My parent’s house was built in 1973. Not the best decade for home design, to be sure.
They have this little porch off the kitchen that has never been fixed up. They garden and come in and out of that porch with dirty shoes, which makes for a catch-all of sorts. You know the spot! It’s a place to put junk and they have never been too concerned about how it looks. As I’ve mentioned, my parents are simple folk. They do not demand luxuries in life, in fact are very content with what they have. Truth be told, I had to convince them that we needed to make over this porch, that it could really be enjoyed by all of us if it was only a brighter spot to hang out.
We sat down and talked about it and they agreed that it would be nice to have a space to sit and relax, with more seating and organization to hide some of the uglies.
Hehehe, just wait til I get my hands on it! They will be so convinced that hopefully I’ll be given free reign in a few more spots in the house. 🙂
I’ve always thought this space could look really inviting given some TLC and the time has arrived that it’s getting a makeover.
I did add those cute deer antlers on the wall. 🙂
I was contacted by American Express about a program that they have going on: Membership Rewards. They launched Membership Rewards 20 years ago as a first of its kind program that over time has continued to innovate through new partners, categories, and features. The program offers more than a million rewards from over 500 brands and millions of Card members have redeemed their points for a variety of merchandise and experiences, from movie tickets to trips to the world’s finest resorts.
Sounds fun, huh?
I don’t have an American Express card, but I have heard that these points are really great to cash in. Since most of us live and shop online now, it’s a great opportunity to use the card (wisely of course) and then store up those points for great items.
American Express generously gave me 150,000 points to use to fix up my parent’s porch, along with telling you about their Membership Rewards program. What that means is this! I scoured their online site and found out that Home Depot is one of the vendors and that 5,000 points = $50 in Home Depot giftcards. That works for me! They asked me to use these points to spruce up a common space that could be used by our family during the summer months. I can get a lot of stuff at Home Depot with those points!
This was the perfect spot to redo! As you can see, it is hideously ugly, though a swan is dying to burst forth. 🙂
So, here’s what I would love to know.
What in the world would YOU do with this porch?
You know my blonde head is swirling with ideas already and I think I’ve got some ways figured out to fix up this ugly duckling once and for all, but I’d love to hear all of your ideas too.
What I love about the American Express Membership rewards program is that they have so many vendors to choose from, from Pottery Barn, to Restoration Hardware, Kohls, and Home Depot. What DIY lover wouldn’t find a ton of inspiration from these sites? Yes, you would, believe me!
So, let me have them! I’ll be sharing another post with you on my ideas later.
{Disclosure: I was given 150,000 points ($1500) to use to redecorate this porch for my parents. I did not receive any other monetary compensation and was allowed to pick my own products from their websites. The final post of this series when I show the finished porch, will host a giveaway for a $100 giftcard from Home Depot! Woohoo for one of YOU!)
Find out more about American Express Membership rewards and visit their Facebook page.
Maureen says
Most definitely built in storage!! If the floor is concrete I would suggest using a faux granite finish available at Home Depot (often used around pools and outdoor stoops). I have used Martha Stewart beadboard wallpaper to add that tongue and grooved look to many ceilings in my home. Very inexpensive at Home Depot and it only takes about 2 1/4 rolls to do an 8 by 10 room. Love those chairs as well.
Perhaps mirrors to reflect the natural light.
Can’t wait to see the finished room!
Patricia says
Oh, what a fun project this will be for you. I know you’re excited. I love the rocking chairs, as do others, but I would like to see a potting bench for storage. I’m picturing one with doors below the main potting shelf and lots of shelf above. (Does that make sense?) I was also surprised that you called this a porch because it seems to be enclosed. If that’s correct, then I would want more windows on the outside wall. I can’t wait to see what you do. Have fun.
Screaming Meme says
Rhoda, How fun…we need to remember that we are decorating for elderly people…some of the ideas are great…but their taste (at least a little) hasd to come in…
Rockers are nice…bring a garden feel in…since they love gardening…With the antlers in mind…I think garden meets rustic kind of style…simple…
*I would warm the walls up with a neutral color…so that the rockers, rustic and garden decor stand out…a cream to linen color…You can add color in the decor…
*You can plank the floors with wood…wood flooring or literally planks of wood that you glue to the floor. lol I would think cheap and rustic. They come in and out of there…Or paint the floor and add a indoor/outdoor rug…again easy care.
*You need storage…so think about a bench with storage under it…either a bench with a lifting lid…or a built in and baskets. and maybe a open shelf for storage that is pretty. Or a potting bench with storage under a curtain or something you can slide in the bottom half of the potting bench.
*Think simple on the windows…again easy care…maybe bamboo or a simple roman shade in a coordinating color.
