Project #2 this spring. Faux Brick Front Porch

PROJECT #2

I will be painting our front porch in a faux brick pattern.  Replacing the worn front porch path with natural stone would be a great way to go, but it requires loads of cash...which will be spent on project #1.

Instead of resurfacing, I'm going to give it a face-lift with paint. 








STEP ONE:  Sweep the surface, then prime it with a concrete resurfacer, like Rust-Oleum's Epoxy Shield.

STEP TWO:  Let dry.

STEP THREE:  starting in one corner, use a 4-inch roller to create a "brick" with a terra-cotta-hued concrete paint. Paint another one below it, and so on, to make a border; repeat along the other side. Fill the space in between with a running bond pattern of 8-inch bricks. Don't worry about keeping them exactly the same size or the lines pin-straight; imperfections make the design realistic.

Let dry, then watch visitors do a double take as they walk in your door.

• START: Start by May 31.

• MATERIALS LIST:  Rust-Oleum's Epoxy Shield, Terra Cotta Hued Concrete Paint, 4 inch roller(s)

• ESTIMATED COST: Less than $50

• PROJECT DETAILS: SEE ABOVE
  

• PROJECTED TIME LINE: 2 weeks allowed.

• WORKERS FOR PROJECT: 2 (just honey bunny and me)

idea and project from:   This Old House
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh

Landscape Lighting

Yesterday my mom and I went to Big Johns Flea Market (http://bigjohnsfleamarket.com) and scored some pretty awesome treasures.  I found some old windows that i plan on hanging from my front porch, an old mirrored door that I plan on using as sidelights/shutters on my front door and last but not least a old hanging light for our front porch.

One of my treasures I found yesterday.  It looks GREAT at night!

Outdoor lighting serves many purposes.  It increases safety as well as illuminates some key landscaping features.  When installing lighting, the first step is to go outside at night and look at what you see (and don't see).  Look at the areas where darkness creates unsafe conditions, as well as areas that you would like to highlight during the evening hours.

If your ultimate goal is to use landscape lighting to beautify your yard, here are some handy tips:

1. Try placing a spot light mounted in a tree facing downward.  It will bathe the ground in soft light while creating shadows through tree limbs.  
2. Use small spotlights to uplight features such as garden statues and trees.  Uplighting creates a certain drama.  If you have a pond or water feature, try illuminating the a nearby tree or shrub.  This light will reflect on the waters surface.
3. You can use low area lights to highlight walkways.  Hide the fixtures from view with large leafed plants but don't block the light.  Hostas are great for this purpose (I've already stated how much I love these valuable plants).  
4. Make sure the light is never shining in your eyes.  Angle them up or down so that they are adequately filtered through your foliage.
5. Strings of lights installed in trees or shrubs can be used in conversation areas for added nighttime interest.