When Style Diva, Cathi Aycock, challenged me to make over a front porch for a feature for The Tennessean, I kicked it into high gear to find a porch that needed a serious update for the summer.
This 1950′s home is located in a popular ranch neighborhood in Nashville. This was the “before” of the home:
Before
The brave homeowners wanted to paint the brick and change the look of the home altogether. We were going for an updated version of a traditional brick cottage. This is the “after” of the makeover:
After Front Porch Makeover
We chose Behr’s Rocky Ridge for the brick and Echo Valley for the trim. The porch ceiling is Benjamin Moore’s Beach Glass. Because the homeowner is a die-hard Alabama fan, we custom-mixed a front door color that perfectly matched Crimson Tide red. Below is a shot of Tennessean photographer, Sanford Myers, taking photos of the landscape designer, Leslee Marshall of Kiser Vogrin Design, as she put together the glazed pots that would eventually grace the front of the spruced-up porch.
Landscape Designer Leslee Marshall
Rather than a wimpy doormat, I really wanted to include a large outdoor rug to make the space feel like a real room and to anchor the seating. When I couldn’t find what I wanted, I decided to make a custom one myself!
This is how I did it: I went to Lowe’s and bought a piece of remnant floor vinyl for $25. I first cut it to the size I wanted for the front porch.
I turned it on the backside and applied 2 coats of primer. Then I marked out some random stripes with painter’s tape. I decided on the color scheme of Ben Moore’s Van Deusen Blue, Beach Glass (the porch ceiling color), and Beacon Hill Damask.
The homeowner had existing wicker that desperately needed a face-lift. We painted the sofa and chair in Ben Moore’s Van Deusen Blue, while the sofa table was painted the same Crimson Tide red as the front door. The beautiful oversized pillows were provided by Fresh Style, a fabulous decor boutique in Brentwood, Tennessee.
It was about 100 degrees on the day of the photo shoot, but we managed to get ‘er done without passing out from heat exhaustion. I can’t wait to see how the feature in The Tennessean comes out – I’ll let you know when it does. I look a little stressed in this photo, but believe me, I’m glad it’s done!
How can you update your own front porch this summer? Establish a color scheme, dress it out like you would an interior room, add colorful outdoor seating and cushions, plant a few great pots, and maybe even make your own “rug.” Hey, I did it in record time – so can you!
Awesome job Kristie! Could you please come down to my house? Our weather is fabulous…XoXo
I bet it is, Katie! I’d love to come – don’t offer if you don’t mean it!
Can you let me know the mixture they used for the front door paint and where you purchased it? Everything looks fabulous!
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! Love everything. You gave me some great ideas. Our front porch is definitely on the radar screen. I think we are going to paint a design right on the concrete. Love your custom rug. That is soooooo clever. Did you also update the lighting? Where did you get the lantern?
Thank you, Dana. If we had had time, I would have loved to stain the entire front porch concrete – maybe they can do that next. The light fixture was existing but I had the homeowner paint it black – it was previously a bronzey-brown color. Wanted it to tie in better with the new door handle.
You never cease to amaze me! It simply looks great and I absolutely LOVE the rug. Cost effective and chic – two of my favorite design words!
thank you, dear!
It all looks fabulous, but I really love the Crimson door. Roll Tide!
What a great improvement, with wonderful new colors and a cooperative homeowner! I especially like the rug!
Bravo!,
Barbara
Just to confirm, you turned the vinyl on its back side and painted the colored vinyl side…
i painted the backside of the vinyl – the white backing without texture.
Masterfully done, Kristie! My personal favorite–the blue ceiling. Also the red door! They could take out the panels & replace them with glass someday for more interior light.
Question: did the painter roll the bricks to preserve the grout color? It really looks like “real” white brick!
Removing the bushes helped too!!
Beautiful.
Thanks, Paula. No, the painter painted bricks and grout – I think the effect you see is from the shadows and the difference of painted brick and painted grout.
Oh my, you are a color guru. What a pleasure to see this transformation you created.
very, very lovely – just can’t quite go for that door color however….seems like it needs to be a little more, oh, possibly, ORANGE!
