Tropical Back Porch Paradise

I have been working on decorating the back porch for at least a year now!  I have been so unsatisfied with everything I did or tried!  Before it just didn't seem to have any color.  I knew I wanted a tropical theme but nothing too kiddie like.

And now, I'm think I've almost got it!  I started by painting the fireplace mantel, which is Hunter's by the way.  It was originally in his gggrandfather's house.  It's just a little plain mantel befitting a little country farmhouse.  After I primed it, I put a coat of Beach Blue (Ace Hardware) on it.  It looked a little streaky, you could see a little of the white primer.  Tim and I both thought it looked beachy just like that, so I left it alone.  It really changed the look of the porch and got the ideas rolling in my head.

I filled in the area around the mantel with palm trees and ferns.  I picked up an outdoor rug last week at a yard sale for $5.  It's under the hammock which we all love! 

I needed a low table beside the hammock then I remembered the chest in my attic.  My aunt gave this to my sister when we was small so it's about 38 years old.  I'm considering painting it but haven't made my mind up yet.  There are my striped curtains in the background.  They are actually canvas tarps that I painted 4" stripes with the same paint as the mantel.

The fireplace screen is another recycled piece from the unfortunate house fire where we obtained the cabinets used in the china closet.

The table was purchased last year at a yard sale as well the big clam shell on the table.

Thank you for stopping!

UPDATE:  To see how I made the mantel artwork,click here.

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Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

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Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

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