Friday, April 20, 2012

Back Door Guests are Best

This is the time of year that I seem to find myself outside more hours of the day than I'm inside.  We eat breakfast and dinner outside, even when completing work on the computer I find myself sitting on the porch swing with the laptop just to be a part of the birds chirping and mild temperatures.  I love Spring!

The farmhouse loves Spring too and it politely asked for a little Springtime freshening.
Oh, do be careful what you ask for little farmhouse, for you surely may get it.
:-))

Spring has arrived!
When we began this project of freshing up the BACK porch and surrounding area, I asked for your input on the blog and FB.   You overwhelmed us with over 70 great suggestions and ideas, many of which you will find incorporated into this space.

We started by hanging mosquito netting as drapes, we've done this with all of our porches throughout our marriage.  It not only softens the look, but it also helps to minimize bugs when it's untied.  

This old iron bench and vintage farmhouse sign look right at home here.  I've had these antiquing finds in storage for almost a year....they've been waiting for their appointment.

I love this vignette, especially with the farmhouse lighting peeking through to say hi. 

The black accents against the all white house really pop, it's a great mix. 

It wouldn't be a farmhouse porch without ferns, would it?
And an abundance of fragrant Springtime blooms.

We jazzed up that lonely window on that super sized wall with shutters and a window box filled with pretty pink Petunias.
 This was an easy inexpensive project that packed a huge punch.

When we first viewed the property, one of the things I envisioned for the section of the backyard pictured above was a flower garden right off the back porch. 
Voila!  I now refer to it now as the "key garden" because we shaped the walk to look like a keyhole.  
The short walk ends in a circle where we placed a table and some garden chairs that are completely surrounded by flowers, it smells heavenly.  Cotton slipcovers can quickly be added to the garden chairs for entertaining. 

I planted various types of flowers, roses, daisies, plumbago, hummingbird bushes.....I can't wait until it matures and fills in.

  We've eaten breakfast here everyday this week and it's quickly becoming one of our favorite places.

There's that wonderful antique iron fencing, we used a few sections of it to create a pretty divider for the garden.  It adds so much charm and interest to the backyard and looks like it could have been here all along. 

This was a fairly simple DIY project that I'll share in another project...hubby was quite clever in hanging this. :-))
I actually spotted this lovely fence several years ago at my friend Tony's store but didn't immediately buy it.  When I called him back to get it, it had already sold.  :-(
A few months later he called me to tell me that the fence didn't work for the buyer and that it was for sale again.  I never bought it and he never put it back in his store.  You could have knocked me over with a feather when I called him a couple weeks ago to see if he still had it.  We couldn't get there fast enough when he said HE DID! 
Perhaps it was meant to be at the farmhouse all along.
I love that thought.
We have 6 other sections of fence that we will use elsewhere in the yard for other farmhouse projects.  :-))
We hung several things on the porch walls, but they aren't just decorative accents, all of them add functionality or storage. Such as this shelf with cubbies and hooks.
The wicker baskets that I placed inside the cubbies hold magazines, gardening gloves, insect repellent, and a variety of other porchy things. They hide all the mess.  And that little bench is the perfect spot to remove gardening shoes and tuck them underneath.
Many things were used for planters such as these galvanized buckets that are playing host for these pretty asparagus ferns.   

I also used this hanging wall pocket shelf as a planter, which I must confess is one of my favorite things right now.  It offers such fun storage for garden tools and magazines among other things.
 It was the perfect size to tuck a few small plants into some of the little pockets.  Isn't that sweet?
A few other things that were happy to play as planters...



bird baths...

an old wooden tool box
galvanized boots,

apothecary jars.... I've created many a terrarium in glass jars over the past decade. :-))  I didn't notice until I was uploading photos that there is not a single terracota pot on the porch...all the planters are other things.  That wasn't a plan, and I certainly love pots, it just worked out that way.

Another of my favorite things, my oversized wicker wrapped pickle jar that I filled with birdseed, it's so useful!

Hubby's favorite thing.....

this side of the porch because it contains the porch swing. 
I frequently find him dozing here.

Zeek's favorite thing....just being with us on the porch.
A group favorite thing...... before and after photos.
Not really any major changes, but many many small changes sure dressed it up for Spring :-))
Have a great weekend!

Don't forget you can also follow me on:
And shop online around the clock at LaurieAnnas.com 

59 comments:

sweetvintageofmine said...

Absolutely Beautiful! Soooo Welcoming! Gives me inspiration and ideas for my porch(I am giving it a fresh look) From one sweetie to another....Roxie

stefanie said...

its soooooooooo beautiful!!!! you can tell how much you love your home!

