Monday, June 21, 2010

My Summer Screened Porch


Hi everyone! It’s the first day of summer and the porch is ready for us to enjoy (although it’s so hot already we only go out in the early morning and after 7pm)!  I’m participating in Rhondi's Third Annual Porch Party so be sure to stop by her blog to visit all the other people participating.
fern
My screened porch is divided into a dining area and seating area.
seatingarea
This is the seating area (the fireplace that’s usually here in the winter is in storage until we need it up here).
chaise1
This is where I have my coffee every morning! That’s an old Shabby Chic curtain on the chaise – I just love the soft blue roses!
curtainrod
We used plumbing pipes for curtain rods. The curtains are old ones that I used to hang in my living room in the summer. They were out here last year too. They have an apple green stripe on one side so I just turned them around and folded the stripe to the back since I wanted them to look all white this year.
shellcoaster
Some details. Found the shell shadowbox at Goodwill last year, made the shell coasters, the blue glass votives are from Winn Dixie from about 9 years ago, and the large shell is from Goodwill.
loveseat
The loveseat and coffee table.
driftwood 
The driftwood sculpture is actually a driftwood and shell garland from TJ Maxx that I jumbled up!
marblesidetable
Now for the dining area.
diningtable
Yes, I had to get rid of my cute cottagey painted chairs! One day my husband sat down and…CRACK…one of the seats split in two. Everyone liked this set because the chairs rock and swivel (and the price was right)! The fourth chair is in the seating area.
diningarea
I made that sign a few years ago from an old fence board.
Sign
“Paradise Found” because we love our screened porch!
buffet
The buffet.
birdhouses
I made the shelled birdhouse.
shellhouse
I just took a wooden birdhouse that I got at the Dollar Tree  a few years ago and just starting hot gluing the shells to it.
jar
I also made this shell top for my apothecary jar.
jartop
jars
I just hot glued some shells to the top. I also made that shell ball last year. They’re selling these for $6.99 at TJ Maxx!!
heart
I didn’t make this shelled heart but it would be easy enough to do!
fountain
The fountain. It’s lovely to turn it on in the morning when I’m having my coffee. The sound of the running water and the tweeting of the birds is really a nice way to start the day!
Some random shots.
flowers
Breathe
deck
vase
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the tour of my screened porch! It’s one of my favorite rooms in my home!
porch3

You might also like Summer 2009 Porch
                                A Winter Porch
                                How To Make A Fence Board Sign


70 comments:

ritad said...

Love your screened porch, I'm hoping for one here at some time..The seashells are great!

Sportsgirl said...

Looks very relaxing! Zzzzzz :-P

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Manuela, I can see why it is one of your favorite rooms. I love you separate dining and seating areas. That chaise looks very comfy and what a way to start the day. Love all the shell accents and love that yellow buffet. Have a great day.

Ann On and On... said...

Oh what I wouldn't do to be there sitting....listening to the birds, feeling the light breeze and sipping coffee.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

So beautiful and peaceful, Manuela.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Manuela, Paradise Found is right. Your outdoor living space is like a little house unto itself!
I love the cool blues and whites... especially on those hot sultry summer days!
Beautiful and welcoming!
Yvonne

1 Funky Woman said...

This is like a little piece of Heaven on earth! I would love to join you out there for a cup of coffee! I love all the summery details and the yellow buffet is a fun piece!

arkie said...

Your porch is a lovely retreat! I love what you did with the shells!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Just gorgeous Manuela!
I love the colors, the table, the shell artwork you've created and that sideboard in yellow, just gorgeous! Love it all!
Cindy

Mary Ellen said...

So lovely Manuela! What a beautiful and relaxing space. I love what you did with the shells.

Mary Ellen

Vera @ Cozy Little Cabin said...

Thank you SO very much for sharing. All we've done to our porch is pant it! :) Your porch is getting my creative wheels a'turnin'!

I never thought to divide it between eating & dining areas. I wish you lived nearby so you could give advice! LOL

Your porch is very lovely - - - thanks for the tour.

Becky K. said...

I remember the excitement when you had this porch put on. It is great that you are enjoying it so much.

You have done such a lovely job of making it beautiful and functional at the same time.

Having a screened in porch would be a treat indeed.

Becky K.

Stacey said...

Gorgeous! I love the touches of blue that you have out there now.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Ah, thanks Manuela. But would you pour me another glass of that fresh-squeezed lemonade? I'm getting thirsty doin' all this relaxing on your 2010 porch!

Marina Capano said...

What a beautiful forch you have I love your porch!!! It is very fresh
Happy summer, here is a first day of winter. I live in Argentina. is south America.
visit me anytime...
xoxo

Vickie said...

Manuela, that would definitely be my favorite place to perch! I love the outside deck area, too, where you can grill and then just step inside (where there are no flies!) and enjoy your meal!

Katy said...

Your porch is just beautiful!!! I love it! What a wonderful place to relax! :)

Roses and Lilacs said...

