Hello, have we met? No? Please let me introduce you to . . . our new porch! AC and I found a new apartment last week, and if you guys knew the degree to which I was squealing last Thursday night after I got the news, your ears would be ringing like crazy. Last week, AC and I drove up to Greenpoint to see a promising space (remember the one I dreamed about?), and we put in an application almost immediately. It has skylights, a washer and dryer (I can barely breathe I’m so excited about that) and a pretty porch with a covered trellis structure. We are going to live on that porch after we move in, so of course, I decided to stay up late last night imagining how I’d decorate it. I’ve always been a cart-before-the-horse sort of girl, so why not jump the gun and start dream decorating? I cannot wait to finally be able to have friends, family and colleagues over for meals and celebrations. As someone who has always loved to entertain but has never had the space, this new outdoor area makes me the happiest I’ve ever been, house-wise. Hopefully I can meet some of you in the neighborhood (we’re moving back to Greenpoint!) and have you up for a drink on the porch. xo, grace
Images above, clockwise from top left: This rug is JUST my style — Dash and Albert’s Lakehouse Indoor/Outdoor Rug, $38+. Filigree Sphere Lights, $498. Tolix Chair, $275 (I love bright pops of red against navy). This table is an antique, but I’d love to find a more affordable version of this farmhouse-style dining classic. Agate Candle Holders, $110 (for romantic outdoor meals). After the vertical garden is done, I want to plant some flowering trees in my collection of vintage boxes. Dahlia Placemats from Chilewich (can be left outside in the elements), $64 for 8. My biggest inspiration for the porch is Saipua’s Red Hook Shop and Terrain’s Cafe outside of Philadelphia.
Images above, clockwise from top left: My first goal is to build a vertical garden on the side wall of the porch (like the one at Flora Grubb). I want to hang some minimalist feeders to attract small birds in the area (Disc Bird Feeder, $32). Eva Solo To Go Grill, $330. Cats need to lounge, too, right? I have a feeling Ms. Jackson would love this hammock from Fickle Feline, $89 (I don’t think AC will let this in the house, though. You should have seen the face he gave me when I showed him.). I’d like to swap out the current sconces for these bright red ones, $174.
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103 Comments
that is not just A porch.. that is an AMAZING porch!! Look at the LINES!! you are going to enjoy every moment of that outdoor space.. congratulations!
Wow, I just noticed you have been blogging since 2004. – I take my hat off to you! ;) Great work.
Congrats, that is such an awesome outdoor space!! I was going to say…another trip to Terrain is in order. ;)
That porch is absolutely dreamy!
As a fellow Brooklyn dweller, I am achingly jealous of that porch. You need to grow wisteria on that roof!!
Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
A balcony in the spring and summer sounds absolutely heavenly, but I think I’m really green with envy that you have a washer and dryer! *sniff* *sniff*
That kitty bed is adorable.
Ooohhh! Incredible porch! Congrats on the new place.
Ah, Grace, I loved that you said you’ve always been a cart before the horse gal. I am so the same. Last night we got a new sleeper sofa & The Man was wiped out after 2+ hours of moving it from sellers apt to mine.
When we got it into my apt. I started yakking about all my ideas for rearranging the living room & by the look on his face I decided quickly that I should just save that for another day. I guess in my case I was trying to attach my cart a little too soon after the horse’s arrival. :)
Your patio is going to be spectacular and again I am so happy for you about this wonderful new space! It’s so perfect for you and you deserve it!
Don’t know if you’re hankering for that specific brand, but Overstock has a set of four of those red chairs for almost that same price. You’d have to paint them your color, but could still help you bring in the rest of the project affordably! :)
Love the cat hammock! That is an amazing porch! Great for summer entertaining, congrats!
So nice to meet you lovely porch! Grace this is amazing – I would work, eat and sleep on this porch if I had one.
Currently live with my hubby in a super small apartment in SF and I love hosting dinner parties. Hopefully when we move in a little over a year we can get something like this. Crossing my fingers and toes :)
Congrats!
Wow! What an amazing space! Congratulations.
LOVE the cat hammock! My kitties are jealous!
i need those red lights. need them! thanks for the idea.
Congrats and welcome to outdoor living! It’s the best…I can’t wait to see how you use the space.
Oh girl, you can practically feel the warm, spring breeze! I can’t think of a better way to banish the crap winter you guys have had up there than decorating your new deck. Yay!
That porch is AMAZING! And I love those red chairs (and Ashley’s mention of the Overstock ones).
