My front porch isn’t a huge porch or even a fancy porch, but it is a place where friends and family are welcomed and sheltered whenever they visit my home. It’s a place where I can “play” with the changing of the seasons and holidays, something I could never do on my old “stoop of a porch,” which badly lacked shelter from the elements. Do you have a “someday” book or file…one that’s filled with wrinkled and sometimes drooled-upon, photos…the ones that represent dreams you carry in your head and in your heart? Don’t give up…sometimes those dreams finally do come true. The porch I wanted to build was this one seen on the front of a historic home at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky.
After you view this metamorphosis, tell me what you think. Did my contractor come pretty close to building a porch like the one on this historic home? Note the lantern hanging down in the center of the porch, I loved that little detail! Each time I pulled this photo out to dream, I could see the hint of a red door. The red door may just be a storm door, but I was guessing the actual door was red, too. This is a before pic taken after the old brick stoop had been removed and the concrete foundation had been poured. The old pediment was very pretty, but it was beginning to badly deteriorate on the far left end…note the large hole.
A new, larger brick porch has been built.
Close-up of the herringbone pattern I chose for the new porch…
The old pediment is gone and it’s beginning to look a little like the inspiration porch. The shrubs were removed on either side since the new porch is several feet wider than the previous brick stoop.
It’s almost Christmas. The old shiny brass lanterns are gone and the new ones have been installed. The columns, my favorite part, are finally in place. Again, I was determined to not let a little construction stand in the way of my Christmas decorating. The painters got busy painting the exterior after Christmas, as the weather allowed.
Before: The badly tarnished/pitted brass lanterns…
New ‘French Quarter’ lanterns from Quoizel’s European Collection…
A tease…are you ready for the reveal?
Note the hanging lantern in the center of the porch. The inspiration photo had a hanging lantern, also, and it was one of the features I really loved. Trim was painted a bright white, the shutters, black and the door is Benjamin Moore ‘Heritage Red’.
So what do you think? Is it pretty close to the inspiration photo below this photo?
I think the porch in the inspiration photo may be about a foot wider, but my contractor felt this was the right size for my home. Can’t wait to get some new shrubs back in on either side of the porch.
An evening view…welcome to my home, dear friends. So glad you are here!
Thanks so much for stopping by for the metamorphosis of my front porch! To view some spectacular “Before and Afters,” be sure to visit the links posted above.
If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday, please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address. If you aren’t sure how to obtain your permalink or have any questions about using Mr. Linky for this post, just click on the Metamorphosis Monday logo in my sidebar for detailed instructions.
Don’t forget to copy and paste the Met Monday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your sidebar and your Met Monday post. That way visitors will know that you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday.
Please be sure to link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch, so your fellow bloggers who are participating today, will get lots of visits, as well.
Please do not add your link below until your Met Monday post is actually published to your blog.
The following blogs are participating in this Metamorphosis Monday:
Unfortunately, the participant links are missing from this post because the linking service BNOTP was using for this party is no longer active.
This front porch makeover absolutely transforms your whole house. It is so welcoming, as well as such a beautiful backdrop for so many different seasonal touches, as you have shown. Well-done….and I am hoping to copy your front door basket and daisies soon. (Remember, copying is the sincerest form of flattery!) Linda
Oh my – YES! Definitely matched your inspiration porch. It is just stunning Susan!
Wow! You and your builder deserve a gold medal for that. You absolutely captured that front porch! I love the red door. Great job Susan! 😀 Jewel
Wow Susan. Your vision really was realized in your front porch transformation. What a great addition to the interest on the front of your home!! I like it!
Wow! This is a stunning transformation. I love yours even better than your inspiration picture. The herringbone bricks add so much character. What a beautiful, beautiful porch to welcome your guests!
Your porch is the most beautiful porch I have ever seen!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE it, and I love your style!!!!!!!!! You are so very talented!!!!! Now, we’ll have to drool over your pictures!!!! 🙂
I love it, Susan, and it’s dead on your inspiration pic! I’ve got a lot of pictures squirreled away for “someday” too.
