Friday, August 20, 2010

Just Knock at the Back Door ...

Do visitors come to your back door or front when they come to call?

For those who come to my back door, this is a peek into the kitchen from the enclosed back porch.



The back porch is what I want to share with you today.

When I bought Buttermilk Cottage, the back porch was a real diamond in the rough. I fell in love with it because of the exposed brick. It's a small space, with lots of possibilities and several problem spots.
This quilt hides a rather large and unsightly hole that's been covered with a piece of plywood. I expect it was for an exhaust pipe at one time










Can you tell that I love baskets? The back porch has become a great storage area for my collection. Here, they are always handy for use. This metal bench came with me from a previous house and fits perfectly in the space.


The wall behind the bench is a great place to hang artwork and other miscellaneous items I can't yet part with.

The second, and huge problem area of the porch is the ceiling. It is faced with a rough plywood. I gave it a coat of white paint to "even" it out and then hung more of my basket collection to hide what's underneath. I think it's a great solution to the ugly ceiling AND a space to store more baskets!



The dropped light fixture was chosen so the baskets could hang on the ceiling.















There's a small stained glass piece that hangs in a large fixed window.



This metal bakers rack sits just outside the kitchen door and is a great catch all for interesting dishes, cookbooks, and more baskets. During the summer, it's a nice spot for produce from the farmer's market. During the winter, it a great storage rack for desserts, because it's not heated and can be quite cool.



The porch has also been a catch all for some fun, little "art" pieces.
















Since I do so much work with wool, I've been collecting sheep for many years. In fact, you will find one or more sheep from my collection scattered about, in every room of my house!



This pretty much says it all about how I feel about where I live.
I love my little back porch. It was once an ugly, small space, but has become a pleasant walk thru when you enter my back door. So, if you drop by Buttermilk Cottage this weekend, come to the back or front door. You'll be welcome at either!
Have a great weekend!
I'm pulling this post out of my archives because
I'm so anxious to be a part of
The Monday Porch Club at Gypsy Brocante

21 comments:

Debby said...

Love your back porch. Wish I had one.

pve design said...

I am a back door kinda gal - we have a back porch and I always love when friends come that way-
pve

Laura Trevey said...

Hi Susan!

I am knocking on your door to let you know you won the giveaway on BB&B!! Happy Friday!

Please e-mail me your address to laura.trevey@gmail.com

xo Laura

Unknown said...

I love it! I am a fan of exposed brick, too - I know why you couldn't resist this cozy space. My sad little screened porch pales by comparison! I adore all the baskets and you have such a flair for arranging things casually. I can't wait to see more! Woof! Aggie can't wait either.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

You do have a very nice basket collection. A few years ago I would always buy new or old baskets. Just loved them. I started thinning some of them out the last couple of years. I have kept a few though. Love the quilt that is hiding the bad place.

Privet and Holly said...

What a sweet room!
Love the bench with
the variety of pillows
and the baskets on the
ceiling are brilliant : )
I'm a big sheep fan and
was lucky enough to get
a lovely shot of some
grazing in a field near
my parent's home yesterday.
Hopefully they will make
an appearance on P&H at
some point. Hope you are
enjoying the weekend!
xx Suzanne

T@PoppyPlacePdx said...

What a clever way to resolve your ceiling challenge. It looks absolutely beautiful. Your bench so cozy with all your gorgeous pillows. What a nice welcome your visitors get. :)

Have a lovely weekend, T. :)

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVELY spaces!!!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

happy to see you at farmhouse..and happy to come and visit buttermilk cottage...what a cute name..i love it...

enjoyed my visit here today and am happy to follow.....daisy is adorable...doggy lover here too...i have my sweet little teddy...the love of my life.....

have a wonderful sunday

kary and teddy
xxx

Brenda Pruitt said...

I am in love with your porch! That quilt made my heart pitter-pat!
Brenda

Linda said...

I love love LOVE your back porch!!! It is utterly CHARMING! What flaws a bit of creativity cna hide! I thought everything looked beautiful and then I came to the basket ceiling and was TOTALLY stunned! OUTSTANDING! Thank you for sharing this post and inspiring me!

ClassyChassy said...

What a cute house you have!!!

V I N T A G E O L O G I E said...

What a great porch space ...so rich with color and texture... love the quilt on the exposed brick ... and WOW! that is some basket collections ... WONDERFUL! Thank you for being a part of Porch Club ... hope to see you next week ; )
xo
Jill

Brenda Pruitt said...

Well, I've already commented, but I'm back again because I had to comment today with "the porch lady bunch!" You know how much I love those quilts. I have spots I cover with pretties to hide uglies myself! Your baskets are absolutely swoon-worthy!
Brenda

Julie Marie said...

Hi there, what a wonderful little back porch!... I love all of your baskets and I also love the name of your blog and cottage... friends are welcome at either our front porch or back porch too!... xoxo Julie Marie

Unknown said...

I just love your back porch and all the baskets, what a great space and that bench, well I just love it! You got me with the bricks too, just love old bricks, quilts and about anything vintage and old. Hope you can stop by my front porch as I don't have a back one. Right now it's raining so you might want to bring that umbrella of yours! Until then coffe pot's on! Bleasings and Hugs Marilou

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

I just love your porch...I believe that what we first see as "problem areas" are great opportunities to use our imaginations. The quilt worked perfectly to cover the vent area....all of your baskets hanging from the ceiling are fabulous!!! Who needs to see a ceiling when you can gaze up at all these beautiful baskets! Ceilings are over rated anyway. :0) ♥

Thanks so much for inviting me in for a visit with you on your lovely porch. I'd love to have you drop by my porch when you have a moment.

Hugs,
Stephanie ♥

Betsy B. said...

What a creative way to hide a ceiling that you're not in love with. The basket collection has me drooling. :)

Gypsy Fish said...

Your back porch looks so inviting...mine is ruled by the old dog who hangs out there wish he would share so I could snag some of your creative ideas to decorate with.
hugs
Beth

Wanda Metcalf said...

hi you are very creative. I love love the ceiling idea! even without a problem to hide i want to find a place to use that idea!! i look forward to looking around your blog more.... hello new friend!

Deb said...

I love baskets. That is a beautiful collection.
Deb=^..^=x5 Ottawa, Canada

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...