It’s been an exciting five months since we first unveiled the initial look of our new home’s exterior. From the moment we moved in, our outdoor spaces have become central to our daily lives, seeing constant use and evolving with our vision. You’ve already caught a glimpse of how our second-story deck has blossomed into a low-maintenance oasis, and today, we’re thrilled to share the latest updates on our inviting front porch, the surprisingly versatile side porch, and the fresh landscaping additions that are truly enhancing our curb appeal.
Our journey of transformation involves a blend of practical organizational improvements, aesthetic enhancements designed to create a welcoming atmosphere, and several ongoing projects that promise even more functionality and beauty. So, come along and join us on the front porch. Here’s a peek at how it’s looking now:
To truly appreciate the transformation, let’s rewind to May. Back then, the front porch was a blank canvas, primarily occupied by our existing furniture and a couple of lone plants, just enough to suggest habitation. It was essentially a collection of items unceremoniously dropped from the moving pod, with the exception of the grocery store ferns. The space felt open, a little sparse, and definitely awaiting its full potential.
Now, fast forward to today, and the transformation is evident. As hinted in the title, “big plants” have certainly made their grand entrance! The porch has been thoughtfully curated to offer a more lush, inviting, and intimate experience, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty surrounding our home.
Our space planning strategy for the front porch could be humorously summarized as “MORE PLANTS!!!” While it might seem counterintuitive to add more greenery when surrounded by nature, this approach has truly made the deck feel integrated with its lush surroundings, creating an incredibly welcoming and cohesive outdoor experience. The abundance of plants blurs the lines between built structure and natural landscape, inviting a sense of calm and connection.
With this front porch, the adjacent “side porch,” and our expansive upstairs deck, we feel incredibly fortunate to have such a variety of “outdoor rooms” for different moods and occasions. As we previously shared in our deck update, our goal is to thoughtfully design spaces that are effortlessly usable and require minimal maintenance. The spacious second-story deck naturally became the hub for our large dining table and a comfortable conversational seating area. We found ourselves drawn to it for meals and game nights even before we had proper furniture, often resorting to towels on the floor!
The upstairs deck also excels as an entertainment area, perfect for hosting larger gatherings with friends and family once we resume such events. For instance, our eight-seater outdoor dining table simply wouldn’t fit on the more intimate front or side porches downstairs.
In contrast, the front porch has naturally evolved into a serene spot for one or two people. It’s our go-to for quiet early mornings, whether we’re catching up on a podcast, sipping tea, or simply supervising our dog, Burger, during his morning routine – a glamorous job, indeed! Instead of cluttering the space with excessive seating or another small dining area that might see little use, we focused on functional, comfortable seating and then let Sherry’s “plant-mom” tendencies take over. While there are three chairs out here, this particular woven egg chair is our absolute favorite for unwinding, and Burger seems to agree, making it his preferred perch almost every morning.
Among our verdant additions are several lemon trees, now proudly nearing fruit-bearing maturity. Our green-thumbed neighbors assure us that three large “Ponderosa lemons” should be ripe for the picking next month. The anticipation is truly palpable!
Throughout the summer, Sherry diligently expanded our collection of plants and planters. Many were sourced from various home improvement stores, while some of the larger specimens were carefully selected from our beloved local nursery. It’s incredible to recall how small these plants were when we first brought them home, as they’ve undergone such phenomenal growth in just a few short months. The impressive split-leaf philodendron on the right, in particular, has absolutely exploded in size!
NOTE: For privacy, we’ve digitally altered our house number in all photos.
Our potted porch plants are just one part of the story. We’ve also strategically added privacy plantings around the perimeter of our property, creating a natural screen that promises greater seclusion. It’s a bit of a tongue twister to say, but the visual impact is straightforward and beautiful. Here’s a broader perspective from further back:
Rewind to May, and this was the direct view from our front door. Our front yard is quite shallow, with most of our usable outdoor space concentrated in the side yards. This meant there was very little separating our home from the street, offering a similar vantage point to what you’d capture with the Ring video doorbell we installed more recently. Ha!
Fast forward a mere five months, and observe the significant transformation today:
Our initial landscaping endeavors have primarily centered on creating a distinct delineation between our yard and the street. We envisioned and began to establish a “fence” of lush greenery that will mature over time to provide a substantial layer of privacy. For reference on their potential size, the large palm-like bush visible across the street at our neighbor’s house (towards the left of the image above) is the exact same variety we’ve planted. We eagerly anticipate the day when our plantings grow to match their impressive scale, offering a truly enveloped and secluded feel to our outdoor sanctuary.
