Sunday, May 31, 2009

The Screened Porch Is Open For Summer Fun!


This is going to be a double party post. Rhondi's Rose Colored Glasses is having her second annual Porch Party and since I used some thriftstore finds I'm also linking to Rhoda Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasures Party. Please visit both blogs if you'd like to see more porch decorating and yardsale/thriftstore finds. I think Mr. Linky is giving people problems so if you don't see the linky just go to the comments - people will say if they're participating.



My porch is divided into two areas. A living room area and a dining room area. So we'll start here first. This is that faux wicker. It looks like the real thing but you don't have to worry about it falling apart.



The cushions are from Home Depot. The little white skirting is an old dust ruffle. I didn't like the openness in the front of the loveseat so I repurposed an old stained dust ruffle.



The curtains are ones that I used to hang in my living room. I used to take all my toile down in the summer and put these curtains up and change the pillows and redo my china cabinet with my floral dishes. Not this year! I'm so busy with garden projects that I just didn't have the time or desire to fuss with all of that. So we used them in here instead.



They are hung off of plumbing pipes! We just love the industrial look of them. Very inexpensive and easy to do!



Remember this? I painted the "fleurs" last week. I used some old Ball jars from the thriftstore as vases.



A little sidetable with a bin underneath for stashing magazines and books! There's nothing as relaxing as coming out here with a cool drink and new magazine - except maybe taking a nap out here!



I found this tray at the thriftstore last week and I've been wanting one that I could paint. This isn't a plastic one but it's not a nice silverplated one. It's really light weight. I sprayed it with some primer and then some apple green paint. I sealed it with a coat of spray poly since I knew I wanted to use it outside.



Here it is finished. The lantern on the left is from thriftstore and the small white -one is IKEA. I'm hoping to find one of those really large lanterns at the thriftstore!



I like to have the chaise covered in something comfy since that's where we usually nap. I have a vintage chenille bedspread on there now. In the fall I usually put a quilt so we can also wrap ourselves in it. That pretty pillow is made out of vintage barkcloth.


Still with me? LOL! I've got alot to show you and I was going to do two posts but I'm taking a few days off so I figured I'd just do it all at once!



Now we'll look at the other side!



We use ladderback chairs out here. I have three - I've been looking for a 4th for over a year now with no luck! All the ones I see have rush seats these have solid seats and that's what I need. I painted one yellow, one green and one blue and they're numbered on the back.



A tabletop birdbath I got for a song because one of the birds is missing!



I lined up my cloches on the bottom of the buffet.




I found these two old pictures at the thriftstore last week and knew I wanted to use them in my porch. When you spend $2 or $3 for a picture you really don't have to worry about it being damaged by the weather. So why not hang something pretty outside!




Don't they look pretty with the frames painted yellow. I used the same paint as on the buffet. One day I'm going to do a post about a pint of paint and all the things you can do with it LOL!



Those are balls that our dog Maxie has found. I would walk him every afternoon during the school year at a park that had a baseball field and he would almost always find a baseball. I was at Salvation Army yesterday and they were selling old baseballs for 99 cents each!




The little white acorn finial is from the thriftstore and the bird on the cake stand is an ugly Dollar Tree one that I spray painted white!






From the dining room looking out into the screened porch.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my porch and thriftstore makeovers! I will be enjoying it tomorrow when I have my morning coffee! I'm taking a few days off and I'll be back Friday. Thanks for stopping by!



111 comments:

Kathi said...

What a gorgeous porch! Love how you've decorated it too! Thanks for the inspiration for the "silver" tray!!! Everyone is painting them with chalkboard paint but I really have no use for that. Love love LOVE the green!
I even have a can of apple green!
Just need to find a tray now!
Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

★Carol★ said...

Well, I don't know where to start, because it's just all lovely! I love those old pictures that you put in yellow frames, the birds from Dollar Tree that you painted (I wish our DT had those) and I think my favorite thing is what you did with the balls that your dog found--how cute is that?!

Ally's Corner said...

