Spring on Our Front Porch

southern front porchstriped jcrew factory dressazaleas and flower boxes

Spring has sprung in Northern Virginia and summer is just around the corner.  Our porch is my favorite space in our home, and last summer I shared the transformation I was able to pull off with a pressure washer and a little bit of styling.  Now I’m excited to share what it looks like in the spring!  The tiered striped dress I’m wearing in these photos is a recent J.Crew Factory find and it’s such an easy breezy dress!  It has pockets and a sweet ruffle neckline and runs true to size.  The woven mules I’ve been wearing nonstop since I bought them were an Etsy purchase.  They take 1 wear to break in and then they’re nice and comfy.  I’m a true size 8 and ordered the size 39 and they have a 9 on the bottom.  They fit perfectly, so I’d recommend sizing up 1 size if you get them.  They’re $39 and are handmade in Morocco.  They shipping takes a couple of weeks but they were certainly worth the wait!

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A couple of weeks ago, when our azalea was in full bloom, I took some new photos of the porch- including the new flower boxes I found at Homegoods, fresh new flowers on the steps, and the ferns in hanging baskets that I’ve added now that it’s warm enough for them.  They brought me so much joy last summer and I’ve missed them!  They really help give the porch a nice homey feel and I love watching them sway in the breeze.  Since taking these photos I’ve installed an automatic watering kit (so easy and under $30 on Prime) and now my plants get watered without me having to do a thing.  It’s incredible and I wish I’d known that this was a doable DIY project sooner!

wicker chair flower window boxescraftsman bungalow porch

In the flower boxes I planted spike plants as the thriller (tall) plant in the center, yellow begonias and some pink vincas as the filler plants, and creeping Jenny and variegated ivy as the spiller plants, making sure that the box would look pretty from the street as well as the porch.  So far so good, and I can’t wait until the plants fill in even more!  We get nice morning sun in the front of our house so hopefully I chose plants that will do well under those conditions.

creeping jenny flower box hanging fern porch

The blue bistro set is one of my favorite purchases on Amazon.  It’s beautiful, sturdy, and incredibly affordable at just $109.  I sit here almost daily!

blue bistro table french blue bistro set

The wicker chair was a recent road-side find and it provides a nice comfy perch or spot to place a bag as I’m heading in the door.  The swing is used daily and it’s quite affordable.  It sold out quickly last summer but it’s back in stock, if you need a simple white swing!

white porch swing craftsman bungalowboston ferns in hanging baskets white window boxes

One of my very favorite purchases for our home has been the oversized sailor’s knot doormat.  I believe it’s either this one from Terrain or this one from Serena and Lily, but I got it at Final Cut Georgia last summer so I’m not totally sure.  The large size makes such a statement yet it’s neutral in color so it doesn’t compete with anything else on the porch.  I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a regular sized doormat again.  Here is a smaller and more affordable option if you’re looking to create a similar look.  I’d layer it over a larger patterned rug if you go with a smaller size.  The forsythia wreath is from Michael’s and it adds a playful pop of yellow.

craftsman front door pink dahlias potted plants on porch

This space isn’t huge but it’s my favorite place to perch with my morning coffee, my evening glass of wine, and I sometimes work at the bistro table while the kids are at school.  Do you have a favorite spot in your home?

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Katie Vail
Katie Vail

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4 Comments

  1. Lynn
    May 19, 2021 / 1:57 pm

    Love the porch and all the special details you’ve added. Thanks for sharing the watering system, I may look into that this summer for my pots.

    • May 21, 2021 / 5:34 pm

      Thanks Lynn! I just set up another watering system in the backyard because I liked the one on the front porch so much. It’s a game changer!

  2. Kelly H
    June 14, 2021 / 6:48 pm

    Hi! What color is the front door and porch ceiling? I’d love to know!

    • June 14, 2021 / 8:48 pm

      Hi! I wish I knew! We’re just renting and they were painted these colors when we moved in. I’ll try to color match it sometime to find something close!

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