Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Porch Dreaming


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Soon Mr. Magpie and I will be flying to a new nest.  We aren't selling our old one for now--just renting it out for a year or two until (hopefully) the market improves for selling.  And we're not buying a new place.  Instead, we've rented out the second floor of a massive old brick Victorian right in the heart of one of our favorite neighborhoods in the whole wide world.  Coffee shops, used book stores, yarn and fabric shops, restaurants, bakeries, and other inspiring places abound.  We're just a few blocks to the ocean and to miles and miles of hiking and biking trails.  We can barely wait!

One of the best things about the new place is a glassed-in sunporch right off our bedroom and living room.  You step up into the porch, which is painted all white, including its brick wall, and it has an old, honey-colored hardwood floor.  We plan to use it for lounging, growing plants, eating lazy Sunday breakfasts, and maybe even sleeping sometimes.  I have always wanted a sleeping porch, and this one might just fit the bill.  

So, I'm dreaming about porch decor until August when we move in.  Here are a few ideas that have inspired me online.  Have any favorites?

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This post makes me feel like I need a nap!  xo Gigi


28 comments:

  1. You made me feel like I need a nap too! or it might be the temp of 110..........we could all use a sleeping porch today. Lucky girl to have one coming up to enjoy and you must share when you get all settled. Sounds like a fun move. Much love Xo

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  2. your new place sounds like it will be absolutely fantastic....and now i want to re-do my porch :)

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  3. Ahhhhh...I think the next to the last one is where I'd spend all my time...I can't wait to see the new place!

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  4. Oh, Sande, I hear you! This heat is awful. Once I'm moved in, you should come over for lemonade on my porch!

    It's a neat place, Beth! I'll share pics eventually.

    Nancy: Munjoy Hill, baby! It's a very Portland-y sort of space. You guys have to come visit on your next swing through New England!!!

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  5. It sounds like a delightful place you are moving to Gigi! I am not surprised you are excited. I love that last picture, but they all look pretty good.

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  6. Grinning! I am so happy for you!
    And that last porch looks like sheer heaven. Especially if you can see the sea nearby.

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  7. Gigi ~

    What great news! Isn't it fun setting up life in a new place? I'm tickled for you and Mr. Magpie!

    And a sleeping porch....yes, yes, yes! I'm thinking a Moroccan style theme with lots of oversized pillows would be divine!

    Bisous,
    Melissa

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  8. What a very beautiful blog you have, I found it via Willow. I now have deep porch envy. Your new place sounds great. I will be back, have added you to my list.

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  9. It sounds like you are off on a brand new adventure - I am so excited for you! I love all of the photos - very nap worthy each and every one!

    BTW - my trip is on - so excited..thank you for your suggestions! xxoo :)

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  10. Wonderful--an old Victorian, a great neighborhood, a porch with sleeping potential and more. Seems you've got it made. The last image is making me feel like it is nap time too.

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  11. Oh yes, porches and summer go together like a horse and carriage. Makes me drowsy too...

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  12. oh sweet gigi, i am so very happy for you!!! how exciting.... 'sigh'...xxo, kim

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  13. i love the rustic room and then again the very last room. something about the thought of sleeping 'in the open' sounds so appealing. i think it stems from sleeping on a screened-in porch during the summer when i was a child.

    how exciting for you!

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  14. Oh my!!! I am envious! These look amazing, and I have no doubt whatever you choose to do, it will look perfect!

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  15. The best thing we ever did to our old house is to add on a big screen porch...but if I let Mr O see this post he is going to want to put a big old bed on it:)

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  16. im trying to decide sell or rent, but i am definitely going to downsize and rent. that freedom financially is calling....
    i love the first porch pic. its the most casual to me
    cheers
    ~laura

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  17. How delicious a sleeping porch sounds! Whatever you will do to it, I am positive it will be lovely, Gigi.

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  18. Your new places sounds lovely Gigi! Oh, a porch... a proper porch. Our deck is just a slab at the moment. This summer we were going to do it up finer, but life & other things have gotten in the way. Such great ideas here... I love the ease & simplicity of the second photo's scene. I like the idea of sleeping on the porch--rest nearer the night's stars, nearer the morning's birdsong... Do keep up posted! Happy Weekend, Happy Dreaming... :o) ((HUGS))

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  19. GiGi, Your new home sounds so romantic! How wonderful for you. I love porches! I have a wrap porch and it is such a fun place to read, entertain, swing and get outside!
    Your images of a sleeping porch make me think of the fun of dreaming outdoors and almost under the stars!
    Beautiful images! Such a nice visit!
    Yvonne

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  20. Love this idea. I just put two single old iron beds in my greenhouse and hope to sleep out there sometimes this week. Now if the mosquitoes will just go away. I especially like the last picture. I will look forward to hearing about your new surroundings and your sleeping porch.

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  21. Way to go! I hope you and Mr.Magpie will be splendidly happy sleeping or napping on a delightful and whimsical porch.
    I love porches, which is one of the things I love about my home (it wraps around the house). Sigh. Porches rock. So do you!!!
    Will check back with you if I find any ideas...but stick to thrifting and vintage. Make sure you have bookshelves and a place to set your teacup or coffee mug.
    :)
    xoxo

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  22. I'm finally back and just in time to read about your next adventure. You certainly get to live in interesting places! The porch sounds heavenly and I would love to live in a neighborhood like that...and a beach, you are a lucky woman.

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  23. Sounds just pefect to me, how exciting.
    xxx

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  24. see that bottom photo?? i could take the foot of the bed, you the top, and we could read our favorite poetry books, for ever i bet. : )

    i so want to hear more about the new place. : )
    XO

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  25. Your new digs (temporary I know) sound pretty ideal! Close to the sea and near good cafes among other things, plus it seems it has quite a lot of character! I so miss porches, grew up with them in the midwest and seeing this post with it's rich line up of nice porches has me really getting nostalgic. No such thing here, roof tops and galleria's but nothing like the porches you find in the U.S. There is nothing quite like a summer read in the late afternoon on a porch or catching up with old friends and enjoying gin and tonics in the evening breeze on a porch, yes they are fine things.

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  26. The last one. Definitely. Lucky, lucky you.

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  27. Oh, I am dreaming right along with you. How lucky you are to have such a space!! I love where I live, but there are a few things I wish I could add to my little piece of paradise....one would be a veggie garden (I am going to work on my wonderful landlords on this one next spring..keep your fingers crossed for me), hardwood floors, and a closed in porch. They are different from open porches, aren't they? They seem to welcome rainy days and cosy couches and stacks of books..and tea...and summer lounging..and star gazing..I could go on and on. Yes, I am most definitely dreaming with you on this one.

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