Your porch looks very inviting. What a great place to eat or to read.
Marnie

Darlene said...

Can your porch just come over to my home and attach itself?!?! Just BEAUTIFUL! It looks so inviting and I just want to relax on that lounger and start reading. I was going to tell you in a prev. post I see you have the Mary Englebreit Home Sweet Home book (waiting to be read). I checked it out from the library and LOVED it so I had to get my own!!!! I was browsing through it again, just the other day.♥

Hope you have a great day!!

Vee said...

Very special spot. Who gets to sleep out there? That sounds delightful.

Bonita said...

What a lovely paradise you have there! How do you ever leave it to go anywhere else?

Question: Does it ever rain on your porch and your pretties? I don't have a screened-in porch and I'm trying to wrap my brain around what you do with all that pretty stuff if it rains. I know here we often have vigorous afternoon summer storms with blowing winds and rain.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a pretty place to relax. Really like all your shell creations.

southerninspiration said...

I love it! I hope to have a screened in porch like that some day..perhaps in our retirement home! :D

Suzanne

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

you're so lucky we don't know where you'd live or we'd all be dropping by for lemonade and a chat! your porch is as warm and inviting as you are!

Unknown said...

Your screened porch is so inspiring. I have aspirations to "fix up" our screen porch this summer -- unfortunately the temps are already hitting 100 degrees! We have so much we need to do with it -- paint, do something about the yukky washed gravel floor -- clean out all the junk. Right now it's the "attic annex".

Ally's Corner said...

Always love your screened porch! One day I will have me another one, miss it!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous porch. It looks so inviting and I absolutely LOVE all of your wonderful shell creations. What great inspiration for future projects. Love them. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Marty

Anonymous said...

Love your home and your porch! I really like the look of the pipes as a curtain rod! You have an amazing collection of shells going on there! Fabulous! Marcia

Debbie said...

Once again, I am scrolling back and forth through a post of yours to drink in every detail. I can't decide what I like the best. Top contenders would be that "Paradise Found" sign or the buffet, but I love so many other parts of it that I hestitate to begin the shout outs. I would definitely want my morning coffee there.

I forgot about that porch party. When I get more time this afternoon, I'm going to really enjoy the look n see.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Your screened porch looks so cool and comfy, Manuela! Love the color of the cushions on your new chairs. We have a set that has the swivel/rocker chairs {just two of them} and the fabric webbing ripped on one. Love all the shells; I think that adds to the cool feeling.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Just beautiful my friend..All the things you have made and done here WOW!! love the colors and the shell art...Hope you have a GREAT day my dear friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your porch looks so inviting. I love how you've decorated it with shells for the summer.

Terri Steffes said...

Oh yes, lovely my dear! I would love to come over and sit for awhile and if you happened to ask me to dinner, too, well, I am sure I would stay!

Connie said...

Enchanting, sweetpea. Blue is very popular in all the porches I've seen in the southeast. Gorgeous.
xoxo,
Connie

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Very nice! Makes me want to sit and drink some sweet tea!!

Julie said...

Oh Manuela, yes yes yes...I loved the tour, even though I had to make myself stop sighing!!!
I continue to dream and dream and dream about a screened porch... I will hold on to it and make it a goal. I will achieve it one day. Maybe not this house, but I will be ready to decorate it when it is built!!!! And I shall come back to here, (HOPE HOPE HOPE you will still be here - meaning who KNOWS when I will get that porch???) but you are sheer inspiration. I love all the same things you do.!
I will just keep collecting until the day comes. Thanks for the wonderful post- loved visiting!

Susan said...

When I was a little girl, my Granny had a screened-in porch with a swing and rocking chairs on it. I have lots of memories of that old porch, and someday I want to have one. Yours is beautiful! I especially love your chaise and that fountain!

Julie Harward said...

I love everything about this porch Manuela!!! The shells, the chaise, pipes for curtain rods! LOl The yellow chest...I need to come spend an afternoon there! Enjoy it all.. Come say hi :D

Gypsy Heart said...

Just gorgeous ~ and so peaceful! I'd love to have coffee out there in the mornings too. I love the colors and all the shells. You're very creative!

Have a blessed week ~
Pat

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Manuela, I absolutely LOVE what you did. And please don't tell me you found that driftwood at TJ Maxx??? I bought some at a shop that I'm wondering about now. LOL! I bet they found it at the Maxx, too. I love TJ Maxx.

And I loe your porch and the birdhouses and the painted yellow chest and those neat pieces of piping you used to hang your drapes. This is a great space. Oh, and I love your shell heart, too! It's just all so lighthearted and fun!

Happy Porch Party. I hopped off the train to visit for a minute, but I guess I'd better finish the ride. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Julie said...

What a wonderful place to be it just looks so cozy! And I so love the yellow side board with the cool tile top!

Rhondi said...

Hi Manueal
I love all the beachy touches you added to your porch. It's too hot to use ours right now too, but it's fun to pretend! I like all your creative ideas to use shells too. The blue is so cool and soothing and the yellow adds punch. What a perfect place to hang out with a blggoing friend. Thanks for joining the party.
Hugs, Rhondi

Kathleen Grace said...

What a lovely place to relax. All the shells are just right for summer. I bet you get some good breezes up there:>)

Unknown said...

Well I'm not surprised, you have created another perfect spot in your home. Your porch is just beautiful. I love all the personal touches! What you did with the shells is just wonderful. Your porch just like your home is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy

Eileen said...

Love your porch. It's just lovely - so nice and welcoming. I can see why you enjoy it so much.

Brenda Pruitt said...

You know how much I love your screened in porch, Manuela! I've lusted after one of these my whole life. Wanted one when I had the pavilion built. But the space didn't look right for it. Can I come have coffee with you out there some morning and listen to the fountain and the birds?
Brenda

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I just love your screened porch! And I love all of the shell pieces you have created!

Susan said...

I absolutely love it. This is magazine feature worthy. Thank you so much for sharing these photos.

Susan

Cindy said...

Manuela,
Your screened in porch is lovely. Thank you for the tour, I can just imagine sitting there enjoying my early morning coffee. I have a screened porch also, but it's a storage room at the moment, I must get to work on it. The mosquitoes are so bad right now that we can't go outside, so we would enjoy it.
Thanks again,
Cindy S

mizdarlin said...

Your porch is what I hope in some small measure t create on my balcony, or whatever replaces it, over the years..thanks so much for the wonderful pictures..very inspiring..

Free Art Printables said...

It looks gorgeous and peaceful Manuela!

Erin | Bygone Living said...

WOW! Your porch is gorgeous!! ♥

Victoria said...

What time do you say coffee is served? I'll be right over! :) Your porch is beautiful!

Didn't you say before that the GW you visit is up 575? My friend and I are headed to the mtns this weekend and we are going up 575 and I would love to shop some different GW's on the way up.

I have found 2 china cabinets and one of them I am kicking myself over that I didn't buy. I was in the process of moving though and just wasn't the right timing. I have to find a narrow one to fit my space so it might take awhile to find the right size.

I actually had you in mind when I bought 4 of my 10 cent plates; however, my MIL saw the 2 old rooster plates I bought and loved them so I gave them to her.

Melissa Miller said...

It looks beautiful and very peaceful Manuela. Lovely!

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Hi Manuela,
Your porch is fantastic! I can't even pick a favorite thing beacause it's all so lovely. Looks like a nice spot for your family to relax! Hope you're holding up well with the heat - 101 here today! We could all use a break couldn't we?

Susie Q said...

It is all so beautiful Manuaela. I so envy you the screened in part..I love our deck but oh how I would love to eventually screen it!
You truly do have a flair and have made your family a perfect spot for the Summer!
Love,
Sue

nannykim said...

oh yes I enjoyed it! I know what you mean about it being to hot during the later part of the day!! It has been hot here in SC too! Love your shabby chic sheet. Love the drift wood thingy on your coffee table--that came out so cool, it really does look like some kind of artsy sculpture thing. Love the fountain!! EVerything looks inviting! nannykim from Spindle cottage etc

nannykim said...

Hey, I just became a follower and I noticed you are at 999---one more and it will be 1,000! You should do something special!

Connie said...

What a beautiful porch. Looks very relaxing and inviting. I love the blue.

Cottage Rose said...

OH your porch is just beautiful,, I can see why you love to sit out there... you have done a wonderful job on decorating it... all those gorgeous shells, and all the pretties you made with them... thank you for sharing it with us.

Hugs;
Alaura

Miss Merry said...

What a wonderful porch! I especially love your chaise. So comfortable. What a wonderful place to enjoy your coffee in the morning!

KimMalk said...

How inviting, I love the combination of blue and yellow. The pipe curtain rods are so cool and of course <3 the seashells.

Mimi Sue said...

I love how you change it a little every year. Keeps things interesting. I would LOVE to have a screened porch like yours. Mimi

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

manuela, thanks so much for responding to my q about the stamped spoons. i've already done 7 spoons and need more! love your screened in porch btw!

Megan said...

Manuela--

Your porch is beautiful. I love all the shells. I simply can not get over how creative you are. Now -- I'm off to find my glue gun!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a beautiful porch and a great place to start each and every day. Lucky you! Best wishes, Tammy

Christina said...

Again, I just adore your screen porch. Such a calming space.

Love the pipe curtain rods.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I've had your blog open to this post for a couple of days! I keep coming back to look at the details. You've really made a statement with your style here on your porch! It's gorgeous! ♥

Gumbo Lily said...

I'd love to take my coffee on that chaise lounge. Pretty spot. Is your porch screened due to mosquitoes/flies? That's my problem in summer.

Jody

Kristi said...

What a DREAMY screen porch! I am trying to figure out the best place to put one of these in our house! I have wanted one for years! What a wonderful place to relax! You have decorated it so beautifully! :)
Kristi