How exciting!! Is it odd that I’m just as excited for your move? :) I love that feeling of looking at an empty space and imagining all the possibilities with it. That porch looks like such a great space too – covered but open. Love it. Can’t wait to see what you do with it! :)
Outdoor living is the best! I waanted to let you know that there is a much cheaper source for those amazing filigree pendants–http://tinyurl.com/699kn4t
I ordered one, and love it– it casts such beautiful shadows all around.
Congrats on the new place! The porch looks amazing. I live in Williamsburg right at the edge of Greenpoint, by McCarren Park. Such a great area. We’ll be neighbors!
A PORCH! it’s a real porch and not a fire escape or foot long metal grate. that is so exciting! congratulations!
OMGorgeous!!! We’re hoping to make a pallet table we found on readymade last year, similar to this one: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/from-renest/june-is-gardening-and-outdoors-month-118093
i feel like it has just the right amount of rusticness… for a great price ;)
Great outdoor space — that makes such a huge difference living in the city. The porch at my apartment was a major selling point!
That porch is totally squeal-worthy! Congrats on finding a new nest.
Oh porch envy.. ha. At least our small apartment has a Juliet balcony, it’s cute and lets the air in but fits two-three people tops standing room only.
what a handsome space!! i can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Welcome back to Greenpoint! Ain’t it great?
Congrats on your move! I’m a loyal designsponge reader but hadn’t ever commented. . . but then I saw that you’re moving onto my block! I feel creepy–but I recognize the retirement home and green fire escape across the street. . . . Welcome to Greenpoint and a fabulous leafy green street (in the summer anyway)!
Thats…wow. Congrats on such an amazing space! It’s going to be amazing.
I’m digging that little grill.
made.com (who may or may not sell to the US, i don’t know, sorry) also do a version of that chair and one with arms.
http://www.made.com/chairs/pair-of-legend-cafe-armchairs-red
i think the red version of the non-armed chair is sold out but you could mix up colours or maybe have two with arms like carvers?
Eek is right! That porch is so amazing!! Congrats on finding just the right space – it’s always a tireless search but so rewarding to know you’ve made the right choice.
The porch looks wonderful! When I moved into an apartment with a patio in Williamsburg last year, I wanted a huge table so I could have tons of friends over, but I didn’t want to take up the whole space. I bought the Applaro drop leaf table from Ikea and it’s been a-ma-zing. For $129, it’s solid acacia, looks much more expensive, the quality is very high, and it converts from seating 4 to seating 12 in seconds. I also left it outside all winter and it still looks perfect!
Oh I have that problem. We went to look at a house and I had the whole thing designed before we even had ours listed. 4 months later and we still haven’t sold ours….but I know what I am going to do with that house I want….if we get it!
I can’t wait to see the Sneak Peak of your new place!! Congrats!
Congratulations! The new outdoor digs looks great even bare. I’m sure it will look great soon, can’t wait to see!
Vow ! I always dream of such a porch with a hanging swing bed in it .
Love the bright red light too..
I am green with envy! A washer/dryer AND a porch?? I am considering moving to Brooklyn from Manhattan, and I was wondering if you (and your readers) used a broker or craigslist or something else?
hi annie
i found our apt on aptsandlofts.com (it was a rare no fee apt through them), but the owner also listed it on craigslist. i searched mainly using my new best friend: padmapper.com -AMAZING site that lets you search apts by area :)
grace
I just moved greenpoint from park slope in the fall and LOVE it, congratulations on the porch!!! Such an amazing find in this city
samara
no way! we’ll have to have you over for a drink on the porch :)
grace
thanks jess- it will be nice to be back in greenpoint. that’s where i first lived when i moved to nyc in 2003 :)
grace
thanks so much for all your kind comments, guys! i’ll definitely be posting pictures of the whole home’s progress as we get settled :)
g
welcome back to the neighborhood! I just moved to McGolrick park, it’ll be nice having such lovely neighbors!
Great space!! I wish my apartment had one.
Congrats on the new place! That is the prettiest porch ever! <3
*swoon*
Firstly, congrats! Then, not sure if anyone has mentioned it but Pottery Barn has the Tolix chair on sale right now… $200 each. I just bought some, so excited to get them! Enjoy decorating….
Congratulations, Grace. Now start growing and nurturing things out-of-doors!