Oh how I miss my screened porch. Don't have one at this house.
I had gotten that same cushion at Home Depot not long ago but it didn't fit my iron bench so I took it back. Your porch is so pretty thanks for sharing it with us.

Ally

Anonymous said...

I would love to take a nap on your chaise, your room looks so comfy and relaxing.

I also love the platter, I have been on the chalkboard paint wagon with the platters recently but looks like I will need to find a few more to spray paint, yours is beautiful.

Have a great week!

Kristen, pajama mama said...

is that porch for real? oh, how i would love to sip a cup of coffee or three each morning on a porch like that!

Unknown said...

Your choice of colors and attention to the details really makes this porch a gorgeous haven. I love that it is screened it also. Beautiful porch.

Happy Porch Party.

Karen

Richella Parham said...

This. . . is . . . beautiful!! Thank you for sharing so many pictures! My screened porch isn't as big or as nice as yours, but I've divided it into two sections as well. It's nice to be able to eat outside and sit outside too, isn't it? And now that you've shown us your porch, I have some good ideas for how to improve mine. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Have a great week!

Kammy said...

You have a lovely porch and how nice to have it screened too ! I bet it would be nice taking a nap on that comfy chair. I love the spray painted silver tray - never thought to do that....good idea !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Jenny said...

Everything is beautiful! I really like that tray you painted apple green. It's so cute.

Donna said...

I really love your porch. You did a great job combining all the colors.

Laura said...

Manuela-
It looks amazing. There are so many wonderful treasures to catch the eye.

Great job!

Laura

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your screened porch is so wonderful! I love all of the great colors you used out there. You have a great eye when it comes to spotting thrift store finds and repurposing them!
Hugs,
Penny

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Oh Manuela - how I wish I had a screened porch. I will have to live vicariously through you.

There are so many things that I love... The colors, the drapes, the arrangement. I love those chairs with the numbers on them and the little bird platter.

I love the yellow you used for the buffet and the frames too. Awesome!!!

XOXO
Jen

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I love your porch! Would love to have one here. Thanks so much for sharing.
Glenda

Sandra said...

Wow, Manuela! You are very talented! I love what you did to your porch! I am learning so much for you. :)
Thank you!
Sandra

Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Love every minute of it...you didn't think we'd leave you half way through with all that eye candy, did you? :)

Anonymous said...

Love, love, LOVE your screened porch! The silver tray you painted is just darling too.

Denise said...

Your porch is fabulous! I can certainly see why you enjoy it so much.

I love the painted tray. I will be on the hunt for the perfect tray to paint fom my deck!

XXDenise

Angie said...

Oh Manuela, I can't express how much I love and covet your screened porch! You have decorated it so beautifully (no surprise there) and it is just so inviting. I'd love to have coffee with you and chat out there!

The Tattered Cottage said...

Your porch is absolutely beautiful!! I love all of your creative ideas in decorating. Especially the "curtain rods"!
Toni

Unknown said...

Hi Manuela,
I love your porch! You've given me some great ideas. I really like the idea of using a dust ruffle on the wicker sofa. And the tray your spray painted looks great!
:) Diane

Amber said...

I love how your porch is on the second level, how wonderful for breezes. I think my favorites are the baseballs in the lantern(?) which is so whimsical and the green painted tray, the detail just pops. I never would have thought to use a color other than black or white on a tray but this is so pretty. Nice job.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Manuela! I love it! I love your crisp green and blue stripes and the drape on the porch. I love the neat bottles in that wooden tray on the table, and I love the one you sprayed green! And the pops of yellow on the furnishings! It's just very, very cozy and cute. Thanks for sharing with us!

Happy Porch Party!

XO,

Sheila :-)

bj said...

Omigosh, this is THE perfect porch..I just love it....every bit.
Thanks for showing it to us..
xo bj

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Honestly, I feared the thought of you painting that lovely silver tray, but actually, it doesn't looks that bad. I'm a believer!
Great porch!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Manuela! I love your porch! The curtains are such a nice touch...with plumbing!! Great idea! I love the tray you painted...so pretty!...and the jar full of doggie baseballs...fun addition! Have a great week...Debbie

Missy Wertz said...

