Making it Lovely

Category: Outside

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Four

    It wasn’t easy, but we’ve finished the front porch for the Better Homes & Gardens 48-Hour Challenge! The whole project was completed for $500, using materials exclusively from The Home Depot.

    Front Porch

    Painting the porch rug freehand while very pregnant was a little harder than I expected, but I’m beyond thrilled with the way it turned out! That and the hanging divider that we made really personalize the front porch.

    Front Porch

    Brandon spray painted the table and chair set that we bought pink. The set was nice enough on its own (it was a dark brown/gray color), but you know I just had to bring some pink in somewhere. And again, it helped to personalize the design a bit more.

    Front Porch

    Such a cheery spot for lunch…

    Front Porch

    The extra two chairs from the set are over by the front door. And I love that lilac between them, but I’m planning to put it in the side garden at some point because it’s supposed to grow to 10′ tall.

    Front Porch

    So there you have it — the finished front porch! At times I wondered how we would get it done, especially as the baby’s due date came and went, but we did it. Soon you’ll be able to vote for your favorite project (and I can only hope that it’s ours!). In the meantime, be sure to check out everyone’s finished projects and read more about our experience working on the front porch at BHG.com.

    Front Porch

  • What Type of Evergreen is This?

    What type of evergreen is this?

    Anyone know? It’s about 3′ tall and I really like the shape of it, but I don’t know if it grows that way naturally or if it was pruned.

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Three

    In my third post for Better Homes & Gardens’ 48-Hour Challenge, I talk about how my plans for the front porch quickly changed when we went to buy our furniture.

    When I first started planning our project, I had chosen two wicker chairs, a metal table, and a wooden glider. I had even created a digital mood board to see how everything would look together! Then we saw a great deal on a table and chair set that I hadn’t seen online, and suddenly the look went in a whole new direction.

    48-Hour-Challenge Plans

    You can read more about the shopping trip and the last-minute switcheroos over at BHG.com…

  • White Elephant

    This is why stopping at garage sales can be dangerous.

    White Elephant

    I’ve been looking for a ceramic garden stool to go next to my egg chair as a little side table, but I haven’t had much luck finding a good inexpensive one. Now I have a bizarre little elephant to set my drinks on instead.

    Murray’s a little creeped out by it.

    Murray and the White Elephant

  • Painting the Porch Rug

    Here’s how I spent my Saturday afternoon…

    Painted Rug in Progress

    There’s me, the round little roly-poly VERY pregnant lady, painting the porch. Aye, my back hurts! And please note that the Chicago weather is NOT cooperating with us. I’m wearing a shirt, a hoodie, and a big bulky sweater — it was only 45 degrees out.

    To be fair, I must let you know that Brandon, his sister Jessica, and several other people have offered to help me paint. It had to be me though because I was painting the pattern freehand. I couldn’t just pick stripes or a checkerboard pattern that someone else could work on for me, now could I? No, that would have been too easy, and of course I’m all about making things difficult as can be. ;) The pattern was inspired by a rug from Urban Outfitters, and also the flower petal patterns my grandmother used to draw.

    Painted Rug in Progress

    Brandon made some excellent progress today as well. Our table and chair set has been painted!

    Spray Painting Furniture

    We still have a few things to do for the front porch, but they should go fairly quickly. And as I told my mom, we still have time because the baby isn’t due until Tuesday and I’ve instructed her to stay put until then. We have too much to do before she arrives, and our doctor will be out of town until Monday night. I’m sure the baby will listen, right?

  • Up for the Challenge: Part Two

    My second post for the 48-Hour Challenge is up! This week I described the planning process and talked a bit about what we’re going to do on the front porch.

    Gathering Ideas for the Front Porch

    Check it out!