Back Porch Livin'

I just finished up a screened porch I've been working on since the spring.  Not that we were doing anything extraordinarily custom that would require this long, it just took my clients a lot of time to make decisions and commit to ordering.  In their defense, they warned me up front this would be the case, so I'm not complaining.  I'm so happy with the finished result I wanted to share the project details with you.

The clients had an existing dining table they wanted to use and great light fixtures already installed.  I put together a floor plan to give them a place to eat, as well as a conversation area.  Their porch is very narrow, but I was able to fit in everything they wanted.  I found three furniture collections that worked well in the space and with their existing dining table.

They selected the second grouping and then we were set to finish off the rest of the room.  We ended up changing the dining chair cushions to red ones which gave some much needed accent color in an otherwise all blue space.  I then found some great accent pillows for the sofa.

We decided not do a rug as it defined the seating area too much and closed it in.  Instead, we added curtains around to really help soften it up and give it a feeling of a real room.  The clients are using this space more often than ever before, even in the heat of Tallahassee!  Here are few final photos I took after the draperies were installed.  

If you are ready to create an outdoor space of your own, give me a call!

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer
  

Patio Dream

My back patio is a hole, literally.  It's just a concrete pad, surrounded by my house on three sides.  It's nice because you have privacy from your neighbors, but it gets very little light and all the leaves/dirt collect in the corners.  We never use it, but our life has changed with our new pup and I would really like to spend more time in our backyard this summer.  So, I've decided to put the patio on the top of my decorating list.  I promise to write about my journey and share my fabulous finds, as this space will definitely have to be done on a TIGHT budget!

This is my how my poor patio looks now - bad right?!

My list is pretty simple, but the one thing I know I want is a place to recline.  I may keep those two iron chairs if I can find the right cushions.  We don't have room for a sofa, so I'm thinking of some sort of daybed or chaise. 

This is what I would love to have!

This is what I have in my budget...

Here are some of my inspiration photos that I'll carry around on my phone as I begin my quest.  I would really like to find at least one piece of wicker with tons of colorful pillows.

I'm going to start by looking at Craigslist and my local thrift shop to see if I can find something that just needs some TLC.  Fingers crossed!

Thanks for Reading,
Jennifer