Paint can make everything look so fresh. If you look at this picture and are a bit overwhelmed at how to achieve a look like this, let’s start with the porch itself. They painted the porch floor, ceiling, everything white. Most furniture then is also painted white for a great neutral base. The coffee table could be that old table sitting in your basement handed down from your grandparents house…dust it off and paint it a crisp white. Or at your local flea market look for any table that might do… at a great price. As long as the table has good bones, don’t get turned off by the dust, scratches or how awful it might look in a dark wood. Then layer in your color. They painted the swing a classic navy- try Benjamin Moore’s Westcott Navy, #1624. Then to define the sitting space they added a cotton rug. A very similar rug to this one is “Blue Awning Stripe” from Dash and Albert (see photo below). The cushions can be made by your local upholsterer (unless you are talented enough to make all your own cushions and pillows). If the red check is too much, then try a solid blue in a shade lighter than the paint or a blue plaid or check (bring your paint swatch with you to the fabric store). You can see they did a light blue cushion on the wicker chair, it makes it a bit more interesting when not all the cushions match like a set. Then you can layer in the finishing touches… your throw pillows, flowers, linens or coasters, trays etc.. I watch Pottery Barn for their Sunbrella pillows on sale. Currently they are offering free shipping on all outdoor pillows. Stylist’s note: Try to mix up your pillows, by that I mean try to have a few solids, maybe a stripe, maybe one with an icon like a star or shell or floral- whatever your taste gravitates to. This will make your porch feel really relaxed and easy if not everything is matching.

(porch photo via bhg.com)