*Lighting…is it hot out there? maybe a ceiling fan….and of course a floor lamp or a lamp on a table or one of the pieces of furniture.
*You need ambiance…:) think about a water fountain for sound…relaxing, huh? A fireplace would be nice for the cold nights…maybe one of those small ones…An idea anyway…
*Most of all, bring in things that remind them of great memories…only you could know what that is…
I look forward to seeing what you do…I know it will be wonderful!
XO, Meme from Screaming Meme
BTW, If you haven’t signed up for my $100,000 giveaway…ok $100…pls stop by…;)
Terri D says
how fun is this going to be??????????? Amazing offer from AMEX!!! I would do an acid wash on the floor and then a sissel type of rug!! The rockers have to STAY!!! Love love them!! How about some bamboo look roman shades??? and lots of color!!! maybe a Pottery Barn look …. some shelving with hooks for jackets and baskets on the bottom?? Your Mom & Dad are never going to let you move 🙂 !!! Can’t wait to see what you do!!! Great looking comfort is the number one priority for Parents!!! have fun Rhoda!!! Terri
Helen says
Two words: Sleeping Porch!
I have been dreaming about them lately and I have a picture file on my pc full of them. I don’t have a porch, but I do have two decks … the lower of them could be screened. Central Oregon is the perfect place for sleeping outdoors in late Spring, Summer and early Fall!
Sheila says
Hi Rhoda, I think it’s great that you are going to spruce up a little spot for your mom and dad. You’re a great kid!!! I love the rockers already. A quiet, serene beachy type room comes to mind when I look at this little porch. It’s got great bones and with your imagination and talent I know it will be their favorite place to hang out, and how awesome is AMEX for providing the cash for it. Thanks for sharing.
Pinky says
I know whatever you do wuill be beautiful. FIrst of all I would PAINT, I don’t have ANY white walls in my house:) Love the idea of a pale blue ceiling on a southern porch. The rockers are great, I would just add pretty cushions in a nice print to liven up the space. A lamp or 2, seating to eat breakfast out there, and some type of storage. Not sure about the floor, and what it is. Cement? We have a bank MC and they give double points that can be redeemed too so we use it as a debit card and keep it paid off. The points really DO add up. Now, GET BUSY so we can see what you do:):):) XO, Pinky
kathysueg says
Hi Rhoda, it looks like a really fun project, I am sure you know exactly what you want to do and it will be wonderful for you all to use when you are done. Can’t wait to see which direction you go towards, Have fun!! Kathysue
Margaret says
The reason we paint our ceilings on the porchs blue is to keep the “haints” out of the house. It looks like a terrific spot. From an aging citizen, remember that bending over to get things from under benches is not always a good idea. Look forward to seeing what you do with it.
Shawnda says
I think if I were going to makeover this space, I’d start by putting a row of lower cabinets from wall to wall under the window where the african violets live. It would cover up the duct, give the african violets a place to sit where they are obviously very happy, and some closed storage for the items that are stored here.
I’d probably paint the room a light color to bounce around all that natural light and paint out the shelf with hooks or replace it with a larger model and baskets on top to hold gardening gloves and tools. A bench with storage would go underneath it. Someplace where you can sit to take off your muddy boots, etc.
The area where the stack of baskets, shelves, and boxes would be a great place for a tall cabinet (one that’s not too deep) for the bug sprays and extra laundry detergent/fabric softener. It’s obvious that the main function of this space is to store things and your parents are already used to using this area as an overflow area and a landing spot. Best way to get them on board is to work with the system they’ve already got in place.
I agree with the other posters that the rocking chairs should stay in the room. Great place for conversation. I would, however, stick to a darker color and totally low-maintenance flooring. If this is a space for coming in from the garage, nobody wants to have to be worried about messing up the flooring. I’m probably not going to be very popular for suggesting it, but I’d probably use self-adhesive vinyl plank flooring…looks alot like wood, but is impervious to water, mud, dirt, and anything else you throw at it. Easy care.
Either way, I’m sure your parents will be thrilled with whatever you come up with. You have great instincts and you know them better than any of us do. Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Debra @ Bungalow says
I’ve always wanted a room like this, a catch-all mud room for organizing coats and shoes etc.
To the left of the screen door, a built in bench with big baskets underneath to hold shoes and hooks above the bench with a shelf above for more baskets would be a great spot to sit and remove your shoes or stash your stuff before entering the house. Maybe add a few numbers above the hooks, your dad could be #1, mom #2 and you #3. Your dad already has a nice collection of hats on that wall, maybe you could incorporate that into the room somehow.
Some sort of a mat or large tray near the door for really dirty gardening shoes.
