Asked on Jun 29, 2013
Porch in Transition...
by Lori J
+30
The railings and posts on our front porch are not original to the structure (build 1920). Long term plans are to replace the 4x4's with more substantive posts that are cedar faced and stained. We are also going to add a paver tiling to the cement floor. While I absolutely believe that 'we' are going to get started on this someday, after four years, I was sick of looking at those ugly, ugly porch railings and finally convinced my husband to let me take them out. When we painted the house two years ago, I did not paint railings and posts (someday we are going...), but now I am going to give those posts a coat of paint. I have leftover paint, so they could be cream, orange, tan or green. I am leaning towards the green. What do you think of the temporary makeover, and what color would you paint the posts? Also, the driveway view is yucky. Any suggestions for defining this space and hiding the driveway?
Last night just after convincind da hubby that we could indeed live without these ugly railings.
While I do not like these railings, they did at leas provide some definition.
And when I say ugly, I do mean ugly...and rotting. No drainage holes in bottom rail. I flat out refused to paint them.
Oh, and it sags a bit here, so lets just stuff this thing in here.
After removing the rails, better, right?
Just so you know what the front of the house looks like.
I really, really like this end of the porch. The trellis defines the space.
Forgive the plastic. Our windows stink, and we never open this one, so I never take down the plastic.
Defined, inviting.
And then there is this! Forgive the pile, husband is hauling stuff the burb, so the third seat has to sit in time out.
Just a couple of pots planted this morning.One of our local greenhouses had an all you can fit in a flat for $2 sale!
30 answers
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Lori, first of all your house is charming. I say good riddance to those railing as well. I'd paint the posts the same green that is at the top of your house. I'd put up another lattice on the other end to screen the view of the drive, or a couple of tall plants in pots (something like Cryptomeria japonica 'Black Dragon').
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 30, 2013
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Doug, last night I asked my husband if we could cut out a chunk of concrete at the other end of the porch and build a sister trellis to the one on the left. He agreed that a planter here would be wonderful. I am thinking iceberg rose, but am wondering if there is anything about being near so much cement that would cause problems with the soil? Obviously we would amend that soil like crazy.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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Just appreciate a variety of opinions.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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Your porch is fun and inviting. We wouldn't have noticed the problems because there are so many positives!
![Organized Clutter]()
Organized Clutter
on Jun 30, 2013
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Lori, I'm with Douglas on the fact that your home is charming and I would do away with the railing completely...it makes the porch look 'caged in' and unwelcoming..I love the color pop that you gave the trim... LOL, I was thinking the same thing as Douglas on the lattice at the other end blocking the driveway view by the garage. The only suggestions I would make would be to make your lattices white (to better show off the color of the flowers) and also have you seen these Victorian houses or the old farm houses that have that railing that goes along the top near the eaves (you can get them in the 4''-6'' width) they look like ladders laying sideways), I'd put a cornice piece that fits in in the corner attaching the eave to the railing then attach the little railings in between and paint them all white to go with the posts and lattice...have seen this done and is very charming...one house inperticular that I saw the house was painted a soft blue with a white trim the porch was high so required a railing which they painted white. They put up this trim all around painted white...in between the spaced columns they hung huge fern planters (these I wouldn't recommend for you to do as they would block your view, though I do see you have a couple planters in terracotta color hanging there) Question, do you use your porch to sit? If so I would reposition the seating bench with it's back to the lattice in that corner and put a couple of chairs, positioned to slightly face each other, bringing them to come just slightly inside the window area, with a small table (flea market find perhaps) about half the size of the table you have out there currently. Put a small vase of flowers (an old metal pot or something) on the table towards the back leaving room for you and a guest to set drinks on it. Perhaps you can 'repurpose' the charming table you have there somewhere else inside the house..it really is a pretty little table...the trick is small spaces, less items make it feel bigger and not so cluttered..clean and fresh is the ticket.
![Sharon A]()
Sharon A
on Jun 30, 2013
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Sharon, our fencing all around the home is cedar stained. The reason I stained the trellis was to match the fence and sort of pull your around and into the garden. However, I am already tired of staining around vines. I will give the white some thought. My husband and I enjoy the porch, but when we have company we use our back patio. More privacy and lots of seating--we have an upper and lower pavered patios.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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I vote for no railings....it looks so open and inviting now and I love your trim. If I ever make it to NE I'm coming by to sit on your porch.....you'll never know I'm there - lol!
![Sandy Harmon]()
Sandy Harmon
on Jun 30, 2013
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Lori, I agree with Sharon on painting the lattices white. However, I would move the settee to where the white chair is, close to the door, and put the table in the corner near the left end lattice and have two chairs on either side. Something that might be cute is to put "shutters" on either side of the window, actually having wooden flowering vines going up each side, or you could do wooden "curtains" and paint them the same green as is painted above. The porch looks ever so much better without the railings. It looks light and airy now, and since the porch is so short it is not a safety hazard to go without the railings. Great Job!
![Jean DeSavage]()
Jean DeSavage
on Jun 30, 2013
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The white chair is a high chair and under a mailbox. I am not too keene on making our somewhat grumpy mailman reach over a bench.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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Not having the railings is nice. You could put wooden planter boxes at the end of the porch next to the driveway and have the lattice come up from that. No concrete removal needed.
