Monday, April 25, 2011

Front Porch Perk Up

One of my favorite things is decorating on a budget.  Well I shouldn't say it's my favorite... cause if I had an unlimited budget I could decorate the heck out of this place and it would be awesome!  But I guess the fun part is the challenge.... to create a truly unique space without spending a fortune, or using what you already have.

I came across a really good motto this morning on another blog.... It said, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without".  I think those are some great words to live by right now!  So while I was trying to figure out how to finish up my front porch makeover, I took those words into consideration.

I've been jonsing to go shopping for quite some time now.  But with the hubs out of work (and I still haven't found a job yet), the budget just doesn't allow for it right now.  So I decided to just use what I have (even though I don't LOVE everything) and make do with it.

Here are the beginning stages of my porch.





This picture was from my Rustic Star makeover, at which time I decided that something needed to be done to the whiskey barrel. 

I also have this OLD bench that I stained a few years back... but its looking sad and outdated again.  I kind of got ahead of myself with the stain... you can see the very corner where I already started.  :)







And this very lonely corner... it needs a little perking up.

So I pulled out a bunch of stuff I had in my storage area.  Storage area meaning my little patio room crammed full of crap! 

Anyway, I stained the whiskey barrel and bench a dark brown, and then put up a few things from "storage".... and this is what I came up with.





I decided that the star just didn't really belong here after all... I think I'll use it out back somewhere.














 

















So here's a confession... all of the plants are fake except for the ones in the whiskey barrel.  I know, I know.... it's definitely not like the real thing.... but the weather is still cold here (with the dreaded 4 letter S word in the forecast) and this way I don't have to remember to water them :)

I think the only thing missing is a little side table to set my cocktail on!  So I'll start rummaging through all my other crap and see what I come up with. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Click here to link back to one of the many great parties I join each week.

26 comments:

  1. It looks great Jennifer. I love your old whiskey barrell. I would have never guessed the plants were fake. The four letter s word-yuck!

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  2. Well done! It looks a totally different porch! I love that barn star though and hope he is happy in his new home. :)

    I agree that is a great motto you found. I love bringing new life to old things.

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  3. It's so pretty! I really need to pay some attention to my porch...it's still sporting the dead mums that I planted last fall. (sigh)

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  4. looks so good! what a lovely porch. thanks for sharing this at my party!

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  5. Nice work. It takes imagination, and you've got it! I applaud you for not being a "plant snob," and just going with the plastic stuff for now. Your porch looks great

    I think you take good photos, too. Thanks for sharing. I found you at Blue Cricket.

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  6. hey girlfriend! Your porch looks amazing!
    I would LOVE to have you link up to my Whassup Wednesday Par-Tay! And I have a party button you can grab and put on your blog so your friends can come too:)



    If you are NOT already a Follower of Elements Interiors....HELLEEERRRR!

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    xoxokara

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  7. Looks Amazing!!!

    Douglas
    Show-Me-How http://itsablogparty.com/show-me-how/

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  8. Love it! Now can you come over and do mine? It's a mess...

    Jeanna @ dramaqueenseams.blogspot.com

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  9. You did an amazing job with creating the new look! LOVE it!

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  10. Love your rustic porch..you did a great job! Thanks for joining my newbie party.

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  11. Visiting from Debbie's. Your porch looks great - and the fake plants really don't look it - I think it's only when fakes are overly bright or obviously faded and years old that they look bad.

    Definitely look out for that cocktail table though!

    Lakota x

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  12. Looks great! I love the whiskey barrels and the stain on this one looks fresh & pretty. I would never guess the plants are fake.

    Stop by when you can....I have a giveaway going right now!

    Pat

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  13. Love the way it looks! Great job!

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  14. Hi! I saw your post over at Debbie's Newbie Party. I use "faux botanicals" too sometimes and I could not even tell that yours were. I am amazed at how restaining the barrel and the bench freshened them up so much. Love the motto you shared in your post too.

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  15. Hope you get time to visit my post today about the Garden Gate. I think you will see that we like some of the same ideas for outdoor decor.
    I'm now following you. Hope you do the same.
    Helen

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  16. You did a great job! Your porch looks amazing. I have a confession too.....I'm using fake plants on my porch makeover as well.

    Have a wonderful day,
    Gail

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  17. Your porch looks great and so welcoming. I especially love that 3 tiered plant stand.

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  18. that looks so good! i love that tiered plant stand and you'd never know they're all fakes. where can i get some real looking fakes?!

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  19. Very nice put together. I love all the iron things, especially the one in the corner. Nice job. Found you on Debbie's and am a new follower.

    Laurie

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  20. Your porch looks pretty and like a place I would like to sit and visit for a while ;-)

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  21. Shouldn't told us about the fake plants. We would have never known. LOL!
    I love what you did with the porch. I sure would like to get into your crap room if this is what you found. We should all do some rummaging at home. I am a new follower. Ginger :)

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  22. Jennifer - Your addded touches look perfect and ready for summer! I relly like the hanging planter on the wall - that is really cool. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase - I greatly appreciate it. I have featured this {sunday}. Hope you are enjoying your week ~ Stephanie Lynn
    www.bystephanielynn.com

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