A Makeover with Heart: Collaborating with Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Frederick, MD.

We started with a classic brick home…a comfortable, wrap-around columned porch that was in need of a makeover. A client who wanted to fill her porch with color, texture, and a little bit of sophistication.

We knew just the place to go for inspiration to create the vintage charm the homeowner wanted— Habitat for Humanity of Frederick ReStore.

Beyond the great pieces we always find there, we love that all of the money spent at ReStore goes back into the Frederick community to help fund Habitat for Humanity building projects.

Before

I’m just going to go ahead and show it to you…here is the AFTER!

The Process: From Drab to Fab

We address the porch design just like any other ‘living space’ design….keep it simple using these three design elements:

Color: Define a color palette and use it throughout the space in furnishings, fabrics, and accents.

Layout: Create conversational groupings and pathways through the space.

Details: Introduce pattern, texture, and architectural interest.

With a floor plan, color scheme, and design concept in hand, we spent a few hours exploring at ReStore and soon had a cart full of inspiration for the porch design.

A simple to-scale layout, paint colors, and fabric patterns to guide us through the project.

Our Finds at ReStore…

Next Step: Our Week of DIY!

Our Favorite Vintage Finds at ReStore

• A transom window, which we envisioned as a welcome-address sign. Metal house numbers from ReStore, white wood letters to spell H E L L O, and accent fabric pieces behind the glass panels were the finishing touches.
  

• Six wood shutters, where we saw the potential to turn them into a hanging privacy screen. We grouped them together and hung them between the columns.

• An old carpenter’s box, which became a perfect vintage accessory…a handy magazine holder.

Our Favorite Transformations

• A rope table! We stumbled upon an old wood box filled with 1” thick rope. Taking inspiration from the rope, we decided to wrap it around a salvaged octagonal wood table. Plus we added purple paint to the top and bottom for a punch of color.

• Yes, floorcloths! We started with two rolls of vinyl flooring and revived them into floor cloths—painting them with colors and patterns that coordinate with the accent fabric. Then we sealed the floor cloths for use outside.

• Candelabras! ReStore has a plethora of shiny chandeliers with an outdated brass finish. With a little imagination, they can be re-purposed. We took apart two chandeliers, spray painted them black, and wrapped the arms in rope. Ta da, candelabras

• Drapery panels! Two canvas drop cloths make perfect panels to hang as window treatments on the porch. A stencil pattern adds detail and color.

So, with a little inspiration and some elbow grease, we repurposed…recycled…and revived donated items to create a vintage-style porch retreat. The client is very happy with the outcome and is enjoying down-time on her front porch.

(Thank you, thank you Heather for all your hard work that week…you kept me sane during our DIY week!)

NOTES NOTES NOTES

• If you are in the Frederick, MD area take a look at Frederick Magazine’s June 2012 issue…I wrote an article about this porch project and collaborating with ReStore.
• Come back and visit Design Sense and Sensibility over the next few weeks as we will have a series of How-to’s for the DIY projects we undertook for the porch project.

Here’s to creating splendid spaces – Cheers!