reader DIY

By Amber Bouthot

Front porch refresh

Every month, we highlight do-it-yourself projects from our readers. Do you want to see your project featured in our magazine? It can be something as simple as a craft project or as large as a home addition. If you did it yourself, it can be featured.

Email Amber at ambouthot@the-papers.com. After

This month’s Reader DIY project comes from Genevieve Meyer. She recently gave her porch a quick refresh.

What was your inspiration for the project?

This porch is the entrance that our family uses most often when we come home. I wanted to create a more welcoming space. While on vacation, I noticed a lot of porch ceilings with the blue paint and wanted to recreate the look at home..

How long did it take from start to finish?

I worked on the project over a long weekend. It was complete by Sunday evening.

Was it easier or harder than you anticipated?

The project was fairly simple. I used a lot of what I already had around the house. The walls were already painted so I only had to paint the ceiling. The bench was also simple to put together.

What was the total cost of the project?

About $150. The most expensive part of the project was the bench. I spent weeks looking for the right bench but struggled to find one in the right price range. When I went to buy the ceiling paint, I came across the perfect bench for only $99! Many of the other benches that I liked were in the $300 range. I redistributed outdoor pillows and cushions from another deck and pulled in some other pieces from around the garden.

What did you like best about the undertaking?

The porch turned out even better than I had imagined. I love coming home to this beautiful space. I look forward to decorating it for fall and Christmas.

What was the most challenging aspect?

The weather was really hot and humid. This made the paint challenging to work with at times. The ceiling also had a lot more nooks and crannies than I realized. The paint didn’t come out as clean and even as I would have liked, but overall, I think it’s really nice.

Where did you source the materials?

I like being able to reuse items that I already have and give them new life. I purchased the bench and paint at our local Menards. I found everything else around my house and arranged it in the space. We are big Disney fans, and we have Disney touches all over our home. Our Snow-White Dwarf statue now has a nicer space to hang out in.