More built in units to hide the dryer vent and store those large juice bottles, Raid and WD 40 that I spied.
Easy care flooring, a warm color on the walls and some colorful fabric would do wonders.
Keep the rockers and plants definitely and add some simple window treatments, like bamboo blinds.
A chalkboard would be a nice touch.
The room has worked for your parents as is, for a long time so I wouldn’t want to dress it up too much, just hide the uglies and give them plenty of stylish storage. I can’t wait to see!
Funky Junk Interiors says
Oh to have opportunities like this jump into my own lap! What a cool fun project to do! I know you are going to have a BLAST.
Donna
Jennifer says
What a fun makeover…. and you can’t beat the perks! I think I would pull up the indoor/outdoor carpet and paint the floor. The technique that uses the colored confetti in the paint would be great for this! Then I would pick a couple of colors from that confetti for curtains and wall color. The rocking chairs painted white with plump cushions would be nice as well. Of course you need plants …. lush greenery for a finishing touch.
I can’t wait to see how you transform this space!
Alice says
Rhoda!
How much fun! American Express has blessed you and you are going to stretch those reward! I know you will make this space so cozy and useful too. Since your parents are into gardening, I’d like to see a skirted potting bench with a pretty lamp, storage underneath, use some coordinating fabrics on windows and pillows. Pretty rain boots, painted rockers…I could go on and on…
Have a great time, can’t wait to see it!
Karen says
It all depends on what they like, but I would paint the walls, maybe a pale soft green or buttery yellow – something sunny and outdoorsy looking. Keep the rockers, though I would probably paint them, and add tables for placing a book or glass of tea. Either a big armoire to store things, or built in cabinet. White trim would make the wall color pop out. A ceiling fan to cool the room. I would be more inclined to leave the floor as a hard surface (painted or tiled) since the room is used as a mud type room, and skip the rugs. It looks like it has lots of light. Finally, I would add fabric in window treatments and cushions on the chairs in a fabric with some sort of leafy or floral design to bring in the outdoors and be a transition from the outside to the inside and a relaxing place to sit.
JoAnn Salyers says
The porch needs lots of work lol I can hardly wait to see what you do with it. I have a set of antlers that I painted ivory and then hung a crib size quilt from it. It looks so cute sometimes I hang a pink rose and ivory quilt, sometimes a soft sky blue and ivory quilt. thanks JoAnn ps no picture tho drat
melesa garrison says
I would paint the walls a pretty sunny yellow with white trim, paint the chairs white and definitely some pretty cushions (maybe your mom could make them?) Maybe a bench with storage when you come in the back door as the gardeners would have a place to take off shoes or hat. Definitely a place to put hats and some storage for bug spray and such. I like the bamboo shade idea too. I would pull up the carpet and paint it to look like tile…Thanks for letting us play 😉 Have fun!
Fairfield House says
Rhoda,
So many great ideas listed above, but I think some are meant for a bigger budget.
I would add shutters and a window box filled with bright and fragrant flowers to add color and texture to the wall. Flowers always brighten a room and make it feel welcoming.
I would include a bistro table and chairs, so you and your Mama would have another spot to enjoy a cup of tea and piece of her delicious baked goods.
I would place a small china cabinet diagonally in the corner that has the exposed house. I would use the enclosed space to store all the ‘ugly necessities’ and use the open shelves for books, other pieces that have some meaning.
I would include a porch swing.
So many ideas…
Can’t wait to see what YOU do!
Your Friend,
Deborah
laura @ the shorehouse says
I can thank Amex and its points (and Mike’s need to put many business costs on his Amex) for nearly all of the leisure travel we do. I should have been cashing them in at Home Depot, apparently!
Well I love the rocking chairs so you’re off to a good start. And your beadboard wallpaper would certainly give it a homey feel. I’d also take up the carpet (especially it sounds like it’s a high traffic area) and do some sort of faux or real (as budget allows) wide plank floor. HD has VERY inexpensive bamboo shades that I think would look fab (maybe because I have them, lol), and/or bi-fold doors disassembled to flank the windows as shutters. And some of their outdoor furniture *could* work indoors, too. If you really want to get adventurous — and I know you have it in you! – you could pick up wood to make some custom fit shelving (maybe a window storage bench?!). If you want hidden storage you may be able to use some pre-fab (and inexpensive) bathroom or kitchen cabinets, then just jazz them up (beadboard paper?!) to make them look custom.
ANYWAY…I know it will be just great whatever you decide to do, but thanks for letting me play along during my lunch break. 🙂
sherry hart says
Start from scratch!!! How exciting…..if you get too many suggestions won’t that confuse you????? I have read some good ones here 🙂