Beautiful. Your contractor did a wonderful, and speaking as a contractor, it’s always nice to have inspiration photos.
Susan,
This is absolutely gorgeous! I think you hit the nail on the head (so to speak) with the reproduction of your dream! It all looks perfect to me and red doors are my fave. Thanks for hosting, Cindy
Have been snowed in all day and just waiting for Met Monday to appear! Your transformation is the icing on the cake…you seem to have a way with porches! :)-
I love your front porch as much as I love your back porch! Beautiful!!!
It’s a wonderful makeover! Absolutely gorgeous. Your contractor did a fabulous job, Susan!
Your blog is so inspiring to me–it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite places to visit. I just love how you took that inspiration photo and turned it into reality! It’s gorgeous.
This is the first time I’ve had a chance to join your Met Mondays. I think it’s a great idea for a blog party. (I just noticed that no one else is stating what their makeover is of, so feel free to edit that part out of my entry if you’d like!)
Thanks for hosting! 🙂
Wow, I think it’s BETTER than your inspiration photo.
What a beautiful place to display your seasonal decor!
Your eye for detail is very evident in this transformation…
Just beautiful and worth the wait! Love those lanterns :O)
Fantabulous!!!! I absolutely adore everything about your front porch!!! And I’m with you — LOVE the hanging light. If our front porch wasn’t 12 feet tall and a brick arch, I’d hang one in ours too 😉
Really beautiful — you must be so happy 🙂
I think I’m drooling on my computer screen… 😉
Kelly @ DesignTies
Someone else who finds an inspiration and builds upon it! I love it. You have a beautiful home! PAM
Your porch is beautiful…way to make it happen. I also have a book with everything that I clip out of magazines in it. It’s my Wish Book!
I always say follow your dreams! You did, and it came true. Yes, It looks so close to your dream one. I am glad you got your dream PORCHES. How lovely they both are. I love the brick herringbone pattern.
Wow,what a way to make an entrance! There isn’t one thing that I don’t love,every detail is gorgeous.The lanterns you chose are the nicest I’ve ever seen.
Cyndi
Your porch addition is absolutely gorgeous, Susan. It changes the face of your already beautiful home. Love the red door!
xo…Kathy
I think YOUR porch is even better than the inspiration one! It totally transforms your beautiful home and created such a welcoming spot for family and friends! Congrats on NOT giving up on your dream! Hugs, Pinky
Oh, the new front porch is exactly like the inspiration photo and what a transformation it makes to your gorgeous home. I love the night view, it is just stunning and what a welcomeing look it has. Just stunning. Hugs, Marty
Wow! It looks almost exactly like the picture, but even better. Just beautiful! Kristen
Hi Susan! How wonderful that you were able to have your dream porch!! I’m hoping there will be enough of a thaw so I can be there tomorrow! Why did it have to snow now????…Debbie
That is so beautiful! What a transformation! I think your porch is much better than the picture…
Carolyn
Your porch is just beautiful, Susan! Actually, I like yours better than the inspiration porch! Your home is gorgeous!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I am in love with that new porch and at that your house! It is beautiful! Where did you get those topiary’s? Did I spell that right? I have been looking for some for my front porch!
Great job! How fun for you!
I am in love with that new porch and at that your house! It is beautiful! Where did you get those topiary’s? Did I spell that right? I have been looking for some for my front porch!
Great job! How fun for you!
oh wow, I love it & I think it's nicer than the inspiration picture!
i just love how it sets it all up to be so welcoming
Sarah
oh wow, I love it & I think it's nicer than the inspiration picture!
i just love how it sets it all up to be so welcoming
Sarah
I LOVE your porch! It’s absolutely wonderful!
Shannon
Gorgeous front porch and yes, it looks very similar to the inspiration picture, maybe even better…Christine
Oh, this weekend I let Spring into my house, washed windows and fluffed the whole house, sweeping away winter!
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star’s Fault
It’s official, I love your blog.
