I have a dirty little secret. We have a screened in porch and it is probably the most neglected area of our house. As of lately I have gotten the itch to redecorate it because it is a great little area we should use more often. I am going to share some pictures because we are all friends here but please don’t judge this sad little area of our house.
Let’s start with some pretty pictures before we get to my sad porch. These two photos are my inspiration for sprucing things up. I like the pops of color with the clean and fresh back drop. Plus I really dig the light fixtures in both.
Here is our neglected porch. Currently it serves as a storage porch for Sterling’s toys and our recycling bins. Don’t be jealous of the sweet horse my parents cleaned out of their attic and brought to us.
A few thoughts. I plan to paint the rocking chairs a glossy white. And add some bright cushions. I love Trina Turk’s Outdoor Fabric choices. I just can’t decide if I want a pattern or solid color.
I am pretty sure I am going to paint the floors this dark charcoal color: Downpipe by Farrow and Ball- Thanks to WayWay for introducing me to this fab color. I like the idea of glossy white furniture with dark charcoal floors.
I am also thinking about painting my Bamboo pots a glossy white and will use them as small tables or put some cool green plants in them.
Sterling loves hanging out on the porch so it needs to be kid friendly. What are your thoughts? Any other ideas?
Oh and our neighbors found this beauty in their backyard yesterday, Lord help us. You know I am going to be dreaming about snakes tonight. Snakes are my numero uno fear (well besides sharks and flying), so I am freaking out!
What a great little space! The white rockers will look great with the charcoal floor. Definitely patterned cushions- that fabric is gorgeous! Adding great lighting and bright colors will look perfect! Yikes on the snake! Those things scare me more than anything!
I posted about great spaces this morning too!
Andrea
the-blonde-ambitions.blogspot.com
I adore that first porch…I can just image having afternoon tea out there and drinking wine with friends. Ahh. Happy Thursday, my friend.
Such a fun space! You should find a top for your planters that is removable so they could serve as storage and a table for drinks on the porch! Can't wait to see what u do with it.
Love the Trina Turk cushions. I would use a pattern because it won't show dirt, or sticky little fingers like a solid would. Dying over the lighting in the first pic! Fabulous! I really want to get out on our back porch but it is super dirty, needs a power wash. Eww, I know. BUt they are doing construction on the road and there is no sense getting it cleaned until they are done. So frustrating because I love to sit out there. Ok, I have rambled enough! Happy Thursday love!
That horse is beyond sweet. That would be an easy weekend project. Fo sho.
I am with you on the fear of snakes. We saw our little dog looking at something 2 weeks ago and it was a 5ft rat snake…and our dog would not get away! I was terrified.
I'm so jealous you have a screened porch. That is my favorite feature of a house! I love the idea of painting the bamboo pots (thought I spied one in the first inspiration photo too!) As for kid-friendly, I am no expert, but some large pillows on the floor might be fun for Sterling, covered with indoor/outdoor fabric in case he decides to lounge in the grass on them.
We had a space just like that a our old house that also sat quite neglected until we staged it to sell! I'd see if Lowes could cut some round glass tops for the planters to make them into tables. You could also bring in a great rug to add some more color and make it a softer place for Sterling to play. Can't wait to see how it turns out!
All great idea! It'll be adorable when you finish, love the brick. I'd definitely go with a pattern for the cushions 🙂 oh, and maybe we could have a rocking horse painting party…?
I like your brainstorming ideas! I love those Trina Turk fabrics! Good luck with the snakes! Yuck!
Screened in porches are an absolute must here too- ours is quite the hodge podge at the moment and I really need to get going on it for spring. Omg that snake!
I had a horse like that when I was a kid!! HAHA. I like all your ideas. I would paint the brick white too.
Oh my gosh your poor little porch! I love all of your ideas, can't wait to see the finished product!
Great ideas. I would put down and indoor/outdoor rug for S to play on. Trina Turk fabrics are awesome and hold up really well!
I love your ideas! Maybe you could paint the planters a bright blue from that gorgeous fabric! I love that rocking horse too! My baby cousin is turning 1 soon and I wanted to spray paint one gold as a gift!
Call me crazy but I picture some really fun drapes in outdoor fabric that can roll up and down? That is an easy way to add lots of drama.
Too funny about snakes and flying. Those are my two biggest fears as well. Snakes love our patio since the marsh is right behind our townhouse. We put lime down every spring and summer. Some say it doesn't work, but it gives me peace of mind.
Here is a great patio/porch idea link Southern living emailed me. No doubt whatever you do wil be fantastic!
http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/front-back-screen-porch-patio-00417000071944/?iid=newsletter|20120327&PromKey=XET
I hate snakes. Moth balls are supposed to keep snakes away; another option is sulphur. Anywhoo, I love the idea of your "new" porch! Yes, to the chairs and bamboo painted white–will be perfect with the charcoal. The top porch image is one of my favorites I've seen. I can't wait to see your finished product!
I love your ideas for your porch. We have one too and I bought a rug for it. I'm planning on putting lots of flowers and potted plants. I need to get new cushions for the Adirondack chairs!
OMG that snake!!!
There is TONS of potential with your porch! What a fun project! I think painting the floors will help clean it up and I like the Trina fabric!
PS…so scary about the snake…NOT ok!!
Isn't redecorating just so much fun? I can't wait to see after pics!
That first photo is my sister's house! How funny! It is up in Sag Harbor. The styling is amazing… that was when it was showcased as the Hampton's Designer Showcase house. It is certainly inspirational.
xo.
Just found your blog! It is fabulous!
We are getting ready to hire a landscape architect to update our back porch. It is the most underutilized space in our home. I have been searching around for great looking spaces, and I love the ones you showed here!
Hope you post about the progess! Can't wait to see the grey floors!
judging! kidding 🙂 i had that exact horse growing up and I was obsessed with it!! love your porch inspiration pics! my deck is in dire need of some love as well… hoping to decorate it when I'm 100% chicago winter is not coming back!
http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com/
You should definitely check out House of Pemberley on etsy. They have great deals on designer fabrics. The quality is AMAZING!
I had one of those rocking horses and LOVED it!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofpemberley?ref=ss_profile
Your porch has SO much potential – what a great space! Your inspiration photos are beautiful – can't wait to follow the progress!
Oh it has so much potential! You could totally do a built in window seat with storage underneath. And use the Trina Turk prints for a cushion on top!
I wish I had a screened in porch, so jealous. Whatever you do I know it will be fabulous.
I made you jalapeno dip last night for my party and it was a huge hit!!
OOhhh! I have no doubt that you will make that space look great! I can't wait to see the after!
Oh, snakes are my worst fear too and we have found 3 in our yard in the past few years. I completely fall apart. Anyway, i like your ideas and I love the size of your porch. Not too big, not too small. You and your family will really enjoy when it is all fix up 🙂
The first porch is fabulous! I definitely dream about having a house with a nice big porch that I can decorate. Porches are so uncommon in the north i`ll probably end up building on onto a house lol. xo
Love your ideas, it's going to be a fabulous space! Enjoy your weekend! x
CanNOT wait to see how it turns out. Love those bamboo table/planters 🙂
I painted our outdoor porch floor yellow and white checks when we lived in MD and loved it. Love the idea of Trina Turk outdoor fabrics perfect for kids! Good Luck! Cannot wait to see what you do! 🙂
What? I could die!! YIKES!!
Ok, now onto the chairs, I think I would go with a solid seat cushion and add some patterned cushions for decor, that way, if you get bored of the cushions you can just change them and update the look 😉
SNAAAAAKE!!!! Honey, I live in Fort Mill outside Charlotte. Our nabe backs up to Duke Energy's power grid, aka a forest. There are hiking trails all through-out, and COPPERHEADS everywhere. I mean everywhere. And they end up in everyone's bushes in their friggin' yards. I hate it!!!!
You found some great inspiration pics, and I think with a good coat of fresh white paint, some bright colorful patterns, and some plants it will look amazing! Sounds like a fun spring project!