How we replaced our farmhouse porch

House & Home

August 9, 2021

We are slowly making progress on our old farmhouse this year. While it’s not the large renovation we were hoping for we are grateful to be checking things off the list. We had a gentleman do a lot of work around The Found Cottage last year and he’s been helping around our farm with projects that Joe and I need professional help with. He did such a great job on our farmhouse front porch remodel that we are meeting with him this week to discuss the larger renovations for next spring.

Finding a good builder is hard, especially with all of the challenges the world is facing now. We’ve been disappointed with the process and are finally starting to see a glimmer of hope with the house moving forward. It is incredible how good it feels to have not only a project done, but done beautifully. We couldn’t be more thrilled with how this front porch turned out.

Old Farmhouse Front Porch Progress

Wood Vs. Composite Decking 
We really examined our options with replacing the deck with wood vs. composite decking and at the end of the day the composite just did not fall in line with what we wanted for our old house. We really wanted to keep the old house look and the composite decking options just had too wide of planks. When the former owners of the home told us that they last replaced the deck in 1992, we had our answer. If we can use the wood product and have it last another twenty plus years, then that is what we were going to do.

We decided to go with tongue and groove Southern Yellow Pine in a four inch plank. We were lucky because the foundation was still in good shape as was the supports. Rather than replace the railing we were able to fix the rotted pieces and add new supporting trim around the bottom to reinforce the railing.

Our builder also added some white aluminum fascia trim around the outer edge of the deck to help keep the water away from the wood. The way he explained it is typically when decks begin to deteriorate from water damage it starts at the edge and moves quickly into the center of the deck. This will add just another layer of protection to the deck.

Scroll for paint colors.

Otto dancing on my refinished front porch floor Farmhouse Front Porch Progress Old farm house Front porch Renovation

Paint Colors

We have been fortunate enough to travel to some incredibly beautiful places in the United States over the past few years and some of my favorite homes in Alabama, Charleston and New Orleans all had lovely beautiful blue ceilings on their porches.

I did a bit of research as to why they’re painted blue and I found a few different reasons.

The blue ceilings are called haint blue and it’s tied to spirits in and around the home. Some sources I read said that porches, doors and window shutters were painted blue as a means of protection from spirits of the dead or “haints” entering their homes, hence the name haint blue. Other sources said that the ceilings were painted haint blue so that spirits would pass through rather than protect from.

Non spirit reasons include that bugs, spiders and swallows will stay away from building nests and webs in the blue color. Time will tell.

There does not seem to be one specific shade of haint blue there are a bunch of different kinds. My friend Liz suggested Grand Hotel Mackinac Blue by Valspar (color 5007-9A). I really loved that idea because I was pleasantly surprised how much our family enjoyed our time at The Grand Hotel a few years back.  The color is a soft blue and in the light of day is the perfect breezy shade for the porch ceiling.

The floor color was a bit tricker. I almost went with a light gray but after walking on the primer a few time and seeing how much dirt showed up I knew we had to go darker.

I went to Repcolite in Jension, Michigan which is now my go to paint stop. The staff there is incredibly helpful and friendly and if you’re not following them on Instagram you need to. They showcase the most stunning Benjamin Moore paint colors and have such great inspiration on their page.

After talking to Mac at the Jenison store I decided we needed to go bold and we needed to go red. Not cherry red, a rusty red like the stain that was previously on the front porch. Benjamin Moore Spanish Red, Color 1301 

I took a chip of paint the size of my thumbnail into the store with me to pick up the porch paint to color match the house and railings and Benjamin Moore Cloud White, Color OC-130 was a perfect match. I think we might be painting our doors that color as well.

I was really nervous that the porch was going to look way too patriotic with the red white and blue, but I’m thrilled with the contrasting tones and how nostalgic it feels.

Farmhouse Historic Porch Replacement

By the time we replaced this deck there were dangerous rotted out holes all over the outer edges. It’s funny having it fixed now we still walk close to the house when using the front. It’s truly the best spot to sit on a hot summer day because the breeze always comes from the west into the house and you can sit and watch the sun sink into the corn fields each night.

I’m going to wait until next year to order porch furniture but I’m thinking just some simple black rocking chairs.

It feels so good to get these projects tackled! Next up is painting the garden shed!

Benjamin Moore Royal Red and Valspar Grand Hotel Mackinac Blue

Grand Hotel Mackinac Blue Porch Ceiling

Old Farmhouse Wood Porch grand hotel macinac blue porch ceiling

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Elma says:

    So beautiful Abby!!!

  2. mary says:

    it turned out so beautiful!

  3. Gail says:

    Stunning make over! Well done!

  4. Lisa (@capeoncourt) says:

    So beautiful Abby!!! I love the floor and ceiling color. It looks gorgeous and so traditional ❤️

  5. Carolyn says:

    It all looks perfect! I love that you “recognized” the original. Anything else would have looked styled or trendy!!!

  6. Jen says:

    Great color choices! Just beautiful!

  7. Darleene says:

    How thrilled you must be and it looks amazing. I love what you have chosen. So pretty, I can picture the rocking chairs

  8. Deb Dailey says:

    It is simply beautiful! So glad you went with the red porch floor. Love the blue ceiling.

  9. Susan says:

    Gorgeous!! Your paint colors compliment the house well!!

  10. Robyn says:

    Love it and your color choices are spot on!

  11. Erin says:

    Looks so welcoming! It’s beautiful.

  12. Jane says:

    Looks amazing!!

  13. Danielle says:

    I love it! So happy for you that you’re thrilled with your choices! How fun to see it all come together! Rockers will be a great addition!

  14. Amber Kober says:

    Absolutely gorgeous!

  15. Beth says:

    I’ve been waiting for this reveal! Looks awesome, Abby!

  16. Lori says:

    Stunning!

  17. Julie Sosnowski says:

    It is stunning. This former owner loves it!

  18. Misty Smith says:

    Beautiful!! Great way to brighten it up!

  19. Tina says:

    Oh, it looks gorgeous!

  20. Debbie says:

    Abby it’s stunning!!!

  21. Cynthia says:

    I am so happy for you! And I’m happy I saw this! I’ve been wanting to do something (!!) to my porch!! Love love love the Spanish Red!! Thanks for sharing

  22. Gwen says:

    Love it!! I’m from Alabama and have the “haint” blue ceilings on my porches. It really does keep the spiders and birds building nest away

  23. Cheri says:

    How about a rich yellow front door? Very welcoming and a perfect contrast with the red which is beautiful by the way.

  24. Maegen C. says:

    It looks amazing!

  25. Kirsten Juenke says:

    Such a perfect refresh!

  26. Teresa says:

    Just LOVE it all

Abigail Albers       Author

Abby is a wife and mother, antique shopper, entrepreneur, gardener, sheep lady, sequin enthusiast and your Midwest Martha Stewart Wannabe.. Follow her on instagram @adventuresinabbyland.

Enjoy the latest Posts

find your next favorite post