Showing posts with label porch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label porch. Show all posts
11.22.2010
drip drip drip
This was the primary consideration in remodeling the porch. Condensation. But I decided to make the best of it by using outdoor furnishings that will hold their own against water, mildew and fading. The sofas still sport their shipping plastic, until the outdoor covers arrive (hurry up West Elm!) but the wooden rugs are doing a fine job. Quite beautifully, I must say.
11.12.2010
happiness is...
After a long hot summer of hurdles and hard work, rebuilding and painting the porch, having a little something to show for it is happiness, yes it is. We're nowhere near finished, but there is this. Drum roll please...
it always helps to see how far we've come
9.14.2010
no pain, no gain
"The secret of achievement is to hold a picture of a successful outcome in the mind." --Henry David Thoreau
My work week (the paid one) is over, my weekend is here, and once again I am sentenced to hard labor working on the porch project. Last week I spent hours sealing seams in the new paneling - turned upside down atop a ladder, squeezing with all my might the brutal trigger of a hard metal caulking gun. Set me back a bit. Sprained my hand. And my sciatic-ick back? Well, we won't even go there. But here I am, doing it again. Why? Because of that end image ingrained in my brain. This porch will be beautiful. If it kills me. heigh ho
My work week (the paid one) is over, my weekend is here, and once again I am sentenced to hard labor working on the porch project. Last week I spent hours sealing seams in the new paneling - turned upside down atop a ladder, squeezing with all my might the brutal trigger of a hard metal caulking gun. Set me back a bit. Sprained my hand. And my sciatic-ick back? Well, we won't even go there. But here I am, doing it again. Why? Because of that end image ingrained in my brain. This porch will be beautiful. If it kills me. heigh ho
8.31.2010
sunny siding up
Today we got ourselves a room. A real honest to goodness room. True, it's not weatherized, but it feels like we enlarged the house by almost a third. The new outdoor sofas are waiting to move in and it will be a great place for plants. Lots of plants. With timed irrigation tapped in from the yard.
We used exterior grade paneling to cover all the sins. As soon as we figure out how we'd like to finish off the edges, I'll paint everything the same Shenandoah Taupe I used outside, using the three leftover gallons I found in the shed. If I want to go darker, I'll be halfway there.
Thom started working around the door and, after seeing paneling there, I realized (forgive me, Thom) I don't want sidelights after all. Too busy. And it will make more room for light fixtures outside. Looking at all the beautiful fixtures online I feel like a kid in a candy shop. It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it.
We also decided to replace the funky old curlicue awning posts with solid wood 4x4s, aligned with the window frames rather than annoyingly off kilter. I'm not sorry to see that trailer trash go, believe me.
We used exterior grade paneling to cover all the sins. As soon as we figure out how we'd like to finish off the edges, I'll paint everything the same Shenandoah Taupe I used outside, using the three leftover gallons I found in the shed. If I want to go darker, I'll be halfway there.
Thom started working around the door and, after seeing paneling there, I realized (forgive me, Thom) I don't want sidelights after all. Too busy. And it will make more room for light fixtures outside. Looking at all the beautiful fixtures online I feel like a kid in a candy shop. It's a dirty job but somebody's gotta do it.
We also decided to replace the funky old curlicue awning posts with solid wood 4x4s, aligned with the window frames rather than annoyingly off kilter. I'm not sorry to see that trailer trash go, believe me.
8.26.2010
decisions, decisions
The first decision was simple: either keep the door in its crate, leaning against the house for another decade, or get it up. I decided to get it up, as simply as possible, with a solid wall around it. But once Tom and Michael knocked the end of the porch out I couldn't bear to see it closed up again, so I asked for sidelights. I considered sidelights running the full length of the door but settled for smaller ones, since we don't want to get into tempered gla$$. But I've got tempered determination (obstinance), so I snapped some photos and slapped them in Microsoft Paint to SEE my options. Here's what I came up with. All I have to do is make a decision.
Here's what it would look like if it were finished with a solid wall...
...and here's how it would look with sidelights...
...and here's how it actually looks, mid-construction...
