Welcome to Summer on the Screened Porch!
I am loving all of the wonderful posts this week from this awesome line up in our Summer at Home tour. The entire list with direct blog links is below.
We use our screened porch late spring after the nasty round of southern pollen until November. It is by far one of my favorite rooms in our house.
Go grab a glass of iced tea and join me as I share a bit of our summer with you. Warning…lots of pictures!
Summer is a time to breathe and regroup for us after a busy year of school and sports activities.
This is such a cozy area to sit and read early in the morning or sip a glass of wine in the evening.
It is also a great squirrel watching spot. Of course because of the cats they never actually come in the back yard, but stay just at the edge of the woods.
We love the beach! Lots of the summer is spent there. You'll see a lot of driftwood, coral, shells and sea rocks on the porch. They have all been collected through the years. On top of this chest is a huge piece of driftwood my daughter found last year. Love the odd shape! There are several galvanized buckets on the porch holding all the outdoor toys.
Safe Haven was filmed at our beach and in Southport. You can read all about the filming and area pictures HERE and HERE.
I keep the insect repellent and firefly jar right by the door! I don't know what it is about me, but mosquitoes sing a chant when they see me walk outside!
Many funny and memorable conversations have taken place at this table. We eat dinner out here most nights. In the summer, I never purchase fresh flowers. I cut everything from the yard. If you fill your jar with lots of greens, you only need a few stems of blooms.
Simple is a must in the summer. Don't be fooled…..the dinner table is rarely set like this on a nightly basis! Sometimes it's paper plates and mismatched Tervis tumblers! The conversation is what's sweet!
A lot of the furniture has been found through hunting…thrift stores and the newspaper (before Craigslist). My hubby and son love to play golf in the summer. My daughter and I enjoy thrift shopping.
When we have families over for a cookout, the adults usually hang out here and watch the teens having fun in the backyard!
Notice the coral in the blue mason jar. Doesn't it look like antlers? I wrap up all of these beach treasures in the fall and store them in a box for safe keeping.
The beverage station was just recently completed. You can see how it was made from a thrift store door HERE.
7 month old Bentley loves the screened porch. He misses the door being open from the interior since we had to turn on the air. Can you believe we held out on air conditioning until almost the end of May! So long cheap power bill until fall!
Hopefully, those bricks won't always be there. Bentley can still wiggle out underneath the gate leaving poor Lizzie behind!
Right off the porch is our patio area. Again, the chairs were a newspaper find. I just recovered the old, faded pillows. You can see that HERE.
The fire pit is a favorite evening spot. Here the kids are having fun with a couple of friends the last day of school burning school papers! We also love roasting marshmallows while the dogs play rambunctiously in the yard.
Hands down the most favorite thing for our family and friends…is the badminton set! Do you notice what these 4 are using as the base line markers while I'm cooking….my pillows I just made! We also love playing bocce ball, throwing a giant fabric like Frisbee and good old football and baseball tossing!
This is another dining area on the patio. It is great extra seating when we have a big crowd!
Summer also means extra time for crafting fun. My 15-year-old just finished this project that she made all by herself for me as a surprise! I love it! I added it here on the porch after I photographed the other photos. I love it to display our summer beach treasures.
I am so blessed that you stopped by today. Don't forget to visit the other fabulous ladies below!
Wednesday, June 18th
Thursday, June 19th
Friday, June 20th
Saturday, June 21st
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Kathleen says
Thank you for sharing your home. I have very similar porch with detailed columns like yours. We have been trying to figure ways to screen in. Are your screen panels permanent? Did you make yourselves? Any advise is appreciated as we battle the bugs in the summer months also and would love to get more use of our beautiful porch. Thank you
Christy says
Thanks you so much! My husband and a friend added it about 10 years ago. It is Screen Tight that we purchased at Lowes. It has held up beautifully. They are a permanent installment. If money was no object, I’d love to have motorized or retractable Phantom Screens. You should look them up…..so cool! Bugs is the reason we wanted the screened porch. It will get heavy use starting in May. It’s a favorite spot of ours!
