Well, to tell the truth I haven't done anything with the cushions today - not even make the templates. Been doing laundry, messing with fabric for curtains, oiling hinges and googling more furniture painting inspiration/techniques. Filled some depressions (screw holes filled with dowels that were sunk too far) and sanding the little table I bought yesterday. Glued up the loose back on an antique sewing rocker I've been hauling around for years - it's got a caned seat and back in good shape, had been painted green, white, red and blue at various points in the past and not stripped well, so I finally decided I'm going to paint it (let some of the red show through) instead of trying to strip and stain it. I've never really appreciated painted furniture til now after seeing some of the inspiration on this board. I don't have place for it in this house so either I'll finish it in an exterior clear coat (though I don't think a good exterior water-based nonyellowing one exists) and find a place for it on the porch, or sell it. But I'm going to experiment on the $5 GW table instead. The pic above *is* the underside of the table I was experimenting on. I think it's too light now that I see it in the sunlight. I'm going to take the table top off and just paint the legs. Thinking of staining the tops dark like the front door - what do you think? Too "formal" for a porch? I was just thinking that stain (and oil-based Cetol) would wear better on a tabletop than paint. Even thought of doing a checkerboard on one, though maybe it's best to do the matching pair plain and put the checkerboard on the little odd table if it's big enough (10.5"x18"x 26.5" high)? The matching tables are 24"x24"x24" Here's the closest pic I have right now What do your chairs look like? Are the current cushions loose and can you just recover them? Or do you have to make new ones?

I know you already picked up your paint but thought I would chime in regarding paint brands. Most painters prefer one or two paint brands ( some Sherwin Williams, others Benjamin Moore etc). In my opinion what Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have over brands is customer service. Many of Sherwin Williams paint lines do not come in an eggshell finish ( although about 3 of them have an eggshell finish). Most of their lines have a satin finish which does have more of a sheen than eggshell). I'm just putting that out there as I prefer an eggshell finish on walls. On the other hand, Benjamin Moore has a matte finish that is washable (which is unheard of in other brands). However, with that said, the Valspar Signature line is a great paint. It rolls on smoothly, covers well and in an eggshell finish or above sheen it very durable. The signature series doesn't seem to fade or change colors even after scrubbing. As for value - Sherwin Williams has a 30% off sale a few times a year ( and if you sign up as a preferred member they will send you 30% off coupons even outside of their normal sales). You can also print out a $10 off coupon from their website. Valspar is sold at Lowes and they have sales about 2-3 times a year as well. The last sale was $50 off of a five gallon bucket or $10 off a gallon. BM sales???? Never seen them. Again, BM and SW are better at customer service. I would say BM excels at customer service ( you can schedule an appointment with their color consultant and get assistance with picking out colors for your entire house for free). However, BM recoups the cost of this service with the cost of their paint.

I'm so glad y'all like it! I love it! It's a happy color! Not what I had originally picked but I think it works with the super white siding. The painters were a nightmare. I'm going to have to redo the front door at some point because they did such a terrible prep job. But it's over. I'm so glad they're gone. Lesson learned. Don't go with the cheap painter you don't know. Go with the expensive painter you know will do a good job! Does anyone have an opinion on the big bushes (Nanda) on either side of the porch? I'm thinking about giving them the ax because they're stringy and I dont like nandina. But it goes against what my sister has always told me " Don't get rid of anything green!" I was thinking about putting flower beds there. But they would be low.....

Lori, thank you so much! I have learned a lot from you and your advice. Leading me in a great direction! We are debating between the aged white and creamy, which I believe I can color the mineral paint as you suggested. Which color do you like? Picture below (I know I’m using regular paint as the test, but it’s all I’ve had until I get a custom mineral paint made). Left is aged white and right is creamy. Gutter downspout is there since it’s black and we will be adding a lot of black. The paint above the downspout is snowbound white, just as a reference showing that both the left and right colors are more creamy and Not stark white. For this photo, it’s a repeat, but top is aged white and bottom is creamy. Ignore the one in the middle. Same order as the picture above just adding in the walnut front door. House again, black not fully added Yet. Thanks again for steering me in a new direction!