The instant I spotted the front porch of my Austin apartment, I knew I wanted to live here. I love Texas, but I miss my home state of Louisiana, and the front porch of this duplex evoked a bit of a Louisiana architecture-feel. But it needed some work to get it to be the perfect place for sitting out every morning and evening with a friend and iced tea.
I love birds (and tolerate squirrels) and had spotted a DIY project online where they reused old fan light globes as feeders. I had a heck of a time hanging them, so they ended up turning out a little wonky, but for $1 each I kind of love them. The blue side table was from The Company Store, but I don't think it's available anymore.
I still want to "write" our address in DIY moss graffiti and add some more plants, as well as come up with better bird feeders (they don't really love using these, but I sure save on bird seed from them eating it slower than usual!). I'd also love to embroider a greeting on my screen door.
(Images: Adrienne Breaux)
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Put a rug on your wish list. It will really make the porch feel like a room. It's going to be great.
That's definitely vintage Austin. Knew it instantly. Good job.
If there is enough sun exposure, I would plant or place potted climbing roses along side the iron porch supports. I second the rug idea; you could get an outdoor rug that
Love all the fun colors! Really brightens it up :D
Wonderful place for morning coffee, after work iced tea, and a glass of wine in the evening (I save the pitchers of Margaritas for the weekend).
Ahm...um...it's hard to be critical about someone's space, but it is unfinished. It remains a utilitarian space without much personalization. The first commenter had a great suggestion in getting an outdoor rug. You need larger scale and taller plants and accessories. The entire feel of the space remains two dimensional.
I love the trunk! I have two in my back yard that have just been weathering outside, I'm totally putting them on my porch. I like the feel of the space, a lot.
This is adorable! I'm so jealous of your pink chair find too! I also like the outdoor rug idea :) and maybe some funky pillows with pops of that beautiful blue! But I still think it looks great, and finished, just the way it is. Kudos.
Seriously adorable. Love the chairs!
I want to sit there with you and a glass of sweet tea! Lovely.
I agree that a rug would make the "room" look more coherent and finished -- and yet I resist. The great value of what Adrienne has done is in the casualness and found-ness of it all. We're all being trained to Pinterest our favorite looks and products, and then rush out and acquire them all at once for a quick-n-easy weekend makeover, where the result is our dream room, exactly to our taste. On this porch, by contrast, we see evidence that someone has lived a life of paying attention, noticing the potential of things as they happen to come into her life. My decor tastes are so refined, in the bad sense, that my first impression was "Eww -- that's too rickety and rusty and rough for me." But the more I looked, the more I was reminded of my youth, when people made do with a hand-me-down end table instead of scouring eBay and Craiglist to find just the perfect accessory. This porch says "Having a place to sit with friends and iced tea is the goal." Other porches often say "This owner is focused on cementing his or her identity through purchases and design choices." I love shopping, dreaming, designing, and decorating, but it's great to be reminded of the human interactions that all this home decor is supposed to be supporting. Thanks for the wake-up call, Adrienne. I enjoyed my visit to your porch.
I just cant stand to see indoor furniture on a porch or patio. Blegh. I HATE those chairs. I do like your birdfeeders, though.
My suggestions: In a word-PAINT
paint the floor, rafters, walls and window sills
put a swing or loveseat (with cushion) on the end of the porch
new rug
cut back some of the bushes
add one of those porch shades
one nice chair
New shutters
New columns instead of those wrought iron things (ghastly)
I agree Tenbar. I don''t like indoor furniture outside either. It's not possible where I live so I just don't see it.
This kind of looks unfinished and somehow uninviting. Maybe it's the floor.
I would love to have a porch myself. I think a Dash & Albert rug would make a big difference. They have wonderful colors and the outdoor rugs are great. Enjoy the summer in your new space.
http://www.dashandalbert.com/
Can you send me those "before" chairs?
I love a good porch. I have to say though, I can't see anything about this one that warranted a before/after article. I'm sure the owner enjoys it but there was no real transformation shown. Very disappointing considering the title.
i love what you've done! the smattering of colors against the dull porch and railings - pink chairs, blue table, green and yellow flower pots. the slow accumulation of things that you like to make it into your own space that makes you happy. good job and for $50! i'll be joining therinrins for that glass of ice tea.
love it! like other posters said, it would be even better with a rug. and maybe some interesting lighting! but dont you DARE get rid of that awesome iron!!! or those shutters! heck, i really like the before, too ^^
I LOVE the iron!!! talk about character! they are beautiful, as opposed to some common columns everyone has forget that. that was the first thing I saw and envy hard.