Trying to figure out what to do for furniture on our front porch. (White chairs are temporary!) Been thinking about getting a porch swing on the left side and two club chairs with table on the right. Would love to hear your ideas about style, color, placement, etc.

I just randomly got an email telling linking me back to this post LOL! Glad to see you're still at it Colleen! Porch .....do you sit out there a lot? What is the smaller window to left of door? I see two so I am think office? I assume the three on right are formal dining room? I would start by placing a lovely planter box or pot between the window on left and door with greenery and flowers in it to the scale of that area.

Depending on how you use the space a couple rockers with a round table in front of the triple windows and a lovely porch swing loaded with cushion and pillows on the left facing in would be charming.

Most people don’t use porches that are so exposed to neighbors and the street ... and furniture in front of the windows has its drawbacks as well... if there are reasons that sitting there important ... I would attempt to create a little privacy with landscaping and arrange furniture so it doesn’t obstruct or potentially cause damage to the windows,

I would just add a bench a couple cute pillows on the right with potted flowers flanking the door....see what you think it needs from there..Colleen the front of your home is really pretty!

I'm with design interior south... love the idea of a swing on one end and a couple rockers on the other, add some cute pillows and flower pot... absolutely welcoming.

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I do love rockers but they really do not do well on uneven surfaces like your stone porch🤷🏼‍♀️

Thanks for chiming back in. My initial thoughts are porch swing to the left of the front door and two club chairs with a small table to the right. We do like to sit out front - but usually only once a day with the dogs (& coffee 😁). I love rockers too but I think I want a different look and Julie‘s right about the flag stone. Too bumpy. I feel like everybody has Adirondack chairs so I’m thinking more like club chairs. Just not sure about wicker versus metal… And what color? Do you like these? Anyone familiar with acacia wood?

By the way… I’ve been dreaming of having a front porch swing for ages. I had a porch swing at my old house but it was in the back off the basement and so I rarely used it. I could kill myself for not bringing it with me. A fresh coat of paint and I would’ve been Golden

"Most people don’t use porches that are so exposed to neighbors and the street"

This statement made me laugh. I suspect you're not from the south. Not only do we hang out on our porches we display our crazy family members out there as well!

Colleen I do like the style of those chairs but wonder about the scale of them. How do they measure up in the space? Go for the swing! You only live once!

Hi Colleen love the chairs..do they have a matching loveseat? Can you post the size of the space you have on the porch?

Love both of these outdoor sets from World Market...pillow is too! Pots from West Elm

I love a cozy spot to sit out front. Sun hits the house at different points than backyard and good to change up view and options. Our kids love playing out front in the evening sun and I enjoy a relax with a glass of wine. We have Adirondack chairs

New question: We want to recover the chairs in our dining room. Would love to hear some ideas in terms of fabric options/colors. Thinking a blue grey to tie in with great room furniture. Maybe a subtle pattern? Any thoughts or suggestions?

I always like a neutral chair fabric...so I would look for a nice tweed or nubby neutral or just a linen...add color with your linens you can change them up but you are stuck with the color you decide to put on the chairs.

Julie - if you’re up for it, would love to see what you would choose for my table and chairs. Assume That the China closet and Table are staying that color for the foreseeable future. Can’t swing refinishing $$$ at this point so the new fabric is to tide me over

Here are a few...I can post info if you like any of them. Hope all is well!
You know I never give up! 😉🤣🤣🤣Was so hoping that cabinet was moved into kitchen just to see how it looks....even not painted I think it would still look great until it can be painted...

Here you go!

Cool collage 😀

I will collect a few sample over the next week or two and post for feedback.

Collen consider a French stripe in blue as well. It would fit the stype of your furniture and compliment the wood tones and tie into your home. A good source is Sunbrella as that will also be durable and wipeable for dining chairs.

I saw this dining room on my Instagram feed and thought of yours. I would also consider all white fabric for your seat chairs. Keep it simple. White would be fresh feeling too. You could remove the runner and just add a white vase with white flowers.

Thanks all! I agree....all blue is too much. I am leaning towards lighter colored fabric - or a lighter pattern with muted blue tones. DIS – the idea of Sunbrella is a really good one! Beautiful picture Theresa! I have a few samples that have caught my eye that I will take a photo of in the daylight hours to share. One is so pretty with cream blue and caramel and would look so gorgeous with the table but I am afraid it’s a little too traditional. I’ll show you and you can weigh in

T-I’ve been thinking a lot about my black chandelier and it’s been really bothering me but the one in the photo above looks great. I noticed that it’s hung at a much higher height than mine and I’m wondering if I should raise mine. I think it wouldn’t compete as much with the China Cabinet. What do you all think? Should I try it?

I hate to muddy the conversation with an unrelated question but in case there’s pool owners reading along, we are starting our research to build a pool. All the beautiful pools that I see on Houzz do not seem to have a railing near the steps. I agree it’s more aesthetically pleasing not to have one But my practical side knows it’s probably smarter to put one in – especially for my older guests. Anybody passionate about pool railings – pro or con?

Heres an article on chandelier position above a dining table. Generally accepted principle is that the bottom of the chandelier should be 30 to 36in above the top of the table for a ceiling that is 8ft high. A few inches higher for taller height ceilings. I agree the chandelier competes with the cabinet, but not sure raising it is the answer because it seems like it would have to go way too high to not compete. It seems like its the glass in the china cabinet and the see thru chandelier that is the issue.. The experts will I am sure have a good perspective.
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-hang-a-dining-room-chandelier-1976284

Just to show other dining rooms with glass front china cabinet and open chandelier

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Theresa! You are always so helpful – thank you

Just my non designer opinion but your dining set feels like it doesn’t match the light. Have you considered that height isn’t the issue but style is? Both are lovely but they don’t seem to go together

WCH....you are not wrong but not sure I can do anything about it except try to make it work. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Secretly – I dream about selling the chandelier on Facebook marketplace and having you guys help me find a new one.

My secret is I haven't been reading, but y'all know that.... ;)

My thought is the gingham is lovely... to deal with metal lighting, remove the wood unit, "sorry." Or spray it a toasty linen color.... antiqued finish...search:

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-302591-Chalked-Spray-Paint/dp/B01J45643S

What about dinner plates on your wall, hung with the 2 framed pieces, interspersed, and making 5 horizontally...

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32 x 16" / hint of faux marble horizontal cross bars. Vintage Gold and Chrome accents. Decorated white gloss hardback shades are lined with burnished gold foil.

$140

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Colleen. You definitely peaking my interest this morning. I know you want this room to be great because it’s the first impression guests get. Assuming you are keeping furniture and I know this oak look doesn’t work with the direction you have taken, I got out my chalk paint and painted away!! In the current market you can’t sell this style furniture so remake it. The style of chairs in my mock up are French but don’t let that bother you. You can paint yours and add white seat covers. You can go in many directions with a chandelier. You might try painting the one you have white too or old gold. Lots of options there. I don’t know what you paid for that light fixture but you might sell it for half what you paid. Maybe someone who is building in your area and is reeling from massive increases in costs for new builds? Aren’t you smart to have built when you did.

That China cabinet was painted but you could white wash yours for a look that would fit your styling better. You could experiment with a small spot on the side if your cabinet to see what can be achieved. So easy really.

Flo! And now you’ve peaked my interest! LOL so let’s say that we agree that I should either white wash or paint my dining room table and China cabinet. Can you recommend a brand and shade? White? Off white? Natural stain? I think I like the idea of white wash – not a fan of distressed or chalk paint - I don’t think. I’m worried about screwing it up but I may have a friend who likes to do these kinds of projects.

To answer your question about the pool railing......who loves them? Their unattractive. However it depends on your areas code. You may be forced to have one due to code restrictions. That said look up custom pool railings. There are some different options.

This is good product. I have used it and my only concern is will your oak make it too yellow. I would probably try SW base white paint and thin with water a bit and brush it on. See how it looks and works. I am always fiddling with easy ways and when I use on a piece I have decided must change I figure what the heck!

I think the “Birch” color might be whiter. It will bring new life to your dining room. Then a new light fixture and some new chair seat covers or new lighter, chairs could work wonders for you room with minimal cost.

Check out Amy Howard paint on line. Several videos and tips. Not sure she has a white enough color though. But you can do this. I am about to do my French antique round table that got damaged when we had the freeze and pipe break in February. I want white so I need to find the perfect white. I have SW base white, so I might start there!

Flo....please share photos of your table project....would love to see!

I will Colleen. I have to find my paints though! Still organizing garage. But I am pretty sure I have a quart of SW base paint. I have several projects of this nature ahead! As long as my knees hold out! Lol.

Just wondering if you ever got art for the half bath or any furniture for your porch?

Hi Colleen..I have been in Michigan visiting and just returned home last night...I brought my mom home with me and looking forward to a few weeks with her...how did you do on chair fabric? Looks like you may consider painting the hutch! Still think it belongs in the kitchen..painted and turned into a bar...than your beautiful wall trim will be the star in that dining room.

Just my 2 cents your home it does not have any French country vibe at all...I would keep the dining room more aligned with the more transitional costal look you have...

I've been following since before you moved in. Such a beautiful home. Congratualtions! I likely made a comment or two waaaay back. Taking time today for a quick mention. The mockup of change in finish looked good...but today I scrolled back and saw that I like that your current finish contrasts with your white board and batten wall. I don't recall if there has been discussion of any colors other than white or off-white. Can you imagine a different color that would add contrast if you are going to paint it?

Pondering all the points.....Thanks for the comments. Love that you all are still following along. The pool is our number one financial priority at the moment but I am keeping my eye out still for front porch furniture. If I don’t find something soon, they’ll start displaying all the harvest & Christmas decorations and I’ll have to wait until next year! LOL

I am headed to another fabric store tomorrow to see if I can find something that will work with current dining room chair finish as well as anything I might do in the future. Looking for a way to love the dining room chairs and table now knowing that working full-time and refinishing furniture doesn’t seem to work for me. 🤪🤷🏼‍♀️