Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Vintage farmhouse style porch

We love our porches here in the mountains, and we certainly put ours to good use during the summer. I showed you all the front porch last week, so I thought we would go around and see the back porch today. 

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I head out to the back porch every morning with my first cup of coffee as soon as it's light enough to enjoy. I love -- despite the setback of Daylight Saving Time, which keeps my mornings unnecessarily dark for a lot longer, that it is now light when I get the kids ready for school at 6. 


This property was originally a pheasant farm when my great grandfather first bought it as his summer residence, and a lot of the old things I have recycled and repurposed, are from the original buildings, several of which are still standing. Some of you remember my screen door repurpose a couple years ago. I still love it:-) The rocker belonged to my great aunt and the bench went with my grandmother's outdoor furniture. 

I kept the pink ticking and added some toile to the black floral outdoor fabric, just as I did in the front.



The peonies are from my mother's garden next door and are the perfect country touch for a back porch table set for two.


The table is set with a 1950s tablecloth, 1956 Brookpark "Pink Hyacinth" melmac dinnerware, Indiana Glass "Whitehall"  glassware, and my mother's Oneida "White Lily" flatware from 1961. 






North Carolina license plates from the 1940s and 50s, collected by my grandfather, are right at home on a plate rack hanging on an old tongue and groove door from one of the original houses on the property.


I added a newer iron and wood shelf to hold milk glass, ironstone, and Mason jar candles.




On the other side of the iron love seat, I used a wooden table topped with an aluminum tray my dad made and more milk glass. I got out the iron candelabra that I bought in Turkey to add some candlelight at night.


My grandmother's little pink rocker is so sweet here, and when I imagine her sitting out here with me enjoying the birds singing and the sound of the creek, it brings a smile to my face:-)


The pot rack holds candles and a unique McCoy planter.


This little bar is wonderful to use for food, or for kids to sit and eat:-) It was originally in a little apartment here my grandparents had added to the main house for my great grandmother. I gave it a makeover a couple years ago with the black paint/walnut stain. 


I bought two of those galvanized trays from Walmart that I showed you last week on the front porch, and the other one ended up here. Vintage "Raffiaware" is a favorite of mine and the burlap inserts give it texture, which I love.





This is definitely my spot and worth all the work to get it pretty:-) 

I really do love it out here when it's nice and clean, and seriously enjoy spending time out here with my family. I obviously did not go out and buy a matching set of patio furniture, but collected, repurposed and recycled what I could find-- mostly from the property here, and tried to put something together unique and personal. That makes it so much more meaningful for me, even though it's not trendy and new. And that really is the essence of farmhouse style, I think -- not a particular color or certain accessories, but using what you have and making it pretty. Just like my grandmother did:-)


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15 comments:

  1. Michele @ The Nest at Finch RestMay 26, 2015 at 2:43 PM

    What an amazing porch space = no wonder you are there whenever possible! I absolutely ADORE your grandmother's pink rocker - beyond adorable.

    Well done fixing it up so beautifully - and your tablescape is great, too!

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  2. FABBY'S LIVINGMay 26, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    I love your gorgeous, warm, cozy and inviting porch Anita. Lovely tablescape and you fixed up perfectly for Summer time.

    FABBY

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  3. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsMay 26, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    I would rather have a collection of furniture that has been passed down than a porch full of new furniture any day...how so very special each piece is....love seeing all of the treasured pieces from the furniture to the wonderful old license plates to that very special pink rocker...I am sure you can sense your grandparents and more being right there on the porch with you enjoying the view and the summer fireflies!

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  4. Creations By CindyMay 26, 2015 at 5:37 PM

    Lovely. Love the pinks. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  5. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLRMay 26, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    Anita, I get excited to see your porches every year! The pink is so soft and pretty; and all of your little touches make everything so special. What a lovely place to enjoy the season!

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  6. Yes, it's beautiful! And inspiring!

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  7. I absolutely love how you have everything set up, it's exactly how I want to piece together my future home with my future husband! We've already started our own little collection of hand-me-down furniture and antiqued/thrifted pieces, I definitely keep getting inspiration from you along the way :)

    xoxo, SS


    The Southern Stylista

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  8. It also shows how creative you are with bringing all the pieces together and them working together so beautifully. I have got to get to work on mine.

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  9. Blondie's JournalMay 26, 2015 at 9:19 PM

    This porch sure is a wonderful and peaceful way for you to enjoy your mornings, Anita. I simply love everything and I know you love to have all of your ancestor's pieces around you. I particularly love the pink rocker--it melts my heart!

    Jane x

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  10. Kathleen GeorgeMay 27, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    I can picture family and friends gathering around the back porch feeling the mountain breezes on a summer day. Love the tablecloth, Kathleen in Az

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  11. Whatever you touch is just lovely, Anita. And your back porch is a reflection of the beautiful home that you have. Thank you for posting this. It's just wonderful.....
    Hugs,
    Mary

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  12. Beautiful spot! It looks like morning coffee in a tree house, and surrounded by things you love makes it extra special.
    Carolyn

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  13. Oh my. I love this porch so much. Your decor and furnishings and vintage things are all just perfect. I love the table setting for lunch with the vintage dishes etc. It's all so lovely. I know you will enjoy it all summer long. Have a great day! Pam

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  14. Soooooo much porch "Charm" ... and peaceful beauty!!! Thank you for sharing !!!

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  15. Very cozy and charming

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