I do a lot of thinking when I'm on my sweet Husqvarna riding lawnmower.
A lot.
I love my lawnmower.
I love mowing.
Four hours of sunshine on my shoulders;
the earthy fragrance of freshly cut grass;
and seeing our property from different angles and views.
It's alllll good.
And while I'm cutting those neat, green stripes in the grass,
my brain is going a million miles a minute ~
re-landscaping this,
relocating that,
adding something here,
and moving something over there.
It gives me the perfect chance to do some serious brainstorming and planning.
So when I rode by the front porch
and glanced at my favorite porch swing,
she looked pretty
but...
unadorned.
She needed something.
I love the new RASC body pillow slip a friend made for me.
I love the ruffled cushion beneath it.
But something was missing...
A lot.
I love my lawnmower.
I love mowing.
Four hours of sunshine on my shoulders;
the earthy fragrance of freshly cut grass;
and seeing our property from different angles and views.
It's alllll good.
And while I'm cutting those neat, green stripes in the grass,
my brain is going a million miles a minute ~
re-landscaping this,
relocating that,
adding something here,
and moving something over there.
It gives me the perfect chance to do some serious brainstorming and planning.
So when I rode by the front porch
and glanced at my favorite porch swing,
she looked pretty
but...
unadorned.
She needed something.
I love the new RASC body pillow slip a friend made for me.
I love the ruffled cushion beneath it.
But something was missing...
Hmmmmmm.......
The creative gears in my brain began to whirl and grind.
Every time I rode past the porch, I looked at her.
Contemplating....
thinking.
By the time the mowing was completed,
I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
My swing was singing for some
gypsy goodness.
Gathering up a pile of streamers I use when creating my dream catchers,
I headed out to the porch...
...and started wrapping.
Criss-crossing back and forth over the chains,
tying them in a knot,
leaving the ends to flutter in the wind.
Criss-crossing back and forth over the chains,
tying them in a knot,
leaving the ends to flutter in the wind.
So much better than those plain, old chains.
I also changed out the chandelier on the porch, too.
The previous one was very plain.
This one, however,
(picked up last summer at an antique shop)
adds a touch of vintage, romantic bling.
I also changed out the chandelier on the porch, too.
The previous one was very plain.
This one, however,
(picked up last summer at an antique shop)
adds a touch of vintage, romantic bling.
A large, new outdoor Turkish-inspired rug will soon grace the cement floor
replacing the worn coir one.
The answer was to hang long, romantic sheer outdoor curtain panels ~
giving the porch an even more cozy, romantic bohemian feel.
Oh yes.
I ripped some white streamers to use as tie-backs on breezy days.
Now, the porch feels a bit more like an outdoor room.
A place to escape the hot afternoon sun.
A place to swing and snooze the day away...
on a whimsical, gypsy swing.
Be sure to stop by and take a leisurely walk through Kerryanne's beautiful new e-zine
"Simply Shabbilicious" at her Shabby Art Boutique blog.
You might see someone you know.
*wink*
The new issue is scheduled to be out on Monday, May 20!
Oooh Laurie... I am in love... sigh... just beautiful!... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Laurie!!! Love the curtains blowing in the wind...so pretty
ReplyDeleteYour porch is lovely
Enjoy!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~
Your porch is just gorgeous! I have been thinking about adding some curtains to our porch...seeing yours has made my mind up...YES! Hugs, Penny
ReplyDeleteI got lost in the dreaminess of the entire post! Your dream catchers are enchanting and I love the sheer curtains...so romantic! What sort of flowers are growing right in front of your porch? I just love looking at all of your fresh mowed grass!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
Oh Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI love all of it. I can feel the breeze and wish I could swing on that porch. Beautiful like a dream. You are so talented! I may just have to copy you!
xoxo Dolly
OMG!! Laurie!! LOVE your porch!!!
ReplyDeleteI love what you did--your porch looks so light and airy now--I love it!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Laurie~ glad that you found the sheers you were looking for after all- they are perfect! :)
ReplyDeleteYour idea for the flimsy gauzy gypsy curtains was inspired and it creates a room like romantic feel.
ReplyDeleteLove the look of torn cotton ribbons dancing in the breeze. The porch is very lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove what you did here with the curtains, the swing, and covering the chains...I know what I'll be doing once my swing is made and up for use...adding strips of fabric to my chains!
ReplyDeleteOh ya! I must say it sure is a precious place to relax, daydream and enjoy.I sure like the fabric on the chain made a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you find your outdoor curtains? Very pretty!
Headed over to check out your friends blog :) Thanks!
