#porch Archives - Slave to DIY

Classic, Elegant Christmas Decor Inspiration and Ideas on a Budget

Posted on November 21, 2019 by admin

I’ve been sneaking Christmas decor out of the closet, but I guess I’m not super stealthy. The thing is, I don’t have a lot a lot of energy, and I really have to pace myself. So, if everything but the tree is up before Thanksgiving, so be it. This is my favorite time of the year, and the little white twinkling lights just give me the Christmas feels! So, here is what I have done so far:

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.

The exterior: If it was up to me, we’d be done. I have wreaths with red ribbons and window candles with automatic light sensors and flickering flames (for about $5 each, I thought these were a steal). Okay, maybe some lighted garland around the porch would be cool, but, we’ll see. Clark Griswold is already harassing me about adding more lights, but I’m standing my ground.

Classic Christmas Decor: Wreaths with red ribbons in the windows and window candles

This is a great example of the unpredictable weather in Coastal NC: My roses are still blooming, my hydrangea leaves haven’t wilted yet, my Christmas stuff is out, and there are still tons of leaves falling.

This is a close up of the basic wreaths: Very basic but should hold up well outdoors, and they were cheap enough that it won’t break my heart if they’re ruined. They’re perfectly matched with the window candles!

This is a great example of “be where you are.” I am not in love with my fireplace set up currently, but it’s where we are, so I just decorated the crap out of it. I am REALLY proud of my garland I put together, with a willow/eucalyptus garland combined with a basic fir garland (if you don’t have any of these, go to Michael’s after Christmas when they’re pretty much giving them away. They’re on racks on the wall and I got the basic lighted garlands for about $5 each. The faux silver dollar eucalyptus and preserved roses arrangement I added as an afterthought and I love the combo. (Check out our great post on how to preserve roses!)

This awesome Ethan Allen Vase I use for every season with different stems because I ADORE it! The faux cranberries make a gorgeous, simple seasonal arrangement (tip: open them outside and let them air out a little… they have a heavy chemical scent but are beautiful once they’ve breathed a little they’re great!).

For the story of why our turtle inspires us, check out the story on Our Instagram!

And finally, I’m still in work on these faux eucalyptus mixed garlands, and there is a great garland tutorial on our blog so you can make your own much more cheaply than buying them! And I’m just loving the cool led cork-bottle fairy lights, if you’re looking for what to do with all those bottles you saved.

How To Make Your Own Eucalyptus-Fir Mixed Christmas Garland For A Fraction Of The Price

I would love to hear what you think about our Christmas style in the comments below! Do you have any Christmas decor traditions at your house?

Check out more of our decor and project inspiration over on our blog. Cheers!

*Legal stuff:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases via our Amazon affiliation links supports our cause at no additional cost to you.

If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get a commission on that sale.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.

House Porn: An Artist’s Masterpiece in Alabama

Posted on August 5, 2019August 5, 2019 by admin

I have a confession to make: I’m bored to tears with white. There was a time when texture and color were okay, and i desperately miss those days. I recently found a place where every surface: every wall, floor, fixture, and cabinet door has interest. Like a breath of fresh air: hand carved details, custom wall finishes, hand hewn floors… I love it all. Check out the home tour in photos below.

The listing, at 2740 Abingdon Rd, Mountain Brook, AL is 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and a sprawling 4337 sq. ft. The listing photos are the property of the Realtor, Brooke Wahl, at ARC realty and can be reached at 855-822-3469 for anyone interested in purchasing.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.

The exterior:

A two acre lot feels big and is beautifully manicured, perfect for outdoor entertaining and family time. Sculptures are placed throughout the landscape, rolling hills, and stone gardens and patios. The pool is a tasteful addition and blends with the rest of the exterior seamlessly.

Birmingham Alabama artist's home with incredible textures and finishes — Exterior stone, chimneys, and descending rooflines

Special spaces:

I felt like Alice in Wonderland exploring this place, and the details are incredible. One of my favorite places? The art studio.

The interior:

Deep autumn hues wrap the entire interior in a warm, homey hug, yet it’s sophisticated and creative. Extensive recessed lighting, and warm wrought iron fixtures and chandeliers, ensure that it’s still bright even with the maximalist style and textured walls, ceilings, and floors.

c2505216b535fd30653e6ae2d622f3b2l-m11xd-w1020_h770_q80 — Living area with real wood paneling, beams, and modern lighting

c2505216b535fd30653e6ae2d622f3b2l-m33xd-w1020_h770_q80 — Guest bathroom with marble and glass shower, iron sconces, textured walls, and wood plank ceiling

What do you think? Are you ready to ditch those boring white walls for texture and layers of color?

Thanks for checking out our post! Get more awesomeness on our blog. Cheers!

*Legal stuff:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.