Christy recently posted…Spring Decorating Ideas
Vidya says
That is a beautiful screened in porch. Totally jealous. Now I want one too. 🙁
Christy says
Thanks so much, Vidya! Enjoyed meeting at Haven and participating in the coffee challenge together! ~Christy
Christy recently posted…Goodbye Outdoor Broom
Miriam says
Visiting from the BT share – love , love, love your porch – and everything you do for that matter!
Christy says
Miriam, you rock! Thanks bunches!!! ~Christy
Christy recently posted…Goodbye Outdoor Broom
Lani says
Christy,
It’s gorgeous! I’m finally almost to the point where we can start decorating ours and I can’t wait! Wish you lived close by … I’d be over for a tall glass of sweet tea!
Hugs & Blessings …
Lani
Lani recently posted…Google Plus Party TIme
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lani! I so wish we lived closer! Haven right?? ~Christy
Stephanie says
It’s gorgeous. What a heavenly space!
Stephanie recently posted…20+ Mason Jar Crafts and Gardening in Jars
Christy says
Thanks so much!!!
Becky says
Oh, I could spend hours and hours here!
Becky recently posted…I Will Take Mine on the Side–Fun Table Ideas
Christy says
Thanks so very much!!! ~Christy
Christy recently posted…Goodbye Outdoor Broom
Nancy says
Your porch is just fabulous Christy!! So inviting…so many lovely details too!! 🙂
Nancy
Nancy recently posted…Simple & Thrifty DIY Coastal Wall Art {Tutorial}
Melody says
What a beautiful porch! I’ve always wanted a screened porch like this. It looks like the perfect place to relax on a warm summer evening.
Trish says
Oh, I love screen in porches. You have a beautiful one. My sister and her husband just purchased a house that has one. I am hoping she let me help her decorate it. Thanks for sharing yours.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Trish! What a fun project to do with your sister! Have fun with it. Thanks for visiting! ~Christy
Christy recently posted…Sweet Tea in the South
Shelia says
Hi Christy!
I love your screened in porch area! I really like how you made the shelf/table – I think I’m going to try that on my own porch! Thanks for the grand tour!
Shelia
http://www.houseofhighlands.com
Christy says
Thanks so much, Shelia! We are loving the beverage station. Great way to add a functional piece with minimal costs! Have a wonderful weekend! ~Christy
Tamyra says
Christy, I have loved your screened porch for quite some time! So glad to see just a little more of it now. Everything is just perfect! I’ve said it before your tours never disappoint!
Christy says
Tamyra,
You are so sweet! Thanks so much. I so can’t wait to meet at Haven! Christy 🙂
Jeanette says
Christy, I love your screened porch. I always wanted one. What a beautiful backyard too! I miss grass. Everything looks perfect but at the same time very cozy and comfy. I love the shelf your daughter made. Ingenious! Have a fun summer. ~Jeanette
Jeanette recently posted…3 Unique Beauty Tips
Christy says
Thanks so much, Jeanette! Happy summer to you as we’ll! Christy
Yvonne says
Christy, not only did you give us the “tour” but the grand tour! You have the most wonderful outdoor living space. I need to take you with me when I go thrift shopping. Wow, your furniture is really beautiful… and beautifully styled.
You have made a haven on your porch for your family. These times are major memories in the making! There is nothing like southern decorating and attention to detail… I see you have a decorator in training in your daughter. LOVE her piece!
