Almost 2 years ago the girls & I built this little porch for Mr. SCC. We did it on a shoestring budget of $200, and had a blast. We spend a huge chunk of time out here, hanging out, eating, reading, I even blog & work on Etsy stuff out here when the weather is right. Although we love the space, we never really liked the railing or color. With a $5 bunch of spindles & some $10 oops paint, it was definitely a “use what you have” project.
After we went to Tybee Island back in March, I’ve been dreaming of picket fences. Our yard is waaaayyyyy to big to have that much picket-ness, but I had another idea in mind – our porch.
Two years later, my porch is prettier than ever! A total DIM (do it myself) project, Project Porch 2.0 was another Mr. SCC-free production.
I cut, sanded, hung & painted every inch of the railings, one by one..
I even hand built a gate for the porch – without a consult!
I repainted the bench we built, just touching up the top with the same light aqua that I chose for the floors (Cool Sausalito by Dutch Boy). I didn’t touch the yummy chippy legs – I like ‘em as is. The sign is painted my beloved Hawaiian Sky (also by Dutch Boy) – it’s perfect for all those swimming clothes & towels that pile up during the warm weather.
Red is a new twist for me, I’m usually all neutrals & aqua, but this fun fabric caught my eye and I just had to have it… love the pop of color it brings.
Buckets under the bench help keep up with essentials like flip flops & water guns.
More vintage buckets hold croquet & bocce balls – our favorite summer pasttime.
Anyone fancy a game?
Eating al fresco is always a good idea. Mr. SCC and I start each and every day with coffee on the porch – rain or shine, hot or cold – it’s our “thing.”
He cut down our old dining table and made it fit the porch – gotta love free stuff!
The old paint was a little chippy… but I didn’t care. I sprayed it down with my favorite spray paint (Krylon Pebble) and then flaked off the chips so it would look aged even though it was freshly painted. Notice it’s wet? That’s because every thing on this porch has to be wash & wear, baby! The light floors (painted with porch & floor paint for durability) have to be sprayed off every day… but I actually like doing it. Instant gratification – gotta love those kinda rewards.
I reused our old dining room chairs – they just fit so perfectly – and you can’t beat free!
All total, I spent $40 on wood, $28 on paint & $10 on fabric – still less than $100 and it looks like new in just a few days.
Bring it on, summer!
molly susan strong says
June 8, 2011 at 11:55 pmIt looks amazing. I love all the details!
Junker Newbie Stephanie says
June 8, 2011 at 11:56 pmOMG, the porch is awesome! wow, you are one crafty DIY lady! bravo 🙂
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
June 8, 2011 at 11:56 pmWOW!! That looks awesome Miss Gina!! I love the croquet set!
When we were working on the Mantel, DH asked if I had one…now I REALLY want one after seeing yours!
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
Debra@Common Ground says
June 9, 2011 at 12:05 amwow, it looks great Gina! You guys did a super job! just linked up, xo Debra
Madigan at madiganmade says
June 9, 2011 at 12:08 amWhat an inviting space! I love the pop of red with the turquoise. Very fun. The bucket of balls looks like part of the decor but I love the fact that it is functional for you, too!
Zombie says
June 9, 2011 at 12:08 amthats such a cool looking porch! 😀
Classically Hip Interiors says
June 9, 2011 at 12:15 amI love your porch, how proud you must be…every cup of coffee must taste sooo good out there…
Norma2 says
June 9, 2011 at 12:17 amEl lugar ha quedado bellísimo y con poco gasto felicitaciones!
Te invito a mi blog
http://norma2-siempreesprimavera-norma2.blogspot.com
LDH says
June 9, 2011 at 12:17 amHello Gina!
Linking up for the first time. Looking forward to perusing more of your posts and visiting others 🙂
Kindly, Lorraine
Lindy says
June 9, 2011 at 12:19 amLove your porch redo. The new railing looks great and the colors are to die for!
Honey at 2805 says
June 9, 2011 at 12:35 amLove all the Beachy things! Thanks for always being the gracious hostess!
emmalina.lolly says
June 9, 2011 at 12:35 amI love the idea of the flip flop buckets and especially the yard games! I know we have bocce ball somewhere… It would be nice to have it handy on the porch for a random game!