Kidding aside I love the colors of the whole thing and would love to find some similar pots for my own front porch flowers.
Stay cool- it is amazing to me that we are over 10 degrees cooler here in central FL than you all are 500+ miles north!
Lee,
Today was up to 107 degrees, and I did an EXTERIOR color consultation! ARGH!
Lee,
Now you know an Alabama fan can have nothing in their home that even slightly favors orange! Thanks for your teasing and the compliments on the porch.
Lezlie
Great job! Looks terrific!!!!
I can’t believe it’s the same porch. You work wonders with everything you do.
You are so sweet, Pam! Thanks
It’s gorgeous. I love the color of the bricks. You accomplished exactly the look you were going for. Speaks cottage in volumes. As Dana already stated, the vinyl flooring was in incredibly clever idea. I’m sure you’ll get rave reviews from “The Tennessean. I just noticed the adorable sunflowers in their pot and how they work with the pillows. Such a nice touch.
thanks so much for your kind words, susanne!
sent via email:
“Kristie,
Hello again from the land of the midnight sun! I have a book that I write my favorite quotes and this is one on them, “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” –William Morris…so true! I have beautiful china teapots, teacups, plates, and cloth napkins that we use daily! I am a firm believer to use all things all the time. If I don’t than when I am gone, it will all be sold at a garage sale because it had no meaning to my family because we only used it for “special occasions” or “special people.” I have had teacups and teapots that have broken because we DO use them. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite teapots cracked because my daughter forgot to blow out the candle in the tea warmer when all the tea was gone. Was I disappointed? Yes, but I didn’t make a big deal out of it I just washed it and display in a leaded glass bookcase. Well, today I got your email on the “front porch” and I have done the painted linoleum when we removed a “builder’s grade” kitchen island in our kitchen to replace with a handmade maple cabinet. The linoleum was painted taupe with a moss green and black border and a friend stenciled a border of cabbage roses. I enjoyed it until we replaced the flooring. I love your practical decorating style, beautifully decorated homes are not only for the rich, but for anyone who is willing to be creative and you are helping us get there.
Dolores”
The outdoor rug is such a great idea! How does that hold up to weather? Is it slippery when it rains? Will it crack? Super pretty but I wouldn’t have the patience for a project like that – great colors in it
Donna,
I put 3 coats of spray-on poly over the surface – it should hold up pretty well and hose off easily! Slippery when wet? Hmm, that remains to be seen.
Beautiful Kristie! I love the custom color you did for the front door – that looks awesome. A true Crimson Tide.
Oh, I love this! I wish I had a big enough porch for such a great makeover but alas, I have to settle for just keeping my door color fun and updated. Congrats on being in the Tennessean!
Such a magically transformation kristie. The home owners must be thrilled. You did a fantastic job and deserve a long weekend rest hopefully in an air conditioned house!
Thats great. Saw the article in the Tennessean Go Girl you`ve got lots of talent Peggy
Thank you, Peggy!
Great job Kristi on that front porch! And congrats on getting a spot in the Tennessean! Love to read your comments. Do you have a color name for that crimson tide red? We’re big Al fans as well and my husband is always looking for something to paint crimson! What brand of paint did you use? thanks and ROLL TIDE!
Joy,
Thank you! It is Behr paint and we had the paint guy do a custom mix to match a Crimson Tide license plate.
Kristie B. … YOU is THE BOMB !
I’m NOW about sold on the idea of you doing a consultation for us.
I have a brick front that I don’t want to paint but want to repaint my front door. Ive seen so many colors that don’t look good with brick. Just wondered if the homeowners didn’t want the brick painted, what color would you choose for the front door? Would you take into consideration the foyer color?
You are such a rock star! Who knew what you were up to with those stripes? I thought maybe mass produced colour boards for your colour class, but never would’ve guessed a rug! And the porch looks incredible. The owners must be wearing perma smiles!
You are too sweet, Sheila!
I love the colors you chose! The porch looks so inviting AND you look really great in the photo too! ;D
Warmly, Michelle