Lovely. I used to have a porch like this. I really miss it. J
ReplyDeleteInspired swing streamers and porch sheers! Can't wait to see what inspirations come the next time you mow... May I borrow your mower for a little inspiration time?
ReplyDeleteJudith
You always have great ideas that add more beauty to your home!
ReplyDeleteYou know i wasn't too crazy about the strips tied to the chains but then you added the curtains and OH MY YES that was it! Its beautiful! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteOhhh Laurie,
ReplyDeletethat´s amazing. Great place for rest with book !!! Love your space too much :)
Have a nice day Vlaďka
Well isn't that pretty! Love the ingenuity in here. Got my eye on your next posts.
ReplyDeleteHow wise you are to remind us that a porch IS a room, to be decorated and enjoyed like anywhere else in the house. (Mine is a mess and I'm not going to show it to you.)
ReplyDeleteAwww-laurie-this is....I have no words.......LOVE,yeas-LOVE!!!!It's perfect beauty♥♥♥ Love your idea's and creativity!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!!!
xoxo
Enchanting and dreamy. This is perfect! You are so taletned!!!
ReplyDeletePositively dreamy, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteYour porch looks so pretty and romantic, Laurie! I could just see lazily gliding in that swing. Love the fabric streamers you added and the sheers. I always think sheers look great floating on the breeze. Good idea to tie them back when it's a bit too breezy.
ReplyDeleteLaurie, Thank you for so generously sharing your beautiful ideas. Please tell me you will actually put your feet up on that dreamy porch! It is pretty as a picture <3
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can only say this"Oh my gosh" my mouth fell open a little wider with each photo I have never seen a more lovely spot to sit on a summer afternoon...you have done an amazing job and I must say you are so lucky to have that to enjoy!!! WOW WOW WOW...
ReplyDeleteYour swing looks amazing. I was out cleaning up my front porch yesterday, changing things up a bit for summer, and I was thinking the exact same thing about the boring chains on my swing. Your fluttery curtains add just the right finishing touch. Thank you so much for sharing! Blessings, Patti
ReplyDeleteHa!!!! I lOVE it! You are so clever and creative, i was smiling all the way through this post. I can totally imagine riding on the mower and getting all creative and inspired. It's so fun to come up with new ideas like that, that are so pretty, and for nothing but a little time and moving things around. It's so romantic now. I love the idea of the soft sheer curtains and fairy like lace and streamers ... fabulous!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Qué maravilla!!
ReplyDelete♥♥♥
This porch is so wonderful and charming! Made so special by the beautiful swing AND the chandelier!
ReplyDeleteOh, Laurie, I love your porch swing! I have one that I'm taking to Farm Chicks, but i really want to keep it, especially now after seeing yours:-) Our porch is a little narrow for it and I'd have to eliminate my bench filled with all my crusty metal,urns and statuary which I also love. Oh, what to do....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful porch! Hope you don't mind that I shared your photo off Pinterest on my FB page today:-)
xoxo
Kathleen
Laurie, it's beautiful :) So beautiful corner is your veranda, with curtains is even more beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOn the swing, I can imagine myself as resting and lying back! Perhaps I would not have anything, just dreaming and staring into the distance!
Have a nice day ... Romana
Ok dear..... Just when I think I've arrived in dreamland and your dreamland doesn't get any better.... You once AGAIN whisk me off my little feet and I've once again landed on thee most billowy romantic prairie " CLOUD" Ive ever walked on, or rather, "FLOATED" on......
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I could say like Dorothy, " there's no place like home" and be instantly zapped to your piece of "HEAVEN" !!!!!!!
LOVE you to bits !!!!!!
Have a great weekend and I'm mailing off your pretty little painting in the morning!
XOXO ~ Steph
Beautiful....how do you keep it from being ruined from he eements? Dust, dirt, rain...etc. pollen right now! I have trouble with just a glass table getting filthy! Would love to know!
ReplyDeleteWow, Laurie. That is gorgeous. Your house is so beautiful outside too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Hugs
OMG Laurie...pinning pinning pinning!!!
ReplyDeleteso pretty laurie! Love it! what a gorgeous place to sit and relax on warm summer days! looking forward to checking out the e zine!!!
ReplyDeletehave a fabulous weekend!!!
I couldn't agree with you more! I love mowing the yard and haven't done it in years.. not since we've moved to Chicago. We've used a lawn service and have enjoyed the luxury. However, now that we are moving onto a smaller property, we have bought a new mower and I relish the thought of mowing again. Now, the redesign on your porch is darling! You captured the bohemian look perfectly. And all it took was a few touches, using things you already had on hand and voila!.. a dreamy way to spend a summer afternoon!
