Sheilajoyce has decribed our porch except our floor is maroon: "The porch was constructed of the brick which was used on the first floor of the house, with a solid brick "railing" about 3 feet high enclosing it. The wide cement flight of 6 or 8 steps that led to the porch and front door were flanked by wide brick sides, the kind on which a stone lion could have been comfortably ensconced. The living room windows formed the back wall of the porch, but the sides and front of the porch were open above the stone capped, brick mini walls. Tall brick pillars supported the solid roof, which was lined with a ceiling of varnished bead board. The floor consisted of 4 inch wide planks that Dad painted a blue grey every other year. The porch was furnished with a wide porch swing suspended from chains secured in the ceiling and those great springy metal outdoor chairs that also infrequently got a fresh coat of paint. When outdoor chaise lounges came into being, one was purchased for the porch too." Instead of chaise longues, we have vintage metal chairs that accompany our swing. We use our porch daily in warmer weather, including when it rains. Our neighborhood is fairly densely packed with homes. Including us, there are loads of walkers in our neighborhood. Families are outdoors most every evening and we are excellent friends with many in our neighborhood. Porches encourage friendship! The second major expense we incurred after moving into our 1919 bungalow was to have our porch stabilized. Underground water through the years had started to move the porch sideways from the house, cracking the mortar and moving the bricks out of line. Major excavation was needed for the installation of underground anchors and alot of masonry work was required to realign the brick....but we knew we didn't want to lose our porch! This summer we'll be stripping white paint off the bearboard ceiling which we know was originally stained brown. After this project, the porch will be as good as 1919 new!

Baby girl arrived 2 days before her due date on 8/31; we're both doing great :) Here are some progress pics... it is not done, but we're getting there. Any thoughts? We are doing newborn pics on Tuesday and I plan on hanging them to the left of the glider (glider is hard to see in the pic- basically to the left of the lamp)... I think I'll do black and whites in black frames w/ white matting. Picked up this vinyl chandelier wall decal from Target for $10. I love it!!! It even has little rhinestones.... Mirror from HomeGoods... I *really* want to paint the frame a glossy pink.... but am unsure how. Thoughts? (I promise the mirror is centered... not sure why it looks so off in the pic.) Also- the little wall hanging... it matches the room, was only $12, but I don't know where it should go. Maybe back to the store? lol I also need to put some "knick-nacks" on top of the dresser....? My mom DIY'd the letter "C" out of buttons... I love it! I'm not totally happy with the placement of the "art" on this wall. Something needs to be adjusted.... WDYT? Anyway, I'm very pleased with how it's coming along. Any thoughts? Thanks so much! :)

This is the La-Z-Boy "Van Buren" recliner we're getting for the TV room. I believe it also comes with curvy legs. DH insists his chair be leather, but I can pick the color. This is the La-Z-Boy "Pinnacle" loveseat. I plan to get it in a fabric. Both sides recline. There is a lumbar support that moves with you as you recline. It's also a "wall-hugger." And this is the matching La-Z-Boy "Pinnacle" recliner that I will get in the same fabric as the loveseat. It will be mine. The single recliner comes as a wall-hugger, or a glider/recliner, or a swivel recliner. I still have to pick the fabrics. That's the hard part! The Pinnacle line also has a sofa, but there's not room for on in my small TV room. We're opting for maximum comfort in this room. There will also be an older rocker/glider with gliding ottoman that Harry and I share.

Here's Sam; he doesn't mar the walls as Harry did; but he sure sheds! The purple towel is over the glider to hide the ugly fabric until the upholster can re-do it with the correct fabric I had chosen and paid for. If Sam seems "stretched," click on the photo and it will straighten up.