I am excited to share the changes we made to our Front Porch for Fall and for actually for everyday! You are in for a special post with Seasons of Home and 16 other bloggers! So much Fall inspiration. From designing their front porch to any outdoor space. In a small home our outdoor spaces become an extension of our home and we LOVE spending time outside in the Fall.
If you are new to Nesting with Grace, welcome! My name is Brooke we are a family of 5 living in 1100 square feet in a 1950’s Cape in Connecticut. We made some major changes to our front porch when we moved in, including painting the front steps white, changing out the railings and adding a pebble rock walk-up (you can read more about that HERE).
Our front door was painted in a navy paint last year and we Kevin painted the front door black. We used Black Knight from Benjamin Moore. I have to say a black door makes decorating for the Fall a lot easier than navy!
This year I was really inspired by pumpkins and all the Fall colors. Green has been a a favorite color of the season so I used a lot of greens then added some pops of color with flowers and mums. I got THIS Magnolia Wreath for our front door and layered a blanket scarf behind it for a pop of color and to protect the door! All hung on the pineapple door knocker, original to the home (find similar HERE).
Design Tip- Decorate your front porch to match the colors and feel of the inside of your home. You want your earrings to match the outfit!
I started with the idea to paint the door black. So black was a strong color theme. I found THIS black and white outdoor rug and I felt it matched the look of our kitchen and front room. I love to layer. So I used THIS “Hello” door mat on the top. (Because several asked last time I wore my leopard shoes, you can find them HERE).
I have THESE metal planters and have had them for a few years. I still love them. I put one of my boxwood topiaries in the largest and used a black plastic bag (poked holes in it) to keep the dirt from falling out of the holes. Then I topped it with black mulch and a layer of pumpkins!
Lola helped me pick out the pumpkins this year. She let me “borrow” a couple of them that she put in her room (like the crook-neck squash:)). I love that she gets involved with me and decorating.
I have always loved the look of a pumpkin topiary! So I finally made one this year. Really made is not the right word….I stacked a pumpkin on top of another pumpkin and called myself amazing! We had THIS gold garden stool on our back deck and was the perfect base for the pumpkins!
Design Tip- If you like a lot on your front porch, balance out each side by leaving one side heavy and one side open.
Last year someone said that my front porch was “too cluttered” (I had to laugh because I think there is more this year). But we like it! We are not a store so not a lot of foot traffic, basically it is just the mailman who uses these steps, we typically use the back. And that is really beside the fact. Do what you love. I LOVE to see porches decked out to the max and also find beauty in a simple pumpkin on a stoop. Really all of it is beautiful.
All of these colors are sure making me excited for this season. Fall is really gorgeous in Connecticut and SO many Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches to keep us busy! (Gold metal planters HERE).
My favorite little stools that I have a couple of (find HERE) made their way to the front of the house- perfect size for the “Queen Pumpkin” if I do say so myself!
Click on and image below to shop my favorite pieces from our front porch!
We also added more black and changed a lot on our back patio! I have way to much to share so I will be posting about this tomorrow! Make sure to subscribe to see tomorrows post! (Subscribe below).
Until then we will see you tomorrow! Now I am off to read and pin images to Pinterest from the Fall Inspiration shared from these bloggers below and how they #DesignTheOutdoors with Joss & Main
Ella Claire | Rooms for Rent | Dear Lillie | Love Grows Wild
Nesting with Grace | Liz Marie Blog | Shades of Blue Interiors | My Sweet Savannah
Julie Blanner | City Farmhouse | French Country Cottage | Jeanne Oliver
Miss Mustard Seed | Craftberry Bush | Jennifer Rizzo | and our featured guest, Beneath My Heart
I feel like such a broken record because I always say the same thing-but gosh, I just LOVE your home!!! I never come away feeling defeated or sad about my home(like I have in the past reading other blogs) but I come away with all this energy to change something or move something around in my own home. And the happy feeling I get from that is priceless. Your porch is beautiful! I absolutely love the layering of the rugs-even the outside of your home is cozy. 🙂 I also love the small pops of orange for a traditional fall feeling. Well I guess I know what I’m doing today. Haha!
I love so much about this porch. The scarf with the wreath is great. Love the color of the door and shutters. I could just go on and on. Your porch would definitely catch my eye. Fantastic job!
Thank you Betty! I really appreciate how you noticed the details! You are awesome! xxxx
I love it!! Once it FINALLY cools down a little, I am so excited to get outside and update my front porch/stoop/landing (?). It needs a touch of fall ASAP!
Thanks Heather! It has actually been hot here (90% humidity!) this week, so weird because we had Fall weather last week.
Good luck to you!
Gorgeous Brooke! Your amazing!!!
Thank you Jen! xoxo
HA! @ too cluttered! As if! Who SAYS less is more?
Etc.
I am going to clutter up our new front porch today!
baha!! YES! Less is way under rated:) Good luck with your porch!!
Your front porch looks very inviting, and I am glad that you stay true to yourself and “over do it” according to some. I agree–you should love your decor and it should please you, first. The black door is stunning and I like the use of a scarf blanket for a wreath accessory. It adds warmth and drama. Thanks for sharing! (Looking forward to your next post!)
Thanks Jolene! I really appreciate your comment! I think we should all do what brings us JOY, be true to our decorating selves:)
See you back here tomorrow!
