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!
Rhoda, it doesn’t look “wonky” at all…..you and your mom and dad are all such hard workers, and I admire the tenacity you have ALL shown to see this project through to completion. Your dad is giving you such a gift, and it isn’t a deck……someday, when your daddy isn’t physically here with you anymore, you will know- even more than you do now- that your daddy loved you till the end, and he gave you everything of himself that he had. You are blessed this Father’s Day weekend to see such love, firsthand, on an everyday basis. Can’t wait to see the finished, final project. Wishing you a happy Sunday!
HI, Susan, oh my goodness, your comment made me cry! I’m so grateful for my sweet Daddy, especially on a day like today, Father’s Day. I was blessed beyond measure when God handed out fathers. I got a gem!
I love the porch! Your Dad is amazing and the steps look perfect to me. Wish i could hire him out for a few jobs i need done in my new/old house in Houston!
Rhoda,
I too have an 80 something year young dad who still likes to dabble in the home improvement segment of everyone’s life. He still owns and runs his own New Home construction company! How blessed we are too have men like this in our lives. I’ve learned so much from him and I just love watching and learning from your daddy also! Anxiously awaiting the finished porch!
You are going to enjoy that porch! Your dad is so talented. He reminds me of my granddaddy…he was talented like that and built me a beautiful decorative porch railing for my little country house. Lots of time & energy went into his handiwork!
That’s my sister that won! So excited! Now wish me luck that someone will sell ME a Haven ticket so we both can go! 🙂
Looks shaping up nicely and I’m sure you will get much enjoyment from the room.
Happy Father’s Day to your incredible Dad.
Your porch is perfect. I have a screen porch and it is my favorite place in our home. One of your fans, S
Happy Father’s Day to your wonderful dad. S
Love that “fennel” – the same colour as my outside doors! It’s beginning to look good now, and the steps are perfect, no need to apologise. I can’t wait till you get the screens up and the furniture in. You are inspiring me as we have ordered a wooden summerhouse for our garden – looks to be similar in size to your porch. It too will need decorating and furnishing, and I will be blogging about that.
Happy Father’s day to your amazing dad!
I have loved following you on this very long journey, from living with your folks and searching for a house, to this stage of completion. What a tremendous act of sheer determination. Many would have let life’s circumstances hold them back. Congratulations!! Your dad is wonderful. Sadly, there are not too many young men who are learning these carpentry skills. Enjoy the fruits of your hard labor.
Rhoda, your dad reminds me of my papa (grandfather) he saved every scrap when we would do a project and pull it out for our next project and say ” I knew this would come in handy for something” it could have been an inch of wood but he saved it. My papa died last year and this is the first Father’s Day without him. Enjoy your father! I think the porch looks great.
Oh, Tammy, my dad does save every scrap of wood. It does comes in handy sometimes, when he finds some laying around that he saved. But, I sure can’t stand the clutter of keeping everything. I can’t wait to get the backyard cleared of all the debris we are making now.
dads want everything to be perfect for their little girls!! your dad’s work IS perfect…you will enjoy his work for years to come…
I think I love your “Dad” posts the most! What a great treasure this back porch will be to you not to mention fabulously decorated. Made with love that’s for sure!
Rhoda your porch is looking great and I’m looking forward to seeing it decorated with your beautiful taste. I am so totally amazed at your Dad. Do my eyes deceive me, or is he NOT wearing glasses when he works? He is truly amazing and a sweetheart. I think his carpentry skills are awesome.
Hey, Lynne, he does have glasses but usually only wears them when reading. Both my parents have good eyes for their age. Me and my sister, however, got terrible eyesight.
Rhoda, your porch and steps are wonderful! You have one talented Dad! I love the Fennel paint on the porch wall! I have been considering painting my porch walls another color than the house and was unsure until I saw your porch. I love it! You and your parents have a special bond! I admire all of you! You are all such a blessing to each other! Your parents are my role models to always keep going and never quit! Thanks for sharing them with all of us!
Looks great. I love it when you and your dad are in action! Please tell him Happy Father’s Day from a blog friend!
You have such vision that you share with your dad! Every post that you have about your home and the transformations are amazing. This is my favorite blog to read!
Happy Father’s Day to your dad!
I am sure that his heart is bursting with pride at what he has done for you–a true father’s love!
Happy Father’s Day to your Dad.
What a wonderful Dad you have! Happy Father’s Day to him!!
Love reading about your progress. I also was blessed with a great Father. I miss him so much but I can look around my house and see things he did for me. Happy Fathers Day to your Dad
You may not think it is perfect but I think it looks wonderful.. Big cheer for your great Dad