You have a beautiful screened in porch. It is just beautiful!

Carla said...

What a great screened porch. I could se myself hanging out there all summer. Well, if you didn't mind, that is. LOL

A Romantic Porch said...

Manuela, That is all so beautiful. Thanks for sharing. xo rachel

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I think I have that same ugly bird- yours looks much better- thanks for the good inspiration on that AND the beautiful green tray. I LOVE that! How about your pretty chandelier? Was that a thrift find too? It's a beauty.

Rainy Day Farm said...

Everything is as beautiful as ever. I love the curtain rods. Way to go. Lots of inspiring ideas. Thanks for sharing!

CJ'SMOMMY*KIMBERLY said...

The porch looks wonderful! I am so jealous of all your cloches.I have 0.I have been looking too!!!!

abeachcottage said...

love your screened porch, the nautical colours of the soft furnishings with all the white and the outdoor light, just lovely

happy days the summer ones...

sarah

Sue said...

Your porch is so beautiful. Everything looks so perfectly relaxing for summer.
Hugs,
Sue

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Your porch is beautiful Manuela!! Clever idea, using the plumbing pipes!

Kathleen Grace said...

I could live out there! it all looks so comfy and fun and pretty! I even love the look of the old baseballs in a jar:>)

julie said...

Your porch is so inviting - would love to spend a summer afternoon (or two) there. Charming!

Unknown said...

Your porch is beautiful. The "plumbing curtain rods" are wonderful! Joe the Plumber would be proud. LOL! I always love your posts. Thanks for sharing.

Charla

Unknown said...

Your porch is lovely. I would certainly enjoy relaxing out there.;D

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

What can I say? WOW! Looks beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Your porch is beautiful! You have done at wonderful job pulling everything together. Thanks for sharing it with us.

june@craftyniche said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your porch!! I would love to have something like that! You did an AWESOME job on it!

Victoria said...

Oh Manuela, the porch is heavenly!!!! I keep telling my husband the only way to live in Atlanta in the summertime is to have a screened in porch so the mosquitos don't carry you off at night!!!

I love everything...the tray you spray painted, the curtain rods, the bright, fun, yet beautiful & soothing colors! All of it!

The Good Life in Virginia said...

you have decorated your screened porach beautifully. i would love to do mine up better but the wind whips through so and if i did things like you have done they would all be broken to pieces. i have toyed with the idea of outdoor drapes ... adding a rug this year.

Linda's Blue Gate said...

Your screened in porch looks like it should be on an island..... it is so peaceful and I LOVE that it is among the trees..... It really looks like a porch from a magazine...... all your touches paid off cause it is one in a million....
HUgs
Linda

black eyed susans kitchen said...

So many pretty little details on your porch! The painted tray, the birds, it is all so lovely and inspiring.
♥, Susan

Darlene said...

Hi Manuela,

I haven't stopped by in a while and I am so glad I did today! Your screened porch is amazing.....like you are in a beautiful tree house!! I absolutely think I could live in it......so if you find someone making thereself comfy....don't worry....it is just me!!!!...lol

Chiki Cottage said...

I love your porch!! It is so lovely. I especailly love the green plate and the baseballs that were so carefully placed. My hubby would love this detail in our own home. This is such a great idea Im going to try it myself. Thank you for invitng me!

Rebekah said...

Once again, I'm floored! I love your house, Manuela! :)

Anonymous said...

Your porch is beautiful! I'm so jealous!

Stacey said...

Oh my gosh, your porch is so pretty! I love the apple green tray!! You are awe inspiring when it comes to putting thrifty treasures together in a beautiful way. Really.

Casabella Cottage said...

I love your porch! It' so colorful and restful at the same time! Liz

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Girl, you know I love your porch! And I sure wish I had one. I'll just have to live through all of you who have one. I would love to fix up a porch again.

Love all your thrifty finds that you've added out there. Be patient, that ladderback chair will come along one day. I adore all the colors, birds, & outdoor feel of this space. You've done a wonderful job with it all! Oh, and I really love that tray you painted, too cute. I might have to do that. I see that cheap silver stuff all the time & it looks great painted.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Good morning Manuela! What a great post. I love it all. I love your ladderback chairs! I need to get some, yours look great on the porch...I'm inspired. And I love your spray painting art! haha you have made some great things look wonderful and you always have such a knack for putting things together. I love all the groupings on the porch. It's just lovely!
Blessings,
Debbie

Rhondi said...

Hi Manuela
Everything looks so beautiful! The silver tay is awesome painted green. I'll be copying you on that one! I love the colors you've chosen. It is all just perfect! I hope you spend lots of time out ther enjoying it! Thanks for being part of the party! Mind if I stay a little longer and look at everything again?
Hugs, Rhondi

Carolyn said...

I love your screened porch-a great place to spend the whole summer!
I love your blue and white plates too!
I have the same tray only I spray painted mine ivory.

take care,
Carolyn

French furniture said...

I love the blue and green cushions. They are fantastic!

JD/ Jill said...

Just beautiful...what a lovely porch and a wonderful job with decorating...

Vanessa Greenway said...

Manuela how many pretty things you've got in your porch! Love, absolutely love the skirted bench/loveseat. I'm a huge fan of all skirted chairs, benches... Gorgeous!

Rue said...

Hi Manuela :)

If it was possible to do so, your porch just kicked my porch's butt LOL Yours is AMAZING. You know I love those ladderback chairs and the sidetable :)

Everything is perfection and I've drooled over the whole thing. Now I have to go boost my porch's confidence again... she's such a little sensitive thing ;)

xoxo,
rue

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Everything looks fantastic! As usual!

Melissa Miller said...

~Beautiful! I adore your porch. :)

Salmagundi said...

Those curtains are such a great touch, especially with your clever use of plumbing pipe. The whole room is charming, and so full of great details. Sally

Stephanie said...

I'm in LOVE with your porch! So many great things. I can't wait to go to a thrift store and find a treasure that I can paint!!

I enjoyed your Porch Party!

The Country Nest said...

Where do I start, Thank you for coming to my porch, I am so happy you did...because I LOVE your porch, you colors are so happy! Your ideas are great too. I need to come back and read all your past blogs, so I can know you a bit. I will be back!
Hugs,
Donna

the wild raspberry said...

It's my first visit to your blog and I am loving it!!!
Your porch is fantastic...every porch should have curtains!
I am adoring your chairs with the numbers on back...super cute.
I also love the balls in the jar...gives a whole new meaning to ball jar. ;)
and that chandie...gorgeous.
have a wonderful day.
chasity

Barb said...

Hi Manuela, I love your screened porch.....so pretty. The design is light as air. So......calming!

Barb

Kirsten said...

Love it!

Susie Q said...

So nice. Have you thought about just getting a chair with a rush seat and replacing it with a wooden one? (although you've probably thought of it already)

Beverly said...

Manuela, I love, love, love your porch. It is wonderful that you have it set up for multiple purposes.

Your accessories and attention to detail are wonderful.

Thank you for inviting me, and for your inspiration.

Alyce said...

This was absolutely gorgeous and inspirational. I love it! I don't have a porch like that, but I can just look at yours!

SmilingSally said...

Your porch looks so clean and crisp. I'll bet you enjoy it a great deal.

Jane said...

If you find a complete stranger out there napping, don't be alarmed, it's just me! LOL. What a beautiful place. I can almost feel the breeze now!

Katy said...

Oh, what a beautiful area!!! I love it! I hope to have a screened in porch one day, as well! Great idea with the old dust ruffel! :)

Suzann said...

what a wonderful porch!

Shari @ My Cottage of Bliss said...

I have a confession to make. I've been a lurker for a long time. No, I mean a loooooong, looooooong time. Since way back before you started this blog. When you had your other blog. Yep, that long. I've admired everything you do but I don't think I've ever commented.

