Front porch love

Do you hear that sound? My sound? Right now it is silent, with the exception of the whirr my laptop fan is making. I've had a few mornings like this, quiet, kids off to school and husband to work. Even though the amount of projects on my agenda is dizzying, this quiet is a welcome change to the chaos of the previous months. Gone is the deadline pressure, the two mortgages pressure. In it's place is a certain peace knowing that projects will get done as needed or as I can't handle living with the unfinished state they are in. But the pressure has lifted. It may take me until next May to unpack at this rate, but at this moment I say, 'so be it.'

One of the things my husband loves most about this house is the front porch. He made comments all last summer as we worked about how much he looked forward to sitting in the evenings with the newspaper and a drink, rocking on the porch, listening to the birds. Since we are approaching prime porch season, it got a little love yesterday. It isn't completed quite yet, but I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at what I've got going on so far.

First, a reminder of what the porch looks like:

It spans the entire front of the house. It is covered and because of the way the house sits, it rarely ever gets hit by the elements. When it is raining you will stay perfectly dry on the porch. The floor is cement, which is about as easy-maintenance as it gets. Those are all pluses.

Trying to decorate such a long narrow span isn't super easy. I've determined that the cement floor, hard as it may be, stays. I do want to put a clear coat on the cement (think Home Depot floors) and add some sisal rugs. The rugs may come this year but the clear coat will certainly be a future project.

The hardest part is using what I have. I have several park benches: one that is very flimsy, weathered wood and iron; one that is plastic and plain but it is a glider which is nice; and one that was on our front porch at H1 which has light brown painted wood slats and heavier iron sides. It is the prettiest, but also the least comfortable.

There is a white rocking chair which we'd bought for mom for Christmas one year that was left here. It has seen better days but nothing some screws and spray paint can't handle. There was also a round wood table which was left in the house that I've commandeered for the porch. Last year I bought some cobalt blue stacking chairs on clearance at Art Van and while I love them, they match nothing else I own.

The thing I want most on my front porch is something I don't have yet- a daybed swing. But I have everything to make one and it is on the list of projects that will hopefully be done by the end of summer. The swing is going down on the far right end, where it will be the most private for taking naps or reading or just sipping lemonade and listening to the birds and frogs.

First things first, we had some major clean up to do. Last Saturday Scott spent the entire day power-washing the whole house. Sunday we broke in his new weed eater by removing a lot of over-growth in the yard and in the plants that lined the porch. You can't tell from the picture above but there are gorgeous hostas that grow along the front every year along with a couple columbines and tiger lilies. But the whole area had been taken over by weeds. We cleaned it all out and started removing the rocks that were used for landscaping when we built the house (they were here and free so we used them). We are going to replace the rocks with cedar mulch.

Monday, we had Orkin come out and spray. Goodbye unwanted porch guests. :)

Tuesday, I started staging the front porch, moving my stuff around and deciding what I liked best. I think what I'll end up with for now is three zones. To the left of the front door will be the park bench and rocker. To the right will be the blue chairs and wood table. Then at the far end will be the daybed swing (eventually).

Yesterday I made a trek to World Market, Marshall's, Target, and Pier 1 with the mission of making the front porch look more inviting. I decided to go with a cobalt blue-turquoise-lime green color scheme, with just enough terra cotta mixed in to allow me to use some of my old decorations. I fell in love with some gorgeous glass lanterns at Pier 1 in those colors but in the end decided the risk of breakage with my kids was too much to spend $80 on decorations. But they were stunning. And perfect. Perfectly stunning!
Maybe they will go on sale.

I fell in love with these pillows at Pier 1:

They are not outdoor fabrics, but I think that since the porch is so sheltered and we are keeping the bugs at bay they should be fine. The white table between them isn't decorated yet so I'll wait to post it's reveal.

The rocking chair got the most attention. 

The lumbar pillow also came from Pier 1 and I think it is the key that blends my old and new colors together. The lime cushion and blue throw came from chez Target. Now the rocker is just a little more comfy and has a super soft throw for chilly evenings in the hollow. 

What's next? Today I'm headed out to find siding clips to hang my former front door wreath on the side of the house. I'm also going to stop in at Big Lots to look for some inexpensive lanterns/decor. I wouldn't mind seeing if I can find a couple sisal rugs or mats to kind of define the two seating areas I've got going, and of course I need some plants. I would like to get a couple hanging plants and some annuals to plant up a couple containers to add a little more coral, yellow, and terra cotta to my color mix.

There is cold beer, wine, and pop just a few steps away in the garage fridge. I even set up old speakers so I can plug in an ipod. When I'm done I'm expecting my porch to be the place to come hang out. If you are headed to the lake, stop by!

(The wreath which is going on the house once I find clips to hang it without damaging the siding)