For the longest time my light and bright enclosed porch was a work room, a storage room, an ice box all of February, and a general mish-mash of items. Considering it’s the entryway to my home, it wasn’t giving friends and family the best first impression of my house. It’s a challenging space because it’s actually very big, but really can only be used as a mud-room of sorts because in the summer its a million degrees in there and in the winter it’s negative a million degrees!

When I moved in last Summer there were really stiff bleached out burlap curtains on all the windows that stopped at the window sill, the floor was painted a prison cement grey, the door was beige and there were old brass coat hooks on the wall. When I moved, I knew the exterior of the house and the porch needed work to get them looking to the way I wanted so while Anne Arundel Power Washing were improving the exterior of my house, I decided to repaint the floor and door. Then I didn’t really do anything until a month ago.

I searched Craigslist every day for the perfect long wooden bench, but never found the right thing then one day I found this beauty at one of my favorite stores, Hot Haute Hot in Pittsburgh. It’s 97″ long and the perfect size and look! Around the corner from HHH is another favorite store of mine, Loom. I went in looking for ideas for curtain tiebacks and they helped me pick out this hand dyed silk ribbon. It’s the perfect delicate contrast.

The one item that really dictated this whole design is this antique pulley bracket I found at the Neighborhood Flea a few months ago (similar). I immediately knew I wanted to use it to hang my dog leashes. I bought some rope at Home Depot and a special hook for the ceiling. The best thing about this is that the wheel spins so when you need the leashes you just give them a tug. Plus it looks really cool!

Another item that is making our trips in and out of the front porch is a new poo-bag dispenser and plenty of refills from Earth Rated! The green coordinates very nicely with everything (Lucy looks very nice in the bandana they sent us!), and having the dispenser right on the leash means I don’t have to make another trip inside when I realize I don’t have a baggy in my pocket. I prefer unscented bags, and keep them stocked in a cute little metal container. One of the other great things about these bags is that the end that opens is marked! How many times have you tried to open a bag to realize it’s the wrong end – dog people understand what I mean!

What do you think? I love how I have a few dog art touches – the gold statue and the lab print – but it doesn’t scream dog lady! The space is cute and also functional, which is really important. I couldn’t leave you without a few “BEFORE” photos. Take a look!

Shopping Resources:
Shoe/Boot Cabinet: Ikea
Pulls: Anthropologie
Bench: Vintage from Hot Haute Hot
Curtains: Nate Berkus for Target
Ribbon for tie backs: Loom
Storage baskets under bench: Marshall’s
Patterned Rug: Tuesday Morning
Welcome Mat Rug: Garnet Hill
Fox Hook: Anthropologie
Gold Dog: Estate Sale
Antique Pulley: Neighborhood Flea Pittsburgh
Wood Box: Tuesday Morning
Glass and Metal Lantern: Gabriel Brothers
Succulents: Trader Joe’s
Paint: Sherwin Williams
Poop Bags: Earth Rated *Earth Rated provided me with a dispenser, refill bags and some other goodies in exchange for reviewing their product on my blog. I really do love the bags!