For the window being the wrong size, you could just beef up the trim to make it look the same size. It would give the look without the expense. Love your style and ideas.
Grow “Dutchman Pipe” vine does zero damage. I cut mine back every fall. Large heart shaped leaves-I absolutely love mine! Seen on heritage homes. Hydrangeas all along the front porch would be awesome
for the LANDSCAPE around your porch, I would go with petites LIMELIGHT Hydrangeas. The simple color of white and green limelights would look so beautiful around your home and porch!
Would use trex instead of wood. No maintenance with it and it comes in many different colors. Do think it needs a railing of some kind But that is just my preference. I use hyacinth bean vine on my shed. Purple pea like flowers. Or you could use another annual vine like morning glories Love all porches
I am so excited for you. If you are going to keep the church pew under that window I wouldn't change it because it's not noticeable and you can use the money elsewhere but if you're not then definitely change it out. The swing idea is genius I love it, I can't wait to see the finished product. I will be praying for you guys that the Lord will give you two direction and peace during this renovation. 💐
I would just like to say how encouraging this is. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to look at the “perfect” homes online and know how far away we are from that, from being able to do the pretty things because the practical things have to be done first. It is good to see a house in progress. Old houses are never quite finished.
Hi Sarah. Such good advice, letting our homes speak to us…. So interesting hearing your thoughts about your next project. You’re so right have gotten to love your porch over the last few years. Looking forward to the process. I’m sure the Flagstone will be beautiful The boxwood idea would definitely go with your style. Honestly, the windows look good. Maybe just build out the one on the left. Have seen the Pretty in the Pines porch recently and you’re right it’s a great idea without damaging your house. Lastly, can’t wait to see the porch swing. What a gorgeous piece!
I agree with husband concerning the ivy. We just pulled some out this week that was growing under our cedar siding. What a mess and what a headache! Looking forward to see your porches as they develop.
Ohhh A trellis with climbing roses would be beautiful at the end of your porch!! I think the post with the corbels will be so pretty..i do like the solid piece with the corbel on front! I also like the little corbels that look like a little fan, with the little spindles. I love your lights, they're gorgeous❤ Ohhh The stone is definitely my favorite! Reminds me of the old cobblestone roads and pathways, that other era..i know its not the same but gives me that same vibe, its just gorgeous! Gotta have a hammock!😉 Worse.. that wood piece is stunning, the details are just amazing! I would never have thought to use a piece like that for a swing but that's genius! It'll be the most beautiful swing EVER! Excited to see that come to life! I'd probably leave the window as is. Although hanging them the same size would be really pretty, i honestly wouldn't out that money into it when you could put it into another project or something else you really want for the porch that would cost a bit extra if you know what I'm saying. It just depends if your heart is set on having then the same size 🤷♀️ Regardless of what you end up doing, its going to be beautiful, i already know that😊 Excited for further videos & updates on your porch!
I have boxwoods in front of my porch. I love them, but they did struggle the first few winters. I have them planted in a grouping of five, and I planted them in a curve and not in a row. They have grown together and now look like one large, thick and curved hedgerow. I love them, but, again, they need pampering those first few winters if you get hard freezes. (I'm Zone 5b.)
To get the English cottage look for my house. Fortunately, I had a metal column and railing on the front porch and I planted a rose in front of that last year and it is climbing up the railing and the column beautifully and gave me my look…I wanted. I did not do anything near my siding. You can also do that you can start a rose and let it climb up some of your columns. It definitely still looks very English cottage and then I have lots of other flowers in front of that climbing rose as my bed starts there and goes on around so you can definitely get that without putting it on the house . This great climbing rose is called new Dawn and it’s kind of blush pink, and it came as a bear root. I planted it last April, and you would be amazed how much this has grown in a year. My neighbor said they were jealous, because my rose looks so much better on my railing and column, then their house. 😂 Other good English roses are David Austin. You can get them in this country, but he has bred them for generations in England. Getting ready to purchase a shrub rose for a garden bed from him.
