spring/summer porch refresh

Ah, Spring in the south –  the weather is warmer, the days are longer and everything is coated in icky yellow powder.  Every year around this time I get the itch to freshen up my front porch for the warmer months – nothing crazy, just a few minor changes that I think will make an impact from the curb while simultaneously satisfying my need to constantly change things up! This is a snap of my front porch from a couple years ago – I usually have HUGE ferns flanking the front door but after a super dry summer that particular year, palms were the only thing I could keep alive.  The biggest thing now is that my shutters are in need of a fresh coat of paint so I’ve decided to take the opportunity to swathe them, as well as my front door, in a glossy coat of navy blue that is so dark it’s almost black!

I think it’ll be a lovely compliment to the gray and white on the rest of the house and will be a beautiful backdrop for some new door hardware and my oversize ferns that flank my door every year.  Here are a few other lovelies that are on my list:

Nothing says Spring to me like fresh greenery and this myrtle wreath is a beauty! 

After six years in this house, I think it’s time for some door bling…I’d had my heart set on this brass fox knocker for a while, but since the pineapple is the international symbol for hospitality, I couldn’t think of a better way to greet my guests that with this chic pineapple knocker, instead!

I’m OBSESSED with Versailles planters and would love to fill a pair like these with oversize emerald ferns, to flank my front door, HOWEVER, the price tag on these beauties are WAY out of my budget.  After a little searching, I was excited to discover there are a TON of DIY’s and tutorials on how to build them yourself.  They all seem relatively easy, so, we are going to build our own!  I’ll be sure and post a tutorial when I do!

I bought a pair of metal garden obelisks from Target a few years ago and, while they get moved around my landscaping constantly, I love how they add a little interest to my front porch in the summer months, so I’m bringing them from the back deck for a little change.

Monogrammed navy pillows with nautical-inspired jute cording are a no brainer for my white Adirondack chairs.

Farrow and Ball’s Black Blue is my pick for the front door and shutters.  In high gloss, of course.

I’m still a little obsessed with my coir lover’s knot door mat; it’s held up so beautifully and I love the nautical feel it brings to my front step.  It took me a while to track one like this down, but Ballard Designs has the exact same one on sale right now for $16, if you’re in need!

Every year I hunt the biggest, greenest ferns I can find for either side of my front door.  Nothing adds more drama or a beautiful pop of color!

How do you like to get your porch ready for Spring?