5 Tips For A Welcoming Front Porch

 

1. Clean those windows. Eyeroll. I know, it’s obvious with the spring rains and the blowing Illinois wind and dirt. Starting with a clean slate is an excellent motivator to make something beautiful happen.

Pull out that power washer and watch your deck gleam. Scrubbing down doors and posts and patio furniture is the perfect invitation to stay awhile.

 

2. Plants! Plants! Plants! Of course, coming from this plant-lady, you can expect no less! The right plants make all the difference. Be sure to check the care tags and place them in the sun or shade accordingly.

Also, helping your local greenhouse is always a small business win!

If you are curious about this cute sign, I snagged it at Passion Into Mission, a new boutique in Arthur, IL.

3. Comfy Seating. Nothing says stay awhile like a comfortable spot to lay out in the sun and catch some raze. If you prefer the shade, sit and sip sweet tea or curl up with a great novel.

Here is a behind the scenes look at my Mother, and I’s repurposed swing project. We used antique interior doors scavenged from an old farmhouse as well as old decking boards from the previous deck on my home. The seat cushions and throw pillows come from Target. The chain, eyehooks, bolts, screws, and nuts all come from our local hardware store. I hope this inspires you to create!

 

4. Personal Touches. I love seeing my handmade flower planters and house shutters my grandfather made. He has since gone to Heaven, but I think about him every time I see his handiwork around my home. All the memories and traditions that are associated with it keep me company while I write this post from the comfort of my newly hung swing. The memories my Mother and I have slaving over the swing. It’s the three trips to town for the correct hardware, the plants inherited from my grandmother who has also gone to Heaven, and the flagstone set in place in memory of my uncle Merv who went to be with Jesus over five years ago. It’s all these special memories tied to these items that breath life into my Front Porch and make it a place I can get back in touch with nature and breath deeply again.

 

5. A Clearly Marked House number. Google isn’t always super reliable, so labeling your home with a house number can help friends navigate a little easier. Now, I’ve never pretended to have everything together, and this is no exception. I don’t have beautiful metal house numbers to show you because I don’t own any. Nobody is perfect, remember! I need to take my advice and invest in some, but I haven’t found the ideal thing, and until I do, I will go without, and drop a pin for those friends!

Also, I have never heard of anyone turning away fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies — especially these delicious things from Joanna Gaine’s Cookbook Magnolia Table.

 

I am overwhelmed with the love you all have given me about this little blog. I’m raising my sweet tea in a toast to you.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading and following along with what’s happening over here!

I hope this finds you well friend, and I hope this inspires you to sit on your own front porch, take a deep breath and not allow the world to spin quite so fast.

Until next month!

XOXO,

Klassic Photography