Grace! I am freaking out for you… this is so amazing and beautiful! I know you will make it so cozy and perfect. Congrats!!
love the cat hammock. unfortunately, not available for sale on their etsy site… looks like their last sale was in June :(
Looks to me like a cute spot!! I know how it feels looking for the right place, and wanted to have a new kitchen. outdoor area more space etc…I am glad you and your partner have found a better place, definitely a new start and bring on the social entertainment!!
You’re going to need a bigger grill than that!
Oh my gosh! I’ve been researching that area a lot lately. Both of my mother’s parents were from there. 128 Milton Street was my grandmother’s address. I found this on a letter sent to her in 1925 booking her for a modeling assignment. I researched the property, but unfortunately the building at that address was built in 1927, two years after the letter and her marriage and move to Dallas. If the original building still existed, I would have considered buying it as an investment. Oh well.
Here’s some of my grandmother’s modeling photos from the flapper days:
http://www.smallrooms.com/blog/2010/12/29/my-maternal-grandmother/
I am looking forward to following your move in future posts!
Oh my gosh! That exists in Greenpoint?!?! My bf loves his back patio over on Driggs in Greenpoint, but yours even undecorated is already loads more awesome (his unfortunately has AstroTurf). Can’t wait to see it decorated!!
That’s an amazing space – congratulations!
Wow that looks amazing!
I absolutely love Tolix. While spending nearly one grand in chairs wasn’t in my budget I found some adorable chairs similar to those on overstock.com to use as dining chairs.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Red-Tabouret-Stacking-Chairs-Set-of-4/5095637/product.html
Also, Pottery Barn has the real ones on sale but still a bit pricey.
Have fun decorating!
wow great space! that treillis is amazing – so exciting! good for you (and the cats!)
the only thing missing is a lovely blanket for cool spring evenings! wonderful decorating list. love the stripes and pops of red.
Oh my god! Grace that looks amazing!!! What an awesome porch! Love the wood slats and the open, modern feel. You can even sit out there in the rain. Woo hoo! So excited for you :)
Congratulations, the porch looks divine! I love your outdoor decorating ideas – I just bought two vintage Tolix chairs and am considering similar lamps for my living room!
congrats! that is an amazing porch. you will enjoy it immensely just as you are anticipating.
i lived in brooklyn for 17 years (bay ridge, fort greene, and park slope) before moving to pasadena, ca. now i have a patio and my hubbie and i enjoy a lot of “outdoor living”. its the best.
Like everyone else, Im SO excited for you. For now I can only dream about the day when I have my very own porch. (its sacrilegious to not have one in Cali) I will be sending you some more inspiration if i come across it!
Grace, I’m so happy for you! This porch looks perfect! To find an apartment with one and that lovely horizontal modern fence! What luck!
Thanks also for the suggestion of padmapper! My husband and I are moving to Portland, OR and this website will be a huge help!
thanks heather! and how exciting! have fun in portland, it’s an amazing town.
grace
what a great porch!! yay for spring and summer and fall outdoors in your new place!!!
Hi Grace! My friend had a place on Berry Street that had a very similar porch. Beautiful. Congrats! I may sublet in BK for awhile just to familiarize my self with the area. My friend bought a similar table to the one you liked at Old Good things which I loved.
I love this site:
http://www.cottagehomemaine.com/planktopfurniture.html
And i’m sure you can find a tressle table on Etsy also . Good luck!
Congratulations, Grace! Funny enough, I am relocating from Boston to Park Slope next month…now I know a pretty sweet apartment is about to be on the market! Thanks for the Padmapper recc…I could really use it as I navigate the Brooklyn neighborhoods.
that tolix chair is amazing, If I had a garden, Id put them outside in a heart beat!
Congratulations on the new home! I am certain you will enjoy the openness of your outdoor space. I have a narrow terrace (3ft x 30 ft) and I appreciate my “porch” everyday!
I ordered the overstock chairs (in white) a few weeks ago and love them! I would definitely recommend them to anyone who loves the Tolix chairs but is looking for something more affordable. as of a few weeks ago they were available in white, red black and silver.
congrats on the new pad, grace!
Congratulations! That’s going to be beautiful.
New column devoted entirely to your interior design process, maybe?
NG
so excited for you!!! plants galore! kitty haven! looks gorgeous and spacious. a lovely place for dinners- exciting!
I adore the vertical garden! And the filigree spheres!
So much fun- congratulations on the new space! Here’s to hoping spring comes quickly so you can enjoy your porch!