Coley says
June 9, 2011 at 12:36 amI LOVE that pop of red with the other crisp colors! Thanks for hosting!
Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic says
June 9, 2011 at 12:44 amCoffee on the newly done porch…..enough said! I love it! It is fun you and Mr. SCC have something special you do together.
~Shanon
Karen says
June 9, 2011 at 12:44 amI love your porch! you did a great job. Red is so pretty with aqua, love that you added it. You should be so prod of yourself to have done all of this yourself.
Leslie says
June 9, 2011 at 12:49 amGina,
I expect an evening game of croquet with you and all the girls!
If my cottage is anything like the porch (only enclosed) I will feel like a princess!
Can’t wait to see it in person!
Thank you for the linky party!
I have been absent from them (not just yours 😉 for about 6 months…they are so much fun, though! I love all the creative ideas!
HUGS and blessings to you as you make your home!
~me
brockey says
June 9, 2011 at 12:52 amThat porch is so cute…… you should be proud. I love all the white paint . Aqua and red are my favorite too.
Venessa says
June 9, 2011 at 1:11 amLove that you made do with so many things that you already have. It makes me take a second look at what’s around me and what I can re-purpose!
Molly @ A Bit O' Shine says
June 9, 2011 at 1:14 amVery cute! I love the bench and I love the picket-fence around the porch – totally brill.
I LOVE eating outside. It isn’t quite nice enough to do that here yet…but soon.
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
June 9, 2011 at 1:16 amAh-mazing!! 🙂
the cape on the corner says
June 9, 2011 at 1:32 amoh my gosh, that is an amazing transformation! it looks so welcoming and relaxing, and i love you and the mr’s morning routine. i wish we could do that, but sadly, that only happens on the weekends.
Anne says
June 9, 2011 at 1:42 amI LOVE everything you do with your home – it’s all so coordinated and beautiful without feeling stuffy.
Theresa says
June 9, 2011 at 1:47 amThat pop of red with the aqua is so pretty and beachy! I love it, thanks for the party! oxoxoxo
poindextr says
June 9, 2011 at 1:53 amwhat a sweet porch! I’d have my breakfast there too, you can believe it. Love the pegs for towels and the oh-so-pretty aqua bench beneath it. And happy (early) 2nd anniversary! Thank you for hosting such a nice link party, bloggers are a very supportive group of creative thinkers! ~diane at home sweet homemade
Polly @ Make Mine Beautiful says
June 9, 2011 at 1:55 amHey girl, that RED looks great! And it IS red by the way (that’s a little inside joke). 🙂
Looks like you’ve put a lot of hard work into this project and it turned out fantastic. I can’t wait to see what you’re working on in the rest of the house…….and I will in just a few short weeks! woohoo. 🙂
Dacia says
June 9, 2011 at 2:13 amBeautiful! I would love to have a porch like that!
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
June 9, 2011 at 2:26 amWhat a lot of work went into your beautiful space. I love the pops of red!
Alexis E. says
June 9, 2011 at 2:31 amI just love your porch! Our porch has a big barn star as well.
janet says
June 9, 2011 at 2:40 amHello Gina,
Happy to be here once again. I love your little porch and would love sitting there with my morning coffee.
It looks like a very ‘calm’place.
Thank so much for hosting
janet xox
http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
June 9, 2011 at 3:39 amLove those buckets, nice job! thanks for hosting this link party every week.
Michell @ Girl In Air says
June 9, 2011 at 4:11 amYour porch is so wonderful!!
Thank you for hosting!
Leanne says
June 9, 2011 at 4:57 amThe porch is beautiful. I love the railing and the red is a perfect touch. Thanks for hosting again this week.
Christie says
June 9, 2011 at 5:16 amAlmost two years and over five thousand followers! You go girl! Congratulations!!! The bench and entire porch look incredible and remind me of something I would see at the beaches in Charleston, SC! Love it all! Thanks for hosting! Christie at Three Pixie Lane
NauticalCottageBlog.com says
June 9, 2011 at 5:47 amIt’s so adorable & beachy! I love it!
