Elegant Fall Front Porch
Today, we’re sharing our elegant Fall front porch as part of “A World of Octobers” Blog Hop hosted by my sweet and talented friend Cecilia of My Thrift Store Addiction.
If you’re coming over from Aliya’s blog at Open Doors Open Hearts, welcome, we’re excited to have you here.
The night before I was set to take pictures of our elegant Fall front porch, we had a downpour that was so intense it flooded large parts of both our front and back yards.
It also completely soaked everything on the porch.
This is not uncommon because Fall in Florida is actually hurricane season.
Undeterred, I quickly checked our weather app and was grateful to only see a 20% chance of showers the following day.
Fall is my favorite season and I look forward to decorating the front porch every year.
The next morning with standing water all around, I hurriedly cleaned off the porch again. And despite hearing thunder in the distance, I pulled together my favorite elements for an elegant Fall front porch.
I hung the wreath I found at Joanns,
repositioned all the potted flowers I hauled home from Lowes,
and gently skirted around a set of mums from Home Depot that are so big I couldn’t get them to fit in the plant stands.
Finally, I added a few faux pumpkins because they’ll last the longest this early in the season.
Next, I started dressing the vintage wicker couches on the front porch with white bed skirts, a mix of floral and antelope print fabric, and my favorite throw pillows.
On our old weathered trunk, I placed a basket of flowers beside a brown and white transferware pumpkin I recently crafted and called it good.
One end of our elegant Fall front porch down, one to go.
Completely lost in creating, I had no idea a slight drizzle had already set in.
A few moments later my bestie S interrupted my thoughts.
“I just got a weather alert. The rain will be here at 1:27.”
“What time is it now?” I replied.
“It’s 1:09.”
I don’t want to be melodramatic and say panic set in, but I felt my back tighten up immediately.
Snapping photos for each blog post takes hours and S was basically telling me I had 18 minutes.
18 minutes to create the second half of an elegant Fall front porch.
18 minutes to get all the shots right.
18 minutes to not to let my blog hop mates down, who are all wonderfully creative and encouraging ladies.
18 minutes to convey what Fall in Florida is really like.
Then I remembered the theme of this hop, “I’m so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers,” from Anne of Green Gables.
And it changed everything.
The truth about Fall in Florida is that days without rain are as treasured as the first sight of a pumpkin patch.
We hold our collective breath while watching the tropics for months and that sense of community extends from tailgate parties to quiet conversations over pumpkin spice lattes.
Our shoe of choice is likely a rain boot or flip flops.
And while we love plaid scarves, they’re more likely to be found on the ground holding court with picnic essentials than snuggling around our necks.
Unless we drive a few states away, there’s not a lot of leaf-peeping.
But there are still plenty of memories to be made piling up in the car in search of colorful mums, a new corn maze, apples for pies at the farmers market, and sea glass on the beach.
Delightedly, we still have cool morning hikes.
They’re normally on the beach, walking down to the stables, winding through the marsh, or strolling the bayfront.
And while that might not sound nearly as glamourous as hiking brightly colored trails in the mountains, they can be just as peaceful.
A few weeks from now, we’ll breathe a sigh of relief that hurricane season is officially over.
We’ll take the storm shutters off the windows and store them for another year, thankful they’ll soon be replaced with festive holiday wreaths.
Sure, Fall in Florida boasts more shades of seafoam green, turquoise blue, and shell filled sand than fiery shades of reds, yellows, and oranges.
Nevertheless, we’re always grateful for an elegant Fall front porch and the promises to come in a world where there are Octobers.
Be sure to stop by and see what my amazing friend Stacy from Bricks n Blooms has in store for Fall! She has such a beautiful style I know you’ll love.