My hubby and I built an big arbor walkway in front of our house last yr (2023) with ten connecting arbors. We planted climbing roses next to the outside of each arbor. We have 4 New Dawn, 2 James Galway, 2 Eden, and 2 of The Generous Garden. They have all climbed to the top of the arbors in just a year, and I’ve already had ppl want to take pictures in the arbors. They have been gorgeous this yr, and they will only get better with time. I have 4 obelisks on the south side of our house, and I planted a Kiss Me Kate and a Viking Queen in two of them, and the other two have clematis in them. Planning on building a small pergola over our back gate and another one over the entrance to our shed in our backyard this summer, and I’m going to plant some more clematis and climbing roses on them in the fall. Climbing roses definitely give an English garden/cottage garden feel!
Clematis would be a great option for a climber on a trellis. There are so many to choose from. So many colors. Make sure you know what kind you have. There a 3 categories. So you'll know how to prune it. I have a purple one that's been blooming like crazy for a couple months now.
I know whatever you do will be right for you and beautiful. The only thing I would suggest is research the type of home you have and research the type of porches and pillars on those homes. To me the arches on the one picture did not match the style of your home, as well as a few others. I think the thinner posts looked more in line with the era of the home. That’s one thing I feel we did wrong on our 1910 porch. We found some salvaged pillars at Restoration hardware in Portland that were round and put those on our porch. I don’t think the scale is right for the house. Upon further contemplation, I would have added square pillars or posts and probably thinner ones. Our house is a different style than yours. We were trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear and that didn’t turn out to be a good idea!
I'm so excited to see where you go with this. For the window, I wouldn't replace. If you want to have a visually even look, perhaps build out the smaller window with trim to match the larger window ? Also, I remember hearing stories of people in the past planting mint by the porch and when company was coming, they would have someone go out and beat the mint with a broom to release the oils and the pleasant smell would greet the visitors. As you probably know, contain that mint if you decide to plant it, as it takes over everything! Good luck with your plans!
I have always absolutely love limestone! We are doing a little landscaping very soon and some limestone will be incorporated! Super excited about this. I love your thrift find! It will be fun to see that used in your space. Now, I’m off to. check out your Pinterest. 😊
I saw that episode of pretty in the pines and loved how they hung the trellis and used flower boxes to anchor and grow the vines . It was easy and beautiful. I think it’s so wonderful that you really take your time living in your space and truly listen to what your home wants over things you love that just won’t do your home justice. Saves on time , money and all the work. It’s so exciting to find exactly the right thing and usually everything just flows after that. You have such wonderful ideas for your house and I know whatever you choose will be perfect and beautiful. That footboard you want to use as a swing is perfect. I love it and your idea of using it as a swing. I think useing it as a bench would be great too so you could move it around on the porch or maybe even one day use it indoors. I love that you’re giving it a new life in your home and the history matches . I think the flower trellis on your porch next to the trash will look amazing . I love roses on a trellis like my grandmother had on her front porch so cozy and inviting. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for your porches . Iam sure we will all be inspired. Have a beautiful blessed day 🙏🕊🌹🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻😇
Sarah, I truly enjoy your channel and I share so many of your same visions. As far as the windows that are different sizes, I would like to suggest a piece of additional trim work around the smaller window, instead of replacement. Although not making the two windows identical in size, they will appear almost identical and the cost factor would be so much less. I operated a real estate business for over 30 years and have remodeled multiple houses. I am always so appreciative of properly placed trim work. Keep sharing your projects! We love them!
Liking the a'natural old flagstone walkway idea and entrance floor .the same....Like the gothic and other tie ins to the posts....and the corbals...(Your choice)..would wait until porch is done and see what type of plants, what mix of heights of plants....maybe all plants that reach just the height of the flooring so you might be able to place a few pots on the flooring that could be seen from either side with plants that do not need drainage so you could plug up the drainage holes and protect your new flooring... Again..happy husband .... For the area with the garbage at the kitchen...how about a surround with a cement base....but on the part behind the cans...between the cans and edge of the porch build a rectangular planter with two side by side trellises in it that plants could grow up to hide the cans from view of the porch. . So all you would see from the porch would be the trellis and plants then surround wall behind them.