8.24.2010
hot shots
Thom and Michael never work on the house unless we have a heatwave.
A few years ago when they built the porch steps, wouldn't you know, as soon as they started, a heatwave hit and they had to work in the hottest part of the yard. But this time, with unusually cool temperatures all year, we fully expected it to be comfortable. We would, wouldn't we? Heh. The minute Thom pulled up in his truck, the mercury shot right through the thermometer. Where are they working this time? The one place in the house that traps heat, the porch. When the temperature hit 107 today, it had to be 115 on the porch. I stuck a fork in them shortly after noon but they just kept cookin'. I don't know how they did it but they got both end walls framed, the electrical wiring in, and the double doors up and latched. All looking very good, as you will soon see. Right now it's bedtime. Gasp. At 11:00pm it's over 80 degrees. Global warming? What global warming? Yeah, right. If this keeps up they'll have to build a rudder on this house! Sailing off to dreamland now. Nighty-night.
We're Havin' A Heat Wave, A Tropical Heat Wave
7.18.2010
yes it IS all black and white
One can never have too many good garden rooms, can one? Here's another. Found on Sköna Hem, via Emma's Blog, both featuring many more views.
And here you see it through the livingroom doorway, its black windows repeating the graphic-ness of the Pia patterned chaise. Woo!
And here you see it through the livingroom doorway, its black windows repeating the graphic-ness of the Pia patterned chaise. Woo!
6.24.2010
dream stuff
Yesterday the new outdoor sofas were delivered and, for the first time in the twelve years I've owned this house, I fell asleep on the porch. Pure heaven. Here's what came to me in my dreams...
6.16.2010
poorch
It ain't much, but it's my ain't much. Although my To Do List has run off the paper, some things simply take priority. With the new wooden rugs still unpacked and stacked in the carport, and the outdoor sofas scheduled for delivery in less than a week, somehow I have to find room for it all. I'll be working at a fever pitch, literally, since I'm home sick with bucking bronchitis.
All I really have to do today is get my studio completely cleared out haha so Goodwill can get in and pick up all the furniture donations I've stockpiled there. We gave them three full carloads of stuff last week, but we couldn't see that it made a bit of difference. There is, however, this...
All I really have to do today is get my studio completely cleared out haha so Goodwill can get in and pick up all the furniture donations I've stockpiled there. We gave them three full carloads of stuff last week, but we couldn't see that it made a bit of difference. There is, however, this...
6.14.2010
Stuff
enough already!
The posts I've been doing lately on Stuff are really about my desparation to regain control of my ownhouse life. I can't do much painting and decorating until I get rid of the stuff. Tons of it. Right now I'm tackling this porch dump, ponderings of which were shared with you here. I suspect most people would look at this and think "horrors!" but I look at it and think "what I couldn't do with this!" Problem is, I've been thinking that for a few twelve years already. It's time.
The posts I've been doing lately on Stuff are really about my desparation to regain control of my own
5.07.2010
bzzzzzzzzZING!
Uh oh! Here comes that garden bug again. Watch out, he's got quite a bite!
Thanks to LivingEtc and their galleries full of Extensions and Outdoor space.
5.05.2010
pondering the porch
or . . . what to do before it all caves in
With warmer days setting in, I find myself chasing dreams of grand old green houses and conservatories, and pondering how to whip one up out of the tacked-on metal and plastic contraption we call a porch. Too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and all year round it drips and mildews from condensation. In short, it sucks. And it runs half the length of our doublewide. Believe it or not, I settled on this house because of the porch - it faces north with a long row of windows full of natural indirect light. The obvious plan was to rebuild it into an art studio. Well, we've argued over how to go about that for twelve years, we've had pretty blueprints drawn up, we've discussed it with various contractors - now we've got ourselves a real dilemma. Due to the latest court ruling on a lawsuit that we and 400 other homeowners have with our park owner - all of our building plans have come to a halt, perhaps permanently. What. do we do. with the porch. now.
