We are still working on updating our front porch. We haven't made much any progress since my last post, but I have put some thought into how I would like the space to look once it is all done. 

Currently the porch looks like this: 

I hope you guys see as much potential as I do! I would like this space to be an entryway/mudroom. I want it to be inviting and comfortable. (It is the first space that people see when the come over). Here are some pictures that I found for inspiration. 

Source: House Beautiful

Source: BHG

Source: Young House Love

I will keep you posted throughout this project! 

We are currently in the process of redoing our front porch. It is our goal to turn it into more of an interior space. When Dane bought the house it was clear that the porch was going to take the most work (and probably be the most fun) to update. With the help of Dane's dad (really this wouldn't have been done without him) we have already made some progress! There were four storm windows, and a window looking into the master bedroom. The guys replaced the storm windows with two new windows and they closed off the window into the master bedroom. 

They also had to level the floors. (The porch was once an exterior space...the floors were sloped for water runoff.)

We are now in the process of hanging drywall. However, I am really excited about the next steps...decorating! I don't know exactly what I am doing, but I am still excited about it! I can't wait to pick out paint colors and flooring.

As you can see it is currently storage for items that don't fit in the spare room. The sign in the top left image was made by my Uncle Mark for our wedding. It will probably be put outside when we get flowers planted.

I did try to add some decoration to the space with a cute rosette wreath.

It doesn't look like much now, but I am envisioning great things for this space.

Some projects are not extremely involved...or even planned. Sometimes I just feel inspired, and they just come to me. I recently tackled a project just like this. I had nothing but cleaning on my list of to-do's, and then something crossed my mind. As I was dusting these cute little white shelves in our bathroom I thought to myself...these are too perfect! 

I know what you are thinking...too perfect? You see...these shelves are home to some of my husbands antlers (a rustic accessory that I don't mind.) The shelves are crisp and clean with beautiful curves. Sounds like a perfect example of cabin chic, right? 

Well, I knew that I could take these shelves and the bathroom to a new level with...drumroll please...sandpaper! After cleaning the shelves I took a sheet of sandpaper (we always have a couple sheets laying around for some reason) and sanded the edges. Some edges I sanded more than others. The end result...two perfectly rustic (cabin chic) shelves. 

The moral of this story...keep sandpaper handy. You never know when you are going to want to add a little rustic touch to something. 

I am so pleased with the way these turned out. I had every intention of replacing them at some point, but I think they will be around for a while. The sanded edges were just what they needed! 

So, I got a little crafty today! I saw this idea on Pinterest (which I am totally addicted to) and I decided to give it a try.

Materials:

8x10 stretched canvas

paint (any color)

sponge painter

material

stencil (I made my own)

scissors

staple gun or hot glue gun

First I cut the material (I used burlap, but any material would work) to fit the canvas.

Then I stretched the burlap around the canvas. You can use a staple gun or hot glue to hold the material in place.

After that I centered the stencil on the canvas. To make the stencil I picked a font out and printed the letter as large as I could. Then I cut the letter out of the center.

Once the stencil is centered you can begin painting!

Lightly dab the paint onto the material. It is important to go slowly. This will prevent the stencil from moving around on you. I did the edges first and then filled the rest in.

After you have filled in the entire letter you can remove the stencil and see your work of art!

I had a lot of fun making this and I am sure I will make several more. Hope you enjoy it! {b}