BUT would still not allow plants to grow up any ceiling or across porch roof , etc .keep you and your husband both happy 😊. And remember in all of this ...keep looking up❤
You have GIANT desires for the exterior. For a dear lady who overthinks every detail, I can understand how it is overwhelming. Looking forward to your future adventures.
Instead of changing out the smaller window for a larger one, would it work to place additional white trim around it to equal them in size? You could practice with cutting up some cheap foam board in strips from dollar tree first and see if you like the look. Just a thought.
I have two dogs. I should not have stained my first floor wooden floors. The dogs scratches would have been tolerable. I have to do my upstairs bedrooms. Ripped up the carpet. Thinking about a reproduction linoleum. (Have the linoleum tiles from Marmoleum in a bathroom) and they withstand dog scratches better). I have flagstone walkways. Moss has grown in between. Recommend you keep the stones closer together as now my elderly parents have trouble walking on them. I love love your favorite porch with the corbels, archway, detailed columns and that color! Wow! Just put up some trim on the upper smaller window and put the bench back. It'll save you $$$ and you won't have to open the walls.
Boxwoods can become high maintenance because they are pest and disease prone. If you really want boxwoods, you could look at some of the new blight-resistant varieties. Yaupon and Hoogendorn hollies look similar to boxwood, but are tougher. Abelia and nandina are also low maintenance evergreens. If you talk to someone at your local nursery about what grows well in your area in the size you are looking for, that could be helpful. Make sure to consider how much light you're going to get in that area and how tall the porch will be. I hope everything turns out ok with getting your foundation fixed!
As for plantings along the porches, I would go with a row of hydrangeas with (at least to the front) a low clipped box hedge in front. Both elegant and romantic. * Check out Northlawn Flower Farm for how she did it! I don't think climbing roses would be very happy on the porch. Try some form of Clematis, that isn't too strong growing. Clematis would also cover the bins better.
Keep small window and just equal the trim on the top of both of them and build up the smaller one to balance both. Be patient during the demo. Love your inspiration
You have so many wonderful ideas! The current windows are beautiful and I prefer them to all the same cookie cutter size. Variety is the spice of life. Looking forward to seeing the progress of the porch.
I appreciate how you share with us your thought process and options you are considering. It’s wonderful how thoughtful you are so you get the look and style that will fit best with your home. Looking forward to this project(s) as it progresses.
As far as pouring concrete over the wood, it was probably supposed to be a quick fix and they didn’t care how long it actually lasts. Drives me crazy when people do that.
I would not replace that window. I would spend that money on things you really want instead. Husbands have to be directed and seen that you are saving money to get what you want! Good Luck!!
I love seeing what you do to your lovely home. I live in England in a very old house and your advice about “ listening to the house whisperer is spot on” . Looking forward to seeing how your renovations go. ❤️🏡
Ooooo, the kitchen porch needs a screen door that bangs shut when you go through it. The light it would let in. ❤ the chicken porch has one! Can you use that on the other kitchen porch since it is becoming a sun room? How fun to have all the areas to enjoy.
Sarah, Have you ever heard of Hyacinth bean vines? They are also called Jefferson beans because (supposedly) they were grown at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson. The flowers remind me of wisteria. They are annuals, so there is no damage to the siding.
Looking at the two windows, the one on the left looks smaller by one board. Wouldn't a larger piece of trim balance out the look? I saw the Pretty in the Pines video with the trellis. I thought it was beautiful and flexible. Love to see what you decide.
Hammocks are dangerous....I got a black crochet one 2 years ago and its really really hard to be productive daily knowing I could be peacefully swinging instead!
How can I find a photo of James Farmers porch? Goals!! I want to do that and will work perfectly for our home. I tried to look it up and cannot find! Thanks!!!
