Friday, May 7, 2010

The Front Porch

My porch gets a tremendous amount of heat in the summer months.

You see, we have no trees in our front yard.

Someone had the genius idea to put our septic tank and lines in the front yard, therefore I can not have any trees in the yard to protect the front of my house from the heat.

And in July, my front porch thermometer reads 120 degrees. No lie!

So, I have been thinking of hanging curtains on my porch. Some curtains that I can tie back and then release to provide some shade.

After reading and researching ways to do this, I decided the best way would be to buy some cheap, white, king-sized sheets and hang them with clips and nails.

So for the last two days, here's what I've been working on...





And here is my sweet, little girl watering my flowers while I take pictures.
...except now that I look...she's watering my porch. :) She loves getting to use the hose-pipe.



So now I need to know what all of you think about the curtains. Leave a comment and please be honest. Love it or hate it?
Thanks so much!

You can see this project featured on tidy mom.
I'm linking up to:
http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/

Simply Designing

25 comments:

  1. Hi! Visiting from New Friend Friday! I started laughing when I read your post because of the septic tank in the front yard instead of trees. I thought, "Oh, she must be southern!" LOL I am, too. Well, I claim Texas to be in the Southern section... it IS the southern-most state aside from Florida's peninsula.

    I think the curtains are a really neat idea!! What did you use for them? Muslin or something that would reflect the heat?

    PS Love your house. Totally cool. Love the porches.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh, that looks dreamy! I wish I had a porch like that...

    ReplyDelete
  3. stopping by from New Friend Friday. I always wanted to do something like this on our back deck at our old house - it was hotter than heck. But my husband thought I was dumb. I want to sit on your porch!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the curtains on your porch, they look so tropical and romantic. What did you use? Muslin? Bed sheets? Canvas? Now I want to sit on your porch, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I used cheap, white, cotton sheets from Walmart. King-sized.
    Hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've been using curtains on the porch for years! It helps give shade and it also controls some windy days when we are trying to eat out there! I like the sheets idea and thought about that but went with sheers since it lets the wind blow through a bit more than cotton sheets.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks great ! I'm thinking of doing the same on the balconies at the back of our house off the bedrooms - thought it would look romantic. You've inspired me to go ahead and do it !!!!

    thanks for sharing,
    gena
    www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh My! Those look so pretty and should really help with the heat! It gets really hot where I live too! So I can understand trying to create more shade! Our trees are too small in the front yard to creat any shade!

    Jody

    Stopping over from NTT!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I think I sighed audibly the moment I saw this. What an AMAZING job - so inviting!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like them a lot! Honest. They look really good~not at all like sheets. It's a very pretty and romantic look.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have such a charming home! Love the curtains! They look great!

    ReplyDelete
  12. LOVE IT! Your home looks so welcoming!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi..I’m Barb….I am from tip junkie. Love your porch idea. It's beautiful!!
    I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
    & get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love em!! Really they look great. I love how easy and inexpensive they are!

    ReplyDelete
  15. How romantic looking, I want to spend the night on that porch with good friends and good food! When can I come over? teehee! I found you thru Someday Crafts.

    ~Kelli @ Smidgens

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is so FUNNY...I'm doing the same thing on my screen porch this week:) My idea for using the sheets is, I already have dozens of white sheets from condos that I sold a few years ago and the idea of being able to bleach them. Thanks for coming to my party, but please be sure to post my party button on your post...thanks.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  17. You did an awesome job! I absolutely love your work. I am your newest follower. I can't wait to see your other posts.
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Using sheets was a great idea! They look wonderful too! You have a fantastic looking front porch by the way. Those curtains really compliment your brick columns too! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a clever idea! I think they look fabulous!

    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, and if you don't mind putting a link up to my site / link party that would be great to help spread the word about it!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh my goodness!!! I love the curtains!!! How unexpected and homey!! Looks great!! Thanks so much for linking up!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. this is a genius solution to the hot porch problem. i bet it will work like a charm.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The curtains are cute, but your daughter is cuter. VERY nice project.

    ReplyDelete
  24. LOVE! I was hunting for Goodwill White sheets today for this VERY thing (great minds). I think though I am looking for the wire that can be stretched tight and then hang by clips so they can be pulled across. I have a porch VERY similar to yours. LOVE IT! )

    ReplyDelete
  25. You have a beautiful home. Love the curtains, I hope they help in the summer.

    ReplyDelete