Saturday, October 8, 2011

At Last...The Front Porch

I'm baaack! Did you give up on me? I have to tell you that moving into, unpacking and decorating a house with three children (and one is a baby) is no cakewalk. But we did it and I'm ready to share! I hope my friends/family who have been waiting to see will be inspired to come visit. Hint, hint!

*If you are visiting from the Fall Outdoor Spaces linky party and want to skip ahead to the porch, please feel free to scroll down.

A brief synopsis for newcomers, we purchased a two-flat in August 2010 with plans to rehab over time back into a single family home. The original house, located in a small Midwestern town, was built in 1904 and was converted into apartments in the late 1930's. We ended up redoing the entire house all at once and moved in around Memorial Day. Our main goal was to return the house closely to the original. We had an old photograph to use as a reference.

So here she is around 1904:
And here's what we started with:
And finally:

We are thrilled with the results! We are so happy and feel like this house is finally "home."

I was so excited to get my porch to decorate for the holidays! I've filed tons of inspiration photos and the minute I saw the Pottery Barn porch with grapevine pumpkins and crows, I knew I wanted to recreate it. (Forgive me for not showing you the PB porch. It's all over blogland so you've probably seen it. My file uploader isn't cooperating.) I already had the leaf and berry garland, crows, urns and lanterns. I just had to add the grapevine pumpkins and real pumpkins. I used the grapevine pumpkins from Target. They are close to the PB versions and are much less. I also got them on sale, always a bonus!

Here's my version:

Closer view:

On the left side of the porch we have a conversation area. Of course, being the good Southerners we are, we had to paint the ceiling blue! Our builder looked at me like I had two heads when I told him we wanted a blue porch ceiling. I guess it's not that common in the Midwest.

On the right side, we have the swing. It's everyone's favorite! I could sit out here all day. Unfortunately I can't, but if I could, I would!

Thanks for visiting! I hope to return with interior photos soon!

Thanks to Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for hosting the Fall Outdoor Spaces Party (which I'm late to but better late than never!) and to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Met Monday! Also linking up to 3 Mango Seeds Motivational Monday Party...Thanks, Clydia!

24 comments:

  1. You have done such an incredible job. The house looks so beautiful. My family is so excited to see these renovations. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. It looks amazing! Can't wait to see the interior afters!

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  3. OMG! It is amazing! I just love it. We have my grandparents house and it is 1800's house. I just love my porch and would love to enlarge it at some point. Thanks for sharing such a treasure. 8^)

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  4. Wow the conversion back to the original look of the house is wonderful. And you pb inspired porch in beautiful.

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  5. This looks GREAT! I love the crows on the porch mixed with pumpkins and flowers. Looks like a storybook house!

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  6. Congrats on the amazing job on your home. What a great house to raise children in - look forward to seeing more of the inside. Love your porch too.

    Dropping by from BNOTP.

    Allison
    Atticmag
    Hidden Laundry

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  7. Just love your new porch! Your whole house looks amazing. I'm a huge fan of historic houses. I would love to live in one after fixing it up (if I could just be patient enough with all the work involved). Looks like you've really brought your original house design back to life! Your Fall decorations look lovely too.

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  8. Gorgeous...it looks restored to its original glory! I'm sure you are excited about having your first holidays here. Can't wait to see the inside if you are inviting us in!!!

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  9. The outside of your home is stunning!!
    You did a wonderful job on bringing it back to it's original grandeur!
    I love older homes even though I have never lived in one.
    And your porch decorations look so warm and inviting!
    Congrats on you rnew home!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  10. In love with the house architecture and the porch!!! I love a good fall holiday porch but haven't had time to do it myself, so I'm just admiring others. Thanks for sharing at Metamorphosis Mondays!

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  11. Gorgeous home - and yes, very Pottery Barn! I love the big porch,
    -Shelley

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  12. Oh. My. Goodness. Your house is amazing, its just beautiful. I lve old homes and have always wanted a Victorian with a huge porch. Your fall decor looks great too. Thanks so much for visiting. New follower!

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  13. Wow so beautiful!
    I saw your old home on HGTV the other day...
    you and your hubby are just wonderful!
    Can't wait to see more inside, but i can wait... I know what it's like to do 1000 DYI and decorating project at once.
    Dee Dee

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  14. Simply Gorgeous! I love you new home, your porch and the way you have it decorated for Fall.

    Would love it if you linked up over at my place!

    http://threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/2011/10/link-up-motivational-monday-link-party.html

    xoxo,
    Clydia
    threemangoseeds.blogspot.com

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  15. Your home is beautiful, you've done a great job transforming it. Love what you did to your front porch. It is so welcoming and warm :)

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  16. Hi Erin! i just saw your post on Three Mango Seeds. Love your house!! Great transformation!! I can't wait to read your future posts! I am your newest follower. I hope you will follow back!! Blessings to you!!

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  17. It looks fantastic! You guys must be exhausted, but happy!!

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing your photos. The house is georgous and I am so happy to be able to see it when I pass by for holidays with my family.

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  19. Oh my goodness your porch looks amazing!! It is so pretty and you have decorated it beautifully!

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  20. thanks for sharing these nice pictures of your beautiful home with us, Erin! It really looks like a storybook house! I really love these fairytale homes! Two years ago, I visited the Witch's House from Beverly Hills, California. It's an adorable storybook house! Moreover, it's a private residence and its owner michaellibow lives there. I warmly recommend it! can't wait to read your future posts, Erin! Cheers!

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  21. Wow...beautiful. Great job on your kitchen.

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  22. Wow...beautiful. Great job on your kitchen.

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  23. My dream in life is to have a porch swing! I love what you did with the place

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  24. Really fantastic job restoring the front porch! So sad to see them removed or enclosed. These old houses really need that transition from the outside to the inside. It just far too jarring without the glorious front porch!

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