Hello friends! It’s Pinterest Challenge Day and this month it’s all about Patriotic Porches or Patios. I barely get enough red, white and blue so today is super fun for me. There’s just something about blog hops full of flags. If you’ve arrived here from French Ethereal, yay! I’m glad you’re here. I have 3 ways to create a charming and inviting patriotic porch just in time to decorate your outdoor space.
3 ways to create a charming and inviting patriotic porch!
Just like all the other Pinterest Challenges, we choose a photo from Pinterest to recreate in our own style. This month the photo is from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Isn’t this porch adorable? I love everything about it. What I’d like to use to recreate it for myself is the buntings, the decor, the watermelon, the vintage table and even the little dog if mine will cooperate. You never know with him.
When I was younger we lived on a lake. We’d spend the July 4th weekend boating, grilling food, driving the decorated golf cart in the parade while throwing candy to the neighbors and because of a lack of brain cells, getting sunburned. Nowadays, we spend most of it inside, still grilling and eating of course, but I am over the outdoors. And as I grow old gracefully, I’ve finally decided that the sun and my wrinkles are foes, not friends.
So, sitting on the front porch at night and watching the fireworks is now my kinda celebration. I like doing it with family and friends but they need to have my shared likes and dislikes. Am I right? None of this running around chasing each other with roman candles or balloon fights anymore. Nope, they must want to stay inside, play games, have dessert and a glass of ice tea out on the porch but then quickly move back indoors.
With all of that geriatric excitement, I want the porch to be welcoming and festive so here’s what I like.
Step One – Comfy Seating
Besides the decorations, I can’t think of anything more important than seating. On this porch, we use the rocking chairs and the rocking bench we call the luuuvseat. We’ve used haybales and stools as well. I can’t say those were the most comfy but it worked for the time being.
The rockers are pretty comfy on their own but pillows make a huge difference. I made these a few years ago and enjoy pulling them out any chance I get. Blankets and quilts come out too but you know that’s only for comfort on the back, not for covering up.
Vintage Baby bed used as a serving table
Step two – Treats and Eats
Not sure I’ve ever mentioned this, but before cows, the mister’s grandmother leased out the pastures to a watermelon farmer and because the ground is all sand they grow like weeds which makes them easy to find around here. You’ll see a guy with a truck full of homegrown melons every couple of miles.
Want to know how to you choose the sweetest, juiciest watermelons? You pick the ugliest one. Yep! Choose the one with a yellow belly. Scratches, scrapes and dents are even better! I also have a super easy dessert you can put together to wow your visitors. Click here for the no-bake red, white and blue recipe!
Like I mentioned earlier, you can’t spend time outside without something cold to drink. My go-to is sweet tea. I’ve used Big Red for obvious color matching and yummy tasting reasons as well as RC Cola, Pepsi and Coke. Just a little hint if you’re visiting Texas… If we ask you what kind of coke you’d like, you can say Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, Coke or any other soft drink. To us, it’s all coke. Not pop, not soda, just coke. 😉
Step Three – Patriotic Decor!
It wouldn’t be an Independence Day celebration without red, white and blue decor now would it? The largest piece I notice in the inspo photo is the homemade bunting. You’ll find the DIY in the link above but I don’t have time, the skills or the patience for making them. I purchased my Patriotic Bunting on Amazon. They were inexpensive, I got them the next day (with Prime) and so far I’m happy with the results. They seem sturdy, are washable and have brilliant color. I almost hesitate to tell you but I actually wore one around the house as a skirt for a while. Just call me Starlet O’Hara.
I try and add color where ever I can when decorating for a patriotic holiday. Like in this vintage pitcher. Adding it to the inside of the small picnic basket made the rolled up cloth napkins more noticeable.
And I can’t forget to highlight the old blue toddler chair. It’s a fave that is always used for any red, white and blue decor.
Not sure you can go wrong with mini flags. Adding them everywhere is simple, very patriotic, inexpensive and so festive. I bet I have 40+ flags in all that get placed throughout the house. I stick them in mason jars, all flower pots, on the mailbox, in vases, any little hole I can find. 😉
Well that’s it. Can you see where my 3 ways to create a charming and inviting patriotic porch is super easy and so cheerful? I certainly hope so. Next in the lineup is Cindy from DIY Beautify. You’ll want to see her hew home in Tennessee! Then make sure and check everyone else. There are so many patriotic ideas. Happy summer friends!
Love love love your porch, Cindy!!! It’s about the same size as the one in our inspiration photo, too. 😀 I tell ya, I am STILL looking for my farmhouse… If it’s out there, we will be moving! 😉 Love the rockers with their sweet pillows and yep, something cold out on the porch would be perfect.
