Beach Inspired Porch

Written by: Cathy Carroll for Vintage, Paint and more...

I am a bit slow about putting up this post on our summer porch - but, it has been raining and was really quite difficult to get any kind of pictures taken.  We had a couple of bad storms that actually caused a small water leak in our roof that is having to be repaired today - hopefully, before the predicted storms take place.  But, enough with that - let's get on to the subject at hand.  Our summer porch....

This year I decided against doing our usual red, white and blue decor  and went with a coastal beach sort of feel.  I love the colors of the ocean and beach - so, we have blue, white and sand for our summer porch.  Basically, we have blue, white and sand for our whole house - but, that makes everything interchangeable and I can move it around from room to room as I get a whim.  And if you talk to Papa he will tell you that I get a whim every other day.  What can I say?  I like change....

Anyway, on with the porch.  Everything I used in  this space I already had or made.  So, basically it was a no cost change for us.  I love it's coastal, beach feel and how it reflects the area we live in.

I started with this Beach Life sign I made from shims left over from the shell art I made for the mantel.  I have a tutorial on making shim signs that is quite simple.  This one I stenciled the words and some little foot prints then dry brushed some white over the entire thing to give it a faded, worn look.  Then I hot glued a star fish on it.  Some twine is used to hang it from our chalkboard that lives on the porch wall all year.   Papa loves this sign - and that's saying something because he rarely comments much on any decor here.

Next I stood an old boat oar I bought at a garage sale last year for $5.  I thought that was a great deal because I had been looking for one quite some time and couldn't find one.  I painted it with some leftover blue paint I had and then taped off the areas for the white and black stripes.  Then I stenciled a "3" on the end of it.  

I also wrapped a portion of the handle with the jute twine I have been enamored with lately.

What beach porch is complete without a little nautical banner of some sort blowing in the sea breezes? Ours is made  from my favorite drop cloth fabric and a piece of leftover blue chevron stripe fabric.  After stenciling little sailboats and stars on the drop cloth fabric I hand sewed the flags onto a piece of the jute twine.  Then it was strung around the wall of the porch to add that little extra bit of nautical flair.

The bench in front got the palm that had been wintering in the house and a few large shells that I have had for several years.  The abalone shell was my mother's and I can remember it sitting on a table in our house when I was in grade school (hmmm, that would be a lot of year's ago). The inside of it is iridescent and sparkles in the sunlight.  It's one of my favorite things I have.

For our summer wreath I reused a grapevine wreath that I had and wrapped it with some raffia.  I left some of the ends sticking out to get that beach grass feeling and then added a few shells.

The porch is really quite fun and brings a little of the beach to our house.  I love it but, then I love all things beach and ocean and shells and .....

Do you change your porch decor with the seasons?  Do you go with red, white and blue for the summer or do you use other colors and themes?  Tell us about it in the comments below as I love to hear from each and everyone of you.  I answer all your comments by email.

So, until next time get out there and create something you love,

I will be linking up to the parties listed on the "I Party At" page this week.  Please go and visit them -I am  you will find so much inspiration there.  I always do.