When I bought my home in 2009, after moving here from Stillwater, Minnesota, it had patio doors on the back wall of the house--between the living room and the kitchen. Stepping through the doors, I stood on a concrete slab that was 17 feet long x 8 1/2 feet wide. Overhead was a roof supported by three metal columns.
The new screened-in porch was built upon that slab. It now has a screen door, so I can go out into the back yard.
I'm now saving what I can each month so that next year I can plant a shrub garden (evergreen shrubs + flowering shrubs + peonies) in front of and on both sides of the porch, extending to the corners of the house.
That shrub garden will, I hope, situate the porch so that it does not simply "stick out like a sore thumb"!!! Next year, after the planting, I'll post photographs of that.
I planted a shrub garden in the front of the house when I first moved here. Now it is nine years old and all filled in. So I'm hoping that within nine years of next year, the back garden will be equally lovely.
Now here are the photographs! Peace.
The new porch looks great & it will be even better surrounded by shrubs & flowers--ENJOY!!
ReplyDeleteDear Fishducky, yes, the shrubs and flowers will give it a lovely setting. And I am truly enjoying it. Watching the cats make it their own is an absorbing pastime! Peace.
DeleteYour screen porch is absolutely perfect! I love everything about it...especially your rug and color scheme, and of course the screen door that I imagine makes an old fashioned sound when it bangs shut. If sun, rain or privacy becomes a problem behind the settee, they make outdoor curtains for decks and screen porches. Lots of them online if you google 'outdoor curtains.' And with the small, personal portable heaters and air conditions they make now days you can extend your porch season out a long way.
ReplyDeleteDear Jean, thank you for your suggestions for how to make the porch even more livable for more months of the year. I need suggestions because so many things don't occur to me!
DeleteThe cushions on the furniture are the ones that I had up in Minnesota (before moving here). They are faded but I like them so much that they just suit me. I got the water resistant rug from Amazon and the colors go so well with the cushions. I was amazed at the look! Peace.
That's wonderful! Cozy but large enough for visitors and your cats. If I lived a little closer, I'd be right over for a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteDear Cynthia, yes, it is large enough for visitors and three friends who are still in the convent are coming to visit next Wednesday--a week from tomorrow. We all entered college together and then after our freshman year, they entered the convent. I went on and graduated and entered then. So I was three years behind them! All are good friends and have been since we first met back in 1954. Life is so good, Cynthia. Peace.
DeleteIt looks absolutely delightful. A peaceful haven for you and the cats.
ReplyDeleteA garden may well attract avian visitors too (says the bird obsessed woman).
And hooray for mastering technology.
Dear Sue, thank you for the "delightful!" It's what I think also. It's peaceful and the cats are so enjoying being out there with a wider range of vision then they have had from the window ledges in the house. I do so hope the garden will attract birds--as yours does. Now that I have learned how to take photographs, I'll be able to share my avian visitors with you! Also, I'm thinking of butterflies!
DeleteI surely don't feel as if I've "mastered" technology, but I have taken a few steps into the 21st century. That feels good. Peace.
Dee, it's wonderful! I love the cozy corner with the rug. I think I need to make some barriers to keep the dogs out of my corner on my patio. You have given me some ideas. Enjoy this space. I know you will.
ReplyDeleteDear Inger, I'm glad that these photographs gave you some ideas. I'm so enjoying the space that the rug delineates. And the cats are enjoying discovering the best places to lie in the sun. Peace.
DeleteYour porch looks very smart! --so glad to read that you are now able to upload pics from phone without a hitch. I imagine that the shrub garden will only enhance the look of the addition. (I love a good shrub.)
ReplyDeleteDear Bea, like you, I like shrubs. they always seem so content within themselves. they seem to say, "here I am; take me just as I stand here." Peace.
DeleteWhat a wonderful porch! It looks just right to me. And congratulations on finally getting those pictures online. Where there's a will, there's a way. :-)
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, it is wonderful, isn't it! It's so true about the will and the way. Sometimes, I simply throw in the towel to early, not trusting that I have the brain power any more to learn something new. So the encouragement so many of you gave to me really helped. Peace.
DeleteThat is so nice, Dee. How fortunate that you had the slab and roof already there. You made the rooms look so comfy and lovely and putting out shrubs and peonies will be the cherry on the cake. I am sure that you are loving it and I wish for you many pretty autumn days to sit in your new room and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteDear Arleen, I spent several hours out on the porch today. I'm reading a new book by Archer Mayor--a favorite writer of mine--and got absorbed. Of course, I found myself glancing at the cats to see what they were doing. Between them and the book and the cup of tea on the table next to me I spent such an enjoyable time just relaxing in the autumn breeze. Peace.
DeleteIt is perfect! How cozy.
ReplyDeleteDear Birdie, I am so enjoying the words that everyone is using for the porch. You find it perfect and cozy; others find it delightful and smart. And I find it just what fits my dream. I'm am so blessed. Peace.
DeleteNow that is really nice. They did a great job for you. I can see many comfortable days spent on that porch and the shrubs will be a nice addition. Enjoy your outdoor room.
ReplyDeleteDear Patti, yes, Manuel did a fine job. He understood what I wanted and created it for me. Since he found out that I like pancakes, he and his wife Marie, with whom I've had such a good conversation, have twice stopped by the house to bring me pancakes from IHOP.
DeleteYou know, Patti, the world if full of such generous and caring people. I feel so blessed by all of you who follow my blog and all of those around me who are helping me age. I'm fortunate. Peace.
Oh Dee. What a lovely spot you have created. I am so glad you could at least afford this. What a lovely place to sit and listen to the gentle rain on the roof. I grew up in a house with a half wrap-around porch, with 4 doors leading off rooms to get to it. The porch I have now is wee in comparison, but with a metal roof, so I still hear the rain. Good job on the photos!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Judy, like you, I love to listen to the rain. I'm so glad that you have that metal roof--mine is also--that really lets the raindrops send us their message!
DeleteI'm pleased with myself that I did get the photos on the blog. I never could have done that without the help of you bloggers who gave me suggestions for how to do it. It's takes a community to help us learn and grow into that which is new in our lives. Peace.
i am so happy for you dear Dee that you managed to share your porch images with us
ReplyDeleteand i LOVED your porch my friend
i think a creative mind needs such serene place to relax and create :)
best of luck for each task you are dealing with my friend!
Dear Baili, it's so true that finding a place that is serene--that words so fits what I feel on the porch--helps me be creative. You really encapsulated what the porch is for me. Thank you. Peace.
DeleteHello, I went by to say hello, since I've been disconnected from everything for a long time. As always I love your work. That I still think that they are not chapucillas, but great works. A kiss.
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What a great project. It was an excellent use of the space. Congrats on posting from phone pucs.
ReplyDeleteLove your screened patio. I am sure you will get a lot of delight from it. I have that same project on my wish list. Enjoy!
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