So, the inside of the porch is done, except for those diamonds I’m painting on the floor. Hopefully, I’ll get that done this week. Dad has been working on the stairs for the last couple of weeks and he’s making some good progress on those. Now mind you, these stairs will be far from perfect. His figuring and all is not what it used to be and he can be hard on himself for not getting things right on the carpentry stuff, but it will be stable even if it’s not perfect to look at. That I do know! To the eye, things will be a little wonky and not even close to plumb and perfect, but that’s the way we roll around here. I’m just so glad he is willing to help me get this done.
I’m about to hire someone to do a little front porch for me, that we can’t tackle, so that one will be in the next month or so, I hope. That will be one thing I can’t wait to do, get a cute front porch built that will keep water off the head if you’re standing on my front porch.
So back to the porch and stairs on the back. Here’s how far we’ve come. We got the posts in the ground and added the upper deck that will hold my grill that I have yet to get. It will not be a huge grill, but it will be big enough.
Landing outside the screened door has been built and then we started on the lower landing that turns. Dad did the very best that he could figuring out how to put all of this together and I admire his tenacity for getting it done. Like I said, it is FAR from perfect, but it will be stable and secure and that’s fine with me.
Over 30 years ago, my dad built these nice stairs over the creek at their mountain house and that was quite a feat to accomplish. It’s been about that long since he tackled stairs, so overall he’s doing great with mine!
Cutting with the skill saw, he used left over wood and recycled parts of the old railing.
He’s still good at cutting with the tools.
And this recycled wood goes underneath the decking.
Covered up with new wood planks, it won’t be seen at all. Once I get all of this stained with a solid stain, it will all come together.
Meanwhile, inside the porch, I got the floor ready to paint by giving it a good washing and scrubbing.
It had paint splatters on it, but I didn’t worry too much about that, I mainly wanted to get the sawdust and dirt off it, so it would be ready to accept the new Porch and Floor paint.
I used 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Porch and Floor paint in Alabaster, this is after one coat. Better already, don’t you think?
It’s looking really good by now!
One coat done!
After 2 coats, the floor is looking great and will be ready for my diamond treatment. I also painted the house siding wall in my Fennel paint, same as in the kitchen. I had it left over, so why not use it out here too. It will be great with the colors I’m using out here.
Back outside on the little deck, Dad was working on adding railings. We recycled as much as we could from the old stair system.
Stairs added in place.
And it’s starting to coming together now.
Dad cut the pickets to fit and we nailed them all in with my nail gun.
One at a time until we got this top portion done.
Here’s how he spaced the pickets, with a piece of wood. Great idea, huh? He spaced and I nailed.
And here’s where we are now. This week, we hope to get all the railing done and the lattice up around the bottom. I won’t get this all painted until later, but at least it will be finished. I’m SO excited to get this porch done. We will be working on stapling on the new screening too and trimming the outside out with little trim pieces and then it will be about finished.
I really hope to get my porch furniture moved out there by the end of the month, that’s my goal! It’s hot right now, but there is a pretty good breeze on this porch, a balmy breeze, but a breeze nonetheless. Soon, I’ll be enjoying it out there in morning and evening. I can see me taking my laptop out there and taking naps on the loveseat. Oh yeah!
Today, we’ll be celebrating Father’s Day and honoring this sweet man of ours! I was blessed tremendously when God handed out fathers and I am SO grateful for mine. Happy Father’s Day to all the sweet men in your lives too.
And here’s some fun news!! I’m having a BIG yardsale coming up soon with some blog friends at my house, so mark your calendar for Friday, June 28th and Sat. June 29th. We are going to have it from 8-12 both days, until everything is gone! It won’t be junk either, lots of great stuff! I’ll be sharing later how to sign up and come.
Lastly, the lucky winner of the Haven conference pass is #92: Kara! Congrats, Kara, you’ve been emailed!
Hi Rhoda, you brought up a sweet memory of mine, I was sitting in Church years ago, and a young Mother was getting on to her little one for scribbling in her Mom’s Bible, I was sitting close by and I showed her mine, also scribbled by my now grown son, and told her one day she would “treasure” it as I do mine. One day, I believe your “wonky porch” will be treasured more and more as the years go by! I admire you Rhoda the way you live your life and give God Glory! Sincerely, Karen
Rhoda, that’s going to be such a great space. It doesn’t have to be plumb and perfect to be just perfect. Right? I know you’ll love it and have such great memories of working with your dad.
Your dad is amazing and such a skilled carpenter! I wish I lived in your area so I can come to your yard sale!
Love seeing that precious daddy of yours helping you with your dream home. It reminds me of my sweet Papaw. Loved seeing those “old” hands working so hard.
Your sweet daddy! What a trooper to do all this for you and what wonderful memories you are making by tackling this project together. It looks great! And boy, I’d love to come to your yard sale, too!
Not sure if you mentioned this on one of your previous porch posts — do you need to add screening to the underside of the floorboards to keep the bugs from coming up between them? We have CRAZY bad mosquitos in our neck of the woods, and those little suckers will squeeze through any nook or cranny for a quick snack. Screening underneath keeps them from finding their way in. FWIW!!
HI, Laura, someone mentioned that and I may add some screening underneath, we’ll see how much time we have to get things done. Might be something I add later. I just want to get on the porch right now!
I think they look amazing! The double landing is so charming!! Can’t wait to see you and your parents sitting out there enjoying that breeze!
I love a painted wood floor! It’s looking great. Your Dad is a Rock Star!
I really have loved following your journey, your blog and especially your sweet mother and father posts. I feel like I know you all. I can only imagine how wonderful your family gatherings are in the South. You are truly blessed.
THank you, Lisa. I count my blessings every day!
Here you are, still making memories with that sweet daddy of yours! I am in awe of your progress on the porch, but also his amazing work ethic. What a blessing!! Love that you’re re-using some of the wood… xo Heidi
PS — hope to swing by your yard sale next week! would love to see you!
Another member of “Rhoda’s Dad’s Fan Club”…..
I know it’s been quite obvious to you how many of us have a “crush” on your Dad…. Many because he brings back fond memories of our own fathers. My dad passed away when I was only 28. I sure wish I had had the time to get to “know” him when I was an adult.
Your porch is incredibly wonderful…. In fact, all of your projects are done in the same quality of Meryl Streep’s acting – award winning.
Can I suggest that you frame one of the photos of your Dad working on the porch and hang it on the porch wall, if you can?
(If you’d like, all of us that have such an affection for your dad could send small photos that would surround his portrait.)
I love the adjective “wonky”….. and know that I’d love to have a wonky deck by my dad.
Enjoy!!!!
janice
Rhoda, love seeing your Dad’s work; you’re lucky to have him; my dad and I worked on projects to the very end andit is fun to remember all the things we tackled together. I’m a Realtor and wish I had someone like him on my team – we’d conquer the world like you two have!!! Really looking good!
These are my favorite posts!
Your stairs are wabi-sabi and they will forever remind you of your father. Just like great paintings/painters have distinct painterly styles and brushstrokes, your stairs have your daddy’s ‘signature’ style.
What a wonderful way to spend time together and have a common goal.
There’s only one “hiccup” in your post – – I’m thinking your dad will beat you to the couch on the porch for the first nap!