I can’t believe I’m going to air my dirty laundry here -- but up until a few weeks ago my front porch looked like this …
I know, it was pretty embarrassing.
A well-traveled path to the front door had splintered the wood …
A well-traveled path to the front door had splintered the wood …
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| Even Ernie the beagle looks embarrassed |
… columns were missing end caps …
… and the bottom post bases were riddled with rot …
In my own defense, I planned to rebuild. That was three years and two estimates ago. Life -- and some big ticket expenses that go along with life -- kept getting in the way. All the while the porch fell into even greater disrepair.
With limited resources (read: cash) I decided to use caulk and wood filler and paint to try and extend the life of my failing (and ugly) porch.
On day one, I picked up $50 in paint from Home Depot. Then I scraped and sanded the chipped, peeling paint. Using leftover MDF and trim from another project, I fashioned new end caps for the bottom posts with my miter box …
… and attached with Gorilla glue, using painter’s tape to hold it all together while it dried:
I found some cheap laminate trim at the local hardware store to use to cover up the rotting bottom posts. I cut with my miter box, affixed with Gorilla glue, and slathered with spackle …
I finished the day with caulk, caulk, and more caulk.
On day two, I sanded the caulked areas, wiped clean, and then primed with Zinsser 1-2-3 ...
On day two, I sanded the caulked areas, wiped clean, and then primed with Zinsser 1-2-3 ...
Days three and four involved lots of painter's tape, patience, and a not so steady hand (hence the need for the painter's tape) ...
At the end of the day four, the tape was pulled and I no longer had to hold my head in shame ...
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| Look closely and you'll see that even Ernie now holds his head high with pride |
... and here's the porch all dressed up for fall ...
When all was said and done, I'm pretty sure I heard my neighbors breathe a collective sigh of relief.
And now I'll be spreading my dirty laundry across the blogosphere by linking up to ...
Update:
If you want to see how I put those numbers on the steps, click here ...
... and to find out more about the rug I painted directly onto the front porch landing, click here ...
If you want to see how I put those numbers on the steps, click here ...
... and to find out more about the rug I painted directly onto the front porch landing, click here ...
And now I'll be spreading my dirty laundry across the blogosphere by linking up to ...
Remodelaholic Link Party
Beautiful! What a transformation! What did you do with your Fallout Shelter sign? :)
ReplyDeletePorch looks great! Love your page!
ReplyDeletewhat a transformation!! great job...and great pictures!!
ReplyDeleteOh this is SO great! I have to say though, having lived for a few years in and old house and wishing I could again, I thought your before was charming :) That said, this is an impressive transformation and what you used to make it is even more impressive! Looks lovey!
ReplyDeleteSoo darling~ love the numbers! I host a link party at my blog on the weekends if you would like to come share sometime! :)
ReplyDeleteJust amazing what paint, time and good old fashion ingenuity can accomplish. Fantastic!
ReplyDelete~Pam
pamspaintparlor.typepad.com
They look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSue
xo
This looking really good.I like this one.
ReplyDeleteDid you use a solid stain on your porch? What kind of paint?
ReplyDeleteAndi, I hope this reaches you. You came through as a "no-reply" comment. I used Benjamin Moore porch paint. No stain was involved.
Delete:)
Linda
Beautiful and great job!
ReplyDeleteGreetings! I clicked over to this old post, from your newer post from Met Monday -- I, too, have a porch that needs work and I am so impressed with all of your hard work here! Good for you, it all looks fantastic! You did a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Gloria