GET [ THE ] LOOK: JOANNA'S PORCH

GET [ THE ] LOOK: JOANNA'S PORCH
My family moved and settled into our brand new house just in time for summer! This is the first house that I've ever had the (very fortunate) opportunity to build and select every finish, tile, knob... And, with this new house, I couldn't help but spring for some new furniture too. Obviously, some of my furniture moved with me from my last home. But, for the outdoor areas, my last house didn't have a screened in patio, or a very large front porch, like the new house. And... the new house told me, very loudly, that it NEEDED to be beautifully furnished. And so I did what any responsible, obedient, house owner does, and listened to its clear message - "buy beautiful furniture for your new outdoor spaces".

Selecting furniture for these outdoor spaces was one of my favorite "new house projects", because I could already envision the ways that I wanted to use these new spaces. So, I teamed up with Summer Classics to design these perfect porch spots!



Obviously, I wanted to use these spaces to function in traditional ways, entertaining family and friends on warm days and nights. But, additionally, since our entire The Home Edit team, aside from me, lives in Nashville (proper), I also wanted a space in my home to host team meetings and gatherings, when we have jobs close to me (in Franklin).

Always loving the look of classic teak wood - I knew right away that I wanted to lean into this material for the bulk of my new outdoor furniture. For me, the teak furniture, with white cushions and charcoal piping, sitting on my new red brick porches allowed each item to live its absolute best life! Then, for the pillows (ohhh how I love pillows), I used strategic restraint to not go overboard and interfere with any valuable seating space. I landed on using 2 pillows for the couch and 1 complimenting pillow for each chair.



For the front porch, it will likely come as no surprise that I also had a very clear vision. In my mind this space (too) needed to stay classic all the way, but in a different way. I selected 2 white Adirondack chairs, matching ottomans and a cute, little side table in between. Simple and timeless - everything a southern, brick porch ever wanted.



This week I was able to have part of our team over for some mid-job snacks and a quick meeting. I was thrilled to finally have this spot to host our team. If only every work day felt like a sweet summer escape...





XO, Joanna

OUR FRIDGE FAVORITES:

Divided Fridge Drawer Clear
Divided Turntable
Tall Drawer
Egg Bin
Narrow Drawer
Large Berry Bin
Produce Bin
Small Fridge Bin
Tip 1: Stock Up on Healthy Staples

If you want to start eating healthier, you obviously need to stock your fridge with healthy food. It helps to create a list of core staples to have on hand at all times. This takes the guesswork out of grocery shopping, and you’ll feel more prepared during meal and snack time. 

Tip 2: Edit, Edit, Edit

When it comes to actually organizing your fridge, don’t skip the editing process. Even if you don’t feel like it, start by removing every single item from your fridge until it’s completely empty. We suggest keeping a trash bag nearby and tossing anything expired as you go. And since your fridge shelves are probably due for a deep clean, here’s your chance to actually get in there and wipe off that weird sticky layer! 

Tip 3: Create Zones

Every category should live in a designated zone (location) and preferably, within a contained and visible home (clear product). This allows everything to be accessible, accounted for, and aesthetically pleasing...while also maximizing shelf space.

Tip 4: Label It

Labeling isn’t just the finishing touch, it’s actually the secret sauce of the system. Labels are really just straightforward directions for where items go. They concretely identify the contents that live in each container. It not only helps *you* maintain the system, but it holds your kids, your partner, and anyone else using the space, too. 

*Reminder: Think broad, not specific when labeling your categories. It should be a simple road map that’s flexible enough for the occasional outlier. 

Tip 5: Freeze It

Your freezer is valuable real estate in your fridge set up, so clear out those old popsicles and spilled frozen peas to make room for favorites your family will actually eat. We're looking at you last minute meals.

We love using our Freezer Bins to contain the chaos amongst the frozen pizzas and kids snacks. Organizing this space will take the dread out of opening this often-forgotten area, we promise!

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