The Porch Project

 It's been nearly eight years since we moved to Templeton. We've had many home improvement projects, with more still to come.

For years, our front porch situation has bothered me. The space in front of our front door is small and has concrete. All the other houses like ours in the neighborhood also have concrete in front of the master bedroom windows.  We've always had just dirt and it's such a wasted, dirty space. 

But my heart has always wanted a warm, welcoming porch with furniture, flowers, etc.

And at last ... it was time.

BEFORE:

We pulled out the bushes, left the tree and poured a much bigger concrete pad than we originally planned. 

AFTER:

We love this new, clean look!  Love that we have a circle around the base of the tree where we can plant flowers, etc.

To finish the hardscaping, we need to fill in the remaining dirt areas with rocks, so we're not quite done.  After that expense, then I can start planning "the vibe."  But for now, I'm just so happy to finally have a good-sized porch.  The biggest one in the neighborhood, in fact! 

It should be noted that we didn't ask permission from the HOA to do this concrete pad.  From the road / sidewalk, it's not at all obvious.  But it turns out, our friend/neighbor is newly on the HOA board, and we had no idea.  He messaged me to say he loved the new concrete and I fessed up that we didn't ask permission first.  He wasn't bothered at all. Whew!!!