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Inspired By: Updating the Porch

by | Jul 29, 2010 | Gardens & Outdoor Rooms, Summer Decorating

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Inspired By: Updating the Porch

Remember when I had no plants for my plant stand on the front porch and it looked kind of sad, lonely and lifeless?

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

Before: Sad, lonely and lifeless.

I finally got some plants! I just love having a cheery front porch to welcome guests.

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

LOVE the colors of this plant. I’d tell you what it is called but I’d have to go look  up how to spell it, it might be coleus? Or is that a disease, I’m not sure.

Other than some new plants, I am totally doing this porch on a ‘use what I have’ basis.

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

This little pot was painted by my son, for me, on Mother’s Day. Ahhh. I love it. Is there anything more precious than a gift your child made for you?

After I killed the plant that was in it, we filled it with some shells we collected together on the beach when we first moved here.

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

We were cleaning out the garage the other day and I found this basket in the pile of stuff to go to the dump! NOOOOOO!!! I had wanted a new planter for my gardenia plant and voila, a tired old rickety wood basket is now the perfect unique and textured planter! FREE! Score.

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

My porch curtains are painter’s drop cloths that I had hanging in my kitchen for the past year. Decided not to use them there so now I have porch curtains. And of course, the bird cage and candlesticks were spray painted last year so no cost there! I want to have new cushions for my chairs but for now, I have a pillow that works just fine.

This is the perfect place to work and sip some iced tea! Nice cool breezes off the lake and shaded from the hot sun, I LOVE WORKING AT HOME!!!! Ah, the freedom.

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

Winston is totally wondering why I set that object in the way of his view of the lake. Sorry Winston, now you cannot see the water skiers.

We don’t live right ON the lake but we can see it, so it makes it fun to be out on the porch. We can hear people out having fun on the water, and quite often in the evenings we hear live music from parties around the lake. I love the ambience of that. I grew up on the water so while I am not right on it, I can still enjoy it.

Inspired By: Updating the Porch

Winston is forever walking in front of my camera when I try to take pictures. But how can I resist his fluffiness?

So, little by little, piece by piece, the porch is getting fixed up. Our best weather is usually August through October, so I’ll keep updating and enjoying this porch through fall! Next step, I want to paint my front door! Can’t wait for that fun project!

What inspired you this week?

You can link up a post (please link back here from your post!) or just chat in the comments!

The winners of the Reluctant Entertainer book and Hip Hostess apron and tea towel were announced! Go here to see if you won!

28 Comments

  1. Sherry

    Very nice changes! Very pretty flowers. Love your lantern.
    Sherry

    Reply
  2. Jess

    Love your new plants! They look great! And Winston is just too adorable! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  3. L.Duncan

    Oh, you’re got me wanting to turn to my outdoors! Lately, I’ve been consumed with my sons room which is based off of the Ronan collection from Serena and Lily. That is what I linked to tonight!

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
    • Emily

      Ohh I should really do our back patio. I think you’ve inspired me! :)

      Reply
  4. Liz

    You probably saw that I was stalking you forever…then missed when you posted. I saw your comment on Twitter and was determined to be in the #1 spot..but I missed it! ugh! LOL
    I love your new porch goodies!
    ~Liz

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Aw bummer…next week, try it again! Lol!

      Reply
  5. the cape on the corner

    love those greens! what is the name of that plant then, did you find out? i really like it!

    Reply
  6. Jocelyn Stott

    Looks so great! Especially, the pot from your child :)

    Reply
  7. Julia

    Yay for your new plants! Looks great. My poor deck has been neglected all summer. I usually have all sorts of flowers back there but just haven’t gotten around to it.

    I meant to link up to your party last week and forgot, but this week I’m on the ball. Woo-hoo! Thanks for hosting it, Melissa. Have a wonderful weekend! :-)

    Reply
  8. decorating diva

    very pretty, i love making the outside look as pretty as the inside! great changes and winston is super cute too!

    Reply
  9. Irene

    Beautiful Melissa. Your posts are so inspiring!

    Reply
  10. Mary

    Thank you for all the inspiration!

    Reply
  11. Kathy at Shocking Pink Thread

    Timely inspiration, Melissa! My front porch is in serious need of freshening up and my next “project”. I’m still thinking about how to make a picnic table and a gas grill look “pretty”. Next week I’ll find out!

    Reply
  12. tammy

    your porch is beautiful and looks very relaxing. i totally understand about “killing plants”. i am convinced i have a brown thumb – so, i like the idea of the shells in the your special pot.

    Reply
  13. Terri

    Redoing the porch just moved way up my priority list. I’m already scheming how I want to fix it up for the fall. I love the arrangement with found items. Winston is a cutie. Your porch look like a great place to sit and work or just hang out. BTW, I am so swiping that painter’s dropcloth curtain idea. I’ve been trying to figure out what I wanted to use, and when I saw that it was a head-slapper moment. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Imperfect

    Such lovely plants on your porch. I can’t wait to have a porch of my own to serve as home to my plants.

    Reply
  15. Irene

    I’m really loving that star. I’ve seen them all over. May have to get one for myself, they’re so special.

    Reply
  16. Kirstin

    love your porch idea. I’ve been on a lookout for a cute table for my porches.

    Reply
  17. Fiona Sanders

    We must be on the same wavelength because I have been working on my front porch too! I’ll send pics when I can.

    And I love that Winston is in the pics too! He is just the cutest thing! How old is he now? He is not a young pup anymore but he looks terrific!

    Hugs and loves, Fi

    Reply
  18. teresa

    Love all the little touches….the little puppy is perfect on your porch =)
    Thanks for having such a wonderful place to visit and share ideas.
    Happy day

    Reply
  19. DogsMom

    Thanks for hosting. I have been so busy I have not had much time to blog or party or read! I never thought I would be waiting for cooler weather to come back.
    One of the cats kept trying to help me post this morning as well.

    Reply
  20. Mary Jean

    Can you come do mine next? I need major help in the outside department!

    Reply
  21. Centsational Girl

    I’ve told you this before, but I am in love with your doggie. Your porch looks so inviting, as always, fab my dear.
    xo
    Kate

    Reply
  22. Kelly

    I love the porch, Melissa, but my favorite thing is your little dog! :)

    Reply
  23. Tammy S

    I L-O-V-E the porch. Makes me want to grab some coffe or a cup of tea and just “be”. I was so bummed not to win your giveaway but I will keep trying:) Hope you are well. Email me when you have time so we can catch up. xoxo Tammy Stonebrook

    Reply
    • Mike Sowders

      I would love to be sitting on that porch with my granddaughter in my lap with her arms around my neck, and looking at her beautiful smile.

      Reply
  24. KJ

    Great inspiration! Hope you’re having a fab summer!

    KJ
    SoCal

    Reply
  25. Tanya

    Mel, I love how the porch looks and what a huge difference live, lush green plants make! I’m big on using easy-to-maintain plants and since I live in Dubai, adding some green to liven up any area always works. Good job-I love ur site :)

    Reply

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