Once you’re finished there check out the rest of the creativity these fabulous ladies are sharing…
My Thrift Store Addiction * Panoply * Midwest Life and Style *
Open Doors Open Heart * The Crowned Goat * Bricks ‘n Blooms *
A Few Other Fall and Porch Inspired Posts to Enjoy:
- Fall Porch Decorating Ideas
- Fall Fron Porch Tour
- A Fall Grapevine Wreath for Beginners
- Embracing Fall Home Tour
- How to Create Milk Glass Inspired Cake Stands
Many blessings,
CoCo
CoCo, your elegant front porch is gorgeous! I love all of your pretty florals! Thanks for joining us for the World of Octobers hop! Pinned, tweeted, and I’ll be sharing on IG. Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
I appreciate it, Cecilia, thank you so much! I was SO scared I wasn’t going to be able to pull it off and while it’s far from perfect it was a great reminder to be thankful in all things great and small. Thank you for putting this hop together. It’s been fun to see how everyone is celebrating the season. Hugs, CoCo
Coco, I love your description and execution of a Florida picturesque porch for Fall. I always loved the blooms of faithful roses in our garden – May, July, September and again in November – so your wreath, pillow covers and small arrangement speak softly of those flushes. Your tolerance and trepidation of the tropical season doesn’t go unnoticed either. I have a single, mid-70s sister who lives in SC near Charleston, and we siblings breathe that same sigh of relief for her sake and others’ when the season passes. Living further north, we love the cooler temps and fewer crowds expected at the beaches this time of year – before the snowbirds arrive – and, until this year and its weirdness, always looked forward to a trip there to enjoy it. Thank you for sharing so descriptively what your climate delivers alongside your personal creativity.
ps – I am so sorry to have read of your Filbie. Your tribute to him was also so descriptive in telling of his nature to a whisper instead of a scream. My daughter has had dogs like that, and it takes special people to be able to be a part of that kind of dog’s pack. RIP, Filbie. ♥
Your fall porch certainly is elegant! I love the colors you used and your beautiful and inviting seating area! I understand your panic knowing you had 18 minutes! But it all looks beautiful and if it rains, it rains. Like you said, it’s what you expect in the fall! Great hopping with you again…I always leave your blog feeling inspired!
Shelley
Such kind words, Shelley, thank you! I’m usually really into neutrals so it’s been fun to use dark and moody colors around the house and on the porches this year. As you know I’m a recovering perfectionist so I’m all about the details. Thankfully, the rainy season won’t last too much longer and we’ll be able to enjoy the season without rainboots. Sending you big hugs, CoCo
CoCo! YOURE PORCH!!! It’s absolutely gorgeous! I love the way you styled two different settings! Even with the challenge of the storm your photos turned out great! I would love to come eat those yummy treats on that cozy porch!! XoXo Aliya
Thank you for your sweet words, Aliya! I’ll admit it was totally bananas trying to get all the shots in but I’m thankful we were able to rally. Those treats definitely came in handy once we were done and were the perfect way to celebrate 🙂 Big hugs, CoCo
Gorgeous Coco, love every detail. Your wreath is pretty and your mums are huge and gorgeous. I can’t believe you had all that rain when you were trying to post.
It seems the weather does that for many of us at times. It seems when you want pictures it’s always something.
I forget Florida gets rain during October. How I forgot I have no idea. I know September and October is hurricane season. Especially since my grandparents lived there for 15 years.
Cindy
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy! We used to get the heavy rains and coastal winds mostly in September but the last several years they’ve gone well into October. It definitely makes for some interesting times when you’re trying to take pretty photos and keep the furniture, linens, flowers, and food from getting wet 🙂 Becoming an imperfectionist has not been easy, but I’m trying. Sending you hugs, CoCo
Such a lovely porch, CoCo! The photos were beautiful – no one would guess you had to hurry to get them! Hopefully, you had time to take in the delicious looking food and sit down for a celebration snack. Fall in NC is my favorite time of year. I do not enjoy hurricane season, of course – here it sends loads of rain and possible tornadoes – but the changing leaves are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing, as usual, I love seeing what you’ve done for each season 🙂
Thank you so much, Patty! I was just looking at pictures of Blowing Rock, NC the other day and the trees, plants and pumpkins were amazing! It felt like such a celebration of the Fall season. Fingers crossed we’re almost through with hurricanes and the rainy season. I know it will feel good to be able to relax a bit and enjoy outdoor activities again. The mums on the porch have really started blooming and have been fun to watch so I can only imagine how awesome it is to watch the leaves change. Sending you hugs and hoping your day has been a good one, CoCo
Coco, your porch is so welcoming. The burgundy colors are absolutely stunning! I would love to come sit and join you for coffee and some of those yummy looking treats. When it’s not raining, of course.?
