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Summer Porch Refresh


Summer is still going strong and I don't know how it's going around your house, but high temperatures, strong sun, and a vacation have left my porch and plants looking pretty bad.  I'm excited to join a talented group of bloggers for a Summer Refresh Blog Hop.  Each of us are sharing how we have refreshed a space in our homes here in the middle of Summer.  They are all linked up at the end of my post. 

So here was the sad state of my poor front porch:




It's embarrassing.  Sun faded cushions and sad leggy petunias. 


Buying new cushions is not in the budget this year.  Actually these brown cushions came with my wicker furniture set when I found it on Craigslist about four years ago.  So they definitely need some help!  The fabric itself is still in great condition, just faded.  Pinterest is all abuzz about spray painting cushions so I figured, why not?  They couldn't possibly look any worse no matter how it turns out. 


I wanted to change the color from brown to a pretty green or turquoise but I just couldn't find a spray paint in the right color.  So I decided to stick with the brown.  In the end I'm glad I did because it worked out so well and I ended up only doing one coat.  I used Rust Oleum American Accents Ultra Cover 2X Spray Paint in Satin Espresso because it was the closest match. Here are my cushions, before on left, and after one coat on the right.


I'm so pleased with how they turned out.  It really did work! 

My Tip: Very, very light and even spraying.  When I lingered on the spray button in one spot too long, it got a little shiner in that spot.  I thought it would go away as it dried, but I can still see it.  It's probably one of those things that if I don't tell, no one will notice, but I do.


So far there has been no paint transfer at all onto our bums and legs.  They do feel very slightly rougher in texture but nothing to complain about.  Especially since the entire makeover cost less than $4.00 for one can of paint!  I'm all about frugality and this was a huge bang for my four bucks!




So about those sad leggy petunias... I'm trying to revive them but it's hard to recover from several days without water in our North Carolina heat.  So they've been bumped from the table and I replaced them with some yellow zinnias that I found for $3.97 at Walmart. 

My Tip:  My favorite Summer flower colors are purple and red, but here toward the middle and heading into the end of Summer when I need to replace them I choose yellow.  It's still very Summery but it can also carry me into Fall.  Come October (if I remember to water them) these babies will look great beside my Fall mums. 

I popped these into an antique crock and it keeps them nice and moist in this heat.






Since we lost a big oak tree in a storm almost a year ago, I've been using big chunks of it as plant stands on either side of the front door.  I love the casualness they bring to our very formal stained glass front entry.



And one more pot of zinnias went into my old wooden bucket.





So, for about $12 in paint and flowers I gave this area of my porch a quick and easy refresh to carry me through the rest of Summer.  As you can probably tell, I like to keep things as simple and economical as possible and still look pretty.


And now I would love for you to visit the other bloggers participating in the Summer Refresh Blog Hop for the next three days.  Come back each day to see the links to their creative projects!

Friday









Saturday








Sunday








Thanks so much for stopping by!



31 comments

Vin said...

Hi Dara, that is the best budget makeover I have seen! I didn't know you could paint fabric with regular spray paint, that is a revelation to me and I am going to remember that. I absolutely can't figure out where the shiny spot is :) I also love the tree stumps as plant stands. I love tree stumps, and I think they go perfectly in your cabin!

Unknown said...

Wow!! Those cushions turned out soo good. I am excited to try this. I love your porch, it gets better and better!

Simple Cozy Charm said...

I am in AWE of the cushions!! This is such great info!! Everything looks perfect!

Kari @prairiegirlhome said...

Wow! I must need to spend more time on pinterest than I already do, because I have never heard of spray painting fabric! Chalk painting with a brush, yes, but this sounds awesome!!! They turned out amazing! I love your white wicker set! Simple and fresh is often the best, your porch is so inviting. Great job Dara!

Stephanie said...

Dara, this is so great! I love that you did all of this for twelve dollars! Love your newly painted cushions and pretty yellow zinnias. So fun meeting you through this blog hop!

Unknown said...

Love it all Dara! The cushions turned out great and i love the zinnias in the crock! I'll be right over for some sweet tea!

Unknown said...

SO so beautiful, Dara!!!! Your plants give me so much life!!

yuni min said...

Such a warm and inviting porch space! What a wonderful space to hang out and entertain. Love how you sprayed your cushions too. They look great! Wonderful job, Dara!

Beth said...

Wow Dara! what an awesome transformation! Love it and I love the brown cushions - so pretty and rich in color. You are making me want to update my flower situation immediately!! Lovely post friend! Beth xo

Unknown said...

I LOVE your tips!! I would have never thought to spray paint my faded cushions, but now I want to for sure!! Also love the idea that yellow flowers help carry us into fall! brilliant!

The Home I Create said...

Dara, how clever to spray the cushions, I would've never thought to do that! I love all your pretty plants, especially the fern on the tree stump! Great refresh!

Kellie@gratefullyvintage said...

I love your porch!!! And these tips are so amazing!!! I didn't know you could spray paint fabric either. I am so going to try this!! It was fun to do a blog hop with you again!

MomHomeGuide.com said...

I love how you improved the look of your porch on a budget. Everything looks beautiful! Enjoy your summer!

Mary K. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary K. said...

Dara this is a wonderful refresh during the middle of summer. Because let's face it, summer is only over when we say so. The paint on the cushions is brilliant and makes them look fresh and new. And the plants bring lots of pretty color to the porch. We are featuring your post tomorrow over at Sweet Inspiration. Congratulations.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, Mary. Our Summer lasts until the end of September here! I truly appreciate your kind comments and the feature!

Samantha said...

Love the look of your porch. Those cushions turned out great! Thanks for joining the Family Joy Link Party!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much, Vin! I figured it would hurt to try painting them!

Unknown said...

Thanks Jess!!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, Martha!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Kari! That wicker set was one of my all time favorite Craigslist finds!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much, Stephanie! So glad to meet your too!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Heather! You come on over any time!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Keila! I hope I can keep those plants full of life too!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, Yuni!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much, Beth! I wasn't crazy about the brown at first, but glad I stuck with it now. Xo

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, Tiffany! I hope it works for you!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Linda!!

Unknown said...

Thanks, Kellie! I enjoyed it too!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Samantha!

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