See our feature on Country Living and House Beautiful!
Did y’all see the One Room Challenge posts yesterday?! They were incredible! I swear this challenge just gets better every year. I started to list my favorites, but gave up trying to narrow it down after a few hours of getting lost down the #ORC rabbit hole. But you can see all of the redesigned spaces here!
Ok, on to my reveal of our two-story back porch makeover. But first, a little background…
If you’re just popping by for the first time, you can learn more about how this blog started here. My husband, Charles, and I bought his grandmother’s old 1902 American foursquare about 2 years ago, and have been pouring our heart and soul into restoring it ever since.
Here’s where we started almost 2 years ago, right after we bought the house.
Scary, right? Here’s where we were 6 weeks ago when the challenge started.
And here we are today!
I’m so thrilled with how these spaces turned out. Painting the doors red just wasn’t going to happen this go-round, but I actually love the crisp white now that there’s so much more color in the space.
I had this light fixture all picked out, and then someone stole it off our porch after it was delivered. Seriously, stole it. Not cool. So another one is on it’s way, and will hopefully be up in the next couple weeks.
Ok, enough talk. Enjoy the photos! First, the downstairs porch…
And now the upstairs porch…
You can catch up on the first five weeks here:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Don’t forget to check out all the amazing transformations linking up today too! And be sure to stop by next week. I’ll be sharing sources, as well as a few DIY projects you see!
Updates:
DIY window coffee table tutorial here!
DIY no-sew outdoor curtain tutorial here!
Porch makeover sources here!
Looks fantastic! Love your GIF at the end. Great job:)
Thanks so much, Jackie! I loved your guest room…that brick wall is gorgeous! :)
Sarah, okay I’m a little jealous that you have not one but two fabulous porches! You did such a great job infusing fun and color into your spaces! And I love the finishing touches with the hanging plants and curtains. I can’t believe someone stole your light fixture!! I hope you have many pretty days and nights in your awesome spaces!
Thanks for your sweet words, Kate! I really enjoyed your family room makeover as well!
Do you leave your accessories out all the time? How do you keep anyone from stealing the pillows, art, even the chairs?
Hi Amanda! We definitely would not have been so trusting on our front porch, but our back porches are pretty secluded. Someone would have to be REALLY trespassing to get back there. Not saying it wouldn’t happen, but we’ve decided to roll the dice and just enjoy our new space. :)
Sarah- WOW friend!!! Awesome!!!!! Absolutely love it!!!
Thanks Meredith!! :)
You and CP did a marvelous job with this. Very nice. Looking forward to picking my guitar on either of those porches…soon! Your daddy loves you!
Thanks, Dad! Love you too! :)
This turned out so beautifully! I really like the window-pane table, the curtains and the hanging ferns. Did you rebuild that brick staircase on the lower porch from what was there originally? It looks really nice.
Laura @ RatherSquare.com recently posted…A DIY Ikea Tarva dresser for our modern kid
Thanks, Laura! We actually built the brick staircase in the back. It originally had these ugly concrete stairs that weren’t even attached, so we decided to build one to match the front cheek walls. Definitely some of the best money we spent!
wow – what an amazing transformation!!!! I love your colors and you captured the beauty of all of the transformation with your great photos! Thanks for this post.
Thanks, Clare! :)
WOW! That is AMMMMAZING! Love it all!
Deborah recently posted…The Glass is Half Full…of PEPPERS
Thanks so much, Deborah!
ohhh I luv that little window coffee table…PINNED Christine from Little Brags
don’t be surprised if you come home one day and i’m sitting on your porch, drinking a glass of wine. that won’t be creepy, will it?! but seriously… you (and hubs) did excellent work, lady!!!! fantastic!!!
emily recently posted…one room challenge: week six
I would be totally cool with that. Come on over girl! :)
This is just gorgeous!! A really amazing transformation…well done!!
Traci Hutton recently posted…One Room Challenge ~ Tween Room {Finale}
Thanks Traci! I loved your tween makeover too…I’m always a fan of navy!
Sarah…WOW!! It looks awesome. I am impressed! And jealous. I love it. Well done!
Thanks Ann! :)
So cute!!! I can’t wait to come back!
Yes please!!!!!!!! :D
Yay!!! It looks awesome!!! Can’t wait to drink some adult beverages on it!!!
“notcoolenoughtoblog.com”…priceless! But you have a new house now, so I think you should hop on the blogging train!
Well done, Sarah. I love the curtains, the window table, the little owl, actually there is nothing I’m not crazy about and it all just meshes together beautifully. Oh, and those copper post caps – perfect.
Maralyn Woods recently posted…One Room Challenge – Week 5 – THE REVEAL!
Thanks Maralyn!! :)
Great job, love it! Aren’t porches the best :)
Summer recently posted…One Room Challenge: The Porch Project Reveal
This is gorgeous! Your design skills are impressive!
Yes they are, Summer! I absolutely love your makeover…those basket lights are everything!!
This transformation is beyond unreal gorgeous. I love everything. Congrats on such an exceptional job.
