of the tablecloth made by my Grandma.



I bought this tin cannister at Joann's years ago.







The new and improved seating area. The fabric for the pillows came from Joann's, the rug from Wal-Mart (it is an outdoor rug and was around $50). The wicker coffee table was found a couple weeks ago at the flea market and was just what I was looking for. This was the last piece I purchased for the porch and I am so happy I was patient and just didn't buy something. I had most of the accessories in my garden, I just moved them onto the porch. I found the little stool at the flea market.






All the ferns were used for the wedding reception and they really flourish on the covered porch.





The north side of the porch has the side door and the one we always use. See hubby's boots, he uses the bench every morning to put on his boots before work. Still looking for a bigger picture, wooden piece or something for above the potter's bench. By the way, the potter's bench was purchased years ago at a unfinished furniture store in my husband's hometown. We hauled it home in the back of the Suburban, thank goodness for all that room.






Both pieces on the top shelf, came from Joann's and were purchased the same time I bought the fresh flower tin. Found the wooden crates last year in a cute little store.






View from the north stairs.

Back door:


Front of the porch, sitting on the glider





Front steps.







See the brown caned rocker?
Below is the before - $5 for the rocker. It isn't in the best shape so I don't let any big guys sit in it!



Here is the after:
View from the table:


One more picture across the front of the porch.

One more chair.
I should point out, all the furniture except the $5 chair and the wicker table , I had on the porch or in the garage. A coat of paint made it look so much better.

I am so pleased with the changes and all of Layla's suggestions. They were just the inspiration I needed to get started on my porch. I have had so much fun looking in flea markets, making the pillows and moving things around. I am planning on adding some mums and pumpkins in a few weeks . More fun.
I sit out on the porch quite a bit now, especially while talking on the phone or reading a magazine.

33 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC!
    I adore your porch!
    Thank you for the kind words too...it was a pleasure working with you. :-)

    Layla
    The Lettered Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fantastic Lori. It looks so inviting, especially for reading all those sewing magazines. I hope your cat approves too as it looks like the porch is his/her domain. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  3. it turned out gorgeous, i bet you will be spending alot of time there!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful! That tablecloth your grandmother made is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful porch makeover! Makes me want to bring my coffee on over and stay a while. Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't you just love a great can of paint? You did a wonderful job.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous porch!!!
    Unfortunately houses in France don't have porches, I love them

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your home is just beautiful. You must love it so.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lori....your porch looks so cozy and inviting. Wonderful make-over!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love a front porch like this! It absolutely looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the porch. Me want.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful! The problem I see is not ever wanting to go back inside!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous3:24 PM

    It looks perfectly comfortable and pleasant, Lor! Isnt' it amazing what some new paint and fresh eyes will do for a space?

    ReplyDelete
  14. This porch is wonderful - I am very envious. What a great eye you have for putting it all together.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great job. Very inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The porch is beautiful! You did a fantastic job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great job, Lori! That looks like a comforting place to sit and enjoy the evening air. Love all the pieces you chose, and yay for FREE stuff and reusing what you have. That is the best feeling of all!

    I haven't been doing much sewing either. I'm trying to figure out what to do with our basement. Much to do.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow! I love it! I just want to sit there and have a cup of sweet tea!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous10:24 PM

    It turned out just beautiful! Looks like such a wonderful place to relax.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a fabulous porch, I'm quite jealous! You did a great job here!! xo, suzy

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your porch! It is almost like you have several separate rooms on the porch.

    ReplyDelete
  22. How warm and inviting it is! It looks like you might have some trouble going inside now - love how it turned out!

    ReplyDelete
  23. It looks so much more inviting. Thank you for the tour.
    Cheri
    Its So Very Cheri

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lori, you have a beautiful porch. What a fabulous job you did painting and making it look inviting and cozy. Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous8:49 AM

    Great job Lori, really looks inviting and cozy.
    Elaine

    ReplyDelete
  26. Terrific job! Looks very inviting!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love your decorating! You have a real talent for doing this. Kitty looks like he enjoys it too.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow! You've done a wonderful job :) I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a beautiful transformation! I am so jealous as I love wraparounds.

    ReplyDelete
  30. That's really beautiful, Lori!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Omigosh...I LOVE your porch...I hope to have one like that someday. I would never get any work done....though I would sip tea and read books all day. cherry

    ReplyDelete
  32. must suggest to every one when they going to make their bedroom like this they should buy a high quality mattress for your bedroom bed which takes a 5 star in your sleep and bedroom decoration.https://magicrugs.com/

    ReplyDelete
  33. I should point out, all the furniture except the chair and the wicker table , I had on the porch or in the garage. A coat of paint made it look so much better. Elementmajad

    ReplyDelete