Street Side Front Porch | One Room Challenge Week 4

  • April 26, 2018

It’s week four of the One Room Challenge, and finally, I have progress to share. Last week, I was open about my shaky start due to our neverending winter. I asked for reader advice about how to move forward, and so many of you encouraged me to keep going. Most of you wanted to see me continue working and if necessary, reveal an incomplete project at the end of the six weeks. So, that’s precisely what I am doing. Right now, I am on track to complete the construction portion of the Street Side Front Porch. Having time to decorate and style will be icing on the cake. I remain cautiously optimistic.

In some ways, reducing the project down from six weeks to three weeks has been perfect. Week four is typically a stressful one as the deadline looms. However, I have already worked through the week four angst during the weeks that I missed. Now, I am in the focused and determined phase that often follows a complete melt-down. I may be onto something here. Perhaps, I should start each ORC with a panic attack and move on from there.

Painting

The bulk of my time this past week has been spent painting. I am about 85% done, and I plan to finish up today. My project plan has been to work from the top down, so when I install the floor, the only thing left construction-wise is touching up the paint. Working in this order will protect the new floor from drips and spills.

Details

Even though we often schedule the details last, this is a bit of a haphazard project. With Andy’s travel schedule, and my plan to work from the top down, we have jumped forward with a few small projects such as the doorbell installation and hanging the new light fixture.

I love this little doorbell. It is such anĀ upgrade from our old one.

For one, the button is intact, so no one gets poked with sharp bits of plastic when they ring the bell. But aside from a functionality standpoint, it is solidĀ brass, and it makes me happy. I’ve got nothing more profound than that right now. My thoughts are all shallow ones.

Unfortunately, the light fixture arrived missing a decorative piece, and we did not know until it was already hanging on the wall. I contacted House of Antique Hardware where we bought the light, and they are on the case.

The Floor

The new floor is scheduled starting tomorrow, and it will end when I am done. In other words, I have no idea how long it will take. Although I have not started on the labor portion, I have spent a ton of time researching the process and purchasing supplies.

Last Monday, I borrowed a truck from my friends and drove to the lumberyard to pick up the tongue and groove teak boards. They are currently acclimating to life at BHH.

In a future post, I will write about how we settled on Cumaru instead of something more historically accurate. Until then, please know that we thought long and hard before we bought exotic hardwood.

Well, that’s it. I have done three week’s worth of work in one week, and it feels good.

Until next time, please visit the One Room Challenge website to view the projects from the featured designers and the other guest participants like us.Ā  Because I am so behind, I have missed following a ton of projects this round. It will feel great when this is all behind me, and I can grab a cup of coffee and catch up with all of my blog friends and make some new ones too. Don’t be me. Start reading today. You won’t regret it.

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Start at the beginning:
week 1 | week 2 | week 3 | week 4 | week 5 | week 6

PS: Here are the links to our past ORC projects:
Breakfast Nook | Library | Dining Room | Kitchen Pantry

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Blog Comments

Oh, youā€™ll totally finish in time. I foresee a quicker than you ever imagined floor install in your future.

I love your color scheme. And your new doorbell. And your light!

But most of all, I LOVE that red door. I already loved that door, but now I big puffy extra sparkly heart love it.

Thank you, Ame. Red doors forever!

I love that our truck got a cameo!

It was the star of the show.

Seen in the April 2018 Reader’s Digest…

Sometimes I cross things off my to-do list that I haven’t done. To remind myself that I control the list. (@JAKSENP)

Hey! I resemble that remark. šŸ˜€

Iā€™m laughing, because 10 years ago as a single mom, I told a friend about another appliance malfunctioning and how my process begins with tears and a panic attack, then a time of focus, figuring out how to fix or solve the problem, then implementing the plan, then joy and a sense of accomplishment!! She said it should be the premise of a DIY or fix-it show for women on HGTV!
Glad youā€™ve reached the focus, implement phase ?. So glad youā€™re sticking with finishing the porch, it will be awesome!
Theresa

That’s hilarious! HGTV has become too formulaic. We could shake it up a bit by starting each episode of our show with crying. Why wait until the third commercial break? That seems like a waste of time. I say you and I pitch this idea to the network ASAP. šŸ˜€

This is one of the projects I’m most excited to watch unfold as the ORC continues!

Also, I’m completely inspired to fill my 1990s home with 1890s details, like that doorbell (as just one of many examples). I wish such beautiful details and craftsmanship weren’t abandoned to make room for modern conveniences and quick builds. I want my home to have both.

Glad you’re pushing forward on the porch!

Thank you, Brianne. šŸ™‚ I think your idea of adding 1880s details to your modern home a good one. Adding character a little at a time will make a difference.

Iā€™m curious if you are painting the ceiling the light blue color that you used in the breakfast nook.

I didn’t have to paint the ceiling, thank goodness. It was already the traditional light blue, and the paint was in perfect condition.

I never knew I could have doorbell envy!! Loving your progress so far! Good luck!

Ha! šŸ™‚ Look at all these adorable choices from Rejuvenation.

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