"Front Porch Refresh"

When Modern Masters graciously offered to help me spruce up my front porch with their Front Door Paint, I didn't hesitate to sign on.  You may recall my first experience with their product when I painted the door to my garage a beautiful coral color.  You can read about that makeover HERE. 

Given the fact that my HOA is a bit controlling, for the front door, I needed to choose a more classic color selection.  The existing door color was already red.  I painted it after my fun yellow door was vetoed by the HOA years ago.  I shared that story in one of my first blog posts.  The red worked well but over time it started to fade...bad. 

Yuck!

So repainting it with Modern Masters' no fade product made complete sense.  I selected the color Ambitious from the Front Door Paint Collection.  I really am obsessed with this paint.  The coverage is awesome and the water base, quick-dry formula allows you to finish painting and close your door the same day!  Added bonus: Never-Fade technology ensures that your door will as vibrant as the first day it was painted. 

Of course, if you're going to paint your front door, that means you need to spruce up the entire patio.  Since I wasn't planning a big makeover, I wanted to keep the cost low and use much what I already had in the space. 

With just a few budget-friendly additions, I gave the entire porch a pretty nice face lift.

For starters, if I was going to paint the front door, I definitely needed a new door knocker.  Given my affinity for vintage, I headed to Catawba River Antiques Mall in Belmont, NC to see what I could source. 

I fell in love with this brass pineapple knocker.  It was substantial in size and only set me back $12.

  Score!

Next, I needed a few new pillows.  Stein-Mart had a great selection of outdoor pillows and when I ran into this red pineapple option at Home Depot (now on sale!), I knew it was meant to be. 

I also scored this mini plant stand at Catawba River for just $5 and used an existing pot with a heat-loving succulent to finish off this vignette. 

Many of the items I already owned worked just fine.  A quick wash and my existing cushions were good as new. 

I've been wanting this outdoor solar lamp for months.  I actually used the floor version in my parent's patio makeover.  Needless to say, when I ran into the very last one at a nearby Lowe's marked down 37%, I beelined to register to check out. 

Alright, I have to admit, I just didn't have the time or energy to repaint my patio furniture.  I know it's time, but I'd prefer to do it in the fall when the weather is much cooler.  For now, we're calling it "weathered".  I figured if I distract folks with pretties maybe they won't notice.  : )

I couldn't leave these cute wrought iron lanterns at the antique mall. They were just $6 each and I thought they might be nice with battery powered candles in the evenings.  I was right.

 

 Greenery is so important in outdoor space.  I love my flowers but plants just add an entirely different quality.  I swear by two large ferns.  There's something very southern about ferns hanging on a front porch.

I also love a bit of evergreen.  These pines work all year round. 

And who could resist this cute pig planter I found at Tuesday Morning.  The perfect pot for this lush succulent. 

I'm loving my newly refreshed front porch. 

If your exterior doors are in need of a little refresh, I'd highly recommend this product (and no one paid me to say that.)  Front Door Paint is available online at HomeDepot.com, Amazon and the Modern Masters Online Shop: shop.modernmasters.com.

Need more front porch swing inspiration?  Check out this post from Wayfair dedicated to porch swings of all kinds - including mine!!