![Cathy B]()
Cathy B
on Jun 30, 2013
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Cathy, do you suppose a rose would winter in a container? There is a real decline there, and my husband said he would cut it out and then use stones that match our retaining walls to build a raised bed planter. And he is the kind of guy who is going to sink the posts for a trellis in 2 feet of concrete.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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Oh, joy, Menard's has 6x6 turned spindle posts for $75 each. Couldn't swing it tonight as we were purchasing roofing for my shed and I have been waiting FOUR YEARS to put a decent roof on this building. Always another project with an old house...but I get them by the end of the summer!!!! Whoopee!!!
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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Lori, it looks so much better without the railings. I don't think I'd ever put them back in. Once you paint the posts green to match the peak of the gable and add the other trellis it'll be perfect.
![Z]()
Z
on Jun 30, 2013
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I agree--it is a small porch and the railings just make it feel smaller. I like the open feeling so much better. And I love that green so much, it will be a pleasure to use more of it.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
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Wow! The porch looks better without the railing! But that is not the big attraction here! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the colors and accents on your house! I am crazy about color and would love to have a house like this! It looks like something out of a storybook! BTW, your porch is FAB!
![Jeanette S]()
Jeanette S
on Jul 01, 2013
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I'm with the majority who think you should keep your porch WITHOUT the railings! Darling house with great colors! Yes, painting your lattice work white or a pale blue or green will make the flowers pop and to make painting lattice more simple use a paint sprayer. For your driveway don't know if it's in the budget but you can resurface it with a hand troweled concrete process and create the look of stone or brick if you like.
![BlueLine Home Maintenance & Remodeling]()
BlueLine Home Maintenance & Remodeling
on Jul 01, 2013
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Driveway redo is pretty low on the list--stuff to do, stuff to do. Jeanette, thanks so much for the compliments on the color. My husband was not entirely sold on the orange, but eventually gave in. I think the smartest thing I did was paint my shed first. We actually lived with the shed for a year, and changed the orange. We actually went brighter! And went muted with the green...by then my husband was beginning to see the vision. Bless his heart, he did all that painting. I am responsible for the bottom 10 feet all the way around, but he did the scary stuff.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jul 01, 2013
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Lori, I doubt a rose would winter very well in a container, but maybe something like clematis (That stuff is tough!)? Although if your husband is willing to take up the concrete, go for it!
![Cathy B]()
Cathy B
on Jul 01, 2013
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I have really fallen in love the climbing iceberg rose, so if he is willing to take up the concrete, I am going to go for it. He wants to pour footings under new pillars, and will have to cut into the cement pad of the porch to do this. He says while he has the concrete saw, it will be no big deal.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Jul 01, 2013
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much better, you have a beautiful home.
![Kathryn Botard]()
Kathryn Botard
on Feb 15, 2014
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Awesome redo of your porch. Like it much better without the railings. I LOVE your house numbers!! Did you make them or purchase them somewhere?
![Kelly Hooper]()
Kelly Hooper
on Feb 16, 2014
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Beautiful transformation, Kelly! I world absolutely love to have a front porch like this. It looks so much more open and inviting without the railing. Great job!
![Katie]()
Katie
on Feb 16, 2014
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I love the lattice. Would put it on the other side also. I agree clematis, although not pretty in the winter would be stunning the other 3 seasons! I, too, much prefer the railing gone. Beautiful home!
![Lesley]()
Lesley
on Feb 16, 2014
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Looks very nice without the railings!
![Mary H]()
Mary H
on Feb 16, 2014
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Removing the railing is ascetically a lot better, but it also removes a barrier to hide things behind! Having the whole porch open to view would make me keep it cleaner... I'm a packrat, and stash stuff all over the place, but don't like to have the public view too cluttered with piles.
![Nancy Spencer Carlson]()
Nancy Spencer Carlson
on Feb 17, 2014
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beautiful house ! without the railings nicer more of a freedom look!
![The River Prayer Walker]()
The River Prayer Walker
on Jun 10, 2014
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![Cyndi Neumann]()
Cyndi Neumann
on Dec 16, 2016
Lovely Porch! Smiles, Cyndi -
![Suellen Hintz]()
Suellen Hintz
on Dec 16, 2016
With all the different types of containers and the other many items, the eye has no negative (empty) space on which to rest. I'd suggest eliminating some items and grouping others. The lattice works well to hide unattractive views. Paint your door and stick to a color scheme that includes what color your blooms are. it looks like you've put a lot of effort into this area! -
![Tommi L. Perkins]()
Tommi L. Perkins
on Dec 24, 2016
I like it better without the railings. Looks better//1 -
![Pat11183342]()
Pat11183342
on Dec 27, 2016
I would stay with the color you have it. I believe it should match the color of the roof trim/facsia. If the posts are of sufficient structural support for the porch roof, than you can just wrap the current posts with 1 X's to add visual wieght to the posts. I personally love the look you have going on.
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 30, 2013
Lori J
on Jun 30, 2013
Organized Clutter
on Jun 30, 2013
Sharon A
on Jun 30, 2013
Sandy Harmon
on Jun 30, 2013
Jean DeSavage
on Jun 30, 2013
Cathy B
on Jun 30, 2013
Z
on Jun 30, 2013
Jeanette S
on Jul 01, 2013
BlueLine Home Maintenance & Remodeling
on Jul 01, 2013
Kathryn Botard
on Feb 15, 2014
Kelly Hooper
on Feb 16, 2014
Katie
on Feb 16, 2014
Lesley
on Feb 16, 2014
Mary H
on Feb 16, 2014
Nancy Spencer Carlson
on Feb 17, 2014
The River Prayer Walker
on Jun 10, 2014
Cyndi Neumann
on Dec 16, 2016
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