Hello friends, and welcome to our Cottage Porch! If you're coming by from the Fall Home Tour and new to Opulent Cottage, let me introduce myself! I'm Andrea, wife of 28 years to Maurie and mom of 21 years to our daughter Abby. We live in a tiny cottage built in 1926, in the midst of the largest concentration of Tudor Revival cottages in the US (you can read more here). Living just 1.5 miles north of downtown Dallas, we are true city dwellers. Maurie and I were both born in the midwest, but now we love being Texans.
I also LOVE decorating for fall! After our scorching summers here in North Texas, we truly welcome fall with open arms. The arrival of cooler mornings and nights, pumpkins and mums, and the promise of fall-colored trees has me giddy with anticipation.
One of our very favorite places to enjoy the change of seasons is on our front porch. Welcoming front porches are a common architectural feature in our neighborhood, and we have continued the tradition of front porch sitting as a way of life.
Some cozy throws are ready for chilly evenings, and cheerful pillows brighten our bench with fall colors.
This beautiful wreath of dried florals is still as lovely as ever after several years! I pack it away carefully each year to preserve it and it has been in every room of the house! I attached it to a twig wreath this year to give it a little more heft.
A lucky yard sale score, this vintage metal stand has a new bright color. I used my very favorite paint, Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover, which has never let me down. A quick couple of coats was all it took to take this from black to this gorgeous color, which is Marigold.
And of course, since this is Texas, we have hibiscus flowers along with fall leaves, lol.
The potting bench that we *roadside rescued* is home to an ever-changing display of plants and decor. (You can see a previous fall display here.) I love looking out my kitchen window to see a pretty vignette, and maybe a visiting cat or two :)
A few faux fall leaves are standing in until the real ones make their appearance, which in North Texas can sometimes be almost Christmastime.
All I need to do is light some candles and this area is company-ready, or maybe date-night ready, also! These yummy candles are a new favorite, and instantly bring the aura of fall.
Of course it was only a matter of time before one of our neighborhood kitties came to check out the fall decor.
I'm sure he's thinking that we put this rug there just for him :)
As a last look, here is my view from inside our kitchen.
I hope you are inspired to add a bit of fall color to your own front porch! Have you decorated for fall yet this year, do tell!! If you are looking for more fall goodness, you can go here, and here, to find a collection of my favorite posts from past seasons. You can also read about this year's Fall Living Room here.
Shop this look:
Birch Votive Holders / Burt's Bees Soy Candle / Vintage Style Lantern (similar) Red Polka Dot Bowls (on sale for $8.47!) Vintage Floral Tole Tray (Etsy search) Plaid throw blanket similar here & here / Orange Pillow (similar) / White Wood Bench Dried Florals Wreath (similar)
Thank you so much for coming by, and I hope you have a chance to visit the other amazing blogs on the tour, also!
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
I'm joining:
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Share Your Style at Northern Nesting
p.s. This post contains some affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and purchase an item, I may receive a small commission. Thank you!
Andrea! I love how colorful your front porch is. So inviting and vibrant. So fun to visit your blog!!
Posted by: Michele | October 02, 2015 at 09:01 AM
My favorite so far! I am going to freshen up my coffee and take a look at what other posts of your pretty home I have missed. It is so fun finding old friends...not you, you're blog. Happy Friday my friend!
Posted by: Patty Marker | October 02, 2015 at 10:40 AM
I'm loving the colors! I would love to sit on the porch with you. So beautiful!
Posted by: Terri Oliver Steffes | October 02, 2015 at 01:23 PM
Andrea! This is simple gorgeous! I love all the colors in your outdoor oasis!! Cute little pumpkins
Posted by: Stephanie @ Casa Watkins | October 02, 2015 at 02:07 PM
Oh Andrea your porch is just dreamy!! I can just imagine how wonderful it would be to hang out and relax there surrounded by all that beauty!
Posted by: Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage | October 02, 2015 at 03:19 PM
Andrea,
It is absolutely so much fun to visit your blog and see your lovely porch. BUT, I must say your potting bench has my heart. Thanks for sharing your talent. It has inspired me to create a beautiful balcony for Fall.
Posted by: Meegan | October 02, 2015 at 04:59 PM
You have the best porch ever for fall. I love how you decorated and I never knew that Burts Bee's sold candles. The wreath is so pretty too.
Posted by: Betty | October 02, 2015 at 10:40 PM
What a great porch...so inviting and the way you have it docorated is just adorable!
Posted by: Tammy | October 04, 2015 at 06:48 AM
Beautiful view!! Your porch looks so pretty all dressed for Fall Andrea...love the wreath hanging on your window!
Posted by: martina | October 04, 2015 at 09:39 AM
Hi Andrea
I would love to come over and spend time with you on your lovely porch. It is amazing what you find on the side of the road. I love your potting bench! It is so sweet that your neighbors cats find it welcoming too.
XO
Julie @ Love My Simple Home
Posted by: julie nichols | October 04, 2015 at 11:39 AM
So lovely!
Posted by: Jill Flory | October 05, 2015 at 03:56 PM
So so cute & cozy! I just love it.
Posted by: Kim @ Vintage Pretties | October 05, 2015 at 04:54 PM
I like everything esp how you made it to be enjoyd from outside and from your kitchen
Posted by: Gail | October 05, 2015 at 05:46 PM
Love how colorful everything is! I'm a gal who loves color too. And that wreath is fabulous! What a great accent for fall....
Posted by: Shelley | October 05, 2015 at 08:21 PM
I love your fall porch! I think my fave is the bench with the pillows - and I love your fall wreath!! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sondra | October 05, 2015 at 09:34 PM
Everything is looking beautiful...now, where could a person find a cool breeze????
Cute kitty too.....looked like he was going to "re-arrange" things in the first picture :^)
Blessings to you,
J
Posted by: Jaybird | October 06, 2015 at 11:40 AM
OMG your porch is so inviting! I just want to have a cup of coffee sitting on that chair enjoying all the colors!
Posted by: Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story | October 07, 2015 at 11:17 AM
Andrea, seriously this is the prettiest porch I've seen so far. LOVE the lantern. I wish we were neighbors. I'd come over to play on your porch. Often.
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | October 10, 2015 at 06:12 PM
THANK YOU so very much
Posted by: smadav 2019 | June 01, 2018 at 01:31 PM