Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Part-Time Perfectionist
This is my after of my front porch re-do. Melissa at The Inspired Room is hosting a Project Procrastinators Party. So we have had two weeks to complete the painting project that we had been procrastinating on. I chose my two outdoor benches. And along with painting this bench on my front porch, I decided since my front porch was insanely ugly, I should try to give it some help.


So - freshly painted bench, new pots with LIVE plants in them, and a new door mat.

I am a perfectionist about some things. It irks me when people do a sloppy job when it would not have taken that much effort to do it right. But, well, there are some things that I am not a perfectionist about. So I guess I am a part-time perfectionist. Apparently, painting the back of benches carefully falls under the second category. If you go here, you will see the trials that beset me in this process. I had actually hoped to paint my front door black before this "After Party," but, alas, I am too pathetically opposed to sweating that much within a two-week time frame. So when I do get around to applying black paint to the front door (and changing hideous brass kick-plates to silver!) I will show you more pictures.


I love this square planter by the front door. I planted a boxwood in it that had a tag that says "Ideal for Topiaries." I am totally in love with all shapes and sizes of topiaries. I do not currently have any, mainly because I am opposed to yard work and to sweating, both of which are required to grow and sculpt a topiary. I also happen to have a black thumb. But I did buy this little boxwood, in the hope that I can overcome, and the little boxwood will overcome and will grow in wisdom and stature, and become this . . . Beautiful, huh? I loooove topiaries!



And I got rid of the, umm, lovely mat that came with our front door, and bought this one. I love it!

I did show two outdoor benches in my before photos, with the plan to paint them both. The other one is on my back deck. Yeah. Ummm. Yeah. (If you really want to know, you can read "What was I thinking?" two posts down.)


So, here is a reminder of the Before:
And the After:


It's not the wrap-around porch with wicker furniture and plush cushions of my dreams. But at least it is a little more welcoming than it was.

Black front door coming soon. And since that will require more outdoor labor and sweating, you better come back and see it!

Shannon


35 comments:

pcb said...

Okay...I think you inspired me to repaint my bench. Like you, though, I am NOT into sweating, so it has to be the perfect day. :)

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

I LOVE IT! Jumping up and down! You did such a great job with that whole makeover!

HOORAY!

Jayne said...

Your porch looks so pretty! Great job. I'm very impressed that you pressed on considering it required sweating.
But, how on earth did you make that "someday" topiary? Inquiring minds want to know!
Jayne

Neabear said...

All that sweating paid off. You did an awesome job making the transformation. And yes, it does look more welcoming and saying to come and sit a spell. Maybe with some, coffee...tea...iced tea...lemonade...or ice water. Sounds great!

trash talk said...

I think it all looks Fab U Lous! I really love the "shrub"...wish it was that easy and cute! I got your package and I'm going to be doing a post on it just as soon as I get back in town. Thank you so much! Jenn was trying to carry half of it off under her shirt!
Be sure and leave the porch light on for me when I come acallin'
Debbie

Rachael Havens said...

Looks great and I love the urns! Really great job.

Imelda@Inspired Simplicity said...

What a great job! Definitely welcoming...and refreshing too...oh and inspiring! I will come back to see the front door for sure. Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog.

Imelda@Inspired Simplicity

Shannon @ Silver Trappings said...

I made the "someday" topiary picture on www.picnik.com. One of my daughters showed me how. That site could be addicting! You can do a ton of stuff to your photos for free!

Shannon

Teresa said...

Wow what a difference! Love the touches of black

Teresa said...

Wow what a difference! Love the touches of black.

Nicole A. said...

AWESOME! Your porch looks Wonderful! So inviting! Love the topiary, lol...Your posts are so fun to read!

Chubby Chieque said...

That's amazing. A lil effort brush and paint and patience make things big difference, isn't it?

So, welcoming and a kind of romantic. Love your urns...

clap--clap!!! Have a nice day!

Anonymous said...

Love the bench..I want one on my front porch...they are so inviting. Very nice job!

june@craftyniche said...

Looks so warm and welcoming!

Vee said...

Well done! It looks fantastic. You can go after that front door in cooler weather or when you get your second wind. Your topiary made me grin.

Tami (Pixeltrash) said...

Very nice bench! I'm so going to redo mine. Mine is probably in worse shape that yours since it sat in the snow all winter and the wood is looking pretty bad, but I'm going to try it.

TidyMom said...

I LOVE it! you did a GREAT job!!

~TidyMom

Becky K. said...

Very Nice!

I so relate to the no sweating thing...

Your planters are great!

the pleasures of homemaking said...

I love it! You did wonderful job! Love the planters! Your front porch looks very pretty and welcoming now!

Manuela

Mrs. Petrie said...

It looks awesome! I love the way the plants look and bench look new. Great job.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic "after".

Dee

KarenB said...

I really looks so "put together" now. Very nice job!

Tiffany said...

Beautiful! I'm always amazed at the impact of a few small changes. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I totally love it! The bench looks brand new and the plants are gorgeous. Makes me want to work on my ugly porch!

Kathy said...

What a lovely transformation. Here's hoping the boxwood turns into a beautiful topiary plant! You have a great sense of humor. I really enjoyed my visit. ~Kathy

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love your bench all painted up & purdy! I have the same bench so now I'm thinking I need to do that to mine. But first I'll have to clean off all the cobwebs. Too much work. Maybe I can get hubby to do it.

Your front porch looks fabulous now. Good luck with the plants. I too love topiaries. We have a dolphin one in our backyard that came with the house. It was almost dead when we got the house, hubby now has it looking pretty terrific.

Melissa said...

That bench looks brand new! PLEASE post your growing topiary!!!! I'd love to see it! Great job!

Melissa :D

Amber Filkins said...

It looks lovely!! The topiary is going to look great, and so is the front door painted black. But it's 100% better!! LOVE the bench---it's amazing how a little paint can make it look like a completely different bench!

Michelle said...

Great job!

Mandi Shandi said...

Amazing what a little painting can do. Love the makeover!

Sharon said...

Lovely....love the planters and ferns!!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

That bench looks amazing!

Amy @Feasibly Fit Mom said...

Your porch is so inviting! Love what you did with the bench. Well done (and emphasis on *done*, right? : )

Kristen@nosmallthing said...

Wow...really nice change! Good for you!

DeeDee said...

It looks perfect! :) Looking forward to the black door. :)