The front porch and the mysterious puppy paint print...

The front of our house has a great front porch that I love, but we rarely ever use it.  I've been stalking watching garage sales, thrift stores and clearance sections to see if I can find a fun bistro set for the front porch but haven't had any luck.  If we had a place to sit we might actually use it!  I take that back, it does get used - for bikes.  My kids have decided that it's as good of place as any to corral their bikes. 

The porch has sat empty and neglected since 2007 when we moved in.  Oh, I have big plans for it someday...  Last summer I decided that it really needed to be painted.  Not only did it look terrible, but the wood needed to be sealed. 



Front porch before





I headed to my favorite home improvement store and picked up Glidden Porch & Floor paint in Steel Grey.  I loved how smooth it went on and covered.  Just a few passes of paint and the porch was already looking better!






Now of course you can't be outdoors working on a project without having a helper.  He would just sit and pout if I had left him inside.  What a spoiled boy!  

Cooper the watch dog

I did have to put the stick there as a barrier so he knew how far on the porch he could come.  Isn't it silly that we can lay a stick across an area and he won't pass it?!?!  He could easily go around it or simply step over it, but nope he stays right there.  I think he's the smartest dog in the world, but I may be a little impartial.  :)

And here is what happens if you don't have a stick to remind him...  Good thing he has the cutest face ever and I forgave him. 




I used an angled brush for the edging, under the railing and in between boards.  The rest I just rolled on.  All in all it only took 2 coats, a couple of hours and about $25.  Why hadn't I done this earlier?!?! 

Here are a few before and after pictures...

So. Much. Better.  Now to paint the ceiling and railing...  Ugh, not looking forward to that.

New front entrance!

A couple of years ago we decided to paint the house a beautiful red color that I absolutely LOVE!  What I don't love so much is the mauve door that remains...  I hate the color mauve to begin with, then add a newly painted red house and YIKES! 

Every time I walked through that front door it drove me nuts!  But, life gets busy and you find other things more important to do - like watch your child's soccer or baseball game.  Slowly you learn to live with it until you "have time". 

Well last weekend I finally "had time" to tackle the front door! 

My husband was gone that weekend so I didn't even attempt to take the door off.  I just taped the window panes and hardward off and got to work!  I did rough up the surface a little bit so the paint could adhere better.  When I finished the first coat I thought, "What in the world were you thinking painting the metal door?!  It looks horrible!!!!"  I thought for sure I'd be out buying a replacement.  : / 

Keep calm and carry on...  With every coat it looked a little bit better.  The panes on the window are plastic so they really tested my patience.  Eventually I won the battle with them too! 
It took several coats, some patience and a small brush, but it's done!!!

Now I really need to get some fall decorations out there!  Maybe some mums, pumpkins and gourds?  I love fall and can't wait to get the decorations out! 

I did pull this little itty bitty fall wreath out.  It's not quite enough, but it'll work until I get to Hobby Lobby to find a new one!

Have you painted a door recently?  How did it turn out?  What was your process?  I'm certainly no expert on the subject so I would love to hear your experience. 

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