Since the '70s, the porch screens have been covered by filmy plastic win-dohs you can't even see through. They finally disintegrated so I issued the order to throw them out. It could change the temperature in the house but, my goodness, what a welcome sight all that green is that I planted eight years ago! Those little Pittosporum Nigricans I tucked in as babies have become a giant hedge. It moves, it sparkles and the birds dart in and out. I'll take it! So the view is definitely improved, but how do I improve the porch?
First of all, I do solemnly swear to get rid of everything that has accumulated there over the past decade. Then I will scrub the room, I mean, my wonderful husband will scrub the room, with bleach. Due to uncontrollable conditions, we have to expect mildew, so I'll camouflage the peckerspecks by painting the entire space, top to bottom, a deep complex bronze. That might darken the room but that's okay, that's what I want, an enchanted forest. Plus, dark paint will hide all the structural flaws, the rough edges, the utter uglinesses. Paint it black. Black is beautiful. The little black room goes everywhere.
Then I think a pair of wet rated outdoor ceiling fans would be in order. That and some outdoor lighting, maybe with a string of fairy lights thrown in for atmosphere. You can never have too much atmosphere. Then I'd like to cover the dingy water-stained deck with wooden rugs. West Elm has some that are downright handsome. They're made for outdoor use and will resist mildew and fading, water passes through the square links, and they come in large enough sizes to cover most of the room. This will add richness and texture and will tie in with the wood floors inside. If push comes to shove us out the door, we'll just roll em up and take em with.
The next step will be to build all that Ikea shelving I had to have two years ago for a mosaic business. As soon as I spent my last dime getting set up with a friend, she decided she wasn't interested. The shelving has been stacked out there in its original bundles ever since, probably out of spite. Now I think their 16" deep slatted shelves will make a wonderful wall of potted plants. My hedge has become slightly sparse in areas where the neighbor has shaved it back, enhancing the view into my bathroom, so the garden shelves will provide extra leafy coverage. I put my house plants there a few weeks ago and they're so happy, the Christmas cactus flowered. Timed drip irrigation can be spliced in from the yard with no trouble, so I'm free to run away from home without having to worry about anyone dying.
I don't want to crowd the space, but a group of modular seating would finally turn it into a room. West Elm (can you tell I just got their latest catalogue?) has some all-weather wood furniture with good clean uncluttered lines. Cushion covers are available in water-resistant poly canvas, but I can also drape canvas painters' tarps on for extra protection. I really look forward to resting out there after a long day of gritty yard work, without having to change my clothes. And what a bonus - the sofa backs are weighted and removable, turning them into nifty little sleep cots. We have a shortage of space in our house for overnight guests, no room for extra beds, so we could easily carry these sofas inside, throw sheets on them and we're all set. Sound terrific? Does to me. Well, there you have it, the seedlings of my indoor forest. Nothing complicated, nothing costly, just elbow grease and imagination. I reckon I'm ready to begin and dig in.
For more of those extraordinary photographs be sure to visit plattlandtmann.
Online magazine Lonny appears to have been bitten by the garden bug too. The bite is spreading and causing people a great deal of itch and inspiration.
Across town, another bay area girl was bit hard by the impulse to make her own verdant nook, le sunroom. She's definitely got a green and black thumb, that sfgirlbybay.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few to help you visualize what's going on in my mind. As a matter of fact, it helps me visualize what's going on in my mind. If that's possible.
I could even plumb a sink out there! Wouldn't that be great for potting and cleaning up after yard work? Keep in mind, this is a doublewide and there are no laundry tubs in the basement. You know, I should probably check under the house ... maybe we do have a basement.
Google Search : Outdoor Ceiling Fans
With warmer days setting in, I find myself chasing dreams of grand old green houses and conservatories, and pondering how to whip one up out of the tacked-on metal and plastic contraption we call a porch. Too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and all year round it drips and mildews from condensation. In short, it sucks. And it runs half the length of our doublewide. Believe it or not, I settled on this house because of the porch - it faces north with a long row of windows full of natural indirect light. The obvious plan was to rebuild it into an art studio. Well, we've argued over how to go about that for twelve years, we've had pretty blueprints drawn up, we've discussed it with various contractors - now we've got ourselves a real dilemma. Due to the latest court ruling on a lawsuit that we and 400 other homeowners have with our park owner - all of our building plans have come to a halt, perhaps permanently. What. do we do. with the porch. now.