. . . and I need the number for your contractor. He did a great job. This is outstanding!
I just noticed the number in the photo. THANK-YOU!!!
This is really beautiful Susan. You did a wonderful job in realizing your vision, and it sounds like you had a really good contractor too. It just give so much presence to your home. I love the 4th of July picture! Kathy
I am waiting patiently in line to get my bib so I won’t drool all over my keyboard.
I love the way you decorated it for Halloween and made it so “creepy” looking.
I seem to remember a post last year about your struggles with those topiaries. So glad that you prevailed. They ARE gorgeous.
It’s Lovely. I have a white house and I will have black shutters and I have been debating on whether I should paint the door white, black, or red. I’m loving your red!
Oh, that is absolutely gorgeous! I love the herringbone pattern in the bricks, and of course the red door! 😉
Your porch is a perfect interpretation of the model but takes this twist: it is now my inspiration! Your porch is now YOU, not someone else’s idea!!
the porch added so much character to you home! well done! Dixie
What a grand transformation! Your contractor did a fantastic job working with the vision that you had! I liked his sign on the lawn! :o) The fish and the name of his company. :o)
I have wanted to do Met. Mon. for so long and so excited to be able to participate a little today! :o)
I hope that you have a nice day.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
WOW! Just beautiful! Your house is very nice! I’m enjoying reading your blog…this is my first linky to it, thanks!
Susan, I have a book that I kept for years and still have, it’s a house pretty close to ours and I have so many things I would love to do too. But your photo …….
you and the contractor nailed this look! I just think is wonderful when you select hired contractors that follow your look and complete it just the way you wanted. This is stunning. The pavers are so awesome too.
Stunning! Your contractor did a fabulous job. I have always been a huge fan of red doors. So incredibly welcoming and conjures up thoughts of the brightly painted doors of Ireland. Lucky woman, & terrific transformation.
Thanks for the inspiration(s).
Your home is gorgeous! Love it!
What a beautiful entry! I love the evening view with the lights on.
I am just drooling Susan. What a perfect transformation. I truly love the style of your home. What I wouldn’t give for a tour in person!!
Love all the details…especially the lighting!!
Donna
ahhhh, so.so.pretty. I hope my link works properly as I’ve had some problems with my blog working! Hopefully by deleting some things, it’s restored! thanks for hosting!
Suzanne
Your porch makeover is great. I know a lot of work into achieving this look and you were completely successful. Thanks for letting us peek.
What a beautiful metamorphosis. The change is incredible. What a difference it makes.
It’s just lovely.
Susan
Great porch makeover. What a difference the porch makes. I think you did a much better job than the inspirations 😉 I truly is a welcoming sight. Maryrose
GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!
I wish they built that that out here in CA!!!
WOW, Susan! What a change & what a great inspiration photo. Your contractor did an outstanding job & it really changed the look of your already beautiful home. I love all the details you've added to your house to personalize it & make it special. You've got some great contractors to accomplish it for you! Love everything.
Susan,
I just recently stumbled upon your blog and absolutely love it. (I’ve turned my mom and sisters on to it as well!)
Your home is absolutely stunning and I think your porch transformation is amazing; just beautiful!
In May 2001, my husband and I moved into the home that we spent over a year building. It is the home that we brought both our babies home to and where we love to spend most of our free time! Although it pales in comparison to the southern-style “plantations” of the deep south, it is my take on the simplicity of midwestern farmhouses. My favorite feature…my wrap-around porch; the one and only feature that I absolutely would NOT negotiate on with our contractor (he wanted it to be smaller and not wrap around the back of the house!).
I do not have any lovely interior pics posted as you do, but I did post about our Saturday snowstorm and have a picture of our home in God’s snowy canvas. Feel free to take a peek!
Hoping that you don’t have to put your Atlanta blogging lunch on hold due to inclement weather! Enjoy!!!
What a beautiful transformation as always.
Love your home.
Cynthia
Your porch is fabulous, better than the inspiration.