When you came by and visited my new blog a week ago and left a sweet comment, I was in awe. (Wow! Manuela, THE Manuela visited me! I need to take the time to introduce myself and say hello.)

Although I've dropped in several times to visit you since, I'm ashamed to say I still didn't take the time to leave a comment. Hmmm...shame on me! You left me another very nice comment today and now I'm really ashamed so now that I have written a book on your comment page, I'll keep this short and sweet...

Hi Manuela. Plain and simple...I love your blog and I love your porch! And I promise I'll take the time to comment more often from now on. :)

Kelli said...

Oooh...such a beautiful porch! So many special touches, I especially love how you painting the silver tray. I alway see lots of them at the thrift store, so I will pick one up next time. Happy June to you!
~Kelli

Unknown said...

Manuela, your porch is GORGEOUS! I'm so jealous. I love your color choices, you've done a fabulous job decorating.

Kathleen said...

Wonderful post, love all your touches and great ideas!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I LOVE your porch decor! So many wonderful ideas in this room! (The dust ruffle on the love seat is the first great idea I spotted). All of the wonderful painted furniture; the numbered chairs. Love the yellow buffet. As a matter of fact, I love all of it! I'm going back to look again. laurie

Rosemary said...

Beautiful!! Amazing, and inviting!!
I could be out there all day long!!
We don't have those kinds of porches here in California.
Thanks so much for sharing yours with us!
Have a great week,
Rosemary

Jo said...

Oh, your porch is gorgeous! I think I need to add a screen porch to my someday wish-list. I love the fresh colours you used, and the painted silver tray. I think I need to paint one for my daughter's room. You found the perfect place for your dog's treasures/baseballs! I love the unexpectedness of it.

GlorV1 said...

Awesome porch Manuela. I like the screened in look and all your accessories. Magazine style. Thx Manuela and have a great June.

Lady Katherine said...

Girl! What are you talking about! Inspire you, you inspire me! I love love your porch! I showed Hubby the outside of it the other day. Love how the curtains tie into the other fabric. You should leave your toile up and keep these on the porch. I was shocked not to see some toile on the porch! lol Love the chenille on the chaise. I want both! I have a wing chair picked up off the side of the road, was going to tear it apart to make a chaise lounge. But Hubby like the way it sits, now I have to find another! I have two more in family room, he never liked, this winter I put them in front of the wood heater and now he loves them too! lol I still need your chairs! I have two! lol Now I adore you using the prints with the wonderful yellow paint frames outside. I think if they get water marks it makes them even more special! Thats me I love old things! Love the birds, the balls! So sweet the doggie found them! I just got home, from my brothers, It use to be my brick house. Screen porch across back and front porch across front. I do miss it and it is not going on 100 years like my house now! But then too many neighbors. Hubby said if we still had grass like this I would be in heaven for I could cut it with a weedeater! lol He has to cut 10 acres now! I do have 5 of the haystack dinner plates, 2 more of the desert plates, and six more of the French plates! Now I have 12 French plates! Yeah and they are home! Good night! Think of me when you have your coffee, I will be drinking my tea!

Lady Katherine said...

oops! that was long. But I love the tray painted too!

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

This post was completely off the charts! I can't get over how adorable all the things are that you painted...especially the apple green tray. My mouth fell open. Your screened in porch is to die for. i'm so glad you photographed it from a distance so we could really get the picture. Lucky girl!

Rhonda said...

Hi Manuella,

I just came across your blog, and thoroughly enjoyed the tour! You are so lucky to have such a lovely screen porch; here in California, you don't see many of those.

Thanks for sharing! I hope to keep visiting!
Rhonda

Poppedijne said...

What a truly lovely place to sit and relax and eat. Perfect furnishings make it cosy and fresh and summery.Love to invite you to my garden party. Sorry but I don' have a porch. You will have to do with my garden.

The Tattered Cottage said...

Manuela -
Oh, I do LOVE my new CL 750 book, you're right there is some awesome finds! I spent Sunday afternoon looking through it with my post it note pad (a much needed accessory when I'm perusing a new book) marking pages and making notes of ideas & inspirations :) I was in heaven!!
Toni

Precision Quality Laser said...

