Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Front Porch Painting & Quick Update...

In my last post I mentioned that things have been B-U-S-Y around here lately {life, merger at work, blah, blah, blah}.  Sadly, that means the blog has taken a backseat, but have no fear...we tried are darnedest to keep up with house-related projects.

One of those projects was a quick {well, only on my part...thanks Dad} update to our front porch.  When we purchased our home, we painted just about every square inch of it because it looked like this.  Ahhhh!


Don't worry...it looks more like this these days, so please don't let the nightmares of a big, overgrown, green blob keep you up at night. ;)


I know some people aren't the biggest fans of painting wood or brick, but in our case, the old red steps {refer to the creepy picture above} just weren't doing anything for our house.  They needed to be painted, and we were super happy we did it.

It's been about a year and a half since we painted them, and after tons of use and abuse, the red brick was showing through in some places.

So during my parent's last visit a few weeks ago, my dad asked what he could do to help us around the house.  I kindly told him nothing, and then proceeded to fan him and feed him bon bons jumped at the chance for him to re-paint the steps.


I've said it a million times, but I will say it again...it's crazy what a difference some paint can make!  The steps look so good after getting a fresh coat of grey.

And during a recent trip to Tar-jay, I came across the cutest gradient door mat {reminiscent of the pink Clara rug that YHL decorated with} that perfectly matched our teal front door.  Obviously, I didn't resist and threw it in my cart.  It helped that it was on sale. ;)


Add a few dahlia plants in my new IKEA planters...and our front porch is ready for spring! :)

54 comments:

  1. Wow, those steps look great! And SO much better than the red brick before. I love your teal front door! That doormat is the perfect item to tie the colors together from the door and the steps.

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    1. Thanks so much! Right?! I totally agree. The red just wasn't cutting it. Aw, thanks...some of our neighbors thought we were nuts going with a bold front door, but I love it. :)

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  2. I want to move into the house across the street from you just so I could stare out my window and drool over your door. Oh. My. God. I am in love with the turquoise!! The violet flower, white trim and grey steps are the perfect compliment to the door. Wow.

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    1. Yessss...our neighbor's house is for sale! ;) {For real though, haha.} Thank you so much, Mindy! I really appreciate it! :)

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  3. The steps look great painted. The front door color is a nice pop too.

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  4. This looks reeeeeally good. I'm all about painting porches when it improves the curb appeal. And this definitely does that!

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  5. I kind of dig the old green! I've always wanted a house with green siding. :P
    But it does look nice - especially with that turquoise door!

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    1. Then our old house would have been perfect for you! ;)

      Thanks Melanie!! :)

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  6. The painted steps look a million times better than the red brick! I love the rug, too. Super cute :)

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  7. So cute!! Our neighbors just painted their front door a mint green and I absolutely love it! Little changes like paint make such a huge difference!

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    1. Ohhhh, I bet that looks awesome!! Love me some mint green! ;) I totally agree!!

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  8. it looks so cute and SO you! i love that the inside is reflected with the exterior now!

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  9. The grey is SO much better than the red! Nicely done Gabbi's Dad! And the new mat and flowers look pretty =)

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    1. Agreed! For real, parents are the best! ;) Thank you, Kelly!

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  10. Love the updates! Did you get a new front door when you got rid of the screen door? I think it looks a lot better without the screen door in front. We are debating doing the same but both doors (front & back) would be a bit drafty. Not sure we want to pay for an entirely new door either.

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    1. Thank you so much, Jenn Leigh! Yes, we definitely got a new front door. The other one had seen MUCH better days. ;) Luckily, we were able to find a reasonably priced one that looked pretty good too.

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  11. Love the color of your door and the steps look awesome!!!

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  12. Looks really good! I'm in love with the color of your front door too.

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  13. Your front door is amazing! That turquoise is sooo perfect and the rug was practically made for your front porch. Love it!

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    1. Thanks so much, Christine! Right?! It looks like it was matched perfectly for my front door. :)

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  14. I LOVE THAT DOOR! It's looking so good!! xoxo Kristin

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  15. Love it! The door with the grey porch/steps and the gradient rug, all perfect! It's gorgeous!

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  16. What color did you use for the door and shutters?

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    1. Hi Angie! The front door is Behr's Tropical Waters, and the shutters were color matched to a Valspar paint we picked out. I think I just responded to an email you sent me, but if not, just email me and I can send you the pictures of the color match formulas. :)

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  17. Looks good, I have nothing against painting bricks, especially if you don't like the color to begin with. I recently stained a small area of concrete in my patio, and I love it....who knew...now I want to paint/stain all of my outdoor areas ;). Your door color is fabulous by the way.

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    1. BTW, did he paint the whole thing with a brush? He must be a great dad:)

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    2. Right?! I totally agree...I'm all for painting it if it's not your jam. ;) Ohhh, I bet it looks awesome! Concrete stains can totally transform an area! Thank you!!

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    3. And yes, he did. It worked better to get into the crevices of everything. He basically rocks. ;)

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  18. such a pretty front porch!! we just got our pillars up today so i am itching to get them painted and get some pretty plants on the front too....also i wish my dad would come for a visit...i have jobs for him ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Trina!! Ohhhh, that's going to be gorgeous!! Aw, haha...I bet if you let him know, he'd be right over! ;)

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  19. That sure does look good!! We need to paint our porch and I think I might be going grey too!

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    1. Thank you so much, Crystal! Go for it!! I loveee me some grey! ;)

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  20. Love it so so much!! I can't wait till the leaves come out on our bushes and we get some green. :-)

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    1. Thanks Katie!! I bet...seeing the transformation to spring is such a great feeling! :)

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  21. I love your front door. I fell in love with colorful front doors when I was in England, but I have no idea how to make one work for my house. It doesn't help that our front door has a security door--which I don't plan on removing anytime soon!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lisa! Colorful doors definitely make me happy...some of my neighbors thought I was a little crazy, but I think it's grown on them. ;) I say pick a complimentary color and give it a shot! :)

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  22. Looks great!! I love how much paint can change a space! It is seriously SO easy.

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  23. It looks amazing! I love the whole door area with the doormat and that awesome door color. I second Mindy... I want to live across the street from you too just to enjoy the outside of your home every day! :)

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    1. Thank you, Erika!! Our neighbor's house is for sale...just saying! ;)

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  24. Love your bright front door color! So fun, looks so pretty :)

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  25. I LOVE LOVE, your choice in exterior paint colors. I have been looking for something just like what you had done. By any chance what Brand and paint colors did you use for the main color, shutters, trim, door and for the bricks. I purchased my house a 1964 Ranch 4 years ago and slowing getting to the way I want it to be.

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    1. Thank you so much, Carrie! :) The front door is Behr's Tropical Waters, the trim is just Behr's off-the-shelf white and the main color and shutter color were color matched from a Valspar paint we picked out. I have the color formulas in an iPhone picture from the top of each can...so if you email me (retroranchreno AT gmail DOT com), I'll send you the color formulas and Home Depot should be able to use them to create the colors for you. Hope that helps! :)

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  26. I love your front porch. Could it be any cuter...I think not!!! Your front door is so pretty.

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    1. Thank you so much, Brandi!! So sweet of you to say! :)

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