The guys (aka Kent Kowalski and Crew) have finished installing the new steps, patching the floor and rails and priming and repainting the floor and rails. Yeah! I also managed to get the hanging baskets up.

Items Left to Finish:

-Install the bluestone pavers at the bottom of the stairs
-Paint the Porch Swing
-Paint the shelf for the plants
-Pick up the Applaro storage bench at Ikea (Thanks for the tip Jen!) and get new recycling bins to fit
-Measure an order a new glass cover for the light fixture (currently hiding under the bag)
-Pick out and order new cushions for the swing

Front Steps

New Steps!

Applaro Storage Bench from Ikea, $129

Porch in Progress, Porch Swing to go somewhere in this area

Mr. S and I were talking last night about what should and shouldn’t go back on the front porch. It has a habit of collecting things. We want it to look inviting but not cluttered. Also the original location of the porch swing will be in the way of the new traffic pattern on the porch.

Items that Should to go back on the Porch:

1. Porch Swing (although in a different location and in a different color)

2. Recycling bins for paper & cans/bottles (although these could be concealed in a storage bench)

3. Welcome Milk Jug

Items that may or may not come back to the Porch:

1. Adirondack chairs and table (I am thinking that these might stay in the backyard since they don’t get a lot of use on the porch)

2. Shelves for plants (these could also go somewhere else)

New Items:

1. Storage Bench for recycling bins

2. I am considering a small outdoor rug for in front of the porch swing

3. New pillows for the swing

Option 1: Wood Storage Bench, Overstock $302

Wood Storage Bench, Walmart $148

Plastic (simulated wood) Storage Bench, Sam's Club $99

Storage Bench Options:

I did a quick search for suitable storage benches last night. Here are the current options. Any suggestions? I also have to do some measuring of the current recycling bins and the space to see what might be the best fit.

1. Wood (w/ open design to allow for ventilation)
Pros: Looks nice and more in keeping with house
Cons: It could get gross with the recycling inside

2. Plastic (sealed)
Pros: Less expensive, can be hosed off
Cons: Appearance, it could start to smell inside

Option 1: Eucalyptus Wood Portoreal Chest from Overstock, $302 (49x24x21)

Option 2: Eucalyptus Wood Storage Bench from Walmart, $148 (47x17x17)

Option 3: Plastic (simulated wood) Storage  Bench from Sam’s Club, $99 (60x28x24)

The guys are busy working on the porch again. If all goes well they should be done tomorrow. As you can see they are working their way from the front to the back. In the meantime, Mr. S cleaned the porch ceiling and walls yesterday. Both had a lot of dirt (thanks to the siding project and the road being redone). There was also some mildew in the higher areas of the ceiling.  Mr. S developed an interesting technique for cleaning the ceiling. We used stuff we already had on hand so the project was basically free.

Technique for Cleaning the Porch Ceiling

1. Purchase a deck cleaner or something similar that will remove dirt as well as mildew. Also purchase some foam bath cleaner that works on mildew (we used some scrubbing bubbles that we already had on hand).

2. Clear off porch.

3. Get hose ready with a nozzle that has a jet setting (we could have rented a pressure washer but I was concerned that it would hurt the pine beadboard)

4. Use a large broom that can attach to an extendable paint handle & large tub that will fit the broom

5. Mix deck cleaner in large tub

6. Wet down ceiling.

6. Use big muscles (this also works better if you are tall like Mr. S) and scrub the cleaner onto the ceiling with large brush

7. Rinse

8. Scrub again, this time leave cleaner on ceiling for a little while

9. Rinse.

10. For the areas that still have mildew, spray foam bathroom cleaner on brush. Then brush on and let sit.

11. Rinse. Remaining Spot should dry lighter.

12. Dry. Now our front porch smells like a freshly clean bathroom ; )