Spring on the Back Porch {Finally!}

 

  
Can you believe we finally have some real spring weather here in western Colorado?! Sheesh, it was a long time coming! This weekend it was in the 70's and just perfect out, so I decided to take on prettying up our desperately winter-worn little porch. I didn't even bother taking any 'before' pictures, it was just bare and ugly and sad looking. Trust me.

 

  
I've mentioned before that although I really do love color, at this stage of my life I generally prefer to have more white/neutral rooms. It's just more soothing to live with. Apparently soothing is what I need : )
But out here I'm going for some cheerful spring color.

Come on over, put your feet up and relax for a bit. The birds are singing happy, the sky is glorious and it's a perfect time to be out on the porch!

Our porch swing has been with us through 3 homes and lots of years. Despite having to replace broken rusted bolts, and the original cushions being torn and faded, I still love it! Cover it with old, soft cotton sheets and a pile of over-sized pillows and it's charming {and comfortable} as can be.  Not to mention the great creaking noise when you swing : )

The vintage tablecloth was my mom's. I think I raided her vintage stuff about 25 years ago, and she was nice enough to give me some of my favorites. Mind you, this tablecloth was probably new when she got it!

Several years ago I picked up 4 of these yellow gingham curtain panels at a thrift store for about $2.00 each. They are pretty heavy and lined, and they've had many different uses over the years. I used two of them to cover the brown chairs. Can't I just put them on a window like a normal person? 

The other two I hung at each end of the porch, just for a little color and softness. I really like our view out here, and I wouldn't want to cover too much of it. 



I wanted to get them up in a hurry, so I just gathered the top of the panel, tied it with a piece of clothesline and hung it over a nail.

Last summer my younger kids begged me to turn this into a sleeping porch, and it never happened. Maybe later in the summer I'll see if I feel motivated to do it. If so, I'll rig up a curtain rod (or just stretch a length of clothesline) so the curtains can actually be closed, since this is right where the sun rises in the morning. 

An old iron headboard, just 'cause I think it's cute.

I decoupaged this bottle when my son was born, almost 6 years ago! I still think it's pretty sweet.

I made this little scrap bunting last summer from vintage sheets. I used iron on tape to attach the flags to a strip of yellow gingham fabric (also from an old sheet). Not perfect, by any means, but it was quick!

Thrift store patchwork pillow cover.

Wooden box was a curbside find recently.

Another old headboard, a vintage baby quilt on the table, and the floral metal tray table was my grandma's!

I can't resist putting in a photo of my little guy "acting". As if he would ever really take a nap!

Yep, I'm having my afternoon coffee out here. This is another vintage floral tray that belonged to my grandma.

I'm sure I'll be tweaking things a bit more out here this week, but today I'm happy to let it be.

Thanks for coming by and hanging out on my cozy little porch today! 

Jeanette


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Monday Funday at Finding Home 
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Creative Bloggers Party at Homemaker on a Dime 
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 
Knick of Time Tuesday 
Budget Decorating at Creative Cain Cabin 
The Scoop
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style 
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable
Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours
Creative Inspirations at Embracing Change 
Be Inspired at Common Ground 
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home