Enjoy all your pretty flags and happy fireworks watching!
Big summer hugs,
Barb 🙂
Author
I don’t think I remember you wanting a farmhouse but can understand why. Just wait, you’ll get the patio just the way you want it and boom, you’ll move. LOL. Thank you Barbara.
HI Cindy, Looks great. Hey I am the debbie downer (or the karen) of the group. The ads are distracting from the content on our blogs. Every other image is an ad. I adjusted mine to just find a hap;py medium. Takes some time, but my sister gave me the same feedback. I love these challenges I just want to read everyone’s posts! laura
Author
I understand they are distracting and sometimes you can’t tell what’s an ad and what’s a blogger image. I have mine set to the minimum allowed by Mediavine. Sorry for any inconvenience but the ads allow me to continue the blog. Thanks for the feedback Laura, it’s much appreciated.
Cindy
Your porch looks just perfect. I loved the vintage vibe and that great double rocker.
Author
Thanks so much Rachel. The dogs enjoy the loveseat rocker the most. 😉
Such a beautiful porch! I love all of your ideas. Happy Fourth of July, my friend.
Author
Happy Fourth to you as well Renae. Thanks so much!
Loved visiting your porch today, Cindy! Your luuuvseat is just perfect for getting cozy. I’m right there with you about the sun not being my friend anymore, and not doing the crazy running around the yard stuff anymore either. LOL Sure is fun to watch the teens and twenty-somethings do it! Also, apparently I’ve been picking out watermelons the wrong way all my life which explains why I often end up with one that aren’t perfect, succulent red like the one you’ve got cut up! I’ll be looking for an ugly one today at the store. Happy 4th of July weekend!
Author
I agree Anne. I enjoy seeing the young people run around chasing each other with fireworks etc. I get a good laugh out of it and have great memories too. You are welcome to visit my porch anytime. Like when y’all were in Round Top! The farmhouse is only about 35 minutes from there. That would have been fun. Hope you find a great watermelon too.
Now the watermelon seed spitting fights are still fun! ha!
Oh my goodness, Cindy. This is stunning! Love, love, love. Happy 4th of July, friend!
Author
Thank you so much. It’s the red, white and blue decor. Just something about it that makes a white porch looks fantastic. Happy 4th Jen!
Bunting skirts for everyone!!! I like all of your ideas. Except I would drink lemonade instead of iced tea. Love all your decor. Thank you for hosting!
Author
For some reason, I am not a fan of lemonade. Give me a good piece of lemonade ice box pie though and I’m good. 😉 And yes, bunting skirts for everyone! You should have seen me. LOL
Everything looks so great Cindy! I love the white rockers and that cute picnic basket full of napkins and flowers! The blue mason jar is awesome with the flags!
Author
As I was dressing up the porch for this post, I actually thought I need to find some fabulous old cans like Kristin and Lora B have! Are you pleasantly surprised y’all in are in my decorating thoughts? 🙂 Thank you!
Your porch is gorgeous and I love the vintage baby bed used for serving. Brilliant!
Niky
Author
Thank you Niky. That bed gets rolled around and used a ton. I love it too. Comes in handy!
I love your farmhouse porch, every season, but July 4th is the perfect theme. I think your idea for a bunting skirt is wonderful. Reminds me of the Christmas Tree skirt from Designing Women, but you’re too young to remember that. haha. The baby changing table is so adorable and just right for serving food. Have a fun 4th weekend and stay cool!
Author
I was telling someone else there’s just something about red, white and blue decor on a white porch that makes it my fave. Even over Christmas! And I do remember Designing Women but not the Christmas Tree Skirt episode. I’ll have to see if I can find it on You Tube. Happy 4th Debra!
It’s lovely, Cindy!! I love the tobacco basket holding the glasses and all of the ticking stripe fabrics! Those pillows are pretty adorable, too. Your porch is all ready…Happy 4th to you!!
Author
I love a good ticking stripe too and I have a ton of crafty ideas pinned so the need to find more fabric is weighing on my brain! Glad you liked the porch. We enjoy it when we can. Thank you Rachel.
I love your 4th of July decorations. You have just enough for celebrating a very important holiday. Have a great 4th of July and enjoy your freedoms!
Author
I was thinking about that the other day. I hope the younger generation knows why we celebrate our holidays. So many just see it as a day off of work or a reason to have fun. It’s sad. Glad our kids know. They probably tune us out but they get an ear full. LOL!
Have a great 4th, Cindy!! We call it soda up here.
Author
Soda actually makes more sense. Not sure why I grew up saying coke for everything. Happy summer Jennifer!
