Screen Porch Swinging

Hello Beauties! I hope you enjoyed your long weekend. Don’t you wish three-day weekends were the norm? I sure do! I was feeling a little sad to miss out on a trip to Midcoast Maine over the Labor Day, but even after eight weeks of healing, my ankle wasn’t ready for boating, island hopping and heart rock hunting. I think this was the first summer I’ve missed in over twenty years. But I made up for it by creating a little comfort and beauty here at home!

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It’s been a long time coming! I first admired this porch swing at the Southern Living idea house back in 2013. {Funny that I was invited as a design blogger! I never really saw myself as one because of all the deeper heart things I shared, but beauty expressed through interior design has always inspired me.} Initially, I had my heart set on one of those awesome porch swing beds. But at the end of the day, I didn’t want to spend a fortune and didn’t want to make any of the design decisions required for custom work. {Decision making and depression don’t go well together!}

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Fast forward almost two years, and I was finally ready to pull the trigger on the “Sunday Porch Swing” from Ballard Designs. The $200 savings in April plus the fact that it comes with its own cushions finally convinced me. {Though I doubt these cushions will stay clean. I wish they were removable and washable like every other piece of furniture I own!} I love the way the Southern Living team wrapped the chains with rope. I may get around to that in a few years! Ha!

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{2013 Southern Living house.}

My handy husband assembled the swing, but threw a white flag on hanging it. Too many other farm duties that require his muscle power. So I had to find a handyman. Well, that took me another three months. And then, I broke my ankle the day after I contacted the handyman, so another eight weeks. That’s about how my design pace rolls these days. It’s almost comical! {I’m not telling you about the light fixture I finally selected for a hallway after three years of living with a bulb dangling down from the ceiling!}

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I tried to pace myself and took lots of breaks, but my ankle is pretty sore and swollen after sweeping the porch, laying down the rug, hanging the sign, and stealing the pillows from other areas of our home. I’ve had all of these items for a long time in anticipation of the porch swing, which means they’re all out of stock by now, so sources wouldn’t be helpful at this point. Nothing like a timely design post! {Another reason why I’ve never aspired to be a design blogger.}

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But to sit out here today {under a fan since it’s still pretty toasty outside} makes it all worth it. And over time, I’m sure all the time spent in this spot will make up for what I missed in Maine. Maybe I’ll place a few heart rocks on a nearby table. {I wonder how long it will take me to unpack the little table? Any bets?}

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{My once indoor console…awaiting the hanging of a clock above it.}

Oh, one decorative contribution my husband made to the porch: gin, whiskey and bourbon bottles-turned-candles. It’s like a Pinterest project for guys! All his idea. I don’t think I can reveal how many of these bottles we went through in three years. Lots of sharing people! Lots of sharing! Okay, and some coping. But lots of sharing!

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As for the rest of the porch, it’s pretty much the same since the day we set it up three years ago. {You can see that post here.} Once I get everything the way I like it {though lots of overthinking}, I don’t change it up very much. A new rug or pillow as needed….and an added accessory or two. But rearranging has never been my thing. Actually, change has never been my thing.

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But today, I’m actually craving a change. I’m ready for a new season. And by the fluttering and rustling of leaves on our country road today, I’m thinking that new season is coming real soon!

Bring on the beauty!

 

 

P.S. For whatever it’s worth to those of you wondering how to decorate a screen porch, my advice is to view it as a continuation of your interior style. You can go more rustic on the outside {rougher wood and rusty metal}, but stick to the same style inside and out for a seamless feel. However, if you’re dying to change your interior style but don’t have the time or money, creating the look you desire on a porch could be an inspiring, affordable place to start.