you could make the riser part white and the actual step part black. or switch it around.

Ohhh murraysmom, that's a great suggestion for next summer after landscaping. This is perfect. I already have a gallon of tan porch paint and painters can use that tomorrow for the time being. Then after some sort of "landscaping", it will be easy to change tan to a soft off-white. Would black steps look weird for the interim? We have special landscaping problems as we live in a wooded area and have a pond. When landowners behind our house log from time to time, it drives venomous snakes to our property. Thanks, I now have a plan of action!

Aww, desertsteph, great idea!

As much as I like black, it will always look dusty. I took really like Murrays idea of a painted carpet. I would use gray, black, white and maybe another color that you can then bring out with planters in front of the door.

Yes! Maybe gray porch floor with a black and white rug!! I've seen some neat painted rugs. I'm sure there are probably a ton of them on Pinterest if you want to get some ideas!! Cool!!! That would make your planters really pop!! I love it!

I LOVE white with Black trim. There is a house in town that way and we always admired it when we drove by.

I also love the painted rug idea. I think painting the porch gray for now knowing you will be adding in the rug will work. Or use up that tan you have for now and repaint when you are ready to do the rug. My only thought on that is too many layers of paint might scuff easier??

OOPS sent before my thoughts were done. I am just amazed some one can be talking about painting outside and I am sitting here in 0 degree weather. And venomous snakes visiting. Not a happy thing for sure.

I hope you have a handy little .22 for those snakes. I grew up in copperhead and water moccasin infested areas with an occasional visit from a rattlesnake. My great-aunt, even into her 90s, never went outside without a .22; she was a great shot. Grandma and I always carried a long-handled, sharp hoe.

Vingage Living, I love your shed and am so happy you kept the porch. I wasn't on line in time to "vote," but tell us what you chose.

I love the idea of black and white with a painted rug. I will admit there is no place for "grey" in my world - except, sadly, on my head.

Are you going to do the porch's ceiling in "haint blue?" Contrary to what I found on a quick peek at the internet, where I am from "haint blue" was the palest true blue - not "grey," not "green," nor any of the other colors that are called "blue" now. It was a step up from white and used only on the porches ceilings.

I can't wait to see what you choose; whatever it is it's going to be beautiful!

http://thelandofcolor.com/haint-blue-the-legend/

Black will show every bit of dust and track like crazy and drive you mad! Traditionally, floors and porches have been painted gray for centuries. You can add color with accessories and landscaping. It's adorable and I envy you!

Thanks, everyone. It rained so much in Louisiana that painters were not able to come back. Going with the plain old gray porch floor and steps with white risers. Like Shades suggested, I will paint the rug later when weather conditions are better or year after next. Lol! Shades, I would love a white Christmas for once. White and black is so classic. My house, outdoor kitchen, and camp will be white with black. House has barn red door. Anglo, I'm so happy you helped me "catch my head" about the black. Thanks for compliments. This was my daddy's little camp and that is why it's so dear to my heart. I have beaucoup vintage items to dress it up. Caro94535, sharp hoes are best; I'm curious, what state? Sadly, the porch ceiling is not haint blue. I forgot to put out can w/ note on it. Then I stayed up all night talking to my cousin who lives in Qatar and wasn't able to make it home for Christmas. Thankfully this is her dh's last year of contract. I snoozed and lost. Murray and eld, grey, black, white rug would be gorgeous or the checkered white and black "tiles". A couple of pics of interior. I was just playing around and didn't want to make holes in the wall. My style is eclectic flea market using things given as gifts or that was in my family. The vintage student desk will hold my desktop pc and comes from a school where I taught, the card catalog I bought from the elem school my husband attended. The 2 chic girls (that look French- I was a French teach)) on canvas, sheet of Elvis postage stamps, and letterpress drawer are my last b-day gift from my bff. Old red cabinet was in the bathroom of my dad's furniture store. Old peeling white paint message board and Pepsi crate were on the porch of my Mamie's house. And the sewing machine drawer is from Randy's (dh) grandmom. Junk market style, but everything is personal.

Cool treasures. The card file is great!!! I understand the feeling about putting those holes in the walls when they are fresh painted. Had to do it here now need to patch and touch up.

I, too, had great difficulty putting any holes in the wall after the whole house interior was painted 8 years ago. Weeks went by before I put the first picture up. I still don't like putting any new holes in the walls.

And Vintage, your pieces are really nice.