I also asked for porch updates for Mother’s Day. We bought new paint so first step at least. Needs lots of work! We have an enclosed porch and also think someone pored concrete randomly in it. 1880 home
Looking forward to following along! I love all of your Pinterest inspiration pics. We are in the middle of replacing our old metal carport and also patio cover with much bigger wood ones - a long awaited project for us! Can’t wait to restyle our patio.
Sarah, I am praying that the damage isn't too bad. I must admit I was heartbroken when I saw the beam was rotten. I know the new puppy will put a spark in Kira's step. I can't wait to see that. I completely agree with the herring bone floor and the flagstone path. By August it will be gorgeous.❤❤❤
Love watching your thought process. It makes me feel not so all alone. I know when I try to tackle something I will pour over pictures and possibilities forever until I am totally happy with what I want to do, even if it means taking a lot longer to proceed. As far as the windows not matching goes, I wouldn't sweat that one too much. The size difference is really not that noticeable. I would maybe just manipulate the moulding (especially at the top) a little to make them match a little more. 🙂
I like those inspo photos with arches connecting to the posts. I agree on liking flagstones that look worn in, especially with the age of your home and always wondered why I didn't like some new flagstone. Perhaps having the sand or grout close to the same color as the stone. I do think some boxwood or hydrangeas would look lovely with the porch. You could conside r boxwood balls,rather than an entire hedge. I love gardens and flowers 😊 Our back patio and front walkway are concrete, and i dream of putting brick, which would go with our 1940's colonial style house. Thankfully not concrete on wood, but looking a bit worse for wear in spots.
Have you considered composite decking? You can have it in any color, and it looks like wood without the upkeep. It is also paintable if you want to change the color. Also a brick apron around the bottom makes it look more finished. I have a wrap around porch that I did this too and I must say it looks beautiful! Just a thought. No matter what you decide, I'm sure it will be stunning
I am listening to this video again….a great video!! I JUST noticed you said “House Whispering”. Love it!! (You know if you know!!!) 3 years ago we bought a house the was finished in 1897….and it whispers all the time! We know so much about the history as we know the family pretty well….and meeting more of the family all the time. We WERE going to hire most of it done….but the price of lumber, and ALL the prices, got crazy high!! Now we are doing it ourselves….little by little. My husband is mostly doing the work…but I am about to “kick in” with the decorating and such. The true blessing from God, since we are doing it ourselves, is that we are finding ourselves changing directions in decision making all the time. We would have been fine with it getting done in one fail swoop….but would have never had what we have now, as far as layout and designs. Thank you for your videos. Your RU-vid videos are, hands down, my favorite! They are not only helpful and informative…..but creative and beautiful. (And did I mention they are honest? Love that!❤) God’s riches blessings!!!
I would suggest painting the wood a light grey. We painted (I insisted) we paint the porch floors the same color green as our shutters years and years ago. Now, our shutters are black and I have a problem. lol I should have listened to my sweet hubby and gone with a neutral grey.
I wanted to paint our side gate and back gate black in Tx which is as hot as Satan’s b@lls for most of the yr. My hubby told me it would be a bad idea, but I painted them black anyways in 2022. I’m currently in the process of now painting them white bc my hubby was right, and I should’ve listened to him lol. I’ve been outside for the last 3 days in the heat (triple digits already) sanding, power washing, priming, and painting, and I’ve kicked myself in the hiney A LOT while being so tired I could cry when I drag myself inside at the end of the day. Ur comment made me laugh bc I’m in a very similar boat! Sometimes we should listen to our hubbies a little more, huh? 🤣🤣🤣
I LOVE the ideas for dressing up the posts, can't wait to see what you end up doing. What are your thoughts on Trex for porch flooring? As for vegetation, boxwoods and English ivy have my vote, even though they require trimming but that is just an added bonus I think :)
As a former owner of a 1800 home, I would suggest you Composite decking. I got the composite decking that look like wood in a beautiful color it’s practical and you don’t have to worry about it ever just a thought.❤
Love hearing your chickens in this video! Look forward to seeing your upcoming videos!!! My husband & I are in the process of figuring out a walkway from the side of our garage to around the back of our house to the patio. We are using a gray bluff flagstone. I love how it looks old.
