Hello Spring! Front porch refresh and DIY

Hi guys! It's been a while since I last posted but I'm going to just jump in here and start with a little transformation to get you excited about spring. Time for some spring cleaning and freshening up and what better place to start than your front door!

I've been in my first place for 3 years now. That is very hard to believe. It has definitely been a work in progress but I have loved seeing the transformations unfold.

Below is the first picture I took of my front porch. I had removed the old screen door and the mailbox and that's about it.

Then I made my door basket and found these great planter boxes at Target. Added Pencil Boxwood, white Angelina, and Golden Creeping Jenny. All from Pike Nurseries.

And here is what it looks like now. Last month I painted the concrete Benjamin Moore Embassy Green. I was tired of the weird stained concrete porch and wanted to freshen things up. Last year I pulled the mailbox back out of the attic and painted it bright red. It looks great now! My door is painted Benjamin Moore Calypso Blue. It took me forever to pick the perfect shade. I love how it turned out. Plus changing out the hardware was a huge improvement. 

 

I found this adorable doormat at Target this week. I have a small collection of doormats, I admit it! But I splurged on this cutie. Changed up the planters and added red geraniums and blue lithodora from Pike Nurseries. Ready for summer. Red, White, & Blue. Your entryway is the first thing you and your guests see. Make it fun and inviting! 

Even the smallest improvement can make a huge difference. What are your weekend home improvement plans!?!

Have a great one!

Chelsea

Madison, Georgia’s Holiday Tour of Homes 2013

I’m trying to catch up on all my recent doings and with the winter storms brewing in Georgia I’m stuck home and have some time to work on my posts. It’s kind of nice actually to have time to go back and look at my pictures and remember how beautiful everything was. Very motivating for decorating and collecting for Christmas 2014. :)
Madison is one of my favorite places to visit here locally. It’s so close to metro Atlanta and has so much beautiful architecture, landscaping, and history. There are many fun shops and there is always something going on to come visit for. Madison has been my most popular blog inspiration and so many of you come back to see what I’ve been doing here. Thank you for the support and I hope to see you in Madison sometime soon!

 

 

I have always thought this home is one of the most beautiful in Madison (I mean just look at that beautiful ornate Frette work!!) and I was so happy to see it was going to be on the tour this year.

 

 

 

 

The previous owner of my home left one of these crystal horns. It looks so pretty on a mantel mixed with fresh greenery.

 

 

 

Anyone who knows me knows I love pretty china and silver. This antique set looks very similar to some antique Limoges my mother was gifted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Genius idea! Model A Tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like their wreaths and greenery. Cute screen door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed at the lovely Madison Oaks Inn, which we love and have been to several times {May Festival & Murder Mystery Weekend} and brought our friends along. Breakfast was delicious as always and we love visiting with innkeeper Cheryl and, of course, Sophie the Pug. Thank you for everything! :)

 

 

 

 

My mouth is watering just looking at this picture! So delicious!

 

 

Isn’t this clever! They wrapped hay bales in burlap and decorated with ribbon and candy canes. I’ll have to remember for next year!

 

Check out my previous posts about Madison {2013 Holiday Tour} {Madison in May 2013}. I can’t wait to come back, Madison in May will be here before we know it but I hope to be back before then!
Have a bright day!
Chelsea

Pinterest worthy DIY projects

I’m the kind of girl who likes to do things herself and find new ways to use and enjoy things from another time or place. It doesn’t hurt if they are inexpensive changes to boot. I have a lot of mini projects swimming around in the back of my head and as I recently had a social gathering at my house it was time to put some of them into overdrive. So without further ado. Voila!

I found this awesome vintage garden gate buried in ivy behind the shed when I was clearing some things out of the yard. I knew it would be awesome cleaned up and put back in the garden. When were walking around downtown Madison after going to the Sunflower Farm Festival a few weeks ago I saw this “old” garden gate on a wall. ‘Um. I’m doing that!’

So I cleaned it up, scrubbed it with a steel wool brush, and sprayed it with a clear anti rush spray paint and then Krylon Ivy Leaf.

Ta Da! It has a new life:)

Project #2. While shopping a month or so ago I spotted these adorable house numbers outside a cute little shop. I asked, they no longer sell them. So I figured, hey! I can make those!

    

I had tons of wooden paint stirrers from my massive house painting project/s and extra Benjamin Moore Bermuda Turquoise paint. I was going to paint my door Bermuda Turquoise but ended up going with Calypso Blue, one shade lighter. Used leftover white paint and a stencil. Sprayed with clear sealer. Easy as 1, 2, 3…Done!

So fun right!

What are some of your recent DIY projects or Pinterest inspirations?

Have a bright day!

Bright Girl