Yay! We’re onto Party #4 of this weeklong of Spring Fun!
Today the awesome Janel from ‘Hating Martha’ is the hostess with the mostest but I thought it was a good excuse to get my butt in gear too.
You see, this is what I’m working with:
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| Yep, no lawn and lots of dirt. This is the first load we shovelled. The second one is covered in snow right now. |
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| Do you see what I’m working with? This is actually one of the few spots of the house that I ended-up being disappointed with after the renovation. You see, we hadn’t finalized the plans for the front porch quite yet and I went out one day and THIS was built when I got back. Ick. At that point it was done and I honestly just wanted the whole thing finished so it is what it is. |
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| My big iron urn survived the months of workmen and was ready to be ‘springed’. |
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| Ugh. Can you see why I wasn’t fussy on the porch? |
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| But I needed to take away from this. |
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| So, with this party looming I used Benjamin Moore’s deck stain (in Cordova brown) to give the whole thing an aged look. I did the two decks at the back too but they’ll wait for another day. |
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| I found three galvanized planters from Winners for a STEAL ($10.00 a piece) this winter as apparently I’m getting in on this French Country trend as it is on the way out.
Big bright pansies set a sunshiney tone and they are even good for a light frost. |
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| Isn’t this a better colour than ‘pressure treated green’? As soon as I can do some real planting (we usually do this in my area around May 24th) I’ll be adding a box hedge all the way around the raised porch to hide the pilings and add a bit of drama to the whole thing. My urn now holds a birdcage with a ‘caged’ pansy in it to greet people coming up the path. |
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| I do love my paned door though. |
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| Here’s a chair that I rescued from the neighbour’s garbage and painted a country sage colour from tester pots I already had. Another little planter filled with pansies brighten this dull corner and keep my milk bottles company until the milk man picks them up. |
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| I found a pretty basket with a flat back and attached a long ribbon to it to act as a wreath. A nameplate from an old project now says welcome in chaulk. I’ll be planting this with flowers (when warmer). |
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| Alrighty, I think I’ll actually not make a tragic accident happen to this space anymore C:
And your front entrances? |
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Hi Jane – you made me laugh when you said you came home to this porch – the same thing happened to my sister. She lamented for years about it. Once you get the boxwood in, it will be a lot better. You really don't need to wait until May 24 to plant them though (unless you're in the Arctic or Winnipeg) as they are a woody plant that will survive a bit of frost. I've already planted up a bunch of roses and perennials here in SW Ontario.
and here i am getting ready to pull my boxwoods OUT LOL The previous owner planted hydrangeas THEN boxwoods. So the boxwoods are blocking the flowers. Crazy stuff.
I LOVE your paneled door! It's sooooo cool!!! I can't believe they built the porch without a final design approval! I would have freaked a freak!!! But you have made it look amazing… I tried so hard to get my porch done, but alas, the weather was a dirty word and didn't let me. Maybe I will link up late!
I can't believe they built the porch while you were gone – but you've sure made it look great! I love the stain you chose! That makes a huge difference! That little chair is so cute! All the flowers really brighten up the area!
Yep, I was not a happy girl but really, I just wanted them out of my house at that point C:
Glad you all liked it. Did you see Janel's awesomenes?!
It's so darling! I never put any thought into my entry…maybe I should??? Nah, that would just be another thing to think about! (c: