Pintail Landing Front Porch

I love porches. A few years ago when we realized we didn’t really want to move because we love our neighbors and our house and our culdesac so much, we added a screened in porch in the back. And of course, I’ve always dreamed of a front porch - a place where I can swing and listen to our kiddos play in the culdesac. So naturally, being at home during a global pandemic paved the path for my dreams to turn into a reality. I received LOTS of quotes from contractors, and after they were all too high, I realized I could manage this project on my own, especially since I was home all the time and it wasn't incredibly time sensitive. We ended up finding a brick mason who recommended the roofer who recommended the framer. They all helped me figure out what I needed to do in terms of permits, and my dad completed the final drawings. While it took nearly an entire year to complete since we first broke ground, we are THRILLED with the results. Our front porch is where you’ll find me from now on… happily reading, bird watching, working, and listening to the storms roll in.

Beautiful home, beautiful sky - time for a facelift!

the "before"

The girls helped us prep for demolition.  We had a few hydrangeas that meant a lot to us, but they had to go, and fortunately were already struggling to stay alive.  One hydrangea was from Daniel's dad's funeral, and the other was given to us by Kim and Jeff on the day the girls were born.

First step: prepping the house

The brick mason had to get the area ready for the footings

we also decided to re-do our sidewalk since we were having concrete poured

it rained... a lot.... during this process.

we have new brick!

mainly for documenting purposes.... the color of the mortar

jack hammering the existing porch concrete

during the concrete demolition, they discovered the boards sitting against the original porch were terribly rotten due to water. Thankfully damage was pretty minimal and it was an easy fix!

all ready for concrete

concrete day

......and then it rained on concrete day..... 

STANDING ON OUR NEW PORCH

E&S footprint stepping stones from extra concrete :)

he thought I was ridiculous for putting up chairs to rock on my front porch, but gosh darn it that's my dream

doing a little work on the porch :)

the concrete and brick work are all done! ready for framing

Framing begins!

....and we have shingles! 

the columns make it look SO GOOD!

We decided to do the painting ourselves.  It was a lot of work, but oh-so-worth it!

..... and she's just about done!  Peep those pumpkins lining the steps

Installing the new lights

Adding on the ceiling

Finally... decorated her for Christmas!  It's sooo pretty.

I really wanted a front porch tree, and isn't this one gorgeous?!

And one of the last finishing touches.... new iron railings.  We decided against doing them all the way across and just added them to the steps.  (The tape is there because we are trying to cover up/fix the water damage that happened from rain on concrete day)

 And as wintertime turned into Springtime.... Daniel putting together the new chairs... complete with pull-out foot rests :)

And the porch swing!!  This porch swing my grandfather made for my parents.  It's been sitting unused at my parents house for a long time.  Eventually I think I want a gliding bench, but for now (and with the global supply chain issues)... this is juuuuust fine.

You are my sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.

Eek! New chairs, old swing.

And the new landscape lighting really makes her shine.  I just cannot handle how amazing it looks!

new sign from the Couringtons

Pictures before the baseball game on the COMPLTED porch

love love love this sweet family of ours, on the newest addition to our home, on this really wonderful life we've worked hard at building.

Red White and Blue for the 4th of July

This is where you'll find me from now on.

And nearly an entire year later.... that's a wrap.

a reminder of the "before"

the "after"

Take a look at our little paradise.

It ain't much but baby, you and I

Picked the right stars, made the right wish

Ain't nothing out there like this