Scribbler
Hi Susan…this looks so classic & timeless…I wonder if the previous owners ever drive by & see what could have been if only they had your vision…and they should see the inside too! 😉 Bo
The druel & time wishing & wanting was worth it! Remember sometimes it isn't the arriving, it's the trip! Thanks for sharing.
You have a beautiful house! I always enjoy looking at it.
Beautiful! I love the red door and hanging lantern.
Oh yes …….. just what you had dreamed of. I love watching HGTV Curb Appeal, they always make it look so fast and easy. I know it wasn’t either! Lovely!
Hi Susan,
It’s just gorgeous!
I love the columns, light fixtures and the classic look of the brick walkway.
~Beautiful job!
Come and check out my new blog makeover I had done if you have a moment.
~Warmly, Melissa 🙂
Susan, so welcoming. Lovely!
Barb
I’m so jealous! Your porch is so beautiful and inviting!
Susan,
This is a stunning transformation. Your builder did an amazing job replicating the porch in your inspiration picture. Thanks for sharing, your home is beautiful!
Yours is 10 times more beautiful than the inspiration photo!
Wow this transformation is amazing. I love southern homes. Your home is so beautiful!
No, no, no…your’s is much better – that house is probably carrying your picture around now! I’ll have to join the Met next week. :)Nancy
Close and even better! I love your lighting choice. Fabulous curb appeal. Wondering what you did with that beautiful pedimont though.
It’s gorgeous and to tell you the truth, I actually like yours better! Just stunning!
Fabulous job, you folks really have done some wonderful things with your place. I always like seeing your photos!
Linda Q
Hi Susan! Glad we had the chance to meet at lunch today. I have been on your sight before and I really love your header and everything else.
Look forward to seeing you again when we plan another outing.
Just WOW!!!
Your have made such remarkable changes to your home!
AMAZING!
A front entry says a lot about a person and this says that you are VERY CLASSY! Love the attention to every detail!
Even better than the inspiration photo. I love the fabulous lighting you chose. So much more practical and elegant to have a covered porch. Wondering if you found another spot for the pediment.
Susan I cannot tell the difference between the magazine one and yours except for the lovely way you have with decorating it! They did a fantastic job! I wish I could figure out what to do with my front entry- it really is so ugly that I haven’t had the courage to show blogland and need to come up with an inexpensive fix or something we can do ourselves. Oh well, I am thankful we have an entry way, a house, a roof over our head ugly or not!
blessings
mary
Susan~ ~
So elegant a beautiful! Love the brickwork. Great job.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
Susan, What an elegant home and now a most beautiful entrance. Just lovely !
I just love your porch, even more than your inspiration photo. Your lanterns are amazing!
The change is amazing! Your house was already beautiful but addition you made just looks stunning! And I like yours even better than the inspiration pic! Your taste is impeccable!! L~
It turned out wonderful! I love to see a dream become a realily. Fabulous!
What a beautiful porch! I love the lanterns. I can also see why you would enjoy decorating it for the holidays. Can't wait to see more pictures as the year goes on.
I have a new blog and participated in your Metamorphosis Monday for the first time today. I hope you don't mind me jumping right on it there. I will be visitng again real soon. Have a great evening!
Gina Jo
Waterlilies, Fireflies & Friends
Hello Susan; Wow the contractor you hired to do the porch did a amazing job. I just love it. And how very close it is to the dream photo, but I must say I love your better.
Hugs;
Alaura
It is just stunning, like your entire home. Very beautiful !
Your contractor must have really been a great one…it turned out so pretty.
bj
Oh, and your Foodie Friday dish looks fabulous…can’t wait to try it…
It’s beautiful and I think it’s much prettier than the inspiration porch! ♥♥♥
What a BEAUTIFUL entrance. I have googled and googled trying to find a little door basket like yours and no luck. Boo hooooooo If you ever see another, please let me know where. Thanks! Penny
Oh wow — I am swooning. That is a spectacular metamorphosis, and it must feel wonderful to have it come out just exactly right.
Lovely plan, lovely work, lovely follow thru. Thanks for sharing it!
