Spring and Summer Porch Ideas

I am looking at decorating ideas for my back porch.  When we

moved into our home last August we were so busy unpacking

that all we did was hang the porch swing and place our wicker

furniture out there.  But this year I want to spend more time

making it a fun and inviting spot, so I am hunting through 

magazines and the internet for ideas.

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This is a wonderful and calm spot.  Sitting on this porch with a cold drink 

is like being whisked away to a tropical resort.  

All of our wicker furniture is white, but I would like to add some more

color to kick it up a notch.  

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I love all the pops of color on this porch.  I don't know if I would paint 

all of the furniture in a bright color, maybe a couple of chairs.  Love the

toile and the check, but then I always do.  This rug is fun too.  

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As you can see in the third picture from the top, I have a red brick

floor on the porch.  Currently all of the pillows are in pink and green

floral patterns, so a green and white stripe like this one might be

a good way to ground the space while working with that brick.

I think I will start hunting for something like this.

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I want to add lots of plants to the porch and while I would love lots of

flowering plants, I also know that I will be limited by the shady space

and the hot and humid south Texas summer temps.  If any of you have

ideas for potted plants I will be thrilled to get suggestions.  I do like the

variation of greens and deep reds I see here.  

As you can see my porch swing has pillows in more muted floral

prints based on soft pinks and greens.  I want to punch this up a bit

with more bright pinks in solids and geometrics.  

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See what I mean?  I love the bright pops of color.  I think I can add

some brighter colors to give my existing pillows a nice contrast and

a newer and fresher look.  I am not one to toss everything away and

start over.  I like to incorporate what I already have in a new way.

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This is a fun terrace.  We should be wearing Lilly Pulitzer dresses and 

drinking Cosmos or something fun like that while chatting away the

evening.

Looking at all these pics makes me realize that I have my work cut

out for me.  So I better run!  See y'all soon and maybe I'll have more

porch ideas by then.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley