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Across the Fence:  What's on your front porch?  |
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knewslady
True Blue Farmgirl
555 Posts
Kathy
Russellville
KY
USA
555 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 06:43:05 AM
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Any of you who have really inviting, warm front porches would you mind posting some pictures or give some decorating tips for making a front porch scream Welcome. My front porch is just so.....nothing. Right now there is a swing and a pan with cat food on it. The older I get the more I realize how lacking my decorating skills are?
Thanks
Kathy
Will always be a farmgirl at heart
Visit my online shop at http://thebackfence.etsy.com
http://kathy-whimsicaldays.blogspot.com |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 06:50:35 AM
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Right now just a huge pot of pink geraniums and ivy. I need to pressure wash it and repaint.
Normally we have some of that synthetic wicker furniture out there, and lots of potted plants. Since it faces north, I like to make it so it's a comfy summer spot out of the sun. We go out there to watch storms, pile grandkids on our laps and tell stories, sip morning coffee and surf online, and just watch the clouds go by.
Companies like Plow and Hearth and Frontgate have wonderful furniture and even outdoor rugs for living spaces that are UV resistant. I love our deck, but it's on the east side of the house and it gets really hot in the summer mid-afternoons. My front porch is a perfect spot.
Can you hang flowers out there? Ferns? Which way does it face? Do you get much wind? How big is the porch? Is there enough room for a small table and chairs with a little quilted tablecloth and a pitcher of wildflowers? Do you have pillows on the swing, or perhaps a light throw? You could make this a very nice spot. What colors are your exterior? |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 06:51:54 AM
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Kathy -
Here are a couple of photos from my front porch. 1st one is from this last fall - I change out my wheelbarrow for each season - so right now it has spring/summer flowers. The other is from this spring of my rose that is climbing over the arch. I have wicker chairs on my porch and a little bench to set drinks on between them. We sit out there all the time.
During the spring and summer I also have hanging pots with items that like partial shade - since my porch faces north and doesn't get sun all day.
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Anne in Portland
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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mom2knk
True Blue Farmgirl
321 Posts
Blanche
So Cal
321 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 06:58:34 AM
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| Anne......you have a beautiful porch!!! Mine is bare for now, we are in the process of redoing the front yard so everything is put away!! |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9440 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9440 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 07:01:38 AM
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Anne,
How beautiful your roses are!
Kathy,
I have a set of wicker furniture out there and we hang flags for each season on a pole from the front. My daughter just got a wind sock with a butterfly on it and hung it up. I also have an old milk can and a wood ring we use to stack our wood in in the winter as we heat by woodstove. We cannot access our porch from the front but the sides are open. No one ever comes in the front door as the driveway comes up to the back of the house. The house sits up on a hill and so anyone coming from the road would have to climb the hil to get here. In the summer I like to set up a small table and my husband and I will sometimes have breakfast out there or just coffee and tea.
He likes to sit out there in the evenings and watch the deer come out in the field across the road. It really doesn't take much to fix it up. A few small things like a table and a couple of chairs really make it inviting. I also dress up the little table with a nice cloth and a vase of wildflowers.
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof and all that dwell therein."
www.torismimi.blogspot.com |
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mkmomus
True Blue Farmgirl
248 Posts
Merle
Greensboro
NC
248 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 07:12:09 AM
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What a great thread. Anne, you porch is beautiful. More pics-more pics-more pics from everyone!
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 08:27:09 AM
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Anne, you're so lucky! That rose is gorgeous--how did you train it across the porch like that? Wire or fencing?
I'll take a photo, but we JUST got our porch looking the way I've wanted it to, but I think, as much as I like watching them, I'm moving our little thistle feeder to the grass. Man, those little birds make a BIG mess on the porch.
We have a lovely teak porchswing, with a bright striped cushion, and a nice rocking metal bench with cozy cushions and pillows. A wicker coffee table, and two green old metal chairs that kindof "rock"? Those are my favorites.
I have potted urns on both ends of the porch with hot pink nicotania, geraniums and yellow/cream lantana, and it really brightens things up!
There are so many simple little things to do that make your porch more welcoming, but I have to say, good seating is key. If that's the only thing you splurge on, it's worth it to have friends come over and "sit a spell". We've really utilized the porch this summer because of the swing and bench.
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 08:48:32 AM
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Our front door isn't used as much as the back so it just looks plain to me. I try. It is a large front porch and besides what you see in the picture I have a table and chairs and it faces N. so it is a nice spot to sit and be cool on an extra hot day.
The back steps go up to the deck and the back door. On the deck besides all the dogs, watering cans, hoses and who knows what else is the way to the back door. It like "good luck". But I line the steps with containers and I think that says WELCOME.
When you take a picture boy, you can see all the flaws. I have to work on that front porch. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
Edited by - Marybeth on Jun 07 2007 08:52:47 AM |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 10:43:42 AM
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Jonni -
The rose is trained on a trellis made of copper plumbing pipe. Kinda like a horizontal ladder between the two pillars. I should take a photo so you can see. My dad made it with a pipe bender and some plumber's metal glue. We put it up with some little copper brackets. It is quite cool and nice looking at the copper ages.
The rose is an iceberg rose I got from my brother in laws rose farm. It is about 8 years old and grows like a weed.
Anne in Portland
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 11:21:21 AM
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Hi Kathy My front porch has two white rocking chairs and two white whicker chairs. An American flag is always hanging from the porch support and there is a handpainted Welcome Sign by the front door. Windchimes handing form hooks, I love the sound.
