Cedar Hill Farmhouse

updated COUNTRY FRENCH

My Country Front Porch

By 34 Comments

I usually blog about my back porch, but today, I thought I would show you a corner of the front porch.  Why just a corner?  Because the other side will be changed soon, and I am not ready for a reveal just yet.

First off, obviously the front porch is much smaller.  Truth be told,  the front porch is much smaller at 200 square feet.  If I had it to do over again, I would have put a large porch on the front just like the back.  In the summer, I check the porches to determine which one has the best breeze and the least sun, and that is where I spend my time.  In the winter, it’s just the opposite; I am looking for some warmth and less breeze.  These days, I have breakfast on the back porch, and hang out there until it just gets too hot, (about 10 am).  Then I try to stay inside as much as possible until sunset.  When the sun is setting, I enjoy watching it from the back porch, then transition to the front porch for some cool breezes and to watch the stars come out.

These rockers started out red, with the black and white fabric which was I originally selected for the porches.

They reminded me of The Red Rocker Inn, in North Carolina where we spent some of our honeymoon.  Well, the paint wasn’t holding up well, and I was ready for a pale change.  I love color so it has been difficult for me to transition to a paler palette, but I am loving the pale colors now.
I originally painted these Annie Sloan Paris Gray a few weeks ago (click here) when I painted the back porch rockers. I used a glaze that didn’t work very well.  I can’t blame the paint, I think I just made it too thin (operator error.)  And the paint was too stark to go with the daybed linens and feedsacks, so I found another gray paint that was a little more brown.  It is Opera Glasses from Valspar.  I dry brushed this paint over the Annie Sloan paint, while letting the Paris Gray show through in places.

 

The pillows are made from vintage feedascks.  This is a pillow I made that  I hadn’t shown you yet.
You can click here to see more feedsack pillows.  Both of the pillows on the front porch came from the same feedsack.

The bluebells are still blooming, and here is a vase full of them.  You can see our field of bluebells here.

I love this little French outdoor table; it’s very chippy and shabby (and rusty and dented).  I found it at the auction one week, when they had a large container from France.

It came with the chairs shown below.

This sweet little stool you might recognize as being from Ikea.  When I got it, it looked like this.

I used the Annie Sloan Paris gray on it, then used Fiddie’s rugger brown wax, recommended by Miss Mustard Seed in her wax tutorial video.

The basket below is from that same French auction.  The auctioneer called these oyster baskets.  I got 4 of them.  I’ll show you where the other ones are in another post.
I love the fern on the front porch.  I can’t leave plants here, since I don’t live here full time.  That means transporting them back and forth.  It is just easier to do with the ugly plastic pots that they come in.  I wondered how I would fit another thing in my car, when my friend Peggy suggested I just wrap the pot in burlap. (And she thinks she isn’t creative,.)  The iron bunny is from Round Top, and the lined basket is from Garden Ridge Pottery.
I couldn’t decide how I want to arrange everything so I tried several different options.
Thanks for stopping by my front porch.

Comments

  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    Love the patina and color of that table. I bet that pitcher is Ikea, too isn’t it. I should have bought one when I was there last weekend. I don’t know why I put it back. Thanks for joining the party.

    Reply

  8. Mrs. Means @ Our Thrifty Life says

    I love the way everything looked! I’m going to have to try that Annie Sloan paint that I’m seeing everywhere in blog land. Also, on the picture of the chairs that you got at auction with the table from France, what a view out past your porch! So lovely!

    I love your French take on your home!

    Reply

  10. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    Welcoming! I just want to jump right up on that porch and sit in one of those comfy rockers and read, chat and sip away time!
    You have quite a gifted eye for putting elements together to make a magazine worthy setting!
    Beautiful!
    Yvonne

    Reply

  13. Sue says

    I’d take any size porch, period! I have fantasized about having one forever and a day. This smaller on is sweet and cozy and the bluebells add just the right touch, Anita! ~ Sue

    Reply

  16. The White Farmhouse says

    200 square feet is small? huh…. I love how it looks. You did a great job! I am going to tuck this away in my inspiration file for my porch which needs alot of TLC right now.

    Reply

  19. Pattie says

    What a great front porch you have, I wish mine was like that.. you did a nice job with painting everything. Enjoy the rest of the summer..

    Pattie

    Reply

  22. outjunking says

    You got me as a follower, thanks to the wire baskets. I cannot turn down a good wire basket. Like I told some one the other day, they let you see your other treasures. Be it flowers, books or white ironstone platters.
    Lisa

    Reply

  23. Pam says

    Your porch is so pretty! I love the rocking chairs in the chalk paint. The feed sack pillows are so neat! I love all of the details. Great job!

    Have a great weekend.
    Pam

    Reply

  25. Amy Kinser says

    Love your little corner of the front porch. So inviting. The feed sack pillows are great and I love white rockers. Love that you have books on birds and wildflowers and such out there to read.

    Reply

  26. Heaven's Walk says

    Hi Anita! How nice to be able to choose between your two porches. 🙂 I love the paint/distress job you did on your furniture. It truly adds so much warmth and vintage character to the space! Great job!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply

  29. At The Picket Fence says

    Everything is so incredibly lovely Anita! I could spend hours rocking away out there…well…that is until my little ones discovered me. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us at Inspiration Friday!
    Vanessa

    Reply

  30. Chari at Happy To Design says

    Hi Anita…

    My friend, your front porch is lovely! It looks like a place where I would love to spend a little leisurely time! I love the paris gray finish that you did on your rockers and little table…simply gorgeous! Oooh…and your feedsack pillows are awesome! They look perfect on your rockers! Love, love, LOVE your little pitcher filled with Bluebells…sooo pretty and I also love your little iron bunny! It’s all perfect, my friend! Enjoy!!!

    Warmest summery wishes,
    Chari

    Reply

  32. Fishtail Cottage says

    Darling front porch….love all the sweet details you’ve added…the pillow is just so cute on your rocker! what a fabulous place to enjoy your day! oxox, tracie

    Reply

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