Hi Callie, you might try looking at the houzz.com "photographs" look at exteriors, "porches" and hundreds of pics pop-up! Many examples show a painted bead board ceiling and painted wood floors! Also, you will see examples of how to furnish narrow spaces.

Removing the rough-cast stucco walls would be cool, replace with painted lap siding helps soften the space and make it more inviting!

A painted floor is a great idea! I would also suggest some light drapery, such as sheers and more soft cozy soft seating. A day bed with tons of pillows would be a great reading/ relaxing spot in this space.

I agree with you on the stucco making it uninviting, but that is something that I wouldn't be able to take on myself. We just cut it to make a doorway in our garage and it is some tough stuff to get through. There really isn't one thing that I like about this space!

If you can't remove the stucco maybe a softer color will help? I think it's the "rough cast" texture that gives me heartburn! Yes it's a narrow space, but it can work with the right furniture!

Hi Callie.....Is it necessary for the porch to be enclosed???

At one time I'm sure it was open. The windows that are in it are just older storm windows.

The storm windows make it a "four season" room! Some of my customers remove the storm windows and store them in the basement for Spring/Summer/Fall. Not sure if you can do that with these windows? Or maybe just keep the screens for "active" seasons?

I do like that it is enclosed. Here is another picture of the outside. So if you were to paint the stucco would you do white? Maybe paint the furniture black and the floor brown?

I like the stucco. It's the style of your home and "goes" with it. If you think the grey is too dark then go ahead and paint it a lighter color. White might be too much white. What about a bleached wood floor? Kind of a whitewashed look? A beadboard ceiling would be nice but not inexpensive to do. I like your house very much.

I've always been a fan of the barn red! But lighter colors would be swell for this make-over! I will let the color experts on houzz take over! You will get tons of expert advice, stay tuned!!

@marilyn, VERY COOL with the bleached/whitewash floor! I would do that in a heartbeat! Any pics you can share?

Hi......I think it would feel more spacious if it were opened up. The attached pictures are of a
cracker house in Florida, you can find this on Houzz. Sorry for the blurry pictures, I took them from my computer.

For me, the house needs to reestablish its Craftsman identity by adding some style-appropriate details.
Somebody went to a lot of trouble to enclose the porch, and make the windows similar to the rest of the house. While this provides more living space (good), it lost a lot of charm in the process. Looks like they coated all exterior surfaces with the rough stucco, to tie things together. Or, that stucco was the pre-existing exterior surface, and they coated the new half-wall on the porch to match
I would make some changes around the entry door to emphasize it and restore period appeal. Either by adding a portico and Craftsman columns, or by swapping out the white metal door and its two flanking windows for a Craftsman-style wooden door and sidelights.
Option two would be easier, and if painted attractively, could be a good solution.

I agree with you,sstarr93. At the least, replace the door with a wood framed door (a cabinet maker can make a custom door for you if you can't find a wood one to fit) with glass inserts if desired, and then paint the red rectangles below the windows flanking the doors to match the stucco (even if you change the stucco color). Having a red accent below the windows really doesn't do anything except emphasize the door & windows that don't match the character of the home. I'd try to lighten up the interior color of the porch as well, as suggested, and also love the whitewash idea. Soften up the furniture either with more throw pillows & a fringed throw and consider painting the furniture a softer color than bright white. Maybe add a round rag rug; try to make the seating areas more intimate feeling with accessories (adding light weight/non light blocking tied back drapery panels would be great at each end too) and arrange the furniture for conversation.

Do you have any pictures of what you are thinking for the front door sstarr? Thank you all for the advice! Lots of ideas that I never would have thought of

As I see it, the problem is not with the porch. It is with the landscaping. You could paint or put tile on the porch but it's not going to change the look of the house much. You need variation in the heights of the bushes with taller on each corner of the house, smaller in the middle, and a medium height between the two. Also, something with color in the middle....maybe knockout roses or azaleas. And don't forget to "layer" by using some hosta slightly in front of and between the new shrubbery and leave enough room for summer bedding plants for color.

The landscaping is going to be a project next summer. Its a pretty shaded area, and the timbers are starting to fall out of place. Definitely open to ideas in that department as well lol

whitewashed floors in Houzz search.

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blue porch ceiling...used to be done a lot early in the last century.
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those are beautiful

Hi Callie, here are a couple of views, to give the general idea of what I suggested.

Wow, amazing!

As far as the porch goes, I think I am going to lighten up the stucco, maybe find a light shade of what it is already painted. Then I will sand and white wash the floor. Get some cute new pillows to introduce some more colors. What do you think about hanging a paper lantern on each side in the seating areas?

Good advice from sstarr93. Just don't block your gable dormer w/ another gable that's too tall.

Here are a few more images of doors to give you more ideas... I also found a link to a company that sells Craftsman style storm and screen doors at http://www.vintagedoors.com/craftsman.html.

Here is my advice. Pull up the carpet and paint the floor a nice chocolate brown or a coordinating color that is incorporated into your new pillows. Take out your windows and maybe replace with nice full screens. Get a craftsman type screen door to replace the white storm door. OR remove the windows and door and just have an open-air porch. Keep your wicker white. It looks so clean and crisp. A grouping of 3 or so paper lanterns would look dreamy. Put the gumball machine in the house. Put bamboo shades at each end. Get a couple of nice bigger green plants and maybe a floor lamp. You have a lot to work with! Your house is beautiful!

I vote for painting the table as it will look fresh and new in that room.

Love the stucco, but I think the wicker is too light. I'd go with wood patio furnishings in a craftsman style if you can find it. Cushions in a period cloth- rich colors. Mission style sconces; color on the ceiling.

I have felt like the white wicker is out for a while, but I still see it in pictures some. I've been looking at doors and haven't had any luck finding craftsman style screen doors. I have gotten a lot of great ideas, will post updated pics soon :)

What about a lovely new lantern light for the porch? Check these 2 out from Lantern & Scroll (find them on here or Facebook!) They are great to work with, great prices and USA made. Good Luck, and I love your little house!

Callie - lighting was also the first thing that popper into my mind. You have one light, centrally located - and I bet the ends of the porch feel kind of dark at night. A row of four or five pendants from the ceiling would really freshen it up! Something like this, maybe?

Window seating:



Sisal rug:

Spent my mother's day getting the carpet glue off of the floor :)

Have not read the whole thread and this may have been mentioned...if you are going to paint it may be slippery...talk to paint store about what to do for this...

That's some floor for a porch! Can you let us know what you're using to remove the glue? Would love to bring back the HW in my kitchen.

Has anyone had experience with stripping floors before? I am wondering if I can just leave the gray on the floor and white wash over it? Will the paint stick? Or do I have to strip it all the way down? Here is what we used for stripper and bought it at menards

I would change the landscaping, too. Low maintained bushes. Add flower boxes. I think it would warm up the area. I love the Craftsman columns with the front door. Or just the door & windows. Starr is right being it back to its Craftsman roots, DIY Rehab Addict style! Glad you got ride of the carpet!

So should I white wash this or just put a clear finish over it?

I just got the last coat on the floor finally! It's still wet as you can tell by the picture, but I like it so much better than the stained carpet :). I also added 3 of the light fixtures you can see in the picture. Next question- do you guys think I should paint these rockers I rescued from the garbage to replace the wicker settee and 2 chairs? Or keep the set to match the swing?

PS I decided against the whitewash after I had taken all the time to strip it

Consider a lighter color paint, or even opening up several of the walls.