Hugs, Kathy in WA |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 11:25:35 AM
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There is nothing like a porch! Love all the photos above...so pretty! I have a big back porch instead of a front porch. It goes all the way across the back of the house and is about 10 feet deep. I have a table to eat on, two wicker chairs, a wicker rocker, a white porch swing, a round table, a plant rack, and hanging ferns and hanging geraniums. My collection of Christmas cacti are on the plant rack. There are deep red cushions I got this year at Target, and a checked tablecloth. I even put a lamp on the round glass-top table by the rocker. It is so nice to sit there at dusk with the light on.
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 11:31:09 AM
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Wow Ladies! What great front porches! Mine is bare because it is so small. Just enought room to stand out of the way of the front door opening, really. I long for a great "sittin" front porch, where I can take Nora, Sky-dog and a book and just read away an afternoon. I love porches that have swings or hammocks on them!
Alee |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 1:23:32 PM
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I so have to go shopping!!! My front porch is bare and you gals have really inspired me!!!!
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. |
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Runbikegrrl
True Blue Farmgirl
250 Posts
MaryAnn
Waterbury Ctr
VT
USA
250 Posts |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 2:27:03 PM
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| Your porches are all so wonderful and inviting. Mine has white wicker rockers with cushions and a narrow table between them, with a lamp on it. I have a porch swing and chair with cushions on the other side of the porch and a few nesting tables between them. My husband puts hanging plants all around the front (fushia and petunias-which attract hummingbirds even when we are sitting there!) On the wall by the house I have chicken shaped bird houses hanging and a pretty big dragonfly candle holder where the body of the dragonfly is glass and the candle goes in there. We have one of those flag-looking buntings hanging from the front. It is not a huge porch, but we get maximum use of it most of the year. |
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Runbikegrrl
True Blue Farmgirl
250 Posts
MaryAnn
Waterbury Ctr
VT
USA
250 Posts |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2007 : 7:50:25 PM
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| I am not exactly good at the picture thingie, but one of these days my kids will get it done for me. I would love to post some because I do think you'd want to come to my porch and have tea and pie. |
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 07:00:26 AM
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| On my front porch I have an old wooden bench and a rocker. I made a hyacynth wreath and have a huge pot of impatiens in one corner. I also have a small twig tree with little lights on it with tin red, white, and blue stars, hearts, and flags. And of course, the welcome mat. On the side porch I have a wooden glider, two rockers, an old bench with plants and a small bench with impatiens. There's also a box with a lid and a shaker house on the front that says welcome. I'm always changing things. I love to rock my grandson out there....he likes to watch the birdies. Mommom |
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junkjunkie
True Blue Farmgirl
1306 Posts
Judy
Lawrenceville
NJ
USA
1306 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 07:23:35 AM
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| **sigh**....I love front porches! I wish I had one. I enjoyed the posts and beautiful photos of your porches, you lucky ducks out there! |
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_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 08:56:04 AM
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Judy,
I have a very tiny front porch. My mother only has a hallway, as she is in an apartment.
Try to just decorate a door. Just whatever makes it pleasing and welcoming to you!
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
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junkjunkie
True Blue Farmgirl
1306 Posts
Judy
Lawrenceville
NJ
USA
1306 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 09:07:14 AM
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| Rebecca, I do compensate with a garden in the front, and last year, I started a garden in the back yard. It a work in progress, but I think it looks nice. I can't post pictures, don't have a digital camera...I bought a couple of Andirondack chairs and like to putter around at the end of the day. It faces the woods, and I like the peacefulness and sounds of the birds. That's my 'front porch'. lol |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 10:57:28 AM
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The 'front' porch is rarely used since we added our addition. There is a garden to the front and side of it. A large braided rug, a porch swing. There are a few wind chimes.
The back porch is our main entrance. It also leads out to the barn yard. It has plenty of chairs and benches, the dog bowls, a small wood table, a large flower pot & a planter at one end .... that's when it is clean! It usually also contains a few pairs of chore boots, gardening tools, misc buckets and a variety of dogs, cats & poultry!
Cyndi
Muller's Lane Farm http://www.mullerslanefarm.com
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 09:19:26 AM
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My front porch is impossible to keep clean. There is always muddy dogs and kids and dirty work boots. We plan on putting a porch swing up someday. Here is a picture of the front garden which lines the path to the porch. In between the pink roses is a pond with a fountain and a few fish. It's hard to keep the fish in there because my dog likes to jump in and try to catch them.
http://love-in-a-mist-shannon.blogspot.com/ |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 12:39:57 PM
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Well, again, I don't know that I'd call it "inviting" but I do spend most of my time out there, and it's been great so far this Spring and early Summer to entertain friends. We're the only house that has a porch this large, and I feel really blessed...sometimes I want to get some more blinds, though because of nosy parker neighbors :)
If you look in this one, you'll see that our new telephone books have arrived, and in the storm door, my German Shepherd girl, Rose, wants to know what the heck I'm doing!!!
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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junkjunkie
True Blue Farmgirl
1306 Posts
Judy
Lawrenceville
NJ
USA
1306 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2007 : 06:41:39 AM
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| Thank you for the photos! I enjoy looking at everyone's garden and porches. The gardens and very beautiful and the porches are typically welcoming and inviting. |
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Across the Fence: What's on your front porch? |
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What's on your front porch?