Marty Oravetz recently posted…ORC-Master Closet Makeover Reveal
You’re so sweet, Marty! Thanks! Your closet is stunning…I looove the dots and dashes on the walls! I might just have to try that one!
Sarah, what an amazing transformation! I’ve been following along before ORC and love older homes that are in the process of being restored! I can’t believe someone stole your light off your front porch?! I hate when things are out of your control, but honestly the space is so fab the light fixture doesn’t even make a difference! The best part is you have a newly painted home and two beautiful outdoor living spaces to enjoy! I’ve enjoyed your encouragement through ORC and seeing this home come to life! Now, I’m ready to pop over for a cocktail on the deck! XOXO, Sarah
Sarah Sofia Knepp recently posted…One Room Challenge Spring 2015 Glam Office Makeover: The Reveal
Come on over!! ;)
Such great spots tosit and relax. There’s something about old houses and their porches!! enjoy your hard work – it has paid off!!
mollie’s mom recently posted…Here We Go…..ORC Reveal !!!
Thanks so much!! I loved your updated room as well! :)
Definitely you did a BIG job here! It looks fantastic now, well done:)
Anna recently posted…One Room Challenge – Reveal!
Thank you, Anna! I loved your office makeover…so fresh and bright!
I just love this! It has such a bright and cheery vibe! I will always remember this ORC because your back story is so amazing. You are doing a beautiful job restoring this home.
Erin @ the-organized-life recently posted…Adding A Twist to Shelving with Fabric: A Tutorial
Thanks so much, Erin! It’s definitely been an adventure! ;) I loved your powder room makeover. It’s such a difference! I loved the picture frames hanging on knobs. Genius!
OMG you guys have worked so hard!! The difference is astounding! It looks amazing Sarah! I love the white drapes and your choices of colors for the accessories. WOW, I’m so impressed. It is really beautiful! Now to enjoy it!
Thanks Albertina! We definitely plan to! :)
Wonderful transformation!!!!
Always Rad recently posted…One Room Challenge- Week 6: The Reveal!
Thanks so much! Your kitchen makeover is incredible!! Love the lighted hutch!
This looks so great! I love what you’ve done. It looks like a great place to relax and be with family.
Teresa recently posted…One Room Challenge: Dining Room Reveal!!!
Thanks, Teresa! We’ve already been enjoying it!! Your dining room makeover was gorgeous! I love all the finishes you chose!
What welcoming retreats you have created! And those copper post caps are such a beautiful addition to your incredible home.
Leslie recently posted…One Room Challenge: The Reveal!
Thank you, Leslie! We love the copper caps too! Your outdoor space looks lovely! I love the string lights! :)
What an amazing transformation! A true job well done. I adore the color palette you selected. It feels fresh and fun. The six weeks went by so fast. I completed our entry, living and dining areas in a new to us 30 year old house. So, cheers to us! Have a wonderful week.
Laura Ingalls Gunn recently posted…The Converted Barn
Way to go, Laura! I can’t believe how much you accomplished in just 6 weeks! I love your space, and you’ve styled it beautifully!
Wow, it came out so beautifully! I was so anxious to see how you’d transform this space. I must say, you did an awesome job of cohesiveness.
Delia Gibbs recently posted…One Room Challenge: Week 6 – Kids’ Gender-Neutral Bathroom Reveal!
Thanks a bunch, Delia! Your new bathroom is adorable!
I am in love with your home. Our first home was built in 1907….I miss it. This is definitely a labor of love. You styled those porches beautifully. I love the entire curb appeal make over. Great job!
Linda @ Calling it Home recently posted…One Room Challenge™ Linking Event, Spring 2015, Week 6
Thanks so much, Linda! And thanks for hosting!! This was fun…I can’t wait to do another space! :)
OMG, the gut work alone is enough to make me back out, by my, you outdid yourselves! Love the styling you did too! Enjoy your space!
Thanks Vel! Your safari nursery is just the cutest!
Girl……you really scared me showing that first picture…..I though quickly…….. how the heck is this place gonna be makeover in 6 weeks! But it looks so so good and I know you will enjoy this space now that we have nice weather this summer!
Ha! I think we scared ourselves! I still shudder when I look at that before photo. How were we ever that crazy?!
This looks awesome!! Love how colorful and cozy it is. All those throw pillows! And love the coffee table!
Meg @ Green With Decor recently posted…A fun easy summer centerpiece
This is FAN-TAS-TIC! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Outdoor Extravaganza party- I am featuring it tomorrow:)
Krista @ the happy housie recently posted…A Little More Kitchen Drama: DIY Planked Peninsula with Corbels
Wow its awesome . Are you professional and what do you charge for such design?
Hi Sarah, it’s so nice to meet you. Visiting from BMB Bloggers. The makeover is amazing. My husband would love this post and seeing the before and after.
jill conyers recently posted…Daily Practice of Gratitude
This is so awesome! We recently moved into a fixer-upper and started rennovating it. Ours is so much smaller than this and it feels like sooo much work, so I really appreciate what you’ve done here! I can see through your photos that you guys put a lot of love into making this house a home!
Likely By Sea
This makeover is awesome! How long did it take?
How long does an average home makeover normally take?
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