Beachy Porch on a Budget

If you don't mind, I'm going to take you along on my train of thought for this makeover.  We start on a Saturday afternoon a few months ago.  I decide to watch (for the 5th or 6th time)  Somethings Gotta Give.  You remember that film, with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson and that "to die for" beach house in the Hamptons?  This time I really focused on the house.  You can google it for even more information about the set designs.  I just couldn't get the whole beach theme out of my mind so...are you still on the train with me?  Just a few more stops.  We were gearing up for non-stop house guests in March and we wanted to make one of our bedrooms guest worthy.  I'm sure you have figured that I went with a beach vibe in there (post coming soon) but we are still on the train!  While I was scouring, searching and hunting for things for that room, I found way more things than I needed.  Coastal design is very trendy right now but it has always been a classic.   Hmmm...what to do?  Ok, train is coming into the station.  I decided to decorate my front porch with a beach theme too.  I like to change it out several times a year.  For one thing, it forces you to tackle some outdoor cleaning!

After the Christmas decor came down I switch to this...

After this morning it looks like this...

Uh oh, that doesn't look very different from far away!  My porch is too small for any kind of bench or even a decent size plant stand so I have to make the best of the space I have.  I have to remember this for house #5.  (Always thinking ahead!)  Let's take a closer look.

I started with these wreaths from Old Time Pottery.  They were only $12.99 so I didn't mind paying for two since I have double doors.  Of course, if you know me, I can't leave things alone, so I added 2 starfish to each wreath.

If I had even the slightest bit of talent making wreaths I'm sure I could have saved at least half. 

A Welcome Mat is a must- have for a porch and this one is from Beall's.  I can't remember exactly what I paid for it but I know it involved some sort of discount plus a $10 off coupon.

The top of my plant stand had gotten pretty bad so I  topped it with an extra ceramic floor tile we had.  Some of the plants are still from months ago but I added a vinca, penta and sweet potato vine.  All of these do really well in the hot Florida sun.  Surprisingly, my cabbage is doing well too.  The ivory pots are new from Kmart (I never shop there but these are nice and were on sale) and the blue ceramic pot is from Ross (where I always shop!).

The dried bunch matches the wreaths and I added a starfish to one planter.

 

I picked up the shell while walking along the beach at Boca Grande about an hour or so south of here.  It's an island that is so beautiful and charming no wonder a lot of very wealthy people have homes there. It's the perfect place to find whole shells.  No story with the starfish (it's from Marshall's) but the matte silver matches the hardware on the front door.

I replaced my iron pineapple candle holder with this weathered look one (Ross $8).

This little flag came from my sister-in-law (Christmas Tree Shop) and I like that it has the brown color of my house along with the beachy blue. 

I know it looks like our palm needs a good trim but you aren't supposed to remove the frond (palm leaf) until it's completely brown.  I would ignore this rule, but my husband is sticking by it.  It gives us something to argue about!

I didn't spend too much to indulge my longing for beach decor.  In a couple of weeks, I will probably be ready to change it again!  In the meantime you are always...

Just a quick story before I go.  I took the baskets off the door(see Before picture) and wanted to take out the fake leaves and berries and store it all inside the house.  Something told me to clean them out in the garage and sure enough a frog was happily inhabiting one of them and jumped right out at me and landed on my leg.  Ew!  I hope none of my neighbors saw me jumping around (or heard me scream!).  Sorry, Kermit you will have to find another home!

I am joining the following parties...

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Thrifty Things Friday at Thrifty Groove

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp

Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine's Corner

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different Act Normal

Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter

Saturday 7 at Positively Splendid

Creative Blogger's Party at Homemaker on a Dime

       Seasonal Sundays at the Tablescaper

Sunday Blog Love Linky Party at Cherished Treasures

DIY Project Parade at DIY Showoff

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses

Creative Bloggers Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tutes and Tips Not to Miss at Home Stories A 2 Z

Your Cozy Home Party at Cozy Home Scenes

Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Delightfully Inspiring Thursday at Delightful Order

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage