Front Porch Decor

Lazy Front Porch Afternoon

The sun is shining, the cicadas are humming, the lemonade is made. It's time to pull up a chair and settle in on the front porch. For me, the front porch is where I go to relax, maybe pot a few flowers, and because it is covered, it is the ideal place to sit and listen to a gentle summer storm.

This seating area was made possible through some fun and colorful cushions found at Target in the blue/coral combination I've been loving lately. The table and chairs were purchased from a grocery store several years ago. The set could use a new coat of paint, but I still adore it.










Tucked into a space seemingly made just for it, resides my potting bench, purchased from Gardener's Supply Co. Here is where I get to "play." A bold turquoise paint color makes it the brightest spot of the porch.














I like to switch up what hangs on the front door. Usually it is a wreath, but lately I've enjoyed hanging herbs. Here is a nice, fragrant chocolate mint to greet visitors.

Chocolate Min

Check out my YouTube channel, Life As Laura, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1MXv1WfEtc to see a complete tour of our front porch and the back deck as well. Please like and subscribe!

Natural Centerpieces

In my opinion, the best centerpieces are beautiful, yet simple and inexpensive. Sounds ideal, right? My favorite centerpieces to make use elements from my yard and repurposed vessels. Even if you don't have anything blooming, simple branches, even sticks, can look amazing when purposefully displayed.
                                               
The eyes have it! These Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susans) look simply sweet displayed in these vintage looking French bottles. I've seen these bottles at HomeGoods and other decor stores, but these are actually from Aldi! You need a little elbow grease to get the labels off, but the upside is you also get to enjoy the delicious sparkling lemonade that comes with them -- all for less than 3 bucks each. The tray was purchased from a "sample sale" held by a giftware company decades ago.
                                                     
Herbs, herbs, herbs! What could be better in a kitchen than fresh cut herbs? These pretty little things were cut from my container herb garden that sits on the deck. The bottles are a mix of store-bought olive oil bottles and a set of oil and vinegar cruets. The ceramic tray was a super clearance buy at Hobby Lobby. The herbs I used include chocolate mint, lavender, thyme, parsley, and oregano, but you can use just one or as many as you have.

Harvest Time. This time of year, there is plenty of fresh produce in my garden to add pops of color to my kitchen counters. A few cucumbers, some Roma tomatoes and a pretty candle on a cutting board are all you need for one of the fastest centerpiece ideas under the sun.









Branch out. Even without flowers or buds, branches add that bit of the outdoors to any interior space. Just be sure to shake them out really well before bringing them inside -- or you may have some extra company of the insect variety.












Check out a video of these ideas on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXlnPT0VnLEgTi9Ud_xuwg Please Like and Subscribe!