House Porn: Epic Charleston Historic Property on Legare Street

Posted on July 15, 2019July 17, 2019 by admin

I have a confession to make: I’m addicted to beautiful homes. I especially love old homes, updated with modern conveniences, but disguised with original charm. What we’re missing in the United States is the REALLY old world charm you can find in Europe and beyond, but we do have our own type of royalty. We have areas with wonderful historic districts, and when people list their homes, we get a glimpse of the type of artisanship possible even here, and distinctive in it’s Americana.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see full disclosure at the end of the post.

One of my favorite places to stalk Real Estate is in Charleston, SC. If we ever had royalty, it would’ve been here. Enter this stunning estate on Legare Street, which, for a cool $15 million dollars (ish), you can live like a baron. Check out the following photos (photo credits to the listing agent).

Iron gate with brick wall — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Start with the ornate, iron gates, massive gas lantern, and amazing brick privacy walls.

Stone courtyard — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Courtyards are an integral part of any palace, and this gorgeous estate is no different.

Brick carriage house with barn doors — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Pathway that leads to the exquisitely redone carriage house.

Traditional home staircase — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Traditional moldings, columns, and a wedding-portrait ready staircase.

Southern wrap around front porch — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Southern front porch style: ready for afternoons with a cold sweet-tea.

Traditional southern living room — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Elegant, nautical-inspired formal spaces.

Southern foyer with nautical ship paintings — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Another great view of the entrance. I wonder if you get to keep their collection of ship paintings?

Southern dining room with hand painted mural — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

I have no idea if the mural is original, but it is amazing and blends seamlessly with the rest of this beautiful home.

A properly scaled, magnificent chandelier in the main living space.

I’m sure it has been nothing less than an art keeping the moldings repaired and authentic. I love the floors, kept in original condition.

I would LOVE to see a repro on this as a cast stone replica. Really nice work and styled professionally.

Historic home with butcher block island — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

The kitchen is usually where these places lose me… but I sort of adore this one. It has all the makings of a place where you can prepare incredible meals, professional grade appliances, and a homey feel with plenty of prep space.

Stove with copper hood in historic home in Charleston — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

I love that the stove and hood experience wasn’t overlooked… Nothing chaps me more than seeing multi-million dollar properties with chincy kitchen appliances.

Curved kitchen cabinets in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

This is SOOO cool. Rainman would kill me if I requested curved cabinets.

Traditional home hallway and staircase — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

It’s so weird that I love this, because I generally despise any kind of wallpaper. But, this is just beautiful.

Study and den with traditional wood panel — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

The ultimate man den with wood panelling. I can almost smell the cigars.

Traditional bedroom with canopy bed and fireplace — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

That bed is SO awesome and the wood burning fireplace seals the deal.

Historic home dressing room — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Off the bathroom, the dressing room is absolutely spectacular.

Historic home bathroom with fireplace — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

And this bathroom is perfect. I keep arguing with Rainman that we need seating in the bathtub so I don’t have to sit on the sink while we chat.

Green bedroom in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

This was common to do color themed rooms. “You’ll be staying in the Green Room while you visit.” Although I don’t do it now (I find abrupt color changes distracting and uncomfortable, and ultimately lacking in cohesion), I love it in this space.

Green wallpaper bathroom — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

With it’s matching green bathroom.

And the pink toile room. LOVE the toile.

Pink wallpaper in bathroom with marble in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

With it’s FANTASTIC matching bathroom. Looks like a Williams Sonoma style vanity with traditional carrera marble.

Back staircase with ancestor wall — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

With pictures of ancestors going down the back staircase.

Attic with exposed beams and wallpaper in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

I love that the attic was formalized and finished, as I’m sure it was NOT in its hayday.

Carriage house bathroom in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

The tub tile is great here and I do adore some Victorian Cameos.

Attic in carriage house in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

This is a great mini apartment in the attic. I love the angled walls.

Carriage house formal room in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Of course, I adore the Chesterfield sofa in linen and the trunk. What a great, cozy space.

Charleston roofline — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Overlooking the Charleston rooftops.

Charleston courtyard in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

The value of outdoor space always baffles me. The incredible, manicured gardens and stone and brick walkways are impossible to put a price tag on.

Outdoor patio with garden wall in Charleston — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

This is another fantastic outdoor space. What a great garden wall.

Builtin courtyard hottub in charleston — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

This is an incredibly disguised hottub. It fits in seamlessly with the rest of the exterior spaces.

Greenhouse in courtyard Charleston — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

What an exquisite greenhouse with amazing brickwork and sculptural boxwood hedges.

Reflecting pool in Charleston courtyard — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

The design of this reflecting pool and the architectural interest is really second to none.

Courtyard in historic Charleston — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Of note here is the copper lean to roof that creates a little bit of protected space close to the wall of the house.

Carriage house with brick walls in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

I love that they kept the brick wall in the cariage house.

Antique stove in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

And the repro antique stove in the carriage house kitchen is a super nice touch.

Carriage house bedroom in historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

Once again, maintaining the rustic brick really adds a nice touch.

I adore the carriage house bathroom with the gilded mirrors, wallpaper, and especially the travertine tile.