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to wrestle the lawn tractor from my hubby! I love the new look of your porch-it is very romantic.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Love this post and all of it beauty, what you did with the porch swing is great. I love what you did with the chain. Your entire porch is so inviting, I want to come and hang out with you and have a glass of wine or iced tea!
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Love, love, love I have just finished painting my swing and was trying to decide what to do about the chains..
ReplyDeleteYou know they say coping is the highest form of flattery right .. Hope you don't mind but I have to copy.. or I could just come hang out on yours... hugs and happy weekend, Cherry
Oh Laurie what a story unfolding....it just keeps getting more beautiful every photo!
ReplyDeleteLove what you've done! Its perfectly romantic and shabby!
Love and hugs to you on this gorgeous weekend ;)
All my heart,
Deborah xoxo
That curtain completed it! So lovely! Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour porch is absolutely fabulous! the swing is beyond beautiful. I am so swooning here.... Ahhhh I could so sit there and never leave. Provided of course I had a nice cup of tea.... Lovely.....
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and inspiring blog! Your porch looks lovely, and so inviting. Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYaya
Hay Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog..on the blog
from Kerryanne...
And I saw you on the E-magazine from
Kerryanne..
I have an article on this magazine to...
I love your blog...and I will follow your blog..
Please take a look into my world...
Love from Holland
Marijke
Wow, what an absolutely beautiful setting. I wish I could come over and sit for awhile. The streamers really made a difference on the swing. I love your porch. Very beautiful. I am your newest GFC.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week,
Bev
@ Eclectic Red Barn
STOP! It's not fair to the rest of us! you create the most beautiful spaces, girl, so beautiful!! After I rest in my room at your place, I think I will sip tea on this swing, okay?
ReplyDeleteSTOP! It's not fair to the rest of us! you create the most beautiful spaces, girl, so beautiful!! After I rest in my room at your place, I think I will sip tea on this swing, okay?
ReplyDeleteLove the material added to the chain and the gauzy sheers were really the "something" that was needed to make this space so dreamy. I want to sit on the swing and enjoy the outdoors. Really beautiful.
ReplyDelete~Shanon
I could pretty much live in your porch and not have a thing to complaint.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on this one Laurie! LOVE.
Oh YES! You certainly gave it the wonderful gypsy touch Laure. Love it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Love, love your outdoor space! The swing looks so pretty! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I am in the process of redoing my porch also, thanks for inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteI. AM. KNEE-DEEP. IN. LUV.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. Keep riding that lawn mower. Ideas come and then you actually get down and do it! Lovely porch. Very friendly. Very shabby chic. Most of all, it is authentically YOU. Who else would spend time putting streamers on that porch swing chain. You are an amazing decorator. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteJM Illinois
Be still my heart...it is calling to me! Just lovely, Laurie!
ReplyDeleteO.K. I am still getting over imagining you enjoying mowing. Dearest cannot read this! He has a zero turn mower that I am sure he won't let me near - but he'd been trying to get me to try his older mower. Back to the important, gorgeous transformation of your swing - very gypsy and very beautiful. This would be a delicious retreat after garden work. I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
sweet porch, laurie--love the wispy curtains:) LOVED your article in kerryanne's newest magazine!
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, so whimsical! I would love to say that I will be doing this, but don't think I could get it by the big guy! ;) He's super tolerant with a houseful of women and frills, but not sure I could pull this one off...have to be content just drooling over yours!
ReplyDeleteoh to spend an afternoon on that swing...just dreamy!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this. Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home.
ReplyDeleteSherry
Its so nice..............
ReplyDeletehttp://rvlktpgroupt.blogspot.in/
It's funny how creative we can be when we're doing mundane tasks. You did a great job dressing it up. Thank you for sharing at Fluster's Creative Muster.
ReplyDeleteRobin
Fluster Buster
Oh it looks so inviting & cozy! Thanks for linking up -- I shared it on G+. :)
ReplyDeleteSOOOO relaxing! Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week- I'll be featuring your post tomorrow night!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
Laurie I'm so jealous! I so want a porch and one that looks a lot like yours. So pretty. I love all the special touches. Especially the chandelier and the material tied to the chains. I'm so glad you joined us this week at Transformed Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Peggy~PJH Designs
Just beautiful...and ROMANTIC! What a great spot to relax and enjoy a beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteand gotta love that yellow hen purse!
Oh.... my. It makes me wish I had a porch area large enough for a swing.
ReplyDelete