You are welcome out here any time, Jen! We’re still waiting for it to stop raining but hopefully, hurricane season will end soon and we’ll be back on track. Thank you so much for your sweet words, it was lots of hun hopping with you. I loved your porch so much. Hugs, CoCo
It’s so beautiful, CoCo! You pulled off a miracle here!
ha ha that’s what it felt like Dara! I was a sweaty mess by the time I got finished running inside and out trying to keep the food and pillows dry. I’ll be so glad when the sunshine returns and we’re officially out of the woods. Big hugs, CoCo
Hello Coco,
I did not realize that you lived in Florida. We just recently moved to the panhandle and the rain you speak of is a rain like none other! So I certainly can appreciate and admire this lovely and elegant Fall porch that you created in less than perfect circumstances! I am in love with your front porch and all of the glorious details including the rich and moody color palette you chose. Everything is so beautiful.
I so enjoyed sharing in this blog hop with you!
Jemma
I felt the same way when I saw you had moved to Florida too, Jemma! Our family has lived here for 6 generations now and it’s been amazing to see how much the storms have changed from year to year and season to season. We’re on the Atlantic side and it’s been raining here again all day today. Thankfully the season is almost over and then we can fully embrace all the best things about Fall in Florida. I hope you and your family have the best time celebrating. Hugs, CoCo
Coco I love your elegant front porch! All the pretty purples, pinks and florals – I’d love to come hang out! Reminds me of the local tea shop we have here in my town. Loved your blog! xoxo
Thank you, Stacy! It’s such a sweet compliment you say it reminds you of the tea shop because we have tea every afternoon. The mums have started to bloom even more now so they’re really starting to show out 🙂 Wishing you a happy week and you’re welcome here any time! Hugs, CoCo
I absolutely adore your front door wreath… and I would have never ever guessed there had been so much heavy rainfall from your photos. You are a magician!
Oh man, Heidi, you would have been laughing watching me scramble once I realized the rain was about to set in again. Our front porch is covered but the coastal winds literally soak everything on the porch this time of year so we have to be super careful about what we put out on the porch. Thankfully, hurricane season is almost over and we’ll be able to grab a blanket and snuggle up an enjoy the mums blooming. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo thanks for sharing your Florida fall porch! You had me wrapped up in your story and I love that you got all of your pictures in. Even though Fall may feel differently in your state than mine here in Colorado, it still is just as beautiful! I love all of your color! Happy Fall my friend!
Thank you, Kelly! One of my favorite things about the blog hop was seeing how everyone celebrated across the country. Loved your beautiful porch and sharing this season with you. Hugs, CoCo
Oh my gosh Coco! Your porch is absolutely gorgeous! Despite your struggle to take them…your pictures turned out great. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Such a sweet thing to say, Denise, thank you! It felt like such a scramble at the time because I was trying to get everything done before the rain really got heavy. Hopefully, I can give up being a perfectionist this year 🙂 Hope your week is a special one, CoCo
So pretty.I really like that you used the purple/red color everywhere.
Thank you so much, Pamela, I really appreciate it! Hope your day is a special one, CoCo
Beautiful front porch for fall! Love all the elegant ideas you presented here! Thanks for the inspiration.
Such a sweet and kind thing to say, thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Hope your weekend has been a special one, CoCo
Just lovely, Coco, and a great reminder that Fall can look different in different parts of the country!
Thank you so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Such a sweet and exciting surprise, Richella, thank you so much! Fall is my favorite season so it’s been fun to add mums and pumpkins all around the house this season. Sending you hugs and thank yous, CoCo