Have you experienced the power of paint? One coat of paint (sometimes it takes two) can completely transform something old into something new or make an outdated accessory super trendy. It’s no secret that I am always trying to decorate my home on a budget while maintaining my sense of style. So, as soon as I start a makeover the first thing I think of is, “What in this space can I paint?” Paint is not only a great way to freshen up a space, but it is SO inexpensive compared to buying new accessories or furniture.
Today, I’m giving you a more detailed look at my porch makeover and showing you how powerful paint can be. And I must take a minute right here and tell you all THANK YOU for your super sweet comments about my porch, I was seriously blown away by how much attention my porch has received. So thank you, thank you, and thank you! It really does mean the world to me and its what keeps me blogging :)
For those of you who missed my porch reveal, here is how the porch looked before:
Such a sad little porch with no identity. I live here and I wouldn’t want to walk up and ring the door bell.
And here is how the porch looks today:
About 80% of this makeover is attributed to a few cans of paint. Can you believe it?
Here is what I used:
– 1 quart of exterior gray paint (will update the color when I can find it!)
– 1 can of Valspar Dove White exterior paint (for the trim)
– 1 can of spray primer
– 1 can white spray paint
– 1 can of metallic silver spray paint
Let’s start out with the most obvious transformation, the door:
I used the XXX on the front door. We have a metal door so its a little tricky. I decided to paint directly onto the existing door and that was a bad decision. If you have a metal door make sure you prime it first and then paint over it with your new color choice or else the paint will peel right off. I purchased one quart of paint for the door and I had plenty left over to use on other projects.
There is another portion of the door that also got a facelift, the hardware:
Since I do occasionally make a few mistakes, I always learn from them. A few years ago I decided to spray paint the door knobs inside and within few months all of the spray paint was chipping off. So this time, I used one coat of spray primer and then gave it a coat of the metallic silver. It seems to be holding up pretty well! Crossing my fingers!
I mentioned in my reveal post that I used dollar store planters for my porch, well I wasn’t lying! Here is my proof. This is what the pots looked like when I brought them home.
I gave them 2 coats of white spray paint and wrapped sisal around the edge for a little embellishment.
I spent $10 on pots, $5 on sisal and $3 on spray paint to achieve this look.
My little white chair was once an old $5 chair that was tucked away in our garage. It’s amazing what a coat of white paint can do! So crop and clean :)
My last painting project for the porch was this welcome sign.
I started with a scrap piece of plywood and created a custom welcome sign with left over paint from the trim and the door.
Now start looking around your room…. what is going to be the next victim to paint? :)
If you want tutorials on any of these projects just ask!
Linking up to Thrifty Decor Chick and other parties here.
About Taryn Whiteaker
Taryn Whiteaker is the voice of style behind TarynWhiteaker.com (formerly Design, Dining and Diapers) ! Taryn is a previous PR/Marketing professional who got back to her creative roots after becoming a mom and now shares her passion for home decor and design for the world to see. Taryn lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband and three kids and loves coffee, the outdoors, and exploring with her family.
Michelle says
May 10, 2012 at 3:13 amIt looks great, and I couldn’t agree more! I just painted an Oil Drip Pan, made it a bulletin board and hung it in our kitchen, rearranged a few shelves, and a new kitchen wall was born. Still a work in progress, though. Great tips. I’ll be back when I decorate my back deck!
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) says
May 10, 2012 at 9:13 amVery inspirational! Thanks for the lovely post. I cannot wait to have my own home someday in order to decorate it the way I would to. Glad to have discovered your website!
Emerson Grey Designs says
May 10, 2012 at 12:36 pmPaint is my best friend…and you just made me spot at least three door handles that need to be spray painted. =)
Bethany says
May 10, 2012 at 7:19 pmWOW! I love it all! Paint truly is powerful! And it helps that you’re a pretty rockin’ decorator too! ;)
Holly Lefevre says
May 10, 2012 at 10:55 pmI love how much difference paint can make. I am fixing up my house to get it ready to sell and I am painting like a crazy person and lovin’ it! The front door color is great!
Ella says
May 11, 2012 at 1:37 amI am fixing up my house to get it ready to sell and I am painting like a crazy person and lovin’ it! Thanks for letting me visit your site.
Natalie says
May 11, 2012 at 2:07 amTaryn – just stunning – I’m in love! I love the pots so much – I may have to copy you when Summer rolls around to this side of the world. xxx Nat
Shannon Fox says
May 11, 2012 at 11:19 amSuper makeover. Love all the attention to detail. The door hardware looks great in silver =)
I am pinning those pots! Fab transformation =)
Sandy says
May 11, 2012 at 11:19 amThank you for the tip. I, too, painted all of my door knobs a few years ago and they have all chipped. I will try priming them and painting them again. I am your new Linky follower.
Megan says
May 11, 2012 at 11:51 amThe details of your porch are amazing. I love how you just used paint on the pots. They look fantastic. I love spray painted door hardware…such an inexpensive fix. Everything looks wonderful. Megan
Julie says
May 11, 2012 at 7:27 pmSo darn cute!! Don’t you just love what paint can do!? I am your newest follower…hope you can visit me :) (I painted all of my cabinets, doors, moldings, even the toilet paper holder :) lol!!
~Julie
redheadcandecorate.com
Kim (TheMoney-Pit) says
May 11, 2012 at 9:50 pmIt looks great! And you and I have the same exact door handle and we did the EXACT same thing to it! I hate that brass that has infiltrated my house, and I sprayed all the hardware.. it was killing me! Anyhow, your complete makeover looks awesome! Nice job
Elyse Ellis says
May 14, 2012 at 2:08 pmThat looks great! We would love for you to come share this at our weekly link party and enter to win a $50 gift card to Mikarose Clothing!
Love,
The Sisters
Heather says
May 15, 2012 at 12:06 pmThis redo is fabulous! Would love for you to share with my readers @ my linky party!
hope you are having a great week!
-heather
RobinM says
June 15, 2012 at 1:47 pmIt is sooo stinkin cute! I love the transformation. I don’t like my front porch and we’ve been saying for almost 3 years now that we are going to paint the front door…you have inspired me to get moving. Thank you. :)
Kiersten says
April 9, 2014 at 7:37 amHi!
LOVE the makeover! We have been talking about redoing ours and this is too cute. Quick question, where did you get your pallet boxes from? Or did you have them already laying around? I can’t seem to find any for sale on google. I tried wooden pallet boxes and no luck! Any ideas?
Angela says
September 6, 2014 at 6:27 pmLove it!!! How did the door handles hold up over time?? Thanks for the great inspiration!!
Taryn says
September 7, 2014 at 9:11 pmThey have held up great! I did our indoor knobs and those did not hold up that well. But On the outdoor ones I used a spray primer first and then did the spray paint and they held up really well.