" SHABBY JUNK" said...

Love! I am happy u got the fence that was destined for your home. Looks great! Love the whole look! judy

A Thrifted Market said...

It is gorgeous! I love the difference it makes. You are too humble..a huge difference! Great job to you and hubby. Looks like a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. Love everything!!

Amy Kinser said...

Hey LaurieAnna. I am trying to think of one word to sum up what my thoughts are and all I can think of is AMAZING!! Your garden is amazing and your talents are amazing!

Have a good weekend, my sweet friend.

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Yay!!! I've missed your party so much! I happened upon it flipping through my blogroll just now. It's destiny!
Hugs oxox
Linsey

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Oh and I forgot...the porch looks FANTABULOUS! Coming along nicely. I'm digging that clock out there! : )

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

I love every touch, every texture, just everything about your additions...As usual your LaurieAnna touch makes it just beautiful!
Dolly

the old white house said...

beautius! every inch of it, I love all of the repurposed planters! t.xoxo

Julie said...

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!

This makes me want to get out and start working on my courtyard...

Dora, the Quilter said...

I absolutely love the way your back porch turned out. (Makes me long for a way of life that exists only hundreds of miles from here!) I'm going to have to think about adding some of those little touches here on the windy high plain.

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Laurie Anna,
One word...STUNNING!!! I am so much of a outdoor kinda of gal and I just LOVE your porch and garden. I have working on my porch...patio and garden the past few days and hope to get some posts out soon...thanks so much for sharing yours my friend.

Blessings,
Linda

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Charming and inviting! Thanks for sharing all these inspiring photos.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Oh, LaurieAnna: Beauty at it's best. Just love everything you did for the porch. How much pride she will have now to have her family enjoying her and sitting (and napping) on her swing. Zeke is the finishing touch..Happy Weekend..Judy

Rachel said...

It's beautiful - just beautiful! And I must know where you got your light! It's fabulous!

Gail said...

OMGoodness, your porch is absolutely gorgeous! I love every single thing about it! Your garden is stunning with all it's pretty spring flowers. Thanks for sharing, Gail

Unknown said...

Laurie, your back porch is breath taking! So many great ideas, big and small, and quite the dramatic makeover. I love the gardening and path, the mosquito nets are practical and add some pretty softness, and your accessories are so lovely. The dairy farm sign is my favourite piece. Your dog is a cutie, too.

Diane said...

Just one word to say...beautiful!!!! I am just getting going here in Michigan...the weather is/has been crazy...but not giving up...working inside right now...just repainted the bedroom and now making a bedskirt...so much to do at "the cabin"!!

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

I love everything about your house, porch and garden. I really love that Canadice Hill Farm sign. Gorgeous!

Heaven's Walk said...

Oh my gosh, LaurieAnna! I ADORE the cozy factor you've created!!! It's totally amazing, girl!!! I truly love how the netting adds so much warmth and sweetness to the porch. Where do you find that netting...and how did you hang it? Do you have to wash it frequently because of bugs...?

xoxo laurie

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Magnificent porches and gardens....Every where you look there is an amazing creative vignette...all so beautiful, yet all with a purpose....I feel like I am reading an article right out of a magazine!....

I am so loving that sign on the porch too....

Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!!!

Lynn Wood said...

You are definitely ready for a terrific summer! Hope you will be able to kick your feet up and enjoy all you have done. We've still got a long way to go on our new porch but I am super excited to work lots of you inspiration into our new addition.

Erin of Salvaged Whimsy said...

Beautiful! It's too late for me to come up with a comment worthy of this transformation. :) Thanks for hosting!

Rob Hunt said...

Your post today was so interesting I had to read it twice. What great ideas. I think the dark shutters made a huge visual difference. Thank you for sharing such a detailed series of photos and words. And thank you for hosting.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Every picture on your post had something special to study and sigh over. What great ideas you have and what a special place you created for meals. Thank you for sharing and thank you also for hosting.

Anonymous said...

This was so inspiring and beautiful...I posted it to my FB page to share with others...thanks for the creativity..Mel's Designs

Keeping It Cozy said...

Your porch is simply beautiful! I love every touch, but I absolutely adore your vintage sign.

Kristen Pare said...

I LOVE the porch swing! What a sweet pup--My 2 pups have to be on ours all the time. Beautiful design so inviting and warm. Thank you for sharing, Kris

Dawn said...

Everything is just beautiful I love it all. I can't find one thing I would change. You did a terrific job. Now sit and enjoy it all:)

Sueann said...