You’ve probably also noticed the addition of a simple paver pathway, constructed using striking 20 x 20-inch white pavers. These affordable tiles, priced at just $5.88 each from Lowe’s, have provided an immediate, elegant solution to keep our feet clear of pine needles while simultaneously introducing a graceful curve that softens the otherwise linear architecture of our home’s exterior. While we eventually plan for a more permanent, flush hardscaping installation, these large, heavy pavers stay remarkably well-situated on their own, allowing us to defer the extensive digging for another day – a welcome convenience we truly appreciate.
Beyond the main pathway, we’ve also extended a secondary path leading towards our side yard, a favorite spot for the kids thanks to its much-loved tree swing. This particular swing, complete with its ingenious hanging system, allows for free spinning, adding an extra layer of delight and security. We genuinely cannot overstate how much use this tree swing gets. It’s a cherished retreat where the children love to recline and immerse themselves in comics, enjoy an afternoon popsicle, or engage in exhilarating spinning contests until they’re delightfully dizzy.
Embracing a fairly “naturalized” yard has been a revelation, especially the blissful absence of mowing! While we’ve occasionally needed to replenish the pine needles – which, we’ve learned, are locally referred to as “pine straw” – it’s a significantly easier and more sustainable option compared to the traditional mulch we were accustomed to in previous homes.
Our neighborhood exudes an authentic “Old Florida” charm, evident in details like the unpaved roads. Correspondingly, nearly all our neighbors opt for pine straw instead of grass. In fact, a nearby community even enforces a “no grass” rule, advocating for yards composed entirely of pine needles and native plantings. Speaking of native plants, it’s common for at least 90% of local landscaping to consist of native species. While a few non-native potted plants might grace a porch, the in-ground landscaping predominantly features plants indigenous to the region. This local preference provides a fantastic guide for our own gardening. If a plant thrives in a neighbor’s yard and is available at our local nursery, we can confidently choose it, knowing it will likely flourish without special care. We have no irrigation system, so the self-sustaining nature of native plantings is a tremendous benefit.
When it comes to managing rainwater, our rain chain has become a beloved feature. Essentially a decorative variation of a traditional downspout, it guides rainwater gracefully down its chain and into a pot below, just like any enclosed metal downspout would. The pot is designed with a drainage hole, effectively preventing standing water and mitigating mosquito breeding concerns. We’re particularly excited about the long-term potential of adding a drip hose to this drainage hole, which could eventually be used to efficiently water a nearby garden once we establish one, making our rainwater harvesting both beautiful and highly functional.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the covered area on the left side of our front porch, which we creatively call… the side porch. I know, groundbreaking nomenclature!
Our top priority for the side porch was the installation of a stylish and highly functional ceiling fan. It’s a brilliant, simple trick for unscreened outdoor spaces, as mosquitoes are notoriously averse to moving air. For those particularly bothered by bugs, here’s a second tip: mosquitoes typically don’t fly high enough to bother us on the second-floor deck, making it an ideal spot to relax, dine, and entertain, even during dusk when they are most active.
Our second key focus was to transform the unsightly ceiling. Prior to our intervention, it was merely raw, unpainted metal, marred by paint overspray and generally looking unfinished. It really detracted from the potential charm of the covered space.
The transformation began with a thorough application of a metal primer. This step, while crucial for paint adhesion and durability, involved a fair amount of painstaking “cutting in” around the edges and various fixtures, a testament to attention to detail.
Following the priming, we meticulously painted the entire ceiling with exterior paint in “Waterscape” by Sherwin Williams. We’ve always been fond of blue ceilings, particularly on porches, as they evoke a sense of calm and openness, reminiscent of the sky. This choice also pays homage to a charming Southern tradition known as “haint blue,” which you can delve into further in our comprehensive guide to the best haint blue paint colors. It’s a subtle touch that adds character and regional flair.
The blue ceiling is undoubtedly a significant improvement, making the space feel less busy and more intentionally designed. However, sometimes it still hints at its origin – the painted underside of a metal roof, which, of course, it is. Our future plans include covering it with beadboard or elegant wood planks to achieve a more refined, finished aesthetic, while simultaneously embracing and perhaps even accentuating the exposed beam vibe already present.