Cass
Wow! The transformation is amazing!!!
Now your porch looks like something from a magazine (hehe).
I love it!
Just found your blog (where have I been?!)
Can’t wait to browse!
oh my gosh Susan, your porch is a dream, absolutely stunning and the contractor did a fabulous job. I so miss our porch, we moved a year and half ago and our new house doesnt have a porch…..
hugs
janet
Hey Susan..You certainly did capture the front porch of the magazine pic you fell in love with ., down to the shrubbery in the pots! Love it! It was so great to get to meet you today! How fun, Debbie and I talked the entire way home about how much we enjoyed the day! Thanks for all the hard work you put into your blog…we all love your ideas and your time of sharing! 😉 ~CC Catherine
Wow Susan!
I can’t believe your beautiful house wasn’t built with this portico in the first place – the previous pediment just didn’t do anything for the front facade of your house. This new porch/portico just brings your house to life!
Fantastic transformation!!
Victoria from EdinDesigns @ DesignTies
Thank you so much for your info on the topiaries! I am so sorry for all your trouble! What a pain! I might just have to stick with a real one I guess. I hope your solution with the cement work for you!
Good Morning Susan, this is simply stunning. Wow…very much worth the wait. You will enjoy this so much with every season, decorating, etc. I love how magnificent it looks!
Have a blessed day!
Debbie
I think your porch looks magnificent! I wish I had a porch that beautiful.
I love reading your blog and am working on a few things so I can participate in Tablescape Thursday!
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
Honestly your porch is almost identical to the magazine porch. Seriously loving the red door. There is something about a red door that draws me in!!! I love it. Congrats on making a dream come true. That truly transformed your already gorgeous home! 🙂
(found you through Rhoda!)
It is really grand and beautiful but I also loved the cornice you had above your front door in the before picture. It was lovely.
Susan,
I missed this post on Monday. So I thought I would circle back around and check it out. What a fabulous transformation. You really have an eye for scale, design and authenticity. I’ve noted that on several of your projects. God has given you an incredible gift. I love the porch and yes, your contractor did a superb job. The one thing I miss most from my Florida house to my NC home is my porch. I would love to have a front porch. Maybe I can talk hubby into that some day. 🙂 It’s really beautiful and adds so much more character to your lovely home. Warmly,
Alisa
I posted a blog about the porch.
I asked a contractor to price out a replica for me.
Susan~I just love, love your porch. You inspired me to do a little daisy arrangement of my own on my front porch. Love your blog~thanks so much!!
Melissa
G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S!!! Oh, I love that so much, it’s just so pretty! I would have chairs FACING THE HOUSE, just so I could sit and look at that front porch!!! 🙂
Susan, don't know if you'll see this post because this bog is from March. But I'm making my way through everything on your blog. I'm inspired with each and everyone of your posts. You have such talent! Thanks for sharing through your blog. I'm in Blog Heaven since finding your blog!!!
Susan, thank you for telling me about this post you did on your front porch makeover. I absolutely love it. It's stunning. Can't wait to get your porches featured on our front porches site! Thank you….Mary
All I can say is OMG!!! Gorgeous, simply gorgeous! I totally adore the red door. Your home is so pretty and the use of red throughout has me envious. I love your style. Thanks!
1 word: wow!!
So Beautiful ! your porch looks amazing i became a new follower today i just love your blog ! Thankyou for sharing ! going back in your blog to take a look around 🙂
that is absolutely stunning. following along now lady – loving everything u post!
Oh boy! I just found your blog and I am delighted I have….I was reading your post on the front reno…and I think that I have drooled all over my screen when I saw your reveal…lovely…your home is just lovely!!!
Incredible! I just posted something similar in today's party (http://metromom2008.blogspot.com/2010/07/exterior-transformation.html) but I think I like yours even better!!
