Hello sweet friends! Welcome to the June edition of the Pinterest Challenge. This monthly event is hosted by the fabulous Cindy of County Road 407. If you are coming over from A Stroll Thru Life let me say, “Welcome to Storybook Cottage”. Wasn’t Marty’s patriotic porch so fun? Today, I’ll be sharing how I am Creating Pretty In The Midst Of Construction.
Creating Pretty In The Midst Of Construction
This month the challenge was to create a Patriotic Porch. Our darling inspiration photo comes from Susy at Worthing Court..
- American flags in a variety of styles.
- Wood accents
- Baskets
- Plants
- Lanterns
- A toy truck
A Little Chaos
For the past few months here at Storybook Cottage we have been making repairs to our old homes’ foundation. It has enveloped the entire perimeter of the home and pretty much destroyed all of the flower beds.
Even the area right at the front door had to be dug up.
I think that the photos speak for themselves in that this has just made a real mess. (An understatement. LOL)
It’s also not just the outside.
When the foundation was repaired, and the house was placed in it’s correct position, this created a strain on plumbing lines that didn’t get moved.
We’ve been living in construction chaos for several months now.
Most recently the big blue box store that we ordered our new flooring from made several huge mistakes.
Our new flooring, scheduled to go in the first week of June, has been so mismanaged that I’ve been looking at this scene for 3 weeks now.
A Hearts Focus
As you can imagine anyone’s patience would wear thin. Particularly if they have been living on broth and oatmeal for six weeks due to a broken jaw.
When the flooring installation was finally scheduled and the store informed us it would be this week I hovered between laughing and crying.
I’ve been looking forward to a dear friend arriving from Conneticut for a weeklong visit. She arrives today. I can’t make this up. It’s just Murphy’s Law.
In my inital panic I considered cancelling everything. The flooring, her trip… everything.
But then I went back to a personal motto.
It is people who are most important.
Creating Pretty In The Midst Of Construction
So how do you welcome guests in the midst of chaos? The best that you can.
I thought about when I lived in on the island of Crete. People lived in crumbling homes that were hundreds of years old. But they always looked charming with a window box of flowers or a cheerful wreath.
So I started there.
You can find the tutorial for the patriotic pennant HERE.
I selected a basket similar to one found in the inspiration photo and filled it with faux greenery and patriotic pinwheels.
Not to shabby in the midst of shabby.
Next, I focused on decorating a little bench and raided the decor closet for all things red, white and beautiful.
This vignette made my heart smile.
I’ve decided to be the person who focuses on the cheerful front door.
Or the fun vignette of patriotic pizzazz.
It’s so much more pleasant than only seeing the battered walkway.
Up next is Bluesky at Home. You’ll love Carol’s styling tips!
Laura
More Patriotic Decor To Adore
Laura, you lived on Crete!! That’s something I didn’t know about you! And the construction nightmare ! That is not fun! I love your quote. It’s so true and one to grab hold of. Your front porch is perfect for the 4th Colorful, patriotic and in the shade. Enjoy your 4th!
Hi Caol, Mr. Decor was stationed at NSA Souda Bay. We loved our time there!
It looks terrific, Laura. Yes, construction and chaos make us all crazy but you’re right — your friend won’t care about that. She cares about you and I know you will have a wonderful time just catching up and “being.” And, when all is said and done, it will look great!
Always have admired your “can do” attitude, Laura! You always look for the silver lining! Your front porch is BEAUTIFUL and so welcoming!
You do have the patience of Job with ALL you have been through!
Happy July 4th! ~ carol
Laura, I love the motto (saving into a folder I call Good Words, thank you). You’ve truly made it a cozy cottage entry. I absolutely adore that basket and how it’s styled!
Here’s hoping your visit with your friend makes you forget all the tragedies of construction – both of the house and your mouth! ♥
Laura
You do have a lot going on. Your porch looks lovely. I like the pinwheels especially.
Laura, you truly are a never ending source of inspiration! You’re an amazing friend and person. Have a great visit and your flooring and house and YOU will be better than new real soon!
Girl, you have been through it but your attitude and godliness are oozing out like honey from a hive. You amaze me. As I was reading I thought that negativity doesn’t sound like her. Then poof, you shared your motto. It’s so true! I’m sure your friend is coming to see you and couldn’t care less what the floor or surroundings look like. Seeing how The Lord shows us who’s in control and what is most important is exciting to me. Enjoy the time with your friend and thank you for taking the time to join us. Big hugs.
Perfect quote Laura! Thank for the reminder as so many are preparing to have guests over the 4th of July! People over problems every day! And look what came out of your wonderful attitude — a perfectly charming patriotic vignette that brings smiles to everyone!
btw: I am so jealous you lived in Crete!!!!
Oh Laura, my heart goes out to you! So much chaos at once but you rose above it! Good for you for embracing reality and choosing to create little moments of beauty amidst the chaos ❤️ I know your visit with your friend will be fun and therapeutic! And you’ll have a great story you can look back at and laugh about someday soon xx I simply adore your fabric pennant, door basket of pinwheels and the other patriotic touches you added.
Laura,
In the words of Queen Elizabeth II, I think you are having an annus horribilis…. But the trips to all the 50th Anniversary of Little House and all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder celebrations (and these posts ) are bright spots, to be sure! <3
I'm sorry your foundation is being dug up all around the house. I know we have a crack on the south side and I specifically planted there so the foundation would get watered (previous owner didn't and I've heard you need to do that). It'll have to be looked at one of these days. I know these oaks can do a number with their roots, too, or I am guessing they can.. The two in back are growing into lovely, shady monsters but they are way too close to the house. The giants out front are far enough away; I hope.
But I digress! Your front porch looks lovely with Uncle Sam and the two bicycles, all the flowers and flags!! I know your home will look lovely again in the end.
Many big hugs until then, and Happy 4th,
Barb 🙂
You always amaze me with how you make not just lemonade but lemon chiffon pie with a bunch of bad lemons. I love your porch, it looks fabulous. That little American trike is wondeful. Happy 4th.
Your positive attitude is to be admired Laura! Love your patriotic porch decorations, including the little bicycle planter!
Laura your creatiivty came through as always! I somehow missed that you broke your jaw! Bless your heart!!!
I am totally with you on the construction messes and being overwhelmed. After a year and a half renovating this house and waiting for things to wrap up and they never do, I finally just decide to embrace my own blog motto “Making every day Beautiful ” and focus on the areas that are finished and try to enjoy them.
I love your patriotic door basket with the pinwheels and the other accessories you chose. I hope you can find some joy n the pretty patriotic porch you have created and your friend’s visit.
Wishing you a wonderful Fourth of July!
Everything looks great! The pinwheels are so patriotic but the Uncle Sam on the bike is my fav! I’m so sorry to hear about all the construction. Enjoy the 4th!
Oh, boy, that sounds like a lot of major house issues to deal with, Laura; so sorry! I love your sentiment to remember that people matter more than things; hope you and your friend had a wonderful, special time. And hope your body is healing, too!
Oh, my! I can’t imagine all the stress this has caused. I’m sure you will be glad when it is all finished. Your 4th decor is so fun!!!