After nine years of enjoying our porch, I’ve been working on a few updates this spring and summer! To refresh your memory, or if you’ve just recently joined us, we originally had a deck in this space.
We used most of the original footings, moved the stairs, and ended up with this space – our new favorite in the whole house! We completed construction on the porch in 2012 and added the pool in 2020. From the courtyard and pool area, the porch is the main entry into the house.
I’ve had these planters and lanterns since 2012 – buy what you love and you’ll have it forever!
Our goals for the porch were to have ample dining space, a sitting area with room for games, music, a fireplace for the winter, a fan for the summer and a buffet table for serving and storage. None of that has changed and it is a space we have used year round for the past nine years! Here is a look from the house.
In all of the years since we finished this space, I have updated it once about 4 years ago. At that time I added new fabrics for the curtains (now fashioned into a skirted table in the cabana) and pillows, a new painting over the mantle and two new arm chairs at the dining table.
French doors from the kitchen open up on to the sitting area. It would have made a little more sense to have the dining area off of the kitchen, but the placement of the fireplace was important to me for privacy reasons.
Our contractor built the fireplace as an exact replica of our den fireplace – right down to the antique bricks – and I ADORE it! The oyster painting is by my Mother and the plates are from Anthropologie.
The sofa and chairs are an outdoor set and were from Target. The throw pillows change out often, based on season or other shuffling of stuff inside. You can see in the upper left that we had sound wired in back in the day. That was before wireless speakers were so prevalent. We use music out here all the time, especially since I held strong on no TV. :-)
Elsa Belle can be found in the spot for hours on end, day after day!
The coffee table was meant for indoors but was very inexpensive at the Ballard Outlet. Since it isn’t exposed to the elements, it has held up wonderfully.
The coffee table decor was all from Home Goods. I usually keep fresh flowers or a candle out here too.
The mapped out coffee table was a DIY project that I still love. Underneath are jars of games easy to play here. The jars were from Target and I added chalkboard labels with leftover chalkboard vinyl from this kitchen project. I can’t tell you how often these games get used since they are so accessible!
The fan is Harbor Breeze from Lowes and has the coastal look I love.
The other side of the porch serves as the dining area. I fell in love with the Avignon table on clearance at World Market because I could envision a whole gaggle of kids crammed on its benches. It was not meant for outdoors, but has held up fine since it is covered.
The arm chairs and side chairs are by Grandin Road and were added a few years ago for additional seating. The rugs out here were from Ballard Designs and match the rugs I use inside.
The oyster shell lantern was one of my best DIY projects ever!!
I tend to swap out decor on the dining table often, depending on if I am using fresh flowers or not. These candle lanterns were from a local boutique.
The rainbow trout fish painting on reclaimed wood is a gorgeous piece by Angie Reuter, and is hung with dock cleats and nautical rope.
The last little part of the porch is the buffet table.
The DIY skirted table has smartly served as both a buffet for entertaining and for general storage underneath. These lanterns are from Kirklands. The seeded glass wall lanterns are from Ballard Designs and match the lanterns on the front porch, in a smaller version.
The side chairs match the arm chairs at the table. These are used a lot and were a great addition. We pull them up to the table to seat 10, or over near the sofa area to add two more there. I have also used them in the courtyard to seat 8 at that table. They are heavy, but well made, cute and versitile!
Like the other tables, I swap out decor on the buffet. I use a mercury glass shell (it has twinkle lights inside) and votive candles as an “everyday” look.
But it is also a functional entertaining piece! For very casual gatherings, I put out a pitcher of water and glasses. I’ve also served a full buffet meal from here, and used it as a hot chocolate s’mores bar. The decorative pieces quickly store on shelves underneath the skirt.
A vintage refrigerator basket from Habersham Antiques in Savannah holds wood for the fireplace.
Other sources:
- Paint – Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (walls and brick fireplace), Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments (ceiling), Benjamin Moore Beach Glass (doors) and Benjamin Moore White Dove (trim)
The porch was our first major house project and one that we still love SO very much! Thanks for popping by today!
The Delightful Home {Dixie Delights Home Tour}
My Five Favorite Porch & Patio Decorating Ideas
Dixie Delights
join me as I travel, decorate, create & celebrate
Instagram | Pinterest
Dixie Travels
perfectly planned trips & our travel adventures
Book Now | Learn More
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
AS SEEN IN:
DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED
