Design Challenge #2 Fran's Screened Porch

Hi everyone, meet Fran from Eleven-0-One.

Well, technically this isn't Fran, it's her great side porch.

So, this is Fran; isn't she a doll?

(Be sure to go visit Fran, she's super talented.

She paints wonderful French Script Signs,

and a chalk paint dresser re-do that will have you drooling!!)

She has this fabulous screened porch at her lovely home in Florida.

It's right off of her Living Room with two beautiful French doors,

one on either side of the fireplace.

Here are a few of Fran's thoughts on this makeover:

1. I've challenged myself to redecorate on a dime!
2. Painting furniture is definitely within my abilities so that is an option.
3. I want it to flow well from my living room and the accent colors there are red, gold and green.
4. I love the pots at Heaven's Walk and would like something similar in English and I'd like some low maintenance plants that won't cover up the pots. (Could use some advice on what plants take low light.)
5. I also make signs and although I paint lots of French signs to sell, I want to paint something with an old American style advertisement or a fun saying. I just haven't found the perfect one or a saying that I think reflects our personalities.
6. Need some lighting for evening ambiance. We need to replace the outdoor light (probably with a ceiling fan but it has to be small).

Fran has used text on her photos, I love this!

It really helps to head us in the direction that's desired.

A punch of color for the porch swing?

This is the back of the fireplace,

so her husband has nixed painting it.

She needs ideas of how to make this

"less of a yellow-orange huge expanse of brick"

And a concrete floor that takes a lot of abuse from the elements.

What about a rug?

She has great wicker pieces,

but questions about repainting and fabric for the cushions.

This is a fun project,

let's share some good advice to make this space

a comfortable inviting "room" to relax.

Comments are open to all!

Thanks so much, Fran, for sharing your

Design Challenge with us!

And if YOU would like to share a Design Challenge with us,

be sure and email me.

Please just make sure you label it as "Design Challenge" on the email.

I'm trying to keep everything separated so I don't lose anyone.

The response has been great,

but I'm always open to projects.

xxoo,

Brunch on the Deck

Yesterday I shared my deck off of the sunroom.  A place that is my view to the world from my kitchen window. I love the intimate setting it offers for a cup of coffee, or an impromptu lunch. Today I put together a little brunch with tea. I used my wedding china from France, and two of my pastel fruit motif vintage salad plates. Once I had glimpsed this faience, all the traditional wedding china choices were left behind.

Crown China Staffordshire Teapot

Being short on space, I wanted a little greenery

 without interfering with the tablesetting.

So I used two small iron urns to double as decor

 and a spot for holding the silver. 

Ivy cuttings, a vintage seed packet and a sprig of dried flowers.

Love the Country French feel of the tablecloth round,

that uses three different patterns and fabrics.

Grabbed a few pillows with vintage linens

to dress up the chairs.

Not vintage, but oh so comfortable.

I pulled this together in about 20 minutes.

Sometimes I forget that it doesn't take that long to make a special setting,

and that makes any meal more fun. 

I'm joining Sherry over at No Minimalist Here

for her Block Party Theme of Outdoor Entertainment.

And don't forget to head over to At The Picket Fence to

catch all the Summer Block Party Link Parties.

also joining in for:

Hope I'll see you here for Vintage Inspiration Friday

where our theme will be anything "Vintage Summer"

Come Join the Fun

Just scroll down to the next post and link up!

see ya there!

Vintage Inspiration #6 Porch Party!!

Hi Everyone!

Today is the day for the

Fall Porch Party

here at

Vintage Inspiration Friday!

Welcome to my Home

Our house faces south, but with all the large trees around here,

we don't get a lot of sun on the porch.

And since my hard maple in front,

 doesn't show Fall color till later this month,

I have a lot of shade and dappled sunlight.

I love having a front porch, wish it was larger,

but I enjoy decorating what I have,

and the stairs give me a great place to display my mums and pumpkins.

Earlier, I was trying to think of what to use this year on the porch,

Then I remembered my concrete planters in the back full of impatiens.

They were repotted and I hauled these babies up front,

to hold my mums.

(And I do mean HAULED)

HEAVY!!!

I have several vintage metal picnic tins,

and love to include them in my vignettes

since I can cram fill them full of vintage goodies and plants.

These little guys were needing a big drink.

I love mums and pumpkins of every color and variety.

My orange watering can is hiding back there. 

super duper cute curly stem on this one

Love my little "Half" park bench chair

although my son in law fusses every time they have to drag luggage

through the front door..."hey", Keith!!

I've had mysweet little concrete Momma and Baby squirrels for over 20 years. 

Hope you'll  join in on the party!

Just grab a pumpkin,

and your camera,

and take a pic.

Remember, even if your not doing your porch today,

please join in with whatever vintage inspiration

that you may have!

October Give Away!!!

Just be a party goer and you're automatically entered!

Have a Wonderful Inspired Week!

love,

Debra

Fall Porch Party this Weekend!!

Hey there all you Fall Fanatics!

This weekend is the Fall Porch Party

at Vintage Inspiration Friday

Be sure and join in!

Link up starts about 5:00 pm Thursday evening CST

October 7 thru 10

so come and have some

Fabulous Fall Fun!!

love, Debra

Vintage Inspiration Friday #5

Since Fall is my favorite time of the year,

and since October is my favorite month of the year...

I want to invite you to a Party.

OK, two parties!!

Vintage Inspiration Friday

is the perfect time to host a party with a Fall theme.

Grab those pumpkins and mums,

dig up the ghosties and goblins if you dare...

find the candles and Fall delights.

So on Friday October 8,

let's all show our front porches

decorated for Fall and Halloween.

From Fall to Frightful!

And then on October 29

let's put together a fun

Fall or Halloween table.

Inside or Outside,

Have fun and go all out!!

Even though this is a theme,

please join in even if you're not doing the porch or table.

Whatever Vintage Inspiration you may have is welcomed.

I just thought this would be fun to theme this month of October.

Did I ever tell you...

I just LOVE FALL!! ?

THOUGHT SO...

PUT A NOTE ON YOUR CALENDAR AND
 GRAB THE BUTTON
ON MY SIDEBAR...
THEN JOIN THE FUN!


Oh, and not to forget,
 Shannon from A Southern Belle With Northern Roots
has won the September give away for all party participants!

I'll share a new Give-Away for October, next week. 


love ya,
Debra