Could you post some pics of the house from further back.IMo once the furniture goes in on the porch/ deck it might be very nice to keep a simple, backdrop and IMO stacked stone is a dated look.

Thanks Patricia.

I can see your point and that’s why I love to reach out on here for advice. I‘ve been so hung up on the stone I wasn’t really thinking about how it would look once the furniture is in there.

A view from the porch out. We back to a river so the only people with a view into the porch will be us and our two neighbors when at the back of our yards.

Went outside and took an updated photo

We did not add any windows to the front peak of the porch, it will be sided so that it ties in with the existing morning room.

As another poster commented, I think the white siding could be a nice backdrop, depending on how you want to furnish the space. You could place a beautiful tall-ish hutch between those windows, or perhaps a serving table or bar with hanging art or mirrors above it. I think the haint blue lends itself to a more traditional style. I'm considering it for our front porch, which will be open to the elements. To contrast with the white siding and add warmth to the rooom, I think a stain would be pretty, which could be traditional but also might lean more transitional. Looks like it will be a beautiful, much-used space with a nice view! Good luck!

I am not a pro, but I think your wood ceiling is beautiful and since this area will be screened in, there is no need to paint it haint blue. I think the wood is a beautiful contrast to the blue exterior of your home. Good luck!

Oops sorry I see your exterior is white. (Pretty). Must have been another house I was looking at that was blue. Sorry.

Hou 2009 -

I like your idea of a hutch between those two windows. I had read a blog post where the lady had redone her porch and also recommended a hutch, she felt it made dining and entertaining much easier to be able to pull dishes from there vs going into the kitchen.

I agree that the haint blue is also a much more traditional look. Being in the south now I thought it would be fun to have that classic look. But with the white walls and grey decking, a blue ceiling might make the room a little cold. I wonder what color stain would work with the deck boards?

And thank you! We can't wait to be able to use that space. It's been 4 years of planning and saving to get to this point.

Thank you sternl2001. Would you have any color suggestions for a stain? Our deck boards are grey.

Thanks groveraxle. I thought the stone could be dark too, so we were going to do a light color, as shown in the below photos. It's just so expensive to do that we had to be 100%. And now that I've posted here and not had a single person say "Do it!" I think that money would be best spent of something else.

No need for stone. You have a beautiful porch and a beautiful view. Furnish it nicely.

Thanks tqtqtbw!

I think it’s very pretty as is. You don’t need the stone. And as you said, very few people would see it anyway! Use the $$ to get some extra nice furniture.

I would do a clear finish on the wood to preserve rather than a color. My sister did a white heavily pigmented stain on her porch ceiling. It acted more like paint a flaked off in a few spots. Is it cedar? If so it would naturally go gray.

Looks like that is going to be a lovely outdoor space with a view! I really like the siding without the stone. It looks classic. I'm a fan of white houses. Once landscaped, it will be beautiful.

We did a wood ceiling like yours, for our front porch. We stained it somewhat dark. It certainly provided added character. Haint blue is another great option, especially if you're in the south! We were not. All personal preference on the look you're going for. Please share your 'after' photo when completed :)

Thank you everyone. The siding has gone back up and it looks quite nice actually. I'm still torn on the ceiling. It's pine and from what I've read you need to condition it before you stain it. We are in Virginia and that haint blue has been calling my name but, now I'm not sure what I'd do with the front peak if I painted the ceiling. I guess I'd just paint the peak white?

They are done until March, when they come back to install the Eze Breeze windows.

Here are some (almost) final photos of the exterior.

Ours was done years ago and yes we put a conditioner on first. But, I stained the boards before they went up, then just touched up after installing. Staining a ceiling above will be a real pain in more ways than one! I imagine Michelangelo's neck was forever deformed. :/