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,

Somethin' to crow about...

Which came first...

the Chicken, or the Egg...

or the Rooster?

Well, if we know Roosters, we'd know they think it's all about them!

Here's a vintage group from my kitchen counter,

raising a ruckus.

Roosters fit right in whether you're decor is French Country,

Farmhouse,

or "French Farmhouse"!!

A little box I found a few years ago,

and look it has an "egg" in it.

Hmm... a rooster with an egg?

My sunroom baker's rack has a summer farmhouse theme going

Here is another fella sort of "chalky"

and very colorful.

And a teensy chalk hen on a nest

This cutie little vintage planter definitely needs some ivy on it's backside

 

And this mom and baby are another vintage set

 that is hollow on the inside

some sort of chalk, cement-y mixture.

Love them!

Shelia is having one of her "Heart of the Home" parties

be sure and join in the fun at Note Songs

and I'm joining in with these other great parties,

links on the sidebar buttons.

Be sure and come back tomorrow for

love ya,

The Entry

I love an Entry Hall. It sounds so "English Manor House" to me. "The Entry"... In reality we all have one whether our home is large or small, grand estate or intimate cottage. If you have a front door...then you have an "entry". One thing I remember hearing is that it always needs a mirror. You know, a place to check to see if you are "presentable" to whomever it is that's arriving. Hair in place, no broccoli in your teeth, try to eliminate the scary factor so the UPS guy will be sure and show up next time.

So here are some photos of mine. If you've been with me a while you've seen it before, but just for the fun of it, pretend it's new! Well, I DO like to keep the faux flowers current, I'm just about to break out the sunflowers and Blackeyed Susan's, just been too busy painting furniture to brave the storage room boxes.

Recent painted small dresser that holds hats, scarves, and gloves.

View into Dining Room

The crossroads, you can go three different directions.

Straight ahead is the Living Room

(please ignore the mantle, I'm still tweaking it) 

Hallway to kitchen with my sweet little sideboard.

Rene at Cottage and Vine

 is hosting a new monthly series of parties,

Room By Room.

Be sure and go by and join in.

And Metamorphosis Monday,

 because something's always changing around here.

Table Top Tuesday with Marty,

and Tuesday's Treasures with Kristin

(Links are on the sidebar)

See you tomorrow, and Tuesday is another

xoxo,