Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Day 871's before and after: front porch


Over the weekend, we completed a project that's been on our minds (and our agenda) since we bought our house (more than a year-and-a-half ago). We replaced the dated, swirly iron "columns" with square wood posts.


Before: This is what the house looked like soon after we bought it in the Spring of 2008.


In the Spring of 2009, we took off the iron storm door, painted the wooden door, and changed the porch lighting (read about it here), and replaced the over-grown bushes (read about that here).


Adding the wood posts has really made a difference. I thought they might look a little too new, but I really think they look like they've been there all along.


I know at least a couple of you have some lovely iron "columns" of your own, so stay tuned for a full post on the process.

33 comments:

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

jennifer- it looks great! amazing how things like that can make the biggest difference.

paula said...

It looks great. such a difference. love the auburn flag too:)

Erin said...

Looks awesome!! Y'all are so handy.

Candace said...

Looks fabulous!!!

bluehydrangea said...

What a difference!! It looks great!

V said...

This is so exciting! We do have iron columns that we'd love to get rid of. Your porch looks so nice!

Amanda said...

Wow, this looks terrific! The new square columns make such a statement, but they do look like they've been there all along. Not bad for a weekend's worth of work! We don't have any swirly iron columns, but we do need to make a few changes to our front porch someday too.

Amanda said...

Love the columns. They make such a difference right??? Can't wait to see how you too the iron off. Our house originally had the iron columns but the previous owners took those out to glass in our front porch. Trading one "ugly" for a much greater "ugly" :)I can only imagine removing that iron was a beast!

Rachel said...

What a great change!!

Amy said...

GREAT job!! We too have swirly iron posts which will hopefully be coming down this spring when we paint the exterior.

Jen @ homeinthecountry said...

What a huge difference! It looks great!

vanessa said...

They look great!

Sarah said...

What a difference, Jennifer!!! Sooo much better:) Gosh, I wish I could get done some of the things on my to-do list! Feels good, huh?

Jennifer said...

Amanda -- I was shocked at how easily they came down. That was actually the easiest/quickest part!

Amy -- I would LOVE to paint our house. But we've got several things on the list in front of that, and frankly, the new porch posts will tide me over for a while. Can't wait to see your before and after!

Melissa Marie Head said...

What a transformation. It looks like a whole new house. You guys are doing a great job.

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

GREAT change!

LindsB said...

Such a great change!! From the big picture it may seem like a small change but once I saw the after pictures it really makes a HUGE difference, I love it!

megan @ a life's design said...

Wonderful transformation! Great job to you and Wes!

Barbara said...

I love the columns. They were definitely a good change. I like that you removed the storm door too. We had one and I couldn't wait to kick it to the curb.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

What a difference! They definitely look like they were made for your home. =)

Catherine said...

Complete transformation - they're beautiful! And they look like they've always been there, so classic. They really make the windows pop too - what GREAT gorgeous windows!! ; ) Trina

Anonymous said...

ooooh....preeeettty :)

Can't wait for the tutorial :)

XO - KB

Anonymous said...

Wow those posts look great! They really do look like they've been there all along. Are they made out of treated wood that's painted or are they some type of synthetic material? I guess that will probably be in your tutorial.

Lauren said...

oh perfect choice!!! looks like they've always been there!!!

(I was just driving by a beautiful 1920s bungalow by my house today thinking they needed to switch out their swirly iron columns.)

love what you guys have done & it made SUCH a difference!! beautiful!!


xoxo

Pink Wallpaper said...

love the addition of the square columns.....and of course the blue door.

SM said...

Oh it looks so good! I can't wait to see it in person :)

katy elliott said...

Looks beautiful!

SGN said...

Looks amazing! It's like you have a whole new house :o)

Way to go!

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

The new posts look great! They really balance the weight of the brick wall.

carlee {deliciously organized} said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
deliciously organized said...

Sorry, the deleted is me! Looks like a new house. It's incredible! I love the way the columns now pop.

Jennifer said...

thanks, everyone! we're pretty tickled with the outcome ourselves :)

SM -- anytime :) you know where to find us!

StephaniePumphrey said...

If the column load is gradually increased, a condition is reached in which the straight form of equilibrium becomes so-called neutral equilibrium, and a small lateral force will produce a deflection that does not disappear and the column remains in this slightly bent form when the lateral force is removed.

Wood columns