I love all the colors on your porch! So bright and cheerful..beautiful!

Magic Brush said...

I love that yellow buffet! Yellow is the color of the season!

mustangkayla said...

Wow...stunning porch!

mustangkayla said...

Wow...stunning porch!

Mimi Sue said...

Your porch looks so inviting. I want a nap on that chaise. Everything looks wonderful. Mimi

Elizabeth said...

Wow! I LOOOOOOVE your porch! Those colors are awesome! I think I need a porch like yours to use them in!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what an amazing space! So lovely and refreshing, a perfect place to relax. I love the little jars with the flowers in it.

dixymiss said...

Beautiful, cosy and inviting! Love the palette you've pulled together and all the pretty re-purposed treasures. Enjoy your time away. We're off on a camping trip ourselves ~ see you neXt week!

Mrs. Dunbar said...

I love each and every single picture.

Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY said...

Wow, this is a stunning porch and these pictures should be in a magazine. I love all the little details and especially that tray you painted. I'll be on the look out for one of those now-lol.

What a great space to relax and stay cool this summer.

Christina said...

Oh my goodness! What an outdoor dreamland. It is just beautiful, Manuela! They green tray is just fabulous. I've come back three time to just look and see what I didn't see before. I've said it before, but love the pop of yellow too.

Sharon said...

How beautiful Manuela! Your porch is to die for! I love how you have decorated it, so charming :) Those little birds are so sweet, and the numbered chairs. so many little touches of creativity.

Thanks for sharing with us and have a blessed day!

~Sharon

Beth at Aunties said...

EVERTHING is exquisitely done and looks so beautiful! You are one of the best homemakers I know and can find the best deals and know exactly what to do with them! Thanks for all the fun ideas and I hope you are enjoying your time off!

Beth

Mary said...

I missed Rhondi's porch party but am enjoying viewing your's tonight as the rain falls outside! I'll post my porch pics soon - I've been tidying and gardening now that I'm getting settled again....and feeling better after fighting a nasty bug which I think I picked up on the plane!

Manuela, I know your porch will get lots of use now that the weather is warming up!

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Hi Manuela~
This was so much fun! I remember when you were just starting construction on the porch. And now seeing it all finished and decorated is a treat. You did such a great job with it from beginning to end, and without breaking the bank to get it looking this good.
Donna

Anonymous said...

Your porch is amazing - so much to look at. I love the yellow buffet - the apple green tray - the cushions - the dust ruffle - oh gosh, where do I stop! Your style is enchanting! Hugs, Patti

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) said...

Oh, Manuela - your screened porch is lovely! You must want to spend the all of your time out there.

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

WOW! That's all I can say, such a beautiful living space and extension of your home into the outdoors! I could curl right up on the chaise and read a book, then snooze for a little while! I love how you've put everything together! LOVE your blog!
XOXO
Joni

podso said...

I love your porch and all you have done with it. I'm sure you spend a lot of time out there!

Unknown said...

Now this is one of the most beautiful porch out of all them! I really enjoyed your photos and styles. Love the colors and textures. Please stop by and visit; if you like what you see, please remember to click the "Follow" button. I have already clicked yours. This way we can inspire one another often!

Deb ~ Frugal Living And Having Fun said...

Wow!! You have a very nice porch! I love reading your blog! My name is Deb @ Frugal Living And Having Fun! I want to thank you for linking my blog on your blog before!! I will pass your blog on to others that love to decorate their home like you do!! You do a wonderful job!!

Deb @ Frugal Living And Having Fun!

Shannon said...

Hi - I love your ideas!! I'm going to hijack the curtain ideas. We have a lot of spider webs that accumulate on the outside of our screened porch in the corners and it's not always easy to sweep them off (as the porch is up 2 stories). The curtains will be a nice way to hide that! Do you have dust/pollen/dirt issues on your porch? Just curious how you deal with the "outdoors" coming in?