Everyone should have one special room in their home that they love. A room to escape from the world that is filled with the things they love that bring them peace. I always try to make one of these in every home that I have lived in and this has carried me through a lot of tough times.
You can learn a lot about a person, or yourself, from what that personal oasis looks like. You can start building your own personal oasis by writing down the things you love, that make you feel good. My fiance's oasis, for example, would include books, a record player, a fireplace and comfortable chairs. My oasis, on the other hand, has plants, candles, sounds of nature, smells, a few pillows, a blanket and it has to be pretty.
Given all the nature elements I need in my oasis it made sense that our porch was the perfect location for it. Even in it's "before" state this porch sang to me. Look at those windows! All around the porch are giant oak trees so in the summer it really feels like you're in a tree house.
So where do I start? I had a vision of my nature getaway, but I needed to take care of the basics first.
Prepping the Canvas
All we did was to install a new ceiling fan, a new hanging light fixture, and slapped some white paint on the wall. OK, I say 'slapped some paint', but these cedar boards soaked up paint like no one's business. So the slapping went on for a few weekends. When all of this was done I picked up an outdoor rug in blue and white and I was ready to get this party started.
The Final Result ... for now
We then layered in some furniture, added a few DIY projects, and the recipe elements. The hanging strings lights really set the mood. And my custom coffee table with inset planter is a great way to bring some nature into the middle of the room. My oasis is always changing and who knows where it will be a year from now. But for now I can find peace here.
Sounds
Plants
I've been struggling to find the best plants for our porch because it is constant shade under big oak trees. I am really in a trial and error phase. Here's what I've learned so far:
Fuchsia Plant: Beautiful hanging plant that I am not skilled enough to keep alive. My big gripe about it, when it is alive, the flowers keep dropping and they stain the carpets and chairs. I am not thinking this is the best plant for an indoor porch.
Hibiscus: Beautiful, but doesn't get enough sun to flower on our porch.
Banana Succulent or "Senecio String of Bananas" is a hanging plant that seems to be doing quite well.
Golden Pathos: Love these. They are easy to grow and care for.
Golden Creeping Jenny: Seems to be loving being in our planter coffee table.
Fern: I think it's a Lady Fern but I am not sure. It seems to be enjoying the porch.
Foxtail Fern: I'm not sure about this one. It seems like it might be struggling.
Snake Plant: This also seems to be doing quite well on our porch so far.
Because I am in Minnesota all of these plants have to be brought into the house in the wintertime. But that's OK it just means that I need a winter oasis too he he he.
What's your recipe for your oasis?
Wishing you peace and tranquility,
Sarah & Chris