I had initially planned to have it all ready many summers ago, but life got in the way. This spring, instead of setting an actual date, I worked on it gradually, giving myself space to design and think. And you know what? It was much more enjoyable than I could have imagined! Every free moment I had I put into our porch. I purchased plants and rugs gradually, and it wasn't as much of a "project," as it was simply a hobby of mine for some time. Last week, I finally completed the porch! It's kid-friendly, comfortable, and it's ours to enjoy—that feels so incredibly good to say.
Here are iPhone images of it before.
See, not terrible, but not amazing. Right?
Of course, I decided to add lots of plants and flowers. We even have a strawberry plant and some basil growing about. The kids get to help pick things for dinner and snacks. I've noticed that the hardness of a space tends to disappear when you add colorful flowers and an array of easy plants. That was my goal, and I think I accomplished it. It also helped bring in the space, to make it a little more cozy.
The other end of the porch I saved for more adult watching and relaxing. I found a comfortable school chair on the street that is great for withstanding inclement weather. And then to help lift up the patterns in the rugs and flowers, I received this vintage Eames chair from Patina NYC, which is extremely comfortable.
I also took some time to slowly collect old coffee cans to use as planters. A while ago, a friend of mine gave me one, and I've been hooked ever since. By simply drilling a hole in the bottom and two holes in the back, they become fantastic hanging planters. I really want to add more, but I know that will take time since I thrift them all locally. The plants are hanging on a little fence we purchased at Home Depot and an old window gate as well. The gate is heavy and weird and beautiful to me, so it worked well in the space. I also hung some lights around the fence and gate for nighttime use.
I'm not going to go so far as to say the porch wasn't functional before, it definitely was. But it wasn't me, and it didn't inspire us to enjoy it. Now, our baby Oak climbs under the window and taps at the wall and points outside first thing in the morning. River keeps inviting all of her little friends to come play in her "garwen," and my husband and I are completely enjoying it for our simple date nights when the kids go down. I know our summer in New York City is fleeting, and I am excited to finally have this space completed to enjoy it even more.
Thanks for letting me show you our space! – LaTonya
Sources: Rugs/ Fab Habitat, Salmon Chair/ Patina NYC, Table/ Ikea, Fence/ Home Depot, Lights and Bolga Basket/ Amazon
Credits// Author: LaTonya Staubs. Photography: Peter and LaTonya Staubs. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions
57 Comments
Oh wow, those outdoor rugs are simply stunning! I love the eclectic vibe of this porch. And those coffee can planters are so cute and a green.
It looks fabulous! And a great way to enjoy some outdoor time.
I love this!!
Holly x
http://the-twins-wardrobe.blogspot.com/
I love this porch! It’s such a beautiful escape from the city!
xoxo
This came out so good! I absolutely love the old coffee cans as planters, what a cool idea! I am in the middle of trying to decorate my backyard space, and this is great inspiration. Thank you!
This is such a beautiful little porch! The colorful rug is especially nice. How do you prevent it from getting ruined with weather and rain, though?
This porch design is absolutely stunning! It’s so cosy and colorful and just perfect! Great post xx
itsnatt.blogspot.com
So adorable!
BIO-OIL LAUNCHES NEW BODY CONFIDENCE CAMPAIGN
Oh my goodness this is SO lovely! I wish I could spend my days out there!
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
This is the coolest space! I don’t have a porch :(, but a friend has one in her new NYC apartment. I’ll have to send this her way.
-E
So sweet! Shows what you can do with a small space and a big imagintion.
Thanks for the design inspiration.
Liv
http://www.livforstyle.net
This is so lovely! Porches with color are the best! Such a great use of space, girly!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Soo lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Love the style you gave it http://www.hannamarielei.com
So pretty! I love the colorful rug, the vibrant plants & flowers, and the mini chair.
Happy Friday 🙂
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud
I love the style! Looks so cute with that rug, the chairs, and the plants. Goals for sure.
I love how bright and inviting it is! Of course it’s a pity that you weren’t able to enjoy it sooner but I think it turned out really nicely!
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
Beautiful! The rug really makes it awesome, colorful and personal. Good job.
Bright, bold pops of color against the white walls and fencing suits this porch so well! I love the acrylic table paired with the bright chairs. I agree that taking your time to complete a redesign task like this is the best way to go about it. Job well done!
absolutely in love with this porch. The walls remind me of houses in Indian villages. The rugs too. Love the ladder and the gate, nice touch.
