Outside Press

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

Sources & Paint ColorsNeed design help? Let's work together.

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  • Denise
    April 25, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    Love the painted rug and splashes of pink with the chairs and table. The divider is so original and totally you. Can’t wait to see a picture of your baby girl on that pretty porch!

  • robin
    April 25, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    wow, girl!! you definitely have my vote! i love sherry & john’s makeover too, but yours is definitely more my style :) wish i could pay you to do this to my patio at my apartment in atlanta…but you’ll have more important things to look after in just a couple of days (or sooner!) i showed my boyfriend and he likes it too! i only comment every once in awhile, but i really love your site and i follow your blog religiously. keep up the good work!

    <3 robin

    p.s.-when can we see a full “after” of the nursery? i’m dying to see how wonderful it turned out! (forgive me if i’m totally obtuse, i hope i didn’t miss it…)

  • lisa
    April 25, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Gorgeous!

  • daily decorator
    April 25, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    It’s in the bag!!! You have my vote.

    You really go the extra mile to personalize your design!

    Tracy

  • Michele
    April 25, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    Of course, your work turned out beautifully!

  • Jennae @ Green Your Decor
    April 25, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    Seriously, this is breathtaking! And to think you did all of this while VERY pregnant…you guys have an amazing sense of style. I’m seriously ready to go out and buy a plain outdoor rug and try to hand paint it because of you. I like Sherry & John’s makeover, but I think yours has a bit more personality. Definitely getting my vote :)

  • Viv
    April 25, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    Nicole! Well done to both you and Brendon! This looks amazing. I’m so inspired to work a little more on my front balcony.

    Congratulations. The pink and green accents look so sweet together.

    Viv xxxx

  • Viv
    April 25, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    PS: I blogged about your lovely makeover! :)

  • LeAnn
    April 25, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    Oh my gosh…..absolutely adorable, you get my vote.

  • Kylie @ All Things Lovely
    April 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    You’ve completely inspired me to paint my outdoor setting! This is really beautiful, I adore the combination of pink and green, so pretty and fresh.

    Thinking of you for the next few days!

  • Tommy
    April 25, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    DAY-UM Girl! You and Brandon are gangsta because this is incredibly cool. Hurry up with the instructions for that divider because I am totally stealing that idea and pretending it was mine!

  • patricia
    April 26, 2009 at 5:25 am

    I wonder after all that – if you went into labor?
    Well your porch is full of grace!
    pve

  • Megan
    April 26, 2009 at 8:48 am

    This is so beautiful! Love the painted rug. What a transformation.

  • dawn
    April 26, 2009 at 10:14 am

    ah! this is just too cool. the pink makes it all the better!

  • Adi
    April 26, 2009 at 10:54 am

    G O R G E O U S! I love the painted rug, the divider, the colors…everything!
    You are so talented- i will vote for you big time!

  • Jeanee
    April 26, 2009 at 11:02 am

    You’re my hero!

    It’s amazing how PG you are and you got this beautiful porch done. You inspire me to get off my butt!

    I wish you and your family the best!

  • Terrah
    April 26, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Wow, you work wonders! It is absolutely stunning and I am SO voting for you. :) Can’t wait to see pictures of what kind of beautiful CHILD you two create. ;)

  • Erin
    April 26, 2009 at 9:13 pm

    This looks so, so fantastic. I also love your styling, right down to the tablescape! I was going to ask the same question as a commenter above about the spray paint. (I’m about to spray paint the base of a side table that’s similar in material to your patio furniture.) I am wondering, though, did you also use “primer” spray paint first? I’ve seen that around but not sure how necessary it is. Thanks!

  • allison
    April 26, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    Wow, you did a great job…everyone else did a good job, but man, yours stands out! You are so talented! Want to come design my patio??? :)

  • tonia conger
    April 26, 2009 at 11:03 pm

    So cute. I’d love to step on someone’s front porch and catch this vision. Well done. I have such a big front porch, I wish you were my neighbor so I could get ideas from you!!

  • Down Comforter
    April 26, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    Really beautiful space! I LOVE the rug :)

  • Making it Lovely
    April 27, 2009 at 12:08 am

    Erin, yes we used spray primer first. The Rust-Oleum paint indicated that primer should be used for bare metal.

  • Renee
    April 27, 2009 at 8:21 am

    I wanted to let you know that I am going to “borrow” your ideas to help me with my little screened in porch. Thank you so much. “Pink is the way to think.”

  • Sarah
    April 27, 2009 at 12:09 pm

    This is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on a beautiful project!

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  • Melanie Anne
    April 27, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    Wow–I love your porch!! The handpainted rug is amazing! I am new to your blog and just love it! It is LOVELY!! Good luck tomorrow with the new baby! How exciting!

  • Shanen Weaver
    April 28, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    I had no idea you could paint a rug!? I’d love to try that sometime!

  • JENNIFER RAMOS
    April 29, 2009 at 2:56 am

    Hi Nicole, great job….! They also asked me to participate in one of the contests..but I know nothing about gardening etc.

    Good luck..your so AWESOME…I am doing my patio as we speak,thanks for the inspiration.

    Jen Ramos
    ‘Cards & Prints You’ll Love…’
    http://www.madebygirl.com
    madebygirl.blogspot.com

  • Nancy Barker
    April 29, 2009 at 8:31 am

    This turned out just beautiful and I’m so impressed you took on this project so late in your pregnancy. It probably helped to keep your mind off of the pending birth, though. Those are my absolute favorite colors – it’s SO creative.

  • zoe
    April 29, 2009 at 10:40 am

    wow! the painted rug came out perfect! Love everything!

  • Kari
    April 30, 2009 at 12:52 am

    This is beautiful! I love the pink and green combination. It looks so springy and relaxing, and the hanging divider is wonderfully creative. I love that it separates and defines the space without blocking the seating areas from one another.

  • Sarah
    April 30, 2009 at 9:33 am

    The pink chairs and table are absolute heaven! I want to sit out there for an al fresco breakfast, move on to the loveseat for reading, and never, never leave!

  • andmarie
    April 30, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    Love it, especially the rug!

  • Kelly
    April 30, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Wow – I am so inspired to do something to our deck. It always felt like it would take so much money and so much work. But if you could do it with $500 and 48-hours (and 9 months pregnant no less!), I have no excuse! You = inspiration!

  • D
    May 1, 2009 at 5:24 am

    My first time here and I loved how you’ve tranformed this place!

    You’re so creative, I hope you pass it on to your baby.

  • Mollie Neff
    May 4, 2009 at 7:49 am

    o m g. This is amazing. I’m going to vote right now. And this may sound goofy, but those hanging shades of green have inspired all kinds of ideas for my next scrapbook page~! :)

    ~Mollie Neff

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    May 8, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    This looks amazing! Fabulous design and execution. One of your competitors is in my little town of Spring Hill, TN. But really, all of you have already won, getting the cash to do the project with to begin with!

    Congrats on your sweet little girl! Happy Mother’s Day!

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    May 15, 2009 at 3:11 pm

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