Have you considered just moving the smaller window up to match the height of the larger window and trimming them up the same. This way they would look cohesive and you could still put your pew underneath. It would be a lot less expensive because finding a matching window would be impossible so you would have to buy 2.
I was going to say... I could not look at the garbage cans. I just put a piece of white picket fence in front of mine. I add a seasonal wreath to the front on a forged iron bird hook that is permanently fixed to the gate.. Eyesore gone! I did watch Pretty in the Pines add her trellis, and it was a perfect solution. I agree round columns look more like a Greek, Roman feel verses your farmhouse style home. That bed piece would be an amazing desk . I think as a porch swing... the back with all the detail would be lost and not appreciated. Definitely slate or brick. And love all the beautiful column and arch details on the porch inspiration photos. Dreamy!
The too-sharp outer edge of a flagstone pathway would be softened by allowing lawn to spill over onto the path, just a little. What about placing tubs or pots in front of the porch, rather than in-ground planting. Easy to manage - and to change out when you feel the need Best wishes from Jan in Piesse Brook, Western Australia
Love your thinking process, Sarah! I also saw the pretty in the pines project. Very pretty! Will your rose receive 6 hours of sun after to plant it? ❤Lina
The windows you want to make the same size on your porch. You should just trim the smaller one out with molding/to make it the same size as the larger windows. Love love love your porches!
I, too, love the idea of the trellis with the climbing roses like Pretty in the Pines. I also love the footboard that you want to make into a porch swing. I can hardly wait to see the final product. Good luck.
I’m with Coby, vines on the house will rot wood and get underneath the siding. A girl in my garden club found that out herself. It will also bring bugs and ants in. I would never put english ivy anywhere close to the house because roaches love living in it.
Brick walkway and your greenery could be in interesting outdoor pots, if you get bored you could change them out when you need to pet season... I can't wait to see what you two create 💜
Thank you so much for sharing this great informative video. You are a wonderful God's given very special very talented very beautiful gorgeous woman and your all videos and vlogs are outstanding. May God bless you with the best because you are the bestst among all the best, Stay blessed
So exciting to witness your updates on the porch area. I love all your choices. They will enhance your house's character even more. The railings around the porch is beautiful, maybe you can figure out way for it too work. Please tell Coby thank you for helping you and the hard work he does helping your dreams come true. I saw someone in our neighborhood who installed lattice but used posts etc to build a lattice wall. Then they added pink climbing roses to it. Gorgeous. Just an idea for the end of your porch it wouldnt be attached to the house. It could be installed in the ground to stand in front of the end of the porch. Thank you for sharing with us Sarah. Have a great weekend.
Your home is so cute. I love it. With a flagstone porch, don't hide it with too many bushes, maybe some white roses here and there. I would not change the window. I would put shutters on the bigger one and make the size difference even bigger.
The wood bed piece that you want to make a swing from would also be good in front of a window with the nice part facing out and a flower box built in behind with the flowers spilling over the front. Would look nice from the outside and from inside looking out as well.
couldn't you add the railing on your kitchen porch to get the look? you could do that on the kitchen porch and do your archways on the front porch, i think it would look good and give them both a feeling of being separate but cohesive. as far as the window on the porch , it would be really hard to match the style of the window to the other one. most people are going to notice the top being off more than the bottom. on yours i would add a piece of lumber to the top of the shorter window to match the height of the top of other one where it hangs over a tad and paint to match and leave the bottom so you could still add your bench underneath. i'm doing something similar to my house with french doors and windows. love your house and all your ideas!
I absolutely love all the ideas you have for the porch, mine needs some love too, I want to put brick on it. But I keep putting it off. I can't wait to see yours, I am sure it will be beautiful. I always look forward to your videos. They are always uplifting, and you inspire so many. God bless you and your family.
