We've been doing a little sprucing up around here, starting with the front porch. We replaced the rails and steps and then had them stained in a beautiful shade of green (Woodland by Sherwin Williams). Is it gray? Is it green? I think I see some blue. Add a pop of red for the trim (Wine Country--also SW paint) and the green really stands out.
And now it's beginning to feel like my own little oasis in a city. Today I was on the hunt for more things to brighten this spot, but came back from Pier 1 Imports with only coffee mugs. Six of them! How did that happen? I'll tell you how that happened--I broke a mug this week and was missing it terribly. I thought, hmm, that lime green one is pretty, but it should have some friends. That's how you go shopping for a welcome mat and come home with coffee mugs.
After allowing the stain to cure for a full 48 hours, I finally got my porch back. While lugging the furnishings back where they belong, I noticed the post and mailbox were looking rather drab, so they got a fresh coat of paint, too.
I couldn't resist a photo of Stoney as a bird perch.
While I was painting the post, my neighbor came outside and mentioned that maybe they would paint their porch, too. This is the neighbor who points out every little thing she sees wrong with my house, but can't see past her own peeling paint. I won't hold my breath waiting to see their porch done as I don't think they've done a lick of work on that house in the 30 years they've been the owners. You can see the side of their house just over Stoney's shoulder and now I'm wondering, what should I put up there to close it all in and make it more private while simultaneously improving the view. Metal art? A decorative flag? Plants? A trellis?
What would you put there?
22 comments:
Your porch looks awesome!! Would one of those roll up bamboo things work to block the view of the neighbors? Or maybe even some sheers? Go trolling on apartment therapy and some other design blogs and see what's out there. Can't wait to see what you come up with!
My first thought was a bamboo blind but since that's already been suggested I would also consider a trellis. Your porch looks wonderfully relaxing. I told my sweetie that when we sell the cottage he is building me a porch just like yours...ciao
Wow! The porch looks great! I would consider putting some thin wooden strips or even rope and grow some vines on that end of the porch. Still have light and air, but would obscure the neighbors house. Or, as Rositta suggested, a trellis would accomplish the same thing. I know what you mean about mugs. We have so many talented potters around.
That is beautiful!!! Just the names of the paint are fantastic and they are perfect.
How about a bamboo shade that you can raise and lower? Natural, wooden, a work of art by itself...Just thinking outloud.
It looks so inviting, the perfect place to knit
Rudee, your porch is fab!It looks so inviting, and a lovely place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good read.
Trellis is what came to my mind, with maybe a nice scented plant growing up it. I can almost smell honeysuckle or a climbing scented rose.
Keep us posted, please!
P.S. love the red mailbox! It's fab!
I was thinkink of some bamboo Roman shades, which can be got very cheap at Lowe's.
Your porch looks so pretty and cozy, I definately think the roman bamboo shade is a great idea and won't look out of place.
Your porch looks so pretty and cozy, I definately think the roman bamboo shade is a great idea and won't look out of place.
love the porch and yes, a bamboo blind would be my choice. i'd also have to point out some things to your neighbor but then i always did have a big mouth!
smiles, bee
xoxoxooxox
Mugs? Do you need mugs? I have an idea where you can get some.
And as for porches, I have a pig with wings on mine. :-)
The porch looks wonderful! Don't you just love those neighbors that spend way too much time worrying about others meanwhile they have their own issues. My idea for the side of the porch would be to plant a few shrubs/ trees out on the lawn. That would allow the view to be obscured but still allow for a view elsewhere.
What a great spot! Nice work. I think I'd do a trellis. With a flowering, smelly-good vine, but that's me.
If you hang cloth, I'd find a big square of light-weight cotton (so it waves a bit in the breeze and lets some light in) in a neutral color and maybe screen-print, bleach-pen, or batik a design onto it.
I'm totally jealous - it looks like the perfect place for coffee and knitting.
Your neighbor sounds like one of mine. The one that I threw out of my house about 6 months ago. Last week she came over with a plate of baked goods, My son-in-law took them. I was afraid to eat them. Remember Minnie's pie in "The Help". Anyways....you really did a great job with the colors to spruce the porch up. It really looks inviting. I would recommend a wisteria...but they attract bees when they are in bloom. Is there room to plant a bush or tree that would block the view all year? Bet those guys on HGTV could come up with something great.
Your porch looks great! I agree with a bamboo shade. We have one on our porch that you can roll up. It helps keep the heat out of our western facing porch. Or a pretty outdoor curtain strung on a wire that you can pull across the open space when you want some privacy or to keep out the rain.
All the suggestions are great and I can picture of them working well. I don't have a green thumb so I would have to defer to hubby if your situation was ours.
The color choices are beautiful. I was just in Traverse City, drooling over the paint colors on houses there.
Your porch looks so great! I wish we still had one...a deck is just not the same. And Stoney looks right at home in his refurbished digs.
I think I'd put up a trellis with some appropriate vine to cover. Not sure what grows best for you and you do have harsher winters than we do. I'd put in a climbing rose or clematis depending on the hardiness needed. Even in winter you'd have the trellis screen.
That's a lovely porch Ruth.
Think I'd put a 12 foot fence up! Failing that fast growing conifers!
When I was little & lived in streets where we had no gardens we used to sit out on the front step. Now you hardly ever see people sitting out at the front of houses here. Everyone puts their patios or decking in the back garden.
I love the porch! Those colors are great. I like all the suggestions - I can't wait to see what you decide to do.
Oh - and LOL at Brenda - ha!
Porch looks great - enjoy sittin on it.
Looks gorgeous. Love the combo. And the mailbox is stylin' too. :)
I would go with a metal type trellis and grow plants up it. PLEASE do not put up lattice. I swear that stuff depreciates the value of a house faster than anything. I have never seen it used in an attractive way. [Personal opinion tho'.]
I do like the bamboo screen or even a gauzy sheer. The porch looks great as it is, but I can see why you would want to block THAT view.
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