Christy says
So sweet, Yvonne! We would get in such trouble shopping together! Ashlyn is quite the assistant! I’m sure she would have a great career at decorating one day! Trying to get her to do a few posts on projects she does! Happy summer, friend! Christy
Veronica Roth says
Hi Christy, Your screened porch is wonderful and inviting! How lovely to have such a generous screened porch. As a rule, we don’t have the need for screens in Vancouver or Oxfordshire, but I have loads of friends on-line who really need the screens. Ugh to mosquitoes! I seem to be a mosquito magnet too. We both must be very sweet. 🙂 I also love your beach finds. Living on the Pacific I have a load of beach finds here too. Especially love drift wood. My middle child, Kerstin, made a fantastic scratching post for the cats out of drift wood, and, just recently I made a tic tac toe play board from drift wood and pebbles for guests to have fun with at my art in the garden tour. It was a big hit! It looks like you’re all set to have a wonderful summer at home. I’ll be popping back to see how it goes and keeping up with you on Instagram. 🙂
Veronica Roth recently posted…Summer at home tour
Christy says
So very happy to have discovered you and your blog through the tour! Looking forward to following your happenings. Enjoy your summer….I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m envious!!! Thanks so much for the sweet compliments! Cheers! ~Christy
Cindy says
Beautiful porch Christy!
Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy recently posted…Antique Sewing Machines ~ Granny’s
Christy says
Thanks so much , sweet Cindy! I can’t wait to catch up at Haven! Hugs~Christy
Rhoda says
Oh, Christy, how am I just seeing your home and this beautiful porch! I love, love your summer tour and all the sweet things you do outside. That beverage station is the bomb, what a great idea and your photos make me want to sit down awhile and visit. Gorgeous, all of it & I just love our Southern roots we all have in common. Your daughter’s project is awesome too, what a neat idea!
Christy says
How sweet, Rhoda!!! Thanks so much! Looking forward to meeting at Haven! ~Christy
Cynthia says
Christy what a wonderful summer tour. I always enjoy seeing your home and I love all the family memories that are being made. Even though we have furry children only we can’t wait to get into the new house and make new memories of our small family. We cherish those things very much. Love the kids burning their school papers, LOL. We are almost ready to move in this week. Can’t wait to decorate and projects and have a babies able to run and play. Your pups are so cute and Bailey will grow and not be able to squirm out of that fence and stay and play with his “brother” in their yard. They are so cute when they are puppies.
Cynthia
Cynthia recently posted…More Happenings!!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cynthia! Fur babies are great!!! Congrats on the move! I know you are excited! Can’t wait to see!! ~Christy
Kelly says
Christy! Love your screened porch and all your decor. The handmade gift from your daughter is wonderful. She takes right after her mamma! So clever & creative. Thank you so much for being on the Summer at Home tour with us.
xx
Kelly
Kelly recently posted…Week in Review – Summer, a pillow give away & a tour
Christy says
Thanks so much, Kelly! So grateful to be invited, friend!! Happy summer!!!! ~Christy
debbiedoos says
Gorgeous Christy! Maybe we can porch swap for the day, I come to yours you come to mine:) How pretty you have it set up there. Love your huge yard too!
Christy says
Thanks, Debbie! Sounds like a plan! Have a fabulous summer!!! ~Christy
Debbie refresh resytle says
I’m headed over with my glass of sweet tea 🙂 Love every inch of your home!
Debbie
Debbie refresh resytle recently posted…Sizzlin’ Summer Giveaway {$400 Visa Card}
Sheryll & Critters. says
Oh I do love your screened porch. It is exactly what I wanted, but could not afford. Everything is so beautiful.
laura says
what a great shelf and a nice surprise too! you backyard/front yard areas are always so perfect for having fun with friends and family and creating tons of memories. Good for you! happy summer.
laura recently posted…Summer Porch 2014…5 things every Southern porch should have
Cheryl says
You have a great summer porch! We just sold our home and purchased a smaller one that has the potential for a screened in porch off the garage…Your tour just sold me on that idea!! Thanks for the great inspiration!
Cheryl
Cheryl recently posted…WE SOLD OUR HOUSE!!!
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
I love your back porch, patio and backyard Christy! It’s all so beautiful and you’ve done a fantastic job of putting it all together and making it beautiful! I adore your beach treasures — such a great way to remember your time at the shore.
I’m so glad you are on this tour with us! I can’t wait to meet you at Haven too! 🙂
Julie
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} recently posted…Summer at Home
AtHomeWithTheBarkers says
Everything looks so GREAT! Such a beautiful porch! Have a great weekend ~Sonya
AtHomeWithTheBarkers recently posted…Summer Sunflower Wreath