Cindy I love every single inch of this gorgeous porch!
Author
Aww, thank you Sue. Sweet of you to say. Happy summer and hope your holiday is fun and memorable.
I love your porch, CIndy. Definitely a patriotic place to enjoy the holiday. Happy 4th.
Author
Wish it were 25 degrees cooler! If we were down here on a regular basis, I’d totally have misters set up or have a pool! Happy 4th Carol.
That blue toddler chair is what caught my eye first! (Probably because I have a soon to be 1 yr old granddaughter). I love your authentic country life home and style! Well done without having to do much. (I know that’s easy for me to say. You probably spent a good deal of time styling, cutting watermelon, taking photos, writing the blog, and I bet you were sweatin’ bullets in the Texas heat. Okay, so you make it look easy and that’s what counts!).
Author
LOL Rita, I pace myself and work outside in the early mornings or evenings. But any excuse to decorate isn’t work to me. I love doing it! Bullets and all. And the toddler chair is a fave. Maybe one day we’ll have grands. Happy 4th!
Wowza Cindy, you knocked this one out of the park with your patriotic porch and you have every detail covered! The porch and the pasture beyond are so picturesque. Save me a seat, I think I would fit right in! 😊
Author
I’d love for you to visit anytime and thank you! I cannot get enough of the views around there, even with all the sass coming from Scout (the donkey). You made my day Michelle, thank you.
Loved your decor but I really enjoyed your light, breezy writing style. Learned about watermelons! And coke. Here in Maine, it is “soda.” Or Coke or Pepsi! Although our sun is not as punishing as yours, I am glad I stopped being a sunworshipper in my late 30s. It has definitely slowed the wrinkle formation (I’m 70 now). And so many friends have had skin cancers! Your watermelon slices looked SOOOO tempting!
Author
I wish I had been told when I was younger to stop “tanning”! My kids are pale as sheets and hate it but I tell them they’ll appreciate it when they get to be my age. 😉 Glad you like the writing. I tend to just blurt out whatever is on my mind so I have to watch it. LOL. I love your sweet comments. Hope you have a wonderful 4th and enjoy some yummy watermelon! 🙂
I agree with you about the sun and our ‘old’ skin! No fun anymore! But I’m all about your indoor celebration and I love all your creative touches! Your porch looks just like the inspo! That little blue chair is too cute and I adore that baby crib! I’d pay money to see you wearing the bunting, lol!! Have a wonderful July 4th my friend xx
Author
I can tell you right now that when I take the buntings down after the 4th I will wear it again around the house! Well unless it’s dirty. Hope the 4th is fun in your new house. Your weather will probably be so much cooler than ours. I love me some TN!
So pretty and welcoming.
.The watermelon looks really ripe
Author
Yep, the ugly watermelons are the tastiest. Thanks so much. Happy summer Cindy
Cindy, I love your beautiful farmhouse porch all decked out for the 4th of July! It looks so festive and ready for the celebrations! Loved the comment about Coke. One of the first times my MIL came for a visit (from CT) she asked for a Coke and the waitress asked, which kind? She was so confused until I explained that in Texas everything is considered Coke. Also, I love the blog hop Pinterest challenges you host. It’s so fun to see everyone’s interpretations.
Author
Thank you Kristy, I really appreciate your comment. Especially about liking the Pinterest Challenge and seeing everyone’s interpretations. I do too. That’s what makes it so enjoyable. I wanted my readers to see that they could take a photo and change it up to what fits their own style. 🙂 And of course I love that you love the porch. Happy 4th and stay cool!
It’s so much fun to see how you’re celebrating the 4th, Cindy! This porch is gorgeous and will definitely be a fabulous place to watch the fireworks and welcome family and friends. DYING over the Coke! We say the exact same thing. I didn’t realize other people called it soda, or pop, or by the drink’s actual name until I started traveling outside the south. That is so funny! Sending you tons of hugs, CoCo
Author
I learned that others didn’t call it coke until the kids were in school. We moved into a suburban neighborhood close to the airport. It was a very transient neighborhood and executives from all over were around. It was definitely weird. 😉 Happy 4th!
I am in love with your pretty patriotic porch ideas Cindy! I absolutely love your style, my friend. Hope you had a great 4th of July holiday!
Author
Aww, thank you Kim. That makes my day. Happy 4th!
Your patriotic porch is beautiful, Cindy! I love the simple patriotic and beautiful vintage touches you added to your farmhouse porch! I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About link party. Thank you so much for sharing!
Author
That’s awesome Lynne, thank you! Happy Memorial Day weekend and I’ll make sure and stop by this week.