Hello friends! Y’all know I’m all about the porches when the weather gets warm enough to get outside. However, I have to wait until at least later in May to pressure wash everything and style it for summer because the pollen here is relentless😭
I love to look back at photos of past years to see what I did, and in most cases, I recycle a look from another year, or I make a few new pillow covers from fabric I have on hand. I thought I’d share some inspiration from previous years as I think about what direction I might go this year. I’ll also give you a few of my tips for getting a fresh, new look using what you have.
I do love the red seat cushions with the black and white in this photo. That black/neutral combo is really the foundation for every look I’ve tried and made it possible for me to add a few splashes of color with vintage fabric I made into pillow covers. So my first tip would be to pick a neutral base for the foundation that you can add different colors and accessories to.
Another tip, and a great way to get a new look for free, is to switch the furniture around. I’ve done that on the porches many, many times over the years. I had my iron settee on the front porch for a while, and although it looked great, I found I didn’t really use it out here, so it’s back where it started on the back porch.
Here are those same throw pillows as before with the black floral fabric I bought years ago and covers I made from a vintage Indian sari. This is not a combo one would immediately think of trying, but together these prints just work really well together.
Another tip I have is to use the same wreath, but change the bows/ribbons seasonally. I literally cut or tear strips of fabric and make bows adding raffia or burlap ribbon. It really opens up so many options, and can change as often as I like.
Of course I love to use natural elements, and I made this wreath years ago with grapevine I found on the property.
The sign is also an antique from the property.
Here is the same black floral and black print again in a different combination with hot pink.
Again, such a different look by just changing the accent color with throw pillows and accessories.
Here is another version with pillow covers made from old flannel sheets. I’ve thought about pulling these out for this year because I also made covers for the iron settee. I love how it really looks so much more vintage with this soft pink shade.
Here is a glimpse of the back side of the porch with these same colors. I really do love this combo😉
For the last few years, I’ve had bright reds on all the porches. It’s a look I still love too🤷🏻♀️
Last summer, I tried a muted version of the reds after returning the settee to the back porch. In this case the black furniture, seat cushions and black floral are the neutral foundation that I build on with different colors.
Since I added the green shutters last year, I’m not sure which direction to go when I get everything cleaned.
Should I use the reds, muted reds or the soft pinks this year?
All the pillow covers are stored away, so I can easily switch them out once I decide what to do.
I’m just not sure. Which colors do y’all think I should use along with the green shutters this year?
In the end, anything will work because the best part of this porch is actually the view☺️☺️☺️
I’ll be joining Inspire Me Tuesday
Love your porches and your entire house. Reds are awesome but LOVE pink too!! Maybe a goldy yellow with pink with the black chairs and green shutters and ferns/flowers? Looking forward to seeing what you decided!! Have fun playing! Oh and cleaning too, what fun that is, right?!!
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Ooo I’m adding pink with some gold/yellow inside😉😉 Love that idea☺️☺️
Love your porch. Its absaloutley gorgeous. I think the pink would look so pretty with the green shutters. I know what you mean about the pollen ours is finally gone down here in Georgia. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day.
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Thank you so much! I’m definitely leaning toward pink when I can get it all pressure washed☺️
So pretty’
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Thank you!!
Wow. How inviting is that?! I especially love the evening scenes and how wonderful it must be to go out in the evening in all that beauty. : ) Thank you for sharing – as always, it’s motivating. Have a great upcoming week.
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Thank you so much☺️
Love you porch! Looks wonderful and inviting.
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Thank you so much☺️☺️
I love it all! Pink seems to be a popular choice these days and I love the softness it adds but honestly, I would sit on that porch with a glass of tea aaaaallllll day long no matter what colors you chose. It will be lovely and as you said, it’s the view that captures you. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos.
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I know, right! I feel like I’m about 7 years ahead of everything and find myself going back through the older photos for my own inspiration😊😊
I always enjoy your posts. Looking forward to what you decide!
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Thank you so much! I’m ready to get it cleaned and ready for sure☺️☺️
Since pink and green are my favorite colors, it’s a no-brainer for me!
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I’m definitely leaning that way and can’t wait for the pollen to go away so I can clean and style it☺️☺️
Hi, Anita! Your porch always looks so inviting. I especially love the red and black combination. I’ve been able to spend several evenings on my porch with a blanket at night, reading. We’ve had a few good rain storms too. I really enjoy porch sitting and listening to the rain! Enjoy and thanks for sharing, lots of inspiration always on your posts! Sally
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Thank you so much Sally! That sounds amazing – I love rain so much, and we are almost at drought level here. Definitely not the April we normally have. Dry and windy😢
What a lovely front porch, it’s so cozy and inviting! I still need to decorate my porch for the warmer weather, but I always get nervous about leaving the cushions and pillows on my outside furniture in the heat. Is there a way you keep your chairs clean and looking nice throughout the season? My cushions always get dirty and discolored. I have to get an upholstery cleaning at the end of the summer if I decide to leave them on the furniture. Do you have any tips?
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Thank you so much☺️☺️ I don’t really have issues with anything but the dust and dirt, and I use my blower to keep that off. I do have issues with any fabrics that are not underneath the porches, and the only thing I’ve found is to bring those under cover when not in use so they don’t fade or get mildew, etc.☺️☺️ I pressure wash those that have been out in the weather at the beginning of the season, and it helps☺️
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