I enjoy reading your blog immensely and the loving family spirit that you convey. I know that you are a home designer with a mission to support your talents with lots of merchandise from various sources. Changing out your gear is inspiring but a little overwhelming for some of us also balancing family with work.
I appreciate your comment and your point very much. You are right I am trying to help support my family, that is why I do this blog also as a creative outlet. If it were only for the point of creativity I wouldn’t publish a blog post as often, it takes so many hours to take pictures and get a post up and then promote it. But that is how blogs become successful is with a lot of content. I do purchase new things often- but I sell a lot of things and I do work with brands occasionally. For me I went thru a phase of not buying anything new and I was uninspired to share. I realized that I have to spend money to make money in my case and in order to come up with NEW content and ideas to share. It is a tricky thing being a home blogger. I do try to repurpose things too. I know a lot of bloggers who do more DIY and really inexpensive ideas and way more simple. That just isn’t me (I am not very good at it!) I hope you stay a reader, but understand if I am not a fit for you.
If you care to stay please share what type of blog posts you like to see! Thank you, Brooke
My intent was not to offend you, I put my thoughts in writing too quickly. I can only imagine how long it takes to gather and post so that everything looks perfect(as it does) in the post. Your work day occurs in your own home, mine outside after a challenging commute we both work hard for our families to provide and nourish them. I lived in CT years ago for 11 years in Litchfield County and the falls are just beautiful to enjoy and inspire.Keep doing your blog as perfectly as you are doing it now, I will be sure to keep reading and be inspired. I will just not comment. Best to you sister.
I actually was sincere that I appreciate your comment. I honestly want that feedback, it makes me ponder and keeps me focused on the purpose of my blog- to show that everyone can create a beautiful space no matter the size of home. I would love to know the type of posts you like to see. You gave me something to think on. And you are right, designing my home is very easy being home all day. I used to work 40+ hours outside of the home in Utah and I would stay up way to late sewing things and working on our home.
And please comment!! BTW I can’t imagine commuting, my husband drives about an hour to work and sometimes two home. I would honestly fall asleep at the wheel. I hope you have a great day and safe travels. xoxo
Brooke, I too just always love your home! And your front porch is beautiful! The idea of incorporating a scarf into a wreath or decor is just awesome and unique. I’m going to do that today. Thanks!
yay! Thank you! do it!!
So lovely and cozy and welcoming! beautiful!
Thank you Lori!!
Looks beautiful! Love the gold garden stool you added!! The scarf is a brilliant idea! I know I have scratched our door, plus it adds a great extra layer!!
Thanks Cristine! The stool is better than the chair, right?! Yes, add a scarf!
Gorgeous!!!!!
Thanks Cathy!!
It looks beautiful Brook! It is really inspiring. We moved into a new house about four months ago and I haven’t done anything with my front door area yet. This makes my hands itch to do something! I live in New Zealand and it’s just the start of spring, so it sadly won’t be pumpkins. Also I’m really excited to see what you do for Christmas. I might wait until then, so I can rather do Christmas décor.
Hello!! New Zealand! That is so much fun to hear and crazy to think it is Spring there!! Thanks for your comment and following along! xxxx
Haha! yes, I’m always inspired by the wrong season as I follow so many décor sites on Instagram and I’m really loving it. I live on the South Island and we normally get snow in winter, but we didn’t this year. We did get loads and loads of rain, so I’m looking forward to a warm and balmy summer.
How would I attach a throw/ blanket behind my wreath if I do not have a door knocker? I love this idea!!!
Thats a good question. If you have a wreath hanging from a hook or a nail I would attach the scarf to the back of the wreath!
It looks beautiful, Brooke!
Thanks Jennifer! Love your space too xxxx
All so beautiful! Love how you mixed the metallics in with those gorgeous pumpkins.
thanks Julie!! Those warty pumpkins just have my heart❤️
I’m with you! More is more. Really like your porch decor and am stealing the scarf behind the wreath idea. Just subscribed. You got me!
ahhhh! It was the scarf that hooked you:) Love it! Thanks!
Do you have any regrets removing the storm door from your porch? We have a new Thurma Tru Pulse Ari door on order. It has 3 large windows. I was just curious if you regret removing it. I love all of the light we currently have with a storm door, but I also don’t want to take away from the beautiful look of our new door.
P.S. I love your blog!
yes- that is a good question. I thought I would. But the glass up top lets in a lot of light. I haven’t thought twice about it after we got the new door but I was concerned before. So I would say no, I love the look so much.
We have a storm door on our back door and I would really miss that one. We always have it open for the light.
I don’t know if that helps! But good luck with your door. And thanks!
It’s BEAUTIFUL! Think about how much happiness you bring to your neighbors with that porch. Love it.
oh I hope so!! Thanks!
What kind of plant is the one with the purple berries I use a lot of purples in my Porch? Your porch looks just right, perfect amount I’m my opinion.
It is a type of pepper plant. I actually picked it up at the grocery store! I will let you know if I come across the name.
Thank you!
I love your fall porch transformation! It’s so beautiful and those warty pumpkins are my favorite! I have two porches that face the road in front of our home so I get to decorate both of them! I try and keep them alike with pots of flowers on the steps and white, orange and green pumpkins mixed around! I get so many ideas from your home and it is such an inspiration! So thank you!
lucky!! And thank you so much! I am sure with two porches you come up with a lot of fun things!