Beautiful...,charming...elegant! I love it all!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Everything about it says welcome, right down to the dog!

erin's art and gardens said...

love, love, LOVE your porch and gardens!!! your attention to detail is amazing and so inspiring! apparently, i am not the only one who loves it...i pinned an image of your porch 3 hours ago on Pinterest...and have had 86 repins already! i can't wait to see more of your home and gardens.
erin
xxoo

erin's art and gardens said...

i forgot to ask...please tell us more about the mosquito netting curtains...
pretty please
:0)

My Recent Favorite Books said...

Your garden, back porch and home are just beautiful!

Thanks so much for sharing your ideas!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Love it all. I am passing on the mosquito net curtain idea to my daughter. :)

Faded Plains said...

Okay....can I just say...I'm crazy in love with it all! I live in a farmhouse too, with a large wrap around porch...and it's sat pretty much empty for 6 years...it's so sad. I love so many things about yours...thanks so much for the inspiration.

Rebekah Lindenmayer said...

So beautiful, I just love everything!!

martinealison said...

La maison du bonheur... Merci pour ce très merveilleux partage photographique. J'aime la manière avec un goût particulièrement de bon ton que vous avez eu de parfaire votre extérieur et votre pergola.
gros bisous

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

I love everything about your beautiful porch and little sitting area...so very charming :) Laurel

Diana @ AnyoneCanDecorate said...

I just found your blog via a link from Fox Hollow Cottage on Facebook. Beautiful job on your porch!!! I am your newest Linky Follower :) Come check out my blog and follow me too if you like... Http://AnyoneCanDecorate.blogspot.com

Blessings,
Diana

MGal @ WatchMeDIY.com said...

Your porch and garden are just beautiful. I can't even begin to imagine how much work went into all the details. I just posted My Home tour this week - stop by and check it out when you have a chance. Cheers, MGal watchmediy.com

The Farmer's Wife said...

STUNNING!!!! I wish it was my porch!!!!!

Stephanie said...

WOW! What a transformation! The shutters make a HUGE difference. I love the garden fencing and that farm sign is amazing! So gorgeous - ENJOY my friend!

Stephanie said...

Love, Love, Love your porch!!! I was wondering, where did you get the mosquito netting? I would love to add this to my porch!

Unknown said...

Your photos simply took my breath away! You are so very talented. Love the porch and also the typewriter table in your banner!
Thanks for sharing,
Dorothy

Jennifer S said...

Your porch is beautiful. Can you please tell me where you found your lighting fixtures. They are wonderful.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

your garden and porch are inspirations. I've just posted some pictures of my dream yard.

Lady Pamela said...

I have never seen something as perfect as your porch and garden. Will it be featured in a magazine soon? I certainly hope so. Please let up know which one so I can get my own copy.

Carolyn said...

So beautiful. I love everything about the porch. We have the same taste, but I haven't even started on mine yet and I've lived here over a year!

Anonymous said...

Wow. It's so welcoming and beautiful. I love your style!

I recently moved into a 111-year-old farmhouse with a gorgeous, ornate wrap-around porch. I think I'll incorporate a few of your ideas when I decorate it.

Visiting from Funky Junk Interiors. Following you on FB.

Laura S Reading said...

I popped over from funky Junk too. I came for the pictures but am enjoying the music.
Thank you for such beautiful inspiration.

Audrey said...

Found you on Funky Junk Interiors and just love your porch. Makes me want to stop and visit. will link up and be back to check out your other blogs.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

Unknown said...

Stunning! Found you via FJI, but have seen the porch on Pinterest too. Enjoyed the entire tour today. Thank you for the inspiration.

Amy R. said...

Your garden and porch is just BEAUTIFUL! So inspiring!
Thanks for sharing!
Amy

Myna Kay said...

Love that beautiful porch! Everything is so very pretty and fresh looking.

Mike said...

Now that it's winter I'm really missing sitting outside and eating. I'm even missing just being able to sit outside in my backyard. I tell you spring and summer come and go way to fast for my liking.

White Fences said...

Garden fencing can be one of the most eye appealing items on your personal property. A fence that works with your home construction style and the garden it enhances completes the picture you have created for family and visitors alike.

White Fences

Unknown said...

I am linking this to my post.... I hope it's ok, I was so inspired by your dairy cow sign that I made one for my self :) I love love love your porch and the house it is attatched to :) blessings to you

Julie said...

A friend and I visited your store in Canton last year. I can't get it out of my head. It was so much fun and I have enjoyed following you on Pinterest. The farmhouse is darling. Your store and ideas are like a mini-vacation for me!