{This is a sponsored post. All opinions are, as always, my own.}
Spring is definitely here and summer is not too far behind. It’s time to ready your outdoor spaces so they feel like an extension of your home. Over the next week or so I will be sharing porch decor ideas and how to make the most of your outdoor space. I love porches. Back or front, open or screened-in, big or small…I’ve never met a porch I didn’t like! My home has 3 distinct outdoor areas. A front porch, a back porch and a deck. Let’s start with the back porch.
Here it is looking pretty sad and forlorn. It’s very basic with not a whole lot going for it. The screens were in terrible disrepair from branches flying into them. I’ve patched and patched but it was time to start fresh. New screens were installed so all the patches are gone!
Next on the list is a new ceiling fan. Thanks to Lamps Plus, I can get rid of the current noisy fan with wonky blades! A ceiling fan enables you to use an outdoor space even when the temps start to rise. It’s amazing the difference it makes.
I have white walls and white wicker furniture so to bring in some color I add a bright outdoor rug and lots of pillows. Mixing patterns and colors makes it feel more like a room and not a porch. This beautiful navy rug from Lamps Plus is one of many available on their website. Covering up the plain cement floor really helps this space seem like a livable room.
Here is a look at some of my fabric options. I’m not sure which ones will make the cut…although it’s a pretty safe bet that the grain sack and the toile will make it! I am in the process of making new valances. I chose a white cotton duck and I hope I’m not disappointed when they go up. Not sure about all white but I’m giving it a try.
That’s what I’m up to around here. As soon as I get the valances hung and the pillows fluffed I’ll be sharing how it all came together. By combining comfortable seating, soft furnishings, lighting and loads of color you can turn any outdoor space into a great place to hang out.
To see how the back porch looked last year just click the image below.
Thanks for stopping by!
chandeliers says
Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 12:27 pmWhile a smaller chandelier in a huge space will seem absolutely out of space.
These types of chandeliers come in a plethora of
shapes and sizes, as do the horns that accompany them. In the twentieth century, art deco took the
artistic world by storm during the latter half
of the roaring twenties through the 1930s.
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog says
Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 9:04 amI love your color selection.
[email protected] says
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10:27 pmLove the colors you chose! Can’t wait to see it all come together!
Keeping It Cozy says
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 9:02 pmI love that rug and your fabric choices! It is going to be absolutely gorgeous… I can’t wait to see!
Cynthia says
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 5:25 pmI am so excited to see the new porch. I am very curious!!
Cynthia
keri @ shaken together says
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 12:34 pmAbsolutely LOVE the green and navy fabric choices and that rug … SWOON! Iced tea on your front porch would be a dream :)
Ricki Jill Treleaven says
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:37 amI love the grain sacks and toile. Very French and very pretty!
Bev says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:43 pmCan’t wait to see it all together….. the rug is gorgeous !!!
sharon says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:31 pmI share your love of porches. I can’t wait to see your porch all spruced up for the warmer months ahead. Lamps Plus is a great partner.
Donnamae says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:19 pmAnxious to see what you finally pick…you are such a tease…love all the fabrics! ;)
Jody says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 8:25 pmI love your new rug & wil have to check Lamps Plus out! The fabrics coordinate so well, I’m sure the porch will look amazing :)
Cindy says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 7:43 pmYou have some great plans and exciting fabrics to work with. My fingers are itching to make more pillow covers and do something with my back porch. Right now it is full of furniture that I took out of my basement. I put my sewing machine out in some unused space, but the furniture had to go somewhere.
You have given me some good ideas, thanks so much! I can’t wait to see yours finished!
Jill Flory says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 7:11 pmAnn, it is going to be so lovely! Can’t wait to see it all come together :)
Colleen says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 5:46 pmIt’s going to be a great space! Do you have any issue with rain coming through the screens? I love the colors you have chosen to update your space! :)
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 8:17 pmYes if the rain is blowing around it comes in the porch. Putting in real windows will never be an option so I have to not worry about things getting wet. It all dries out and I’ve never had any real trouble. Thanks for visiting!
jenna says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 5:07 pmGreat rug and love the fabrics!
Pam @ House of Hawthornes says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 5:06 pmYour new rug is fabulous and the flowers sort of look like your flowers in your logo. I went over to their site and just got lost for a few minutes ogling over all the styles they have. I’m looking forward to more of your porch ideas!
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 4:16 pmAnn, I LOVE your new rug and I can’t wait to see how you put it all together. I have been looking at outdoor fabrics to make some new curtains for the porch. So expensive so I thought about using cheap, ready made white curtains and then I would embellish the top. Love the colors you are using!
Penny @ The Comforts of Home & From Harvest To Table says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 1:04 pmI can’t wait to see it al put together! I love the colors you are using.
Jane's Adventures in Dinner says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 12:11 pmJust dying to see the finished product!
Cindy says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 11:37 amBeautiful fabrics, can’t wait to see which make the “cut”! :)
Blessings,
Cindy
Michele says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 10:08 amWow- you are such a TEASE!!!
Wondering how your blades got so wonky? Or were they always like that, just designed that way? Never saw that before, though no one knows like I do how wretched Ohio weather can be – was it that?
Anyway, I can’t wait to have a screened porch and a ceiling fan, definately in our plans!
Going to be great- can’t wait to see the finished space.
Have fun!
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:39 pmI think the fan blades sag from the heat and humidity. Of course when the fan is on you can’t tell anyway! But it’s very noisy and basically worn out. Time for a new one!
Pamela Gordon says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:49 amI can’t wait to see your new porch decor Ann. I love the rug you chose. I checked out last years look and it was so pretty and comfy looking. Have fun sewing up your new look!
Lesley says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:30 amIt’s gonna be beautiful! You have such a comfortable, yet elegant touch. Waiting to see….
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 9:24 amAnn, your colors and fabric are perfection! They scream “SUMMER” and will be cool in the heat. You’ve gotta add the green chevron in small doses! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!
A question: do you use a Sunbrella type of fabric? I have had so many fabrics fade in the sun.
Ann Drake says
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 2:37 pmThanks Yvonne! No I don’t use Sunbrella. All the navy/white fabric from last year’s porch was purchased on eBay a few years ago. It has faded quite a bit and looked awful with my new rugs. So that’s why I’m starting over! I covered my sofa cushions with part of an old matelasse coverlet and the white cotton duck fabric for the valances is from Joann. The other fabrics are left overs from my stash. I’m hoping it all comes together…