Grace, I’m loosing sleep over here! I’m so excited for your move to Greenpoint! I can’t believe we are going to be neighbors! Can’t wait to see how you decorate your porch. Congratulations!! xx
ooh, congrats on the porch. We had a patio/balcony while living in Milan and the cats were out lounging on it every chance they got (as was I).
Having a little outside private space is a little bit of paradise in the city.
Love.
Thanks for keeping us posted, Grace. And why is it I’m not surprised that you, a fellow stripe-lover, would claim your spot on a porch with stripe-y slats?
So happy for you!
Better start early, there is a ton you can do with that space!
I seriously want that cat hammock for my cats!! So cute!
Such a gorgeous porch! Can’t wait to see it when everything is put together. Love the idea of the vertical garden, very unique!
Loveeee the porch ideas…..
love how simple they are and i can easily procure the things…thanks!
Great bones! I will look forward to seeing what you do with it! I am busy imagining what to do with my flagstone patio at the new studio……. I can’t wait to put together some planters.
It’s just nice to be talking about porches and being on them…given the winter we’ve all had.
The vertical succulent garden is really nice and easy to maintain, I have some succulents which i removed from a roof and just placed them on the ground and in pots and they grow without any care! Thanks for your inspirations!
Congrats on your new space.
All great stuff, but that kitty hammock is effin rad!
How wonderful! Can’t wait to see more.
Just a note (sorry it’s a negative one) My stomach did a flip flop when you talked about the cat. Those walls are pretty low and easily jump-able — especially from any furniture. We have a terrace and our calm, well-behaved mature lazy fat cat goes nuts when a bird lands on the terrace. She loses her mind and any caution, and just hurls herself after them! We eventually had to put up green wire fencing – which doesn’t block the view as much as it sounds, but it stopped the nightmares I was having about her going over the edge. If you’re going to put bird feeders up, PLEASE consider the cat. It’s impossible to watch them all the time and it only takes a second…
Again, sorry to be a downer. It’s a wonderful space! Glad for you
That porch is going to be amazing! I’m so jealous of your future vertical succulent garden!
Hi Janie!
Not to worry- my cats are like my children and I’d never put them in harms way- we are going to test out fencing and other things to make sure they can’t jump out or fall ;)
Grace
Your porch is making me uncharacteristically and whole-heartedly envious. And of course it’s going to be the most beautiful outdoor space imaginable when you’re done! Congratulations :)
As a country girl, I could never imagine living without a porch. But my husband and I had to rent an apartment with no yard or porch for a while and I was miserable. So I can totally share your excitement. I hope your porch provides you many content hours outside.
Grace I’m so enamored with your porch! Congrats on the new apartment.
Hot damn, that is one fine porch! I would be excited and scream-y too. And I would instantly start buying seeds!
What a stunning porch. I am a huge believer in outdoor entertaining – and that looks like the perfect place to have lots of lingering dinners with friends!
I can see a wonderful roof garden in the making !!So much space, you can have clematis climbing up, and box balls all along the side and will still have tons of space- – and you can spend summer and winter there if you want!There is nothing like a bit of outdoor space when you live in the city!! It just makes life so much nicer.
wow, that is GORGEOUS! terrain IS the best place to get outside inspiration. love that place.
Love dream-decorating – it’s one of my favorite things to do! I have my not-yet-built screen porch almost decorated already. :)
My husband and I are buying this for our regular dining table, but this reclaimed barnwood table on Etsy seemed a lot like the farmhouse antique you were eying: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61892507/reclaimed-barnwood-dining-table.
tremendous! having just moved from GP out of the whole damn state, I’m officially green with envy.
Congratulations Grace! Everyone need an outdoor space. I know it will be amazing. I looove to dream decorate, I wish I had a new space to do, I’ll have to settle for changing my home accessories seasonally. In with the white & weathered beach woods & touches of living green! Can’t wait to see your porch in the after picture!
cool grace, happy for you guys!
that’s amazing grace… congrats on finding such a gem! we have a deck too and we literally live out there when the weather is nice. how about a hammock? we really enjoy ours :)
grace, congrats on the new digs! i love greenpoint so many fun memories with friends there. and a terrace/ patio that is totally to die for in that area. i KNOW you are going to have so many lvoely get togethers there. ps i love vertical gardens and hope you can share how to keep hens and chicks alive in the NE.
Grace, welcome back to the neighborhood! I think we live around the corner from each other. I echo your thoughts Eastern District, it is amazing and such a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
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