I have been staring at our screened-in porch for the last two months hating how empty it was. Until this weekend I wasn’t sure whether I wanted a little cafe table and chairs or more of an “outdoor living space” feel, as an extension of our living room.

On Sunday, I decided on the latter… only I couldn’t find a love seat that fit the bill. My budget for the love seat was $50, and the rest of the details I’d either borrow from other rooms or buy from my mom’s boutique, Good Company.

I have been scouring Craigslist daily and even emailed someone earlier today about a couch that looked very Pottery Barn-esque. But it was listed at $250 and I just didn’t want to spend that much on a couch for a porch or that may get rained on/wet, as the windows have screens all the time for the season.

So, today after work, I decided to pop by the thrift store on the off-chance they’d have the perfect love seat waiting for a new life.

And, Ta-da! They did. It doesn’t happen often, but when thrift stores deliver, everybody wins! I found this dirty little thing for $15!! I was so excited. This meant I had the money I’d need for a new slipcover It had stains and wasn’t very pretty, but the shape and bones were there.

I had already begun to put on the slipcover when I realized I didn't have a before picture.

The seat cushion had so many ugly stains I literally just cut the fabric off since I was slipcovering it anyways.

 
I bought a slipcover at Bed, Bath & Beyond, which was $59.99, but I had a $20 gift card left over from our wedding and so it really only cost me $40 (this is how my mind works.) I only went $5 over budget on the couch, and I’m totally fine with that. I got exactly the look I was envisioning!

Porch BEFORE

Screened-in Porch AFTER! It's still a work in progress. I still need a nice white table or trunk and more white accents. But the most important part is there! Now I can sit out there on my laptop and look out at the trees

Fresh lilac from my front yard and metal letters from Good Company this weekend