Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Farmhouse Style Front Porch with Pops of Red

Remember my mom and step-dad's house that I shared a few months back?  They've been slowly adding their personal style to the place through careful shopping and as many DIY projects as they can to save money on furnishings.  They like to curate their home by picking up furniture projects, sewing custom draperies, and finding bargains that they can make over.  While many rooms are partially done, there are still many things that they are on the look-out for and some weekend projects still to go.

As they finish up some rooms, I'll be sure to share them here on the blog because they have great taste and are always coming up with great, budget-friendly home ideas!  Since the home is new construction, they've been adding new plantings as much as they can to help add some variety to the flower beds.  It takes a while to get that look of mature landscaping, but it will come around...
My mom's favorite color has always been red and when they were designing the exterior of the house, she had her heart set on a gray house with a red door and black shutters and that's what she got!  Working with a craftsman-style house plan, they tried to inject as much farmhouse style that they could as well.
One of my favorite things about their house is the exterior porch lights that they selected!  She scoured the Internet for some reasonably-priced fluted radial lights in red (see sources below), which really make the space and add the touch of farmhouse...
You may see this style of light in a future house of mine...
Of course, my mom accessorized the porch with lots of red, potted flowers, and vintage accessories.  From a $10 DIY checkers game table, $30 Home Goods rug, $15 yard sale chairs that were sprayed red, to Jon's (my step-dad) handmade birdhouses, I think they've done a beautiful job making a welcoming front porch without spending a lot!
A vintage iron plant stand holds vintage garden accessories and some of Jon's creations and my mom frequently sews her own pillows, including the red-flowered outdoor cushion.
What porch would be complete without pots of beautiful flowers?  My mom and I both have these iron "peanut basket" planters that we've potted up year after year.  While mine hold ferns on my screened porch, she filled hers with some bright red geraniums and trailing plants that will fill out as they grow.  Another of Jon's handmade birdhouses and potted plants galore...
Before they moved out to North Carolina, I picked up an old milk crate at the flea market that says "Gardner Dairy" for them since their last name is Gardner and my mom was a dairy farmer's wife for over twenty years before my dad passed away.  The border collie standing guard by the door is also special since they were the breed of herding dogs that we used on the farm...
As I mentioned above, they picked up a simple $10 table at the flea market, painted in black exterior paint, and added a painted checkerboard on the top for games of checkers with the grandkids...
My girls just love to go over and hang out at Grandma and Grandpa's house!  So far I think they've done a pretty good job at making their house into a comfortable and welcoming home...
I can't wait until they finish up some more projects to share...

Builder - Capital City (Raleigh, NC)
Subdivision - Portofino (Clayton, NC)
House Colors (all Sherwin Williams):
Red Door - Primary Red
Main House Body (Darker Gray) - Ellie Gray
Lighter Gray at top (between battens) - Tinsmith
Shutters - Tricorn Black
Lighting: Millennium Lighting through Lights Unlimited Inc.

Hope you enjoyed!

Kristen

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47 comments:

Nancy said...

I love their beautiful porch. Red is always good in my book. So many nice and personal touches.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

I am so happy to see your parents' home!...A former home of mine in Florida had the very same color scheme..gray walls, red door, and black shutters...I knew I just loved her taste in design!!!..the porch is gorgeous..so many beautiful vintage items that have been so lovingly displayed...love those peanut baskets..I need to do something with my "from the Lowes garden center to the porch" plants!!..Looking forward to seeing more of their amazing home and projects!

Andrea said...

It is looking absolutely gorgeous! I have the same 'peanut' baskets but in a rusted finish :)

Becca Bertotti said...

What a beautiful and welcoming front porch (and home) your parents have, Kristen. (I really enjoyed meeting your Mom at the SBC last summer.) The splashes of red are so pretty bouncing off of the gray and black! I'd sit out here all of the time!

Kirby Carespodi said...

Love it! What great memories for your children!

Cassie Bustamante said...

oh i love it!!!! so happy and american! love those light fixtures!

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Wow, I love the porch - it looks terrific. I love the colors they picked which red is my favorite. Can hardly wait to see the rest.
I have the same dog stand. My love of dogs are the Border Collies and I have one - Waldo and he is the love of my life - my garden buddy and he follows me everywhere I go.
Love your parents home.
Mary

Stacey said...

That might be the best porch ever! I love the touches of red. It's so neat that they enjoy collecting things as they go along. That gives it more personality.

Linda said...

Wow!! Love the red. It really makes a statement!
Their porch is so inviting can't wait to see the inside.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Wow, talk about curb appeal, Kristen! Such a pretty and welcoming exterior. I love the red and the stone on the house.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

What a cute porch and a pretty house! Love the pops of red. And those lights are awesome1

Blondie's Journal said...

Your mother and her husband have a fantastic eye for design and color, as well as gardening and accessorizing. I had to scroll through the pictures twice! And yes, that light fixture is awesome! I love the porch and I think the best thing about it is the wrought iron railings that go with the shutters and keep it open looking.

Can't wait to see some of the inside! Thanks, Kristen!

