Celebrate the 4th: Spruce up the porch



A festive place to gather is always appreciated.  In anticipation of Independence Day, why not spruce up your front or back porch for the holiday?

Remember last week’s ladder ?  Well, the other half leans on the opposite side of our back porch and for this holiday I got out my treasured vintage tablecloths in patriotic colors and hung them on the rungs.


Instant charm!  Can you believe how beautiful they are?  Every year I marvel all over again at the designs and colors.




I wrapped another damaged cloth (a beautiful Wilendur) around the cushion on the wicker rocker.


Blue delphinium in an urn, flags and a smaller vintage cloth on the cabinet.


We’re ready for the holiday!


HH

Old Ladder



When we bought our lot there was an awesome old ladder leaning against the cherry tree.  I’ll admit it was my favorite thing about the land at the time, that and the size of the lot in general.   After the construction and some landscaping was done the ladder was somehow moved and broken into two pieces, then broken some more.  I rescued it from the trash pile but haven’t done anything with it until now.


I wanted to hang things on it, but the wood was so splintered and brittle I feared things might be damaged if I did.  I decided to paint it, but chose a flat gray that preserved the old wood feeling.


On one piece I added “s” hooks and hung my watering cans.  This (hopefully) will prevent my kids from kicking them around the yard.  I leaned it against the exterior of the house behind my serving/potting table.


When I’m serving food I can move the watering cans and hang a dishtowel, serving tongs, etc. in their place.


I’m pleased with how it looks and thrilled that I’m finally using my old ladders.  Watch next week for what I did with the other half.  It’s crazy cute!

Have a great day, Jennifer

$4 Chair Makeover



I bought this chair in April at the thrift store for $4.00.   The frame is a heavy duty metal one which means it will last for many years.   A few coats of white spray paint and new fabric have given it a fresh, modern look.


The fabric is an outdoor weight in a bright pink zebra stripe.  I had a leftover piece from another project and it worked perfectly.  I like the punch of color and pattern it offers to the simple chair.

Here’s the before:


And the after:


I think this chair will ultimately live in my daughter’s room when we make room for two beds in there.  For now we’ll use it wherever we need an extra seat.

Cost breakdown:
chair:  $4 paint:  $4 fabric:  stash Total cost for project:  $8.00 and less than 1 hour.   Success!

Jennifer

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