"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!!

Third Anniversary Giveaway Winners!

Happy Monday Y'all!

Well, it's back to the grind today.  I can't complain, I've had plenty of time off and I have to admit it was pretty restful.  I spent lots of time with family and friends and way too much time wrapped in a new purple paisley robe watching an obscene number of old episodes of The Walking Dead.  Yes, I'm a huge fan.

I have so much to share with you guys in the coming posts, including my latest project reveal that includes three spaces, a recap of the best of 2014 and a little MLK project I'm going to be working on for Habitat for Humanity of  Charlotte.  But first, I'll get to what so many have been waiting for....the giveaway winners.

First up, the awesome Cutting Edge Stencils Paint-A-Pillow Kit goes to....

via Cutting Edge Stencils

Dawn Bryant! (Blog)

The Modern Masters Front Door Paint goes to....

Modern Masters

W Winston! (Blog)

And the 8 X 10 jute rug goes to (drum roll please).....

via Rugsusa.com

Holly Thomas! (Instagram)

 

Special thanks to everyone who participated and a very special thank you to the sponsors.  Lastly, I cannot thank you enough for your kind words regarding the launch of my new website and for your support and readership over the past three years.  It's been quite a ride, but I have a feeling we're just getting started.

Front Door Paint Giveaway!

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It's been a year packed with successful client projects and a few projects around the house as well.  One of my favorites was painting the entrance to my garage with Modern Masters Front Door Paint.  You may recall me blogging about it HERE. 

I love seeing the pop of color from the inside of my home.  It was such a simple way to add a little visual interest to an otherwise bland surface.



Modern Masters has graciously agreed to offer another Front Door Paint giveaway in celebration of my 3rd Anniversary! Yay!!

The giveaway includes one quart of Modern Masters Front Door Paint.  You can browse the Modern Masters website to view the Front Door Paint colors.  Keep in mind that Front Door Paint can be used for interior and exterior doors and trim.  Plus, a quart of paint provides plenty to paint multiple doors.

It's easy to enter.  Just follow the blog if you don't already and leave me a comment telling me which color you'd select.  Be sure to leave your email if you comment as "anonymous". The giveaway will run through Saturday, January 3rd at 9:00 p.m. EST.  Winners of all this week's giveaways (yes, there are more) will be announced on Sunday, January 4th.

 

Paint Giveaway and a Sneak Peek

Happy Friday y'all!  Sorry I was MIA this week.  I had a client install followed by a business trip that unfortunately left no time for blogging.  If it's any consolation I'm back today to announce the winner of the Modern Masters giveaway. 

Thanks to those who participated.  I'm pleased to announce that...

 Denise will be receiving a quart of  "Elegant" Modern Masters Front Door Paint

 

via Modern Masters

 

Great classic choice Denise and congratulations!

 

In other news, here's a sneak peek of what's to come on Monday's client project reveal. 

 



Photo Credit:  Cam Richards Photography



I know, I know, such a tease.  The space turned out great and the clients loved it.  I can't wait to share the complete reveal with you.  Once againm we've incorporated some amazing furniture transformations.  Until then....

Front Door Paint Giveaway!

Well today is the day.  I'm back to share a little more about the fabulous Modern Master's Front Door Paint and to offer you guys a great opportunity to score a free quart of your own.

I'm sure you gathered from my last post that I couldn't be more pleased with the transformation of my back door. The paint was awesome!  It dried quickly, went on smoothly and only required two coats.  What else could you ask for?  How about the fact that it NEVER fades?  A point that was particularly important to me given the fact that my back door (garage entrance) is completely exposed to the sun and elements. 

I love that Front Door Paint comes in 24 colors glorious colors.  I suppose that could be a little overwhelming for some.  No worries, they have the coolest app EVER!!

You literally just download the app, snap a picture of the door you wish to paint and try on a color.  Here's an example of one of the colors I tried on in the app. 

 

Honestly, it was likely this helpful tool that revealed that I need to go with the darker "Cheerful" hue instead of the "Energetic" one.

So, I know you're all waiting to hear how you can win.  Well here's the deal...

1.  Browse the Modern Masters website and select one of the Front Door Paint colors you'd like to use for a project.  Keep in mind that Front Door Paint can be used for interior and exterior doors and trim.  Plus, a quart of paint provides plenty to paint multiple doors.

2.  Return to the blog and leave me a comment telling me which paint color (emotion) is your favorite.

For Bonus Entries (honor system): 

• Like the Modern Masters Facebook Page
• Follow Modern Masters on Twitter
• Follow Modern Masters on Pinterest
• Follow Modern Masters on Instagram

Note: A maximum of five total entries. Only one comment is needed for all entries.

The lucky winner will be able to select One Quart -any color of Front Door Paint with free shipping within the continental US.  Yay!

The giveaway will run through next Thursday.  I'll announce the winner on next Friday.  Good luck!!

"Front Door Paint" for the Back Door

I'm back.....

 

To say I’m excited about this blog post would be an understatement.  I couldn’t wait to share my latest diy project with you guys. 

 

A few months ago I was contacted by Modern Masters, Inc. about doing a product review of one of their new products called, Front Door Paint.  I immediately dismissed it knowing the major issues I had previously with my “Front Door Paint” and the Homeowner’s Association (read about that HERE).  However, a few weeks later, it dawned on me that my back door might actually be a good candidate for their product.  Go figure. 

I have a detached garage that had a door that needed a little oomph,  perhaps it was the perfect solution.  I reached out to them and they agreed and sent over a full size sample of their product in the color of my choice.  The product actually comes in 24 glorious colors that correspond to various emotions.  I love that part.  I chose “Cheerful”.  There's even a free app (for both iPhone and Android) to help you choose.  I'll tell you a little more about that in my next post.     

 

Pretty fitting for me I suppose. It really is a cheerful color.  I chose it because this door is the door you see from my kitchen and my drapery is almost an identical match to “Cheerful”. 

 

 

What I loved about the paint is that I could immediately see the true color.

 

 
Sometimes typical paint goes on in such a manner that it takes several coats to get to the color you’re looking to achieve.  With Modern Master's paint, it seemed that with every single stroke of the brush, the intensity of the color was present.  It motivated me to keep going. 

 

 

After just one coat....

It also didn’t hurt that I only needed two coats for full coverage. This was the easiest paint project I’ve done in a long time.  That’s saying quite a bit given the fact that this is the third door I’ve painted this year.     

The best part is the paint is water based so it dries quickly and NEVER fades.  Yep, NEVER fades.  I know!  That's what I said! 

I cannot tell you how much I love this door.  I can see it from my front door, when I'm in the living room, bedroom and when I'm in my kitchen and it makes me happy (I mean cheerful) every time I catch a glimpse of it. 

 

 
Thanks to a birthday party guest and a Target gift card, I decided to pick up this Threshold key mat.  I mean, if you're going to paint a door it warrants a new mat. Right?

 

Such a great color and a great finish. 

 

 

 

I put my handygirl skills to work and switched out the lighting too.  Go me! Go me!

 

  

 
BIG difference (let me know what you think)!  For those of you in the Charlotte market, our Lowe's are now Front Door Paint retailers. 

Lowe's of S. Charlotte, NC

Lowe's of S.E. Charlotte, NC

Lowe's of Huntersville, NC

If you're not in Charlotte, you can check for locations near you HERE.  Thankfully it's available online too!

 

So, there's even better news.  Modern Masters has agreed to give away a quart of their awesome Front Door Paint to one of my lucky readers. Check back later this week to enter.  Until then....