The Perfect Porch

Well, we did it. We created a SUPER outdoor living room on a budget and the best part is that it's all done! I think I want to move out here. Not only is it wonderful to be outside without the bugs (can I get an amen?) but everything out here makes me happy. And when family and friends come to visit it will be even better!

Rhett finished the electrical (well, most of it) before leaving for CO a few days ago, and when he comes home tonight he will come home to a beautifully decorated back porch. Here's hoping he likes it!

I balanced this heavy wooden table of my mom's (I used to eat supper here when I was the age of our oldest daughter- how cool is that?!) with old farmhouse chairs and a wooden bench that was salvaged from a farm about an hour away from where we live. I adore the mix and match look of these chairs, and they ranged from $22-$40. Special thanks to Jordan McCarter, aunt and cousin who I simply could not do without, for introducing me to the lovely shop from which they all came, Le Vie En Rose in Lenox Village. I bought her a beer for taking me there, but I'm pretty sure I owe her something more than that! What a super place. I pieced the chairs together in the store and I was also able to get them ALL for under the ticket price (tip: always, always befriend the sales person and then haggle!) When I did fundraising, I learned that the worst thing that a person can say is simply no, so what have you got to lose when you ask for a little cash off the price?

Detail of one of the antique chairs- love it! In the background you can see the tile. Our contractor had this tile sitting in his shed from another project and gave it to us for free. Of course, we paid for cutting it and laying it, but free tile is never, ever something you should pass up. Placemats from Target: $3.99 each.

A closer look at the old bench. Anything with history that makes your heart sing? Snatch it up! $75. I think three kids or two adults can sit on this quite comfortably.

Painted concrete steps? Yes, I know that was the first thing you noticed. I painted these last Sunday before church with our oldest daughter. I took a tile to Sherwin Williams, told them what I was going to paint, and 10 minutes later they had a pint of paint ready to match for about $13. Saved money on the labor, and it was easy and fun! This white chair I adore- $22. Small blue and white table (has a retro look when you get up close) was $32 and the antique kitchen scale that sits on top was a find of my oldest daughter. She's been weighing everything! We had the wooden bench and the throw pillows, as well as the lanterns, from our old house.

The kids corner! Both of the chairs are- believe it or not- Sunday school chairs from Donelson Church of Christ! Says so on the bottom of each chair. I assume they were discarded at some point and someone very clever painted them and sold them. LOVE. I got the mismatched pair for under $40. We had the art table and bench, and I couldn't resist moving the cardboard spaceship OUT of our house and onto the porch. :)

Two gigantic outdoor ceiling fans hang from each slope of the roof. Rhett did all the electrical so we saved a bundle- bless that wonderful man! Ceiling fan from Home Depot, and I assume it was inexpensive because otherwise Rhett surely wouldn't have bought it!

Aside from the toys of our youngest (!) nothing is more welcoming than fresh flowers.

Come have a glass of iced tea at Tara! If the weather's nice enough, we can venture outside the porch and sit in one of the fun hot pink kids plastic chairs (Container Store, $9.99) next to the slide in the yard. Looks like sunshine for the next week, so come play!