Night exterior historic home — House Porn, Legare St, Charleston, SC

The exterior lighting updates were well done and really make the exterior spaces welcoming in the evening.

If you’re ready to drop some serious cha-ching for a historic favorite in Charleston, this estate is listed by Debbie Fisher at Handsome Properties, Inc in Charleston, SC. They’ve dropped the price from an initial listing in 2016 at $19,500,000 so I’d guess this is probably bargain pricing for this type of place.

Grab a glass of wine and join us for more house porn and DIY projects on our blog! Cheers!

*Legal stuff:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.

Transform Your Front Porch: Take Down the Railings!

Posted on October 5, 2018March 12, 2019 by admin

So, here’s the deal. Sometimes it’s super expensive to create a breathtaking transformation to your house, and sometimes it’s FREE. Sometimes all you need is a little elbow grease (and maybe some basic supplies you already had on hand) to make a huge impact.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see the full disclosure at the bottom of the post.

This is the second time I have taken down the railings at a home that we own. The first time the porch was basically at ground level and it was a no-brainer. The impact was immediate- INSTANT curb appeal. I loved it. See the complete “after” transformation on the old house we sold in 2016 here.

Okay, it’s a little hard to see the LACK of railing there because of the out of control hydrangea. Trust me. The railings were removed. Details on that crazy garden you can see here.

When we moved in to our current home it had those same railings, but they were serving an entirely different purpose- safety. The porch is a few feet off the ground. In the middle of our epic and back-breaking front garden project (which you can check out here) I decided to rip them out. I knew that the dirt would end about a foot below the front porch/deck so it would be safe to take them down. I feel the need to say, “I’m not telling you to take your front railings down. I haven’t seen your house. It could pose a safety hazard.” Please consider safety: toddlers, old people, clumsy people, etc. as you make the decision to keep your railings or not. We may eventually put in black, wrought iron railings, but for now I like it just like it is.

Here’s a picture before my project A.D.D. took hold:

So, I seriously stopped mid project, stole one of Rainman’s hammers, and started swinging away. As I suspected, the sellers had covered up rot with white paint (pretty typical) and the railings came down in about 30 minutes. Of course, this made me realize the bicycles and miscellaneous crap all over the front porch would need to find a new home (not exactly HGTV ready).

Tip: Painting and caulking front porch columns and railings is an ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ITEM. It should be on your list. Otherwise they rot. Case in point.

And here’s the front porch immediately after taking the railings down: Sigh. I’m in love.

Above you can see the pile of railings (dry/rotted wood is excellent for starting bonfires) to the left there and the bare wood on the columns where the railings used to be.

While I was having A.D.D. and happened to have a nephew visiting (can I get an AMEN for cheap, available labor???) I decided to get some painting and staining done.

I had him sand the front deck and get any loose deck screws back in. If you don’t have a good sander, I have several of these. I have one I keep for just drywall finishing, then others for miscellaneous sanding projects. They’re cheap enough it doesn’t break my heart to burn them up or buy a new one, but they’re surprisingly hardy.

I also had him sand around where the railings had been on the posts so we could get a fresh FLAT coat of white and the seam would be invisible.

I splurged on some good deck stain and sealant and we did two coats. For stain, I recommend throw away brushes, which you can get pretty cheap at Lowe’s. True story: in seventh grade my son did a science project on which of three deck stains offered the best moisture protection (based upon water absorption and weight). I used that brand. I love the color and it’s amazing the difference it makes. It ended up being a smaller splurge than I expected because that huge front deck took less than a gallon for two coats.

So here we were, working along and I noticed those damn builder grade lights. Project A.D.D. strikes again. Yeah, those definitely had to go. I hadn’t even noticed them delaminating until I fixed all the other stuff.

So, we took the opportunity to change out the porch lights and found a great deal on really nice looking lights.

While we were out there I handed Rainman black spray paint to put a fresh coat on our 10 year old rocking chairs and little black table. He hit the rough spots with sand paper, cleaned and dried them, tightened the hardware, then spray painted. TADA! Good as new.

We will be doing another update soon (cough* cough*) on working shutters for the windows. We are currently doing price comparisons on shutters and hardware. After the hurricane we realized we can’t spend two days putting up plywood every time we evacuate. Also coming soon, the tutorial on how to put up plywood over your windows before you evacuate for a hurricane.

Anyway, drum roll please…

Doesn’t it look AWESOME??? Bear with me. The right side over by the staircase is still in need of rework. Here’s another view from the rocker:

Everything’s all nice and painted, stained, and ready to move on to the next thing! I just love how our mini-flip on the front porch turned out. Big impact for minimal cost!

Check out our other projects and wins and fails here. Thanks for stopping by!

*Legal stuff:

I am honest about my experiences with different products and write because I enjoy it. I do however, have the opportunity to earn money for my writing, also.

Slavetodiy.com is also a VigLink affiliate advertiser which works similarly.