I can’t think of a better project to kick off this blog-project (on which I’ve been procrastinating too long!) than a project that took me a measly seven months from conception to end result. Here’s hoping I can derive as much self-congratulatory satisfaction from writing it up as I do from gazing at it. Oh, and that you will enjoy reading about it. Of course.

When we moved into our current apartment last August, I was excited about a lot of things: more space in the living room, more space for a dining room, more space for a desk/office, more space in the kitchen – you get the idea.

But nothing was more exciting about this second-floor apartment than the big, screened porch overlooking Lake Monona and B.B. Clarke beach. One of our first goals was to find porch furniture, and we were thrilled when we found a cute vintage patio set at a pop-up thrift shop.

There was just one problem (let’s call it an “opportunity”). Maybe you can tell what I’m referring to? The cushions. Right.

Greasy, yellowing vinyl is one thing. Tears and scratches are another. But the worst for me, was how hard and uncomfortable they were. Before I even sewed new cushions, my curiosity got the better of me, and I had to look inside. I ripped one open and was surprised to find plastic boxes inside instead of foam. Is this normal? The cushions are stuffed with squishy plastic boxes, covered in batting.

I was pretty thrilled to replace them.

And it only took seven months!

For the fall, we covered them with blankets while I procrastinated on finding fabric. For most of the Wisconsin winter, the porch wasn’t a great hangout. But come spring, I was chomping at the bit. Ben and I hit up Joann’s during a big sale and loaded up on outdoor canvas, high-density foam, batting and welt cord… And then I delayed awhile.

A few weeks ago I finally tackled the cushions — just in time for ninety-degree heat, oppressive humidity and the whole mosquito… thing. In other words: porch weather.

The porch is still our main work-area for potting plants, hand-sawing, and otherwise making messes. That’s our work table in the background. So it’s not the most beautiful space, but it’s a lot more charming now, that’s for sure. The best part, and what you the pictures don’t convey, is how much more comfortable these cushions are. There’s nothing like 4″ of high density foam… especially compared to vinyl-wrapped plastic boxes. The fabric is Peony in Coral from Dwell Studio, which we snagged for $9/yd!

And here’s the view we get to enjoy from our perch: