back porch makeover
There are moments.
When the fireplace is going to cost more, and the cabinets may not work out just like we wanted, and the pocket doors will take more room than we intended. The LVL beam is a little warped because of the way they delivered it, and that weird street light in the back yard glows yellow at night so I just want to karate chop it down. In a full on ninja rage. There are moments of exhaustion where we haul it, once more, across town back to the apartment, bedraggled and numb from a long day of I-can’t-even-tell-you-what.
We have absolutely no idea what we did that day. We just know it was filled with random to do lists and constant work.
Forget all the worries in the back of our heads: just trying to get our family established, our children adjusted, and our careers figured out… since babies gotta eat.
Where we wonder if our budget is going to stretch. If we’ll ever feel settled.
There are moments of trying to figure it all out, wondering if we made the right choice with this house. There are moments of us, wondering if we were crazy to take this one on.
And then there are moments, where the kids have been playing outside for hours. The fireflies come out to play, and a family of baby bunnies scamper across the yard. The sunlight plays through the trees just right. There are moments of connecting with life long friends, and working with wonderful people. Of deep breaths.
Peaceful quiet moments in the middle of this chaos.
There are moments when we know what it feels like to breathe life back into something, even if for the moment, we’re just working with what we have.
And there is nothing more gratifying than that feeling.
There are moments where we start to see all of it come together. It’s just a subtle preview. A glimpse. A fraction of a second, really.
Mama was right.
One day at a time.
Glimpses of our vision peeking through.
And we think: This. This is what we hoped for.
Maybe it sounds dramatic to say that, over something as simple as a semi-back porch makeover.
But right now, my entire life feels dramatic, and just getting the pool under wraps has kind of made our summer.
Yes. It’s an old metal roof, and eventually… eventually it will be a charming screened in porch with an old fashioned, slamming back door. Eventually.
But for now, it’s a big lesson in embracing what we have, and making it work. And for now, when it rains, I’ve fallen in love.
So I pulled out the old furniture, and gave it a facelift. It had taken a beating after sitting outside with our old house on the market for so long. I scrubbed most of our pillows with upholstery cleaner, to bring them back to life… until the skin almost fell off my fingers. And added a few yards of some new fabric, to brighten it all up.
Jamin built a table- we were inspired by one we saw at restoration hardware. Except just what we wanted in the size and color department… and much cheaper.
You may recognize the blue bench from our old kitchen – its home is perfect here.
He gave the overhang a good overhaul with our pressure washer, to get rid of all that old gunk.
We splurged on a couple of cheap outdoor rugs {The kind you can hose right off} – it’s amazing to me how much wow a rug can bring to a space.
And added some art and outdoor lights.
Tada! You’d never know the inside is completely empty.
Yep. Just one more shot of that sunlight coming through the sodas. I’ll reel it in now.
So here we are. With a little slice of happy. A little preview of where we’re going. A little something to keep our hopes high, and that satisfactory moment of a second, when we can stand back, put our arms around each other and say… This. This is what we uprooted our family and changed our lives for.
And it’s only a preview.
{Rigby and Fitz approve this makeover.}
This is what risk and fear can look like, when you push through it. No, not the porch. But that feeling of, everything is going to work out.
And it’s only a glimpse.
But a really freaking good one.
We’ll be back with sources and details and fun little additions to this original post. Because it’s fun to share all the things.
Thanks so much for stopping by sweet friends. We promise it’s gonna be amazing.
At least, that’s what we keep telling ourselves.
{PSSST view all our sources here!}
It looks gorgeous! I know you must be so stressed, but just know we’re all cheering you on! I can’t wait to see how y’all make it all come together inside too, one decision at a time! ☺️
Awe thanks so much, Callie!
It IS amazing! And that hydrangea bush next to the porch is SO happy!! Congrats, you two! Can’t wait to see what’s next! 🙂
Awe thanks so much Courtney! The property is full of happy little surprises like that – I had no idea it was a hydrangea bush when we looked at the house this winter! When I was a little girl, I always said I would have those, and magnolia trees in my yard. I got both. It’s my favorite color, too. ;}
What a beautiful space full of hope if what is and is to come!! I’m excited to see how you continue to make this house your home!
It’s gonna be AMAZING!!!!!! And so very worth it :)! Blessings from Missouri!
awesome!!! One day at a time!
Ya’ll can do it, you got this!! So happy for you that it’s coming along. I know renovations can be SO stressful & things don’t always go like we plan. I know this for sure, in my own home stuff. The porch is a little glimmer of hope and that pool, wow that has to be a cool spot for y’all right now! Can’t wait to see more and I hope to get to see it in person when I’m up there this Fall!
This looks AMAZING! So warm and inviting! I would love something like this at my home! One day…hopefully. Btw, I would have never thought to put rugs like those outdoors! Will wait anxiously for the deets on those! ? It’s always beautiful when we can take a moment to reflect on the good amidst all the crazy!
It will be amazing! It will just take time and maybe a lottery winner or two!
It looks amazing! You and Jamin are seriously talented. I can’t wait to follow as you tackle this home. You got this!
I think it looks great already. It’s summer and all you really need to have fun are your gorgeous pool and patio.
At ages 65 & 83, we uprooted from New England to FL (our 4th move & renovations in 30 years). Yes it’s stressful & you always question your decision, but once you get your “nest” just the way you like it, it all seems worth the effort. And what an adventure for your family!!! We LOVE your new porch & watching y’all make this house your home. Enjoy those kids while you can!
I think that patio just proves all the house needs is some love!
Right?! HAHA thanks, Lori! ;}
Amazing transformation!! Where did you find those grey chairs and white love seat? Looking for something very similar for our porch! Thanks!
Thanks so much Maggie! Unfortunately, we purchased those YEARS ago at Target when they were off-season and on clearance. Our pieces are a hodgepodge because outdoor things can be so expensive so it’s been an over-time kind of collection. I painted them to revamp and protect them from the elements – and then painted them again. Every cushion has also been recovered, save the seat cushions, I just keep using them over and over – they’re on their last leg but we hope keeping them under the covering this time around will lengthen their lifespan a little. Probably not much help but you never know what you can find!
Your first reveal in your new home! 🙂 wondering where you found those white round chairs?? I’ve been looking for just that for daughters room. Thanks!!
So neat to see that little area come to life picture by picture. And what a great attitude – to find a bright spot, something that CAN be done right now and do it instead of only focusing on all the impossibilities!
Excellent!!! Must be nice to have a happy little area to retreat to when its crazy! I think this was a smart place to start. And it makes me so excited to see how the rest of your home shapes up.
LOVE THE TABLE! Hoping that it all comes together.
Did you build the blue bench? I’d love a link to the plans if you did. It all looks great!! Can’t wait to see what else you do!
Hey Dana! We did not make the blue bench – it’s actually an old park bench from Mobile Alabama that was rehabbed and painted – we have a how to for a bench here that you could make a larger version of if that helps get you started – https://www.thehandmadehome.net/2013/12/build-a-simple-entryway-bench/ hope that helps!
It looks amazing!! Great job 🙂