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
A feast for the eye & soul!
So beautiful! I love that rug and the idea of having strawberries picked right off the plant for a snack is making my mouth water!
http://www.curatingpositivity.wordpress.com
LoVe your colorful patio! And that rug! And those cans!
Nice Job!!!! really lovely. Sometimes you get to do the best thing last!
this makes me so happy! love the color choices!
Wow!! this turned out stunning!! I LOVE that rug but my favorite part is the coffee can planters. They are awesome!!
Oh it looks so cozy. I have a backyard too. But it is very functional. Your decor is an inspiration to me 🙂
This is so beautiful! I should put more plants in my balcony!
And, I love how you use the cans as pots. So cute!
meilijourney.blogspot.com
this looks really nice, i need the inspiration to decorate my yard ? thanks
Xx
Cheryl
http://daisycandle.com
The rugs are gorgeous, I love the colours! And that little chair is just too adorable!
Rach x
http://www.lifeingeordieland.com
It’s a lovely space indeed, bright and colorful, especially in a place like NY. But is a rug sitting outdoors practical? I mean, doesn’t it get soaked if it rains? Cement would dry in a second. I just think bare floors are easier to keep clean, but maybe rugs are softer on kids feet. 🙂 I would add climbers to those walls as well, they make the space greener. You’re very lucky to have such a beautiful space to yourselves.
I love this space! I am just in the middle of redesigning my tiny London garden and this is definitely great inspiration! Love the rug and coffee tins, thanks for sharing!
It’s beautiful, you din an amazing job! 🙂
Such a beautiful way to make a smaller space feel like home, simply stunning!
http://www.charlottelizabeth.com
It looks so pretty!!!!! Love it!
Hi Latonya, we also live in Brooklyn and have a similar outdoor space. I can’t see your whole space to see where the entrance is or what the 4th wall looks like. Ours gets no breeze because it’s technically in an air shaft connecting two brownstones. It also gets extremely indirect light, so choosing plants other than hostas and ivy is difficult. Some specific questions I have for you immediately after seeing your before and after pictures:
How did you clean the walls? did you use bleach? Ours are grimy and a simple wire brush doesn’t do the trick. They are still dingy.
How do you keep mosquitos away? Ours eat us alive even with citronella candles. Insect spray and other chemicals feel overwhelming in a space with no breeze.
I absolutely adore the coffee tin idea! My husband and I are about to move and I may find an old ladder or something and have coffee-tin-plants sitting on it 🙂
Oh how pretty! Such gorgeous colours – makes for such a happy space 🙂
x http://www.iliascupoftea.com x
Incredible!!
http://www.tusksandtails.com
@favro
Such a beautiful space. The white walls make it look as if it could be in Greece or some other magical Mediterranean place! I am curious though- how do you protect the rug from these summer rainstorms?
I would love to know where the clear tulip side table came from! So cute!
i Love the combination of the white walls and the bright rugs! What a gorgeous space.
I love that coffee can planter idea! So cute and such a great use of space!
LOVE!
Oh wow, I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen a little outdoor space as cute as this. It’s adorable.
Everything looks so cute! Amazing decor 🙂
tonixox.blogspot.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrHKtPLEiu3kGwQlVVq1NDw
Wow, this space looks amazing! I LOVE IT! I’ve been in my apartment for 2 years now and my balcony still only has my 2 clothes lines on it and a few boxes. Now I have money to spend occasionally maybe I should get my butt into gear! This has been saved on Bloglovin’ for inspo, definitely.
Love this colourful porch! Nice idea! 😉
Dying over those rugs!!!!!
That rug is seriously awesome!
My friend’s blog from The Thrifty Mermaid would love this! She recently did a porch makeover http://thethriftymermaid.com/2015/06/25/outdoor-oasis/
Thanks for this nice design.
I love the outdoor rug!!!!
-Abbie E.
abulouslife.blogspot.com
What a fun and vibrant space! I love all the colors and textures. Perfect for a small space like that!
You’re garden looks like an amazing place to spend family time. I love how you repurposed the coffee cans! The best thing about it is that it’s “you” 🙂
A very creative and innovative use of the space! The colors are brilliant and alive! It just goes to show that no matter how small the space, amazing things can be done. Kudos!