When we bought our present Toronto home, I swore I’d provide the enclosed porch a makeover the weekend we moved in. I’d do away with the dated eco-friendly paint, dreary brick as well as scuffed grey floor, transforming the area with glossy white paint as well as elbow grease.

That was seven years ago.

Somehow I got sidetracked on that move-in weekend. perhaps it was the Toronto Maple Leafs wallpaper border that needed to be scraped off what would then ended up being my son Cameron’s nursery (no offense, Leafs fans!). perhaps it was since it was 35 degrees as well as we hadn’t yet bought any type of window air conditioners. however like many jobs on the desire listings of homeowners, it just hasn’t come to fruition.

While we do make utilize of the area — there’s ample space for everyone’s rain boots as well as umbrellas, as well as it’s an incredible location to be during a rainstorm — it’s ended up being a bit of a dumping ground for scooters as well as soccer gear.

The space does have some redeeming qualities, though. There are original leaded windows, as well as the light is absolutely lovely in the mornings. a few of the windows open, including one on each side of the porch, making for a nice cross breeze on hot days. generous trim around the windows as well as doors provide it lots of period charm.

While the colour of the ceiling drives me crazy — as does this old fixture — the beadboard is quite as well as should look excellent when it’s painted white.

My hope is to provide this bit area a cottage-like feel. The plan is to paint whatever out, including all that brown brick. (Cue the brick painting debate.) The floor boards will get a great sanding as well as a few coats of shiny, high-gloss porch paint. This motivation shot truly speaks to what I have in mind:

What’s not to love, right? The smooth, shiny floors are inviting for bare feet in summertime. The crisp ceiling provides me hope that my eco-friendly one can look even half as nice when the makeover is complete. as well as the furnishings are both low-profile as well as inviting.

Which brings me to one final believed about my present porch space.

There was a genuine lesson right here for me in the true expense of furniture that “will do for now.” The wicker seating is a bit mumsy for my taste today, as well as was even then. however we were having the hardwood floors refinished inside, as well as there was nowhere to sit up until our furniture might arrive. I bought this set under a bit of duress, as well as wouldn’t do it again.

When I bought the cedar breast from a neighbour’s lawn sale, I meant to sand it down as well as paint over the folksy detail. Obviously, that hasn’t occurred either, however I’m happy to have somewhere to stow beach toys as well as baseball gloves. looking at the black stool in the motivation shot, I’ve renewed my resolve to paint the breast black as a visual counterpoint to all the white. And, like you see here, it’ll be fun to punch up the area with seasonal colour utilizing throws as well as pillows.

When I get around to it, that is.

Photo credits:
1-4. Brandie Weikle
5. home & house July 2010 issue, photography by Stacey Brandford