Thank you very much for hosting – hope you’re having a good week.
The Sterling Cherub says
June 9, 2011 at 6:09 amLove Project Porch 2.0, it turned out wonderfully and totally looks like something you’d find at a cute beach cottage. Love everything about it!
Best,
Kimberly
beachcomber says
June 9, 2011 at 6:34 amlove what you did with the porch and the sign hanger thingy you made!
cheryl x
Marianne@Songbird says
June 9, 2011 at 7:44 amWow two years of Transformation Thursday that are a lot of crafty projects linked up!
I love your porch, and congrats on DIM-ing it yourself. With such a handy husband and so much else to do for you it must be tempting to leave all the major (and minor) makeovers to him. But I really love your picket fence!!
Happy summer to you.
Rattan garden furniture says
June 9, 2011 at 9:33 amAwesome transformation of the porch Gina…..
I love to see the clicks of your porch area really beautiful and adorable captures….
I love to spend my time with serenity and relax in my porch area after load of work….
Good share……!!!!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
June 9, 2011 at 10:17 amAdorable darling!!! I love the porch!
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking says
June 9, 2011 at 12:51 pmLove your beachy porch!
Curtains In My Tree says
June 9, 2011 at 12:54 pmThe red and white pillows really makes it POP as they say. looks good
Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says
June 9, 2011 at 2:42 pmBeautiful porch! Thank you so much for hostessing.
Jen says
June 9, 2011 at 2:45 pmVery inviting porch 🙂
Kayla says
June 9, 2011 at 2:49 pmOMG loving your new porch, it’s so pretty!!!
Jeanna says
June 9, 2011 at 3:19 pmI’m so in love with your bench and the buckets filled with sandals and games. Awesome.
Jeanna @ dramaqueenseams.blogspot.com
Kelly@TearingUpHouses says
June 9, 2011 at 5:46 pmi like the old buckets. perfect storage!
kelly
Orangies Attic says
June 9, 2011 at 5:50 pmGREAT linky party… planning to add it to my LINKS page. Thanks for hosting… newly following, come visit me! Orangies Attic
Ty and Whitty says
June 9, 2011 at 8:05 pmWow I am amazed That is beautiful. And thank you for letting me join in to your linky party again this week. Can you please do me a favor it would mean the world to me if you would go to this link. Like her photography page and then like my photo I am the fifth entry Whitney. Thank you so much
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=229794193699572&set=a.229738740371784.70850.146935955318730&type=1
Thanks again
A mommy’s life…with a touch of YELLOW
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
Prudently Painted Vintage says
June 9, 2011 at 10:39 pmI love the pop of red in there. Every inch of that space is perfectly decorated. Very inviting and functional. Love it!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
June 9, 2011 at 11:43 pmOh, my word, Gina! I am just speechless. Well, not really, b/c I am rarely without speech. But I LOVE this!!! Looks like you could step out your front door and right onto Tybee Island to sip tea. 🙂 Great work!! Going to feature this tomorrow!
Heaven's Walk says
June 10, 2011 at 12:47 amGina!!!!! You should be so darned proud of yourself, girl! Your porch looks sooo sweet and beachy! Love that red with the aqua. I’ve got a little of that going on in Heaven’s Walk, too. ♥ You did an amazing job and the transformation is just exquisite! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Kammy Wielenga says
June 10, 2011 at 2:51 amWow, you totally rock. Can’t believe the stuff you do by yourself!!! I neeeed to get more handy cuz I’m always begging and pleading for my hubby to help me out or put my ideas in to action and he’s usually less than thrilled… LOVE EVERY BIT OF YOUR PORCH!!!!
Lana says
June 10, 2011 at 12:46 pmOoooh Gina ~ it’s just wonderful!
You’re an awesome DIMer! 🙂
Erin says
June 30, 2011 at 3:09 pmThis is so super duper cute!!! Love that you did it all by yourself! And I LOVE the pop of red!
Helene says
February 21, 2017 at 2:42 pmFabulous makeover…. Just TOOOOOO pretty!!!! Gooooo you!!!!!!
Gina Luker says
February 21, 2017 at 4:22 pmAwww, thanks so much Helene!!! You are too sweet 🙂