Farmhouse Renovation - Porch Project - Before and After (Most)...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Porch - Before

We love this old farmhouse. For over one hundred years, it has sheltered generations of one hardworking, and God-fearing family. In 2016, she became ours. With ownership came responsibility to honor her for as long as we're here.

Sadly, the porch that baptized every member of the previous family, would not have been safe enough to baptize one more. She was showing every year of the past one hundred, and it was time to do something about it.

If you're a follower of my blog, you've seen the entire project in process. (I just realized that I need to update the link at the top of my blog with all the posts about the project.) There are still a few things to do yet - the second-story airing porch on the left side of this picture, and we're going to repaint the supports for the "friends and family" entrance below it. We're waiting for the rainy weather to pass this weekend, and then those things will be done. I'll do one more "before and after" of this image when it's all done. I just couldn't wait another day to show you the finished lower (main) porch.

Brynwood Needleworks - Porch - South Elevation

The "before" image of the southern side of our porch was pretty sad. It really was listing (slanting)  that much to the right. The new porch is exactly the same footprint as the old one, but the rails were moved out about four more inches. (See that they're not centered on the pillars?) Doesn't it make a huge difference?

Brynwood Needleworks - Porch - Eastern Elevation - South to North

The biggest difference on the eastern elevation (the old front of the porch), is that the staircase to the front yard is gone. We now have rails across the entire front of the house, which will allow for more sitting and visiting area on this side. (This view is what you see when you come around from the side entry.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Porch - Eastern Elevation - North to South

Another difference you may notice is the new light fixtures. We took down the old ceiling-hugger fixtures, and installed vintage Appleton barn lights. I love them, and it will be so much easier to change out the bulbs when they burn out. 
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Porch Project - After

 

One feature I forgot to share (but will in the next and final post about this whole renovation) is a token we added to show one hundred years hence, so everyone will remember the year this new porch was built. It's a beautiful 2019 Liberty Silver Dollar, encased in acrylic and embedded into the stonework. 

We love this new outdoor space, and it will definitely get a lot of use in years to come. We especially love that it honors and elevates the grand, old lady, without looking pretentious. The best part is that, except for repainting the rails from time to time, this will be a no-maintenance porch. Great for owners our age.

So, I hope you love the new look as much as we do. Just looking at these images again makes me very, very happy. We have a few garden tasks to complete yet this fall (and the two items I mentioned above), but we're otherwise ready to enjoy the rest of this beautiful Autumn. 

Our home will be safe and cozy this winter, thanks to the hard work of the guys from Wendels Construction, and our younger son with his incredible carpentry skills. We are truly blessed, and are so grateful that we could do this for ourselves and our home.