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!
Looks great, Rhoda! I bought my first home when I was 30 & still single. My dad thoroughly enjoyed helping out with things around my house as well. He went home to be with The Lord 15 yrs ago and even though I am no longer in that house, I have wonderful reminders around this house of things he built for me. It’s obvious that you cherish your parents…as we all should! Hope to make it to your yard sale.
Looks pretty perfect to me. You are truly blessed, Rhoda. Happy Father’s Day to your Dad. Hug him once for all of us who no longer can hug our dads.
btw…Love the green color on the porch, too.
Your Dad is doing a fantastic job! No need to complain about imperfections that we can’t even see. He’s 85 and it’s a blessing he’s around and still able to do things like this. He puts many men half his age to shame! My Dad would have been 87 this year (he died unexpectedly in 2010). I miss him! He is the type that was always doing some DIY project himself and could do it better than most pros.
I think it looks just super. And you know if Dad did it, it’s not going anywhere for a loooong time. 🙂 Give him a big ole hug and a “happy fathers day” for me, and a hug to your Mom, too. We know she’s the one who keeps him going strong!
You are so lucky to have such a wonderful Dad. I think the porch and stairs look great! I don’t think they look “wonky” at all. I really like seeing all that you and your parents have done to your home. I hope you have a fantastic Father’s Day with him.
Happy Father’s Day to him!
I don’t think they look off. Probably half the problem is the house being out of level due settling at forty-something; even if he calculates correctly it might not be level, so then comes the carpentry skills to make it look straight and that takes time. I bet it will be amazing.
Hi Rhoda,
Your dad is amazing. Makes me really miss mine, especially on Father’s Day. I’ve been reading your blog for a long time, well before you left BHM. I have so enjoyed your house projects, and your porch makes me a little envious. You mentioned you want to get a grill for your new deck your dad is work on. Here is a link to one that is on Craig’s List in Lilburn. My husband is chomping at the bits to buy this grill, but we already have a gas grill and two Green Eggs. We DON’T need another grill. He used to sell these at the Gas Company and says this is a great buy and a great grill. Check it out. If you have any questions, just e-mail me, my husband can answer ALL your questions about that model of grill.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/hsh/3871053663.html
Thank you, Tee, I don’t know that I’m ready to buy it just now, but I appreciate the link!
Your father reminds me so much of my late father. He could make anything out of wood. He kept every little piece to be used later for something!! I bet you dad was a red head, when I see his hands they look exactly like my dads, his nick name was Red. They have seen lots of hard work and sunshine!! I love to see him at work. Cherish these moments!!!!
What a wonderful dad! How beautifully he shows his love and support for his daughter.
HI, Joyce, yes my dad is definitely a red head too!
You as so lucky to have a Father that is so talented!What beautiful craftmanship! I would love to have a screened in porch.I am working on that one 🙂
xx
Anne
Your deck and steps don’t look wonky!! They will be be beautiful when finished. Your Dad is amazing!! Hug him and tell him how amazing he is, every chance you get!!!….
Your porch looks beautiful Rhoda and I love the shade of Sherwin Williams paint you used for the floors – what a huge difference! I love Sherwin Williams paint too – the quality and wearability of it is fabulous! You have a wonderful amazing Dad, so happy for you that he loves to help you out! Have fun celebrating this great day with him!! Heather
The porch looks great, and I still think your dad is amazing! Wish I could come to your yard sale, but you’re a little too far from California.
I have watched and enjoyed this home transformation from the beginning and each day I look to see if your next post is about your home. I would never want to leave such a treasure and all of its memories! But what will you do when the house is compleat ? I hope you’ve got plans to continue a blog about home decor and decorating!
HI, Vicki, I’m not going anywhere, so ya’ll will just have to keep listening to me talking about decorating even if I’m not renovating anymore! It will always be my passion.
Lookin good! I am loving getting to follow your progress! And amazed at how much y’all have accomplished in this heat!
OMGoodness! Susan made me cry too! What a great post for Father’s Day, Ronda! I love that you have such great photos of your dad’s hands. My daddy is a worker bee for me just like yours. We are so, so blessed! I can’t wait to see how you decorate your happy place!
It’s looking good! Tell your Dad Happy Father’s Day from one of your long time readers!
Susan “hit the nail on the head” with her comment. Your Dad is so loving and generous. Your porch and deck will be WONDERFUL!!!! I know you will just LOVE it. We are getting estimates to have a deck built and it should be done SOON! I can’t wait to be able to go out there in the morning and evening, just like you said!!! XO, Pinky
I think it looks great so far, and I can’t wait to see it all decked out with your furniture! I love how your Dad is helping you with this project. You are so, so lucky to still have him in your life, and your sweet comments about him tells me that you have a lovely relationship! That, my dear, is a wonderful thing to see.
Your dad is amazing and hard working!! You both make a great team!! Happy Father’s Day to your dad!!
Rhoda, Happy Father’s Day to your dear Dad!
You were truly blessed and don’t apologize for imperfections that we can’t see!! The reason your blog is so popular is because you do it yourself and make the best of what you have been given, including recyled wood that your Dad saves! Anyone can hire a person and have a porch done in a week, the blood, sweat and tears of your labor and vision is what has me tuning in every day!!
When the porch is done I want to see a picture of your Dad resting on that loveseat with a sweet tea in hand, enjoying the fruits of his labor!