Since the '70s, the porch screens have been covered by filmy plastic win-dohs you can't even see through. They finally disintegrated so I issued the order to throw them out. It could change the temperature in the house but, my goodness, what a welcome sight all that green is that I planted eight years ago! Those little Pittosporum Nigricans I tucked in as babies have become a giant hedge. It moves, it sparkles and the birds dart in and out. I'll take it! So the view is definitely improved, but how do I improve the porch?
First of all, I do solemnly swear to get rid of everything that has accumulated there over the past decade. Then I will scrub the room, I mean, my wonderful husband will scrub the room, with bleach. Due to uncontrollable conditions, we have to expect mildew, so I'll camouflage the peckerspecks by painting the entire space, top to bottom, a deep complex bronze. That might darken the room but that's okay, that's what I want, an enchanted forest. Plus, dark paint will hide all the structural flaws, the rough edges, the utter uglinesses. Paint it black. Black is beautiful. The little black room goes everywhere.
Then I think a pair of wet rated outdoor ceiling fans would be in order. That and some outdoor lighting, maybe with a string of fairy lights thrown in for atmosphere. You can never have too much atmosphere. Then I'd like to cover the dingy water-stained deck with wooden rugs. West Elm has some that are downright handsome. They're made for outdoor use and will resist mildew and fading, water passes through the square links, and they come in large enough sizes to cover most of the room. This will add richness and texture and will tie in with the wood floors inside. If push comes to shove us out the door, we'll just roll em up and take em with.
The next step will be to build all that Ikea shelving I had to have two years ago for a mosaic business. As soon as I spent my last dime getting set up with a friend, she decided she wasn't interested. The shelving has been stacked out there in its original bundles ever since, probably out of spite. Now I think their 16" deep slatted shelves will make a wonderful wall of potted plants. My hedge has become slightly sparse in areas where the neighbor has shaved it back, enhancing the view into my bathroom, so the garden shelves will provide extra leafy coverage. I put my house plants there a few weeks ago and they're so happy, the Christmas cactus flowered. Timed drip irrigation can be spliced in from the yard with no trouble, so I'm free to run away from home without having to worry about anyone dying.
I don't want to crowd the space, but a group of modular seating would finally turn it into a room. West Elm (can you tell I just got their latest catalogue?) has some all-weather wood furniture with good clean uncluttered lines. Cushion covers are available in water-resistant poly canvas, but I can also drape canvas painters' tarps on for extra protection. I really look forward to resting out there after a long day of gritty yard work, without having to change my clothes. And what a bonus - the sofa backs are weighted and removable, turning them into nifty little sleep cots. We have a shortage of space in our house for overnight guests, no room for extra beds, so we could easily carry these sofas inside, throw sheets on them and we're all set. Sound terrific? Does to me. Well, there you have it, the seedlings of my indoor forest. Nothing complicated, nothing costly, just elbow grease and imagination. I reckon I'm ready to begin and dig in.
For more of those extraordinary photographs be sure to visit plattlandtmann.
Online magazine Lonny appears to have been bitten by the garden bug too. The bite is spreading and causing people a great deal of itch and inspiration.
Across town, another bay area girl was bit hard by the impulse to make her own verdant nook, le sunroom. She's definitely got a green and black thumb, that sfgirlbybay.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few to help you visualize what's going on in my mind. As a matter of fact, it helps me visualize what's going on in my mind. If that's possible.
Laura Aviva
Benjamin Moore Paint
West Elm : Tillary Outdoor Modular Seating
IKEA : GORM Heavy Duty Storage System
I could even plumb a sink out there! Wouldn't that be great for potting and cleaning up after yard work? Keep in mind, this is a doublewide and there are no laundry tubs in the basement. You know, I should probably check under the house ... maybe we do have a basement.
G I Designs : Solar String Light Covers
Google Search : Outdoor Ceiling Fans
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