Monday, May 2, 2011

Back Porch Re-Fresh

I love my antique wicker couch and other porch furniture, but in the years since I last painted it, it had gotten pretty shabby. I realized it had been 12 years (!) when I remembered taking a breastfeeding break with my oldest and and whipping out the spray paint and staple gun to get my floral, white and brown on.







I leave it out all winter, so this furniture takes a beating.




Taking it apart was actually fun because I could see the layers done by my mother 40 years ago, and my grandparents before that.

These 2 pieces, plus an antique table, also got brown paint:




The fabric back was easy to do. It was a precise science that may have involved some cutting, folding, a glue gun, masking tape, and staples.




Here's how the porch looks now with espresso spray paint, Sunbrella fabric from JoAnn's, and throw pillows from Lowe's. I desperately wanted 2 of the bird pillows, so if you see another one at Lowe's, be sure to let me know.





Here's a close-up of the brown trim and the houndstooth pillows:

And some yellow accents that I swear were smudge free when I took the pictures.








This chair just has some leftover fabric tucked around the cushion. I may or may not get more ambitious with it later.






The paint is glossy and brown, which gives it a more modern look that I'd been hoping for. The deep, dark brown doesn't really translate in these photos because of all of the POLLEN covering everything!


Each year I tell myself not to "open" my porch until the pollen has gone, and each year I get antsy and do it anyway. That means double the cleaning, but I sure do like looking out and seeing this, even if I'm too allergic to enjoy it quite yet:

Have a great day! Ah-Choo!


















































10 comments:

aliciamarie911 said...

Oh my goodness. I'm so jealous. After looking at some of your posts of things you've fixed up, I told my husband I wanted us to do a project like that! we searched, but everything we found was expensive and old...not just old. :(

Kristina P. said...

Wow, it looks completely new!

Ellen aka Ellie said...

Love it, but what happens when someone plunks themself down. Does pollen fly everywhere?

Up here, you can't see the pollen, you can only sense it in your eyes, nose, throat...

Anonymous said...

You are so handy, Anna! It looks fresh and beautiful out there.

jbhat

Deidra said...

Isn't it amazing what a coat of paint can do? I love that you have memories there...so many good memories.

Jill said...

Gorgeous!! Love the fabrics and the color of your chairs. You do some amazing work my friend!

Cat@BudgetBlonde.com said...

Looks amazing Anna! Love the fabric!!!!!
xoxo
Cat@BudgetBlonde

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

The porch looks great! I love the dark paint. I know what you mean about seasonal allergies! I have been sneezing up a storm! Thanks so much for stopping by today. Your blog is great, and I loved reading your funny, thoughtful posts! :)

N @ Cheap Like a Birdie said...

What a difference that made, love it!
Thanks for the visit, I'm glad you liked the clock.

Check Out- Cheap Like A Birdie Blog

Kelsey said...

This looks so great!! My mom just bought some patio furniture from craigslist and spray painted it a dark color. However, her's is peeling off. Did you primer yours before painting?