Anatomy of a Front Porch Makeover
The handsome Craftsman in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, California had a drab and tired front porch that conveyed the opposite of “welcome home”. As part of the typical preparations for putting a home on the market, I thought a porch makeover would bring this property to life.
Working with the owners’ wonderful contractor, Miguel, I scouted tile selections at three different stores searching for a skid-proof product that not only worked for outdoor wear-and-tear, but would also be a standout and make a memorable first impression. Miguel and I discussed more than a dozen samples that I brought over, nixing some and adding others until we landed on the one that did it all.
The results were exactly what I wanted, and made my heart sing: An entry that beckoned from the street, a memorable first impression, a front porch that came alive and telegraphed to buyers all the joys that awaited inside the house. It was a photogenic confection.
There wasn’t a single visitor to the house who didn’t widen their eyes and smile as they approached at those busy open houses. The porch was made all the more welcoming by the acacia chairs, basil-green front door and dramatic new pendant light.
From ideation to material selection to execution and finished product, this makeover was a labor of love made possible by a stellar team, including sellers who were game and who trusted the process.
