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.