Beautiful and an exact match of the picture. I know exactly what you went through with the exact match worries. I just had my portico tore down and rebuilt. We just purchased this home and our portico was rotted out. I told them to do an exact match and they sure did but with some upgrades like the bead board under the roof. My portico is round with 4 columns. I am going to paint my door the exact color you did, its beautiful. Growing up we always painted our door red, my parents said it was good luck, haha. I have a very Virginian style home in VA. Where did you purchase the topiaries on your porch? I love it!!
OMWORD!!!! i just stumbled upon your blog as i was looking for some halloween tablescape inspiration. and i found so much more! i too am in love with my front porch. i'm always looking for ways to accessorize and sauce it up.
great ideas! you're so creative!
claudia
Love your red door, it inspired me and I recommanded it to one of my bloggers, she painted her front door and is so happy with the result.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Decogirlmontreal
When I first saw this post I feel in love with the front door color and basket. I'm in the process of duplicating it at my house. So far we have the red door with a kind of country red matching screen door. I have gotten so many compliments on the door in the short couple of weeks it's been finished. Thank you so much for your inspiration. Now I have to come up with the money to do the portico. Hopefully soon. Thanks again.
Kate, that's wonderful! I still love my red door after all this time. You'll enjoy yours for a long time, too! 🙂
I just posted pictures of my front door and wanted to say thanks again for the paint color and door decoration ideas. It's not as nice as yours but for my first "project", I think I did o.k. I finished it late yesterday and have already received two compliments. I just have to hope and pray for the portico now. Thanks again and I love your website (but you probably already can figure that one out)
The front of my house is very similar to yours. We built a small porch on the front a few years ago and have never finished it because my husband and I cannot decide exactly what to do with it. Thanks for your great example. Maybe we can finish ours now!
Laurie, that sounds exciting! Take before and after pics, I’d love to see it!
My husband and I have been thinking about doing this….someday. We just purchased an older home that needs a thousand other renovations first. If you don’t mind me asking… do you have a ball park figure of how much installing a portico like yours might cost. I honestly have no idea? $5000, $10,000? Thanks so much! It is beautiful!!! Sincerely, Perry
Hi Perry,
The front porch addition (added around 5 years ago) was $7,365 and that included tearing off the old brick stoop which was smaller and building the new one. We decided to make the porch slightly larger than originally planned and I can’t remember now if that was included in that price. If not, I remember the cost was just a few hundred more for the extra materials.
You have inspired me to do something similar on the front of my home. Is there anyway I could see a detail of the crown moulding that was used?
Hi again Susan,
I’ve been meaning to send you this little message and thank you for your inspiration.
I’ve been wanting to put new lights on the exterior of our home for several years but never saw anything that I loved… BUT then I saw yours and it was love at first sight!
So several months ago I asked you what brand your lights were and where you purchased them and you told me but said they were purchased several years ago and may not be available anymore.
Sadly you were right so I decided to just keep searching to see if I could find something similar and after months of snooping online I found my lights and while they aren’t exactly the same as yours they were close enough and I ordered them, they’ve since been installed and we’re so happy with the result.
The large one at the front door is so pretty and they had a square box version that we put on each side of our garage doors and then we used smaller ones for the 4 rear lights across the back of our home.
Please excuse the messy garage and dirty brick, we hadn’t done our spring cleaning when the pics were taken.
Anyways, Thank you so much, I’ve copied several of your ideas and love them all.
https://ibb.co/WPYNgrJ
https://ibb.co/R9bjzBY
https://ibb.co/QdVFbQR
Those are beautiful Catalynn and they do look really close to the ones I chose! I love them! Do you mind sharing the brand, I would love to refer people to these when they ask about my lights since I get that question every now and then. So glad you were able to find these beautiful lights for your home! Love the ones by the garage, too!
I’m so glad you like them!
They’re made by “Maxim Lighting” and the style is “Newbury VX”
I have to say that when I ordered them I was a bit concerned because in the pictures they have a lot of reddish undertones but our brick is reddish so I hoped they would be okay…. when they arrived I was pleasantly surprised to see that they’re really just black and the red areas are so tiny that you don’t notice them at all.
Hope you’re having a great day 🙂