Front Porch Update

Parisian elegance and Southern charm

In this blog post, I share my porