Party on the Porch!

September is one of our favorite times of year to entertain outside.  Recently, one of our clients asked us for help sprucing up her porch and pool area for an engagement party.  It was a fun project to work on and the party was fun too!  Take a look at what we did.

First, the before shots....

The back porch opens up to the pool area.  Dark furniture and a dated tile floor do nothing to welcome you into this otherwise bright and promising space.

The other end of the porch had morphed into a default storage area for miscellaneous items and an old, bird-less cage.

Out by the pool a mis-matched collection of furniture was scattered about with no connection to each other in terms of color or style.

We had to work fast to pull this porch and pool space together in time for the party.  Here's what we did:

We sketched out a design for this custom-built, simulated barn door and our carpenter made it happen lickety-split.  The bold, navy door creates big impact against the painted brick, and also provides a background for the porch swing (now brightened up with white paint).  The remaining wicker pieces were painted a dark navy for a more current look.

The tile floor was painted light blue (Sherwin Williams Leisure Blue - 6515) and a neutral, sisal rug adds warmth and texture to the space.  We also freshened up the bench with a a few coats of bright green semi-gloss (Sherwin Williams Luau - 6712).  The throw pillows tie it all together and add a personal touch with family members' initials.  We discovered the artwork in our client's storage room and brought it upstairs to dress up the porch even more.

On the other side of this long space, we used a Dash & Albert indoor/outdoor rug to cover the painted tile and provide a more durable path for swimmers passing from house to pool.  The two different area rugs separate the different functions of the space and also avoid that matchy-matchy look.  A found console and some folding Kenian Imports chairs are ready for party guests and food service.

Just outside the door, we banished the mis-matched pool chairs and added folding bistro tables and more Kenian chairs for the guests to gather.  Folding pieces like these are fabulous to have in storage for parties.

The original white wicker chairs are made new again with fresh throw pillows and coordinating side tables (Martini Side Table, West Elm).

Speaking of coordinating, we never throw a party without coordinating outdoor platters!

We created a separate seating area tucked into the garden with a Braxton Culler weatherproof sectional, galvanized cocktail table and some fun hurricane lamps.  Those adirondack chairs are from Target!

And presto chango, it's party time!

Lighting strung among the trees adds just the right touch of ambiance.

Here's what our client had to say about the project:

"Whittington Design Studio completely transformed the space.  What used to be just a walk-through

area to our swimming pool is now a gorgeous room that makes you want to sit and relax for a while.  The new colors compliment the pool and landscaping so well that it feels like they are all one space."  -- B.P. Arlington, Virginia.

So go ahead and freshen up a tired outdoor entertaining space -- you will love the results and so will your friends.  Don't forget to invite us!

Do it!

P.S.  Stay tuned for more fun, party-friendly porches.  We just love fall porch parties!