5 fabulous front porches + a mini makeover plan

I’m chomping at the bit to give my front porch a bit of a mini makeover, courtesy of a glossy new paint color on my front door, some new lantern lights, a new rug and a fresh coat of crisp white paint on my crusty adirondack chairs.  The only thing holding me back is the pollen that has yet to set in and my incredibly frustrating inability to choose a color for my front door! I’m leaning heavily toward a glossy black door right now, but a pale gray/blue is also an option (ah, indecision!) and the oversize copper lanterns I posted a few weeks ago. 

Here is my plan, so far:

And here are five incredibly fabulous front porches that got me pining for a front porch makeover in the first place:

Everything about this stunning front porch by interior designer Lee Ann Thornton is welcoming and elegant, from the charcoal door, hanging lantern and slate steps to the transoms, potted boxwoods and oversize corbels.  Sheer perfection.

A poppy red Dutch door, brass lantern lights, huge corbles and a Lutyens bench are charming compliments to cedar shake siding on this back entrance (yes, can you believe it – BACK entrance???) of a home designed by Hillary Taylor Design:

A black front door is anything but boring when flanked by potted boxwoods, lush green landscaping and a pea gravel path leading to this stairway by architect Tim Barber.

Pale blue never looked as amazing as it does on the front door and board and batten shutter on the porch of this guest house by designer Steven Gambrel.  Simple and classic – perfect. 

You don’t need bold color to make a dramatic first impression – I love the tone on tone of this white-painted brick facade, pale blue/green front door, zinc planters and, again, slate steps (noticing a pattern here?). Subtle, but stunning: