Hanging Out on the Summer Porch ~ A Painted Icebox Story

This old icebox was passed on to us years ago and it's played many roles in our home...

*tv cabinet

*end table

*bedside table

*and most recently it hung out on our back deck for the summer.

But I switched the big bench from the front porch to the back deck and so this icebox and folding chairs ended up here on the front porch.  The big bench is heavy and so it's a stay put kinda guy and these lightweight chairs are easily moved wherever the shade is.  I like having the option of moving my chair to a better spot if I want to!    

But this poor old icebox really has seen better days, don't you think?  The weather from last summer really did a number on the finish.  And although this piece is cute ~ it's clearly a "fake" icebox and so it's not going to win any restoration awards for me.  So I figured I'd have some fun with it and paint it a happy color to liven up the front porch area.

Ace Hardware had their big Grand Opening Celebration last weekend and I got this sample quart of paint for free there.

I was going to go with a cheerful yellow (by popular vote on facebook) but the hubby voted 'NO' on yellow and well, his vote made all the difference since he also has to live with it.  Sorry to all of you yellow voters out there!!!  Quite honestly I was surprised that he picked this color out of the three choices I showed him.  

I thought for sure he'd choose the green or yellow first.

I sanded the old finish off with a sanding sponge before giving it a new coat of paint.  I didn't use a separate primer just two coats of Clark + Kensington Paint + Primer In One in 'Stepping Out'.  :)

Very nice paint with great coverage, btw.

We love our little front porch with our Family Established Porch Sign

And the gorgeous hanging basket we purchased from the High School Baseball Fundraiser.  Best idea for a fundraiser EVER in my opinion.  I love my hanging flower baskets!!!

Just a few details to make this space feel really welcoming and CHEERFUL.

• Icebox Drink Table in a fresh new color
• Some fun floral pillows
• A sweet Dahlia in a vase (fake)
• Some ferns on tree stump end tables (soon to be painted stumps, I think!)
• A soft apple green rug

It didn't take Sadie long to realize there was a nice soft rug here.

I think she approves of the new porch makeover...

...especially the soft place to lounge.

Sadie says it's perfect for chilling on a lazy summer day.

Oh, what color do you think I should paint those stumps?  White or gold or some combination of both?  I can't promise you Scott won't trump the popular vote but I would still love to hear what you think!

Thanks for stopping by today to see what we've been up to.

Enjoy the Summer sunshine and stop to smell the flowers from time to time  :)

I know I will!

Cheers,

Sherry

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Family Pride

I have a love affair with windows.  They let in the LIGHT.  Who wants to live in a cave?  Well, not this girl!  The only time I like it dark is when I'm watching a movie or sleeping...well...maybe one other thing...

...Uh Hummm...as I was saying...

I like to think of the windows in our home acting like a frame for our family.  A beautiful portrait of what life is like when we are able to share it with those we love.  Some of our family we are born with, and others we are privileged enough to choose.  Whichever way we become family, we are here to support each other, encourage one another, help each other up when we've fallen, and just be there through the good and bad.  (And I guess maybe stink up the bathroom...just saying.  You know who you are!)

We all can appreciate the need for family, right?  So, it goes without saying that with a strong, loving family comes Family Pride.  This is a good thing.  We all want to feel proud.  Proud of where we come from, proud of who we are.  Proud to say we are a FAMILY.  It helps us build each other up and root each other on throughout our lives.  That's so cool!

Can you imagine a life without either windows or family?  It's easy to forget how truly important both of these things are to us on a daily basis.  Yet they both add so much to our lives.  Our families love us, care for us and protect us.  They allow us to grow and and thrive in a world that is so big and impersonal at times.   Windows protect us from the wind, rain, heat and cold and yet they still allow in the light.  Leaving us protected but not feeling confined. 

I love Family Established signs.
And old windows.

The fact that we are able to combine the two into a welcoming sign ~ proclaiming pride in our family for all to see ~ makes me very happy.  It adds so much warmth to our homes!
Here is our newest sign.  I think it looks quite elegant in black.  I hope the family we've prepared this for finds much joy in viewing it each day.  We are finishing up our own family sign in soft green today as well.  Of course I'll have to share how it turns out when it's done!

Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love - is a family. Having both - is a blessing. ~Donna Hedges

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