the back porch makeover {before & after}

My parents have this great porch area in their backyard. It was super spacious with a pretty view, and perfect for entertaining. {Technically, it’s a deck. But back porch sounds so much more fun. So we’re rolling with it.} The problem was they didn’t know how to fix the porch.

Their problem was a typical one with most decks. After about eight years in, it was showing some major wear and tear. Missing gaps, huge split areas, warped wood and splinters galore were the name of the game.

The grand kids couldn’t even venture out in bare feet, for all the problem areas. The wood was kind of…  not so pretty anymore, and was in desperate need of a spruce up.

My parents had two choices: They could either tear it down and rebuild with more expensive, all-weather materials {keyword: super pricey} or work with what they had.

And then they remembered that we’re their children, and that we just so happen to adore sprucing up back yard areas because maybe we need to get a life. So we put our heads together for a great, affordable solution.

We decided it was time for a back porch makeover.

Cue the back sweat as we braved the late summer Alabama heat (mine was actually worse) we cleared the porch, and cleaned it off. Then we sanded down all those nasty areas, and pressure washed it all. After that was dry, we removed the severely warped areas, and replaced them with fresh wood in the damaged spots. We even filled in all those unsightly knots with a little wood filler, and prepped the deck for painting.

Remember all our projects with our favorite stain company, Cabot?

They make a fantastic product called Deck Correct. I’ll admit, I think I was a little skeptical at first, but we love Cabot, so we gave it a go. We chose some in the color Pepperwood, and, we have to say…. we’re all kind of amazed at the look it gave their porch.

See: An entirely new lease on life.

Applying the stain was super easy. All we needed was a couple brushes, a roller and a roller pan. It literally went on just like paint. (You can check out their application recommendations here.)

After the first coat, we grabbed a bite of lunch {with sweet tea of course} and then because we live in Alabama with the heat equivalent of one degree south of the sun, it was ready for the second round.

And because everyone loves a good before & after, we decided to spruce it up with some awesome accessories as well for a whole new, cozy functional look.

So without further ado:

I sound like a total infomercial right now, but it was such a fun transformation. It literally went from drab… to fab.

I had to. Couldn’t resist.

Reeling it in.

Bubye splinters.

And the grandchildren rejoiced in their newfound ability to brave it barefoot on the back porch. It’s the little things.

Everything is fresh and new and oh so fun. We’re amazed by the difference.

It’s now the perfect setting for a sunset soiree.

Because, why not?

Our favorite about the space was the ability to bring in such fun old pieces they’ve had for years, alongside the new. A bowl that once graced my grandmother’s table brought in a nice touch with apples for the kiddos.

A fun lantern of my mom’s found at a flea market a few years ago adds some fun character.

Her awesome goblets they’ve had since the day they were married circa 1975. I totally dug those puppies out of her kitchen cabinets and I’m pretty sure I spied some similar to this in Target the other day. What goes around, comes around.

My mom found their orange outdoor rug, here.

Her outdoor furniture pieces were given a new lease on life when we made some fun pillows together. These gems arrived by way of the wonderful Online Fabric Store {our very favorite source for amazing fabrics.}

• Waverly Chippendale Sun N Shade Fretwork Mineral

• Waverly Rodeo Drive Sun N Shade Seaspray Fabric

• Sunbrella Dupione Nectarine Fabric

• Premier Prints Outdoor Towers Citrus Yellow Fabric

• Portfolio Sparkle Gold Fabric

When I think of my parents’ house, I think of their glorious collection of super soft quilts that have been in the family for generations, many of them dating back to 1930. A soft quilt makes everything better.

And my grandmother’s garage that held two of these fantastic green garden chairs – once my great grandmother’s. I grew up playing on them when we visited and they were often ‘base’ for hide and seek. They sat right beside Jamin as he got down on one knee in her garage a year after she’d passed away. We were standing in my favorite childhood spot. Those chairs were witness to the moment he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.

It’s funny how the little things can hold so many memories.

My parents collected the rest of their outdoor furniture over the years from sales and flea markets.

My grandfather {the green chairs were also his} was a carpenter who built a lot of the homes in their small town of Mississippi. Of course they won’t remain outside, but I couldn’t resist bringing some of their beautiful tones with wonderfully worn patina into the shot.

Many of the books still have some of his notes hidden inside.

My dad’s father was a milkman in my his earlier years. {Yes, my dad really was the milkman’s son.} We found this in their closet – a vintage milk jug now repurposed as a beautiful lantern. It’s Duraglas, if anyone knows anything about glass…

It’s a touch of sparkle, and story.

And we repurposed this old iron wash pot {this is the same one belonging to my 4’11” featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not for picking the most cotton in a single day great grandmother… the one with the missing toes because she was amazing and so hard core and could probably beat Jamin up – I often imagine her as the granny from Madagascar} as a planter in their yard. They found a sprue on the bottom and it dates back to the 1700’s. Yes, people would light a fire and do their laundry in this. Yes, I complain because our HE smells sometimes.

If only the pot could talk. I don’t know about y’all but I find that amazing.

We love bringing in the old with the new – the little layers of additions that tell a fabulous story in simple ways.

And my parents {with their dog Luci} love their new retreat in the back yard!

{They were good sports and humored me with my camera. Aren’t they adorable?}

We love their little back porch escape – I think I’ll be holding our next party here, thankyouverymuch.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always let us know if you have any questions! Have an inspired day!

::This post was brought to you in partnership with our good friends at Cabot Stain and online fabric store, please read our full disclosure pertaining to partnerships and construction here. Please follow all directions on packaging.::