XO,
Jane

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I love the colors your mom used and those lights are fantastic!

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Their house looks great--same colors my Mom and Dad like :)

Unknown said...

Fab eye for design, I loved the color scheme used here.

Unknown said...

Stunning! I love crisp white with red and black.

Cari Byers said...

Fabulous! Homey and cheering yet so stylish and classic

Our Neck of the Woods said...

This is just so lovely! I really like the pops of red and the farmhouse style lights in the porch.

Visiting from Home Sweet Home :)

Alycia Nichols said...

This is so ME!!! I love it!!!!!!!! It has all the classic styling that I love so much! We recently had our Colonial-style home's colors changed from the original brown-on-brown tones to classic white with black shutters and a red door. (I've not yet posted it on my blog, but an upcoming tablescape will reveal the new color scheme.) Looking at this, however, I'm really considering a pale gray for the next go-round! It's a beautiful combination!

I love all the little details on and around the front porch. It has a SUPER welcoming look!!! I would be drawn to just come up and sit a spell...as a passerby!!! It's really terrific! We don't have a porch, but this would be my inspiration for decorating if we did! I love the extra little touches like the old milk crate (what a great back story!), the old radio, and the border collie. That game table is outta sight!!!!!!!! For just $10 and the cost of paint!

Good luck to your Mom & stepdad as they continue to work on filling out their new home! It's looking A-1 so far!!!

Miss Charming said...

Your Mom has great style! Love the homey feel of the porch with the fun pops of red.

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Top to bottom gorgeous! Every detail is so sweet.
Liz

Our Pinteresting Family said...

What a beautiful home, and that porch is just perfect. I love all the touches your mom has done, and the lighting has to be my favorite part.

Patty Rumaker said...

What a beautiful porch, so full or personality! I just found your blog through French Country Cottage and I am your newest follower. I would love you to stop by my blog at http://homeandlifestyledesign.blogspot.com
Thanks, Patty

Michele Smith said...

Beautiful!! I love all of the red, especially the door and those lights are AWESOME!!!

Suzy said...

Kristen - Your mom's porch is simply stunning! I love every single thing that she's done. It's easy to see where you get your talent from!

The Charm of Home said...

Just beautiful! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home.
Sherry

lynn cockrell said...

What a cheerful and lovely home your parents have!

Art and Sand said...

I am exhausted after a 13 hour day at school and would love to be sitting on that porch right now.

Unknown said...

Just adorable. Love the lights.Inspired me toadd more red on my porch. Cant wait for the tour inside! :)

One Shabby Old House said...

That is such a fabulous home I can see them coming home happy all of the time. The red is so cheery. They have done a wonderful job.

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I love the touches of read all over and especially those gorgeous lights. Does your mother keep changing the flowers hanging on the front door? I love the look of the mason jar hanging there.

Unknown said...

What an adorable house! I love her front door. Can you find out the brand and color name of the red they used? I've wanted to paint my back door red but have not found the right color. Their house is charming and they are doing a great job with it.

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Your mom's front porch is gorgeous and I love the pops of red too!!!

Anonymous said...

Your front porch is beautiful!

Ann @ Corner of Plaid and Paisley said...

I think I would be visiting my mom more often if we could sit out and enjoy a porch like that!! It may be one of the cutest porches I have seen. Great Job!

Sarah said...

Charming! Love the black and white with a pop of red.
Happy to find your blog. Do you know Many @ Breath of Fresh Air? She used to have a booth at SuzAnna's.
I'm now following. '-)

chateau chic said...

So much charm on the front porch! Love the lights and all the red accents. Don't blame your kids for wanting to hang out there.
Mary Alice

Kerry@homecrushblog.com said...

This porch is soo cute! Love the stone with the pops of red, and those light fixtures!! Sweet details too . . . my favorite is the scrabble tile welcome!

the cape on the corner said...

oh my gosh, how gorgeous! I love the porch/exterior color scheme and that red door pops! what a space!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Your mom's home is just such a wonderful place. love that great front porch, and oh wow, the red is fabulous. I'm going to feature this post on Be Inspired tomorrow. thanks for sharing it Kristen!

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Such a wonderful inviting porch! :) Love all of the pops of color! :)

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Charming porch. I love pops of red, too. I think it may have something to do with being married to a firefighter (retired now) for 32 years.

Unknown said...

Your porch is so pretty! Here from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and now following :)

xo, Tanya
twelveOeight

Unknown said...

I love the front porch and all the red accents! It looks great.
Tammy @ The Colored Door

Jessica @ FourGenerationsOneRoof said...

So pretty! Just saw this over at HomeStoriesAtoZ. THe red is fabulous . Pinned to the Better Homes and Garden blogger home projects board :)

Unknown said...

I love your mom's front porch, it's gorgeous! I actually just included it in my summer porch roundup :)

http://upcycledtreasures.com/2013/08/15-inspiring-summer-porches-a-giveaway/

Katie @ Upcycled Treasures

Ran Ragged by Boys said...

Love the front door!! We are currently building our home and are curious if you know what brand the door is? We are having a hard time finding that door style. If you could help it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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