Another exciting project in the pipeline for this space is a DIY hanging daybed. This will be situated precisely where the two metal chairs currently sit in the photo below. Those chairs will eventually find new homes, either upstairs on the deck or by the pool once that project is completed.
We’ve all been craving a more relaxed, loungy spot where we can gently recline and sway. This particular location on the side porch is absolutely perfect for fulfilling that desire, and here’s why:
- 1) It features a robust overhead beam, ideal for securely attaching the daybed.
- 2) A powerful fan directly overhead ensures a continuous, gentle breeze, even on the warmest days.
- 3) The covered nature of the porch means it will remain a dry, cozy retreat, perfect for napping or relaxing even during a sudden rainstorm.
- 4) Thoughtful landscaping nearby will provide a sense of privacy, obscuring the daybed from most angles and enhancing its secluded feel.
The necessary materials for this exciting project have unfortunately been on backorder for several months, but we’re optimistically hoping to commence construction in November.
Across from where the future daybed will hang, we’ve strategically placed this oversized woven storage box. While it might not strike one as the most glamorous addition to an outdoor space, its functionality is paramount, serving two critical purposes. The most obvious, of course, is providing much-needed storage!
Aside from a small tool shed tucked away at the back of the house, we lack a garage or any other conventional space to neatly stash our beach essentials and outdoor gear. For the first few months, our beach chairs and bike helmets simply accumulated in an unorganized pile. This outdoor storage box not only perfectly complements our existing outdoor furniture but also miraculously accommodates all our beach necessities. We’re talking four beach chairs, two umbrellas, all our bike helmets, swimming noodles, various beach toys, and more – all neatly tucked away!
Beyond its ample storage capacity, this woven box helps us tackle one of the more unfortunate outdoor eyesores. The previous builders placed all the electrical panel boxes directly on the front of the house – not discreetly on the side or back, but mere feet from our main entrance. We’ve explored the possibility of relocating them, but due to peculiar aspects of our home’s foundation, the cost is currently prohibitive. So, for the foreseeable future, their prominent position remains. The storage box, paired with a lightweight fern on top, does an admirable job of obscuring the meter and the various conduits and connectors that emerge from the deck in that right-hand corner of the covered porch. The meter reader, thankfully, doesn’t mind simply moving the fern. However, the recent addition of a whole-house generator a few weeks ago meant the introduction of two more panel boxes to the ensemble – truly testing our patience! But fear not, we have a strategic plan in motion, and we’ll soon share how we intend to cleverly conceal this growing “wall-wart” situation.
To conclude this comprehensive update, let’s explore one final area that has witnessed remarkable progress since our last sharing. Back in June, we detailed the process of rejuvenating our aging outdoor shower through a thorough pressure washing, which left it looking much improved, as seen after the haze lifted:
Well, fast forward just four months, and the outdoor shower has transformed into a verdant oasis. Shortly after that initial shower post, we introduced several hanging planters along its ceiling. To say they’ve flourished in this environment would be a significant understatement; they’ve absolutely exploded with lush growth! This space has now become every human in our household’s favorite place to shower – the caveat “human” is necessary because Burger, our dog, generally despises bathing anywhere!
With yet another grateful reference to our thriving plant life, it feels like this post has come full circle. We sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these updates and new perspectives of our evolving outdoor spaces. It’s been an incredible journey of transformation over these past five months, not just for our house, but truly for our plants as well! You can always follow the entire progress of this house’s makeover right here on our dedicated page.
More Plant Guides For Your Home & Garden
If you’re seeking further information on some of our favorite plants, both real and artificial, we invite you to explore these helpful posts below:
- Fiddle Leaf Fig Care Guide: Tips for a Thriving Plant
- Tree Philodendron Care Guide: Essential Advice for Lush Growth
- How to Build An Easy & Stylish Plant Shelf for Your Windows
- Protecting Outdoor Plants From a Deep Freeze: Your Winter Survival Guide
- Getting Started With Houseplants: An Expert Interview for Beginners
- My Favorite Faux Plants: Realistic Options for Effortless Greenery
- Easy Houseplants To Keep Alive: Low-Maintenance Choices for Any Home
- 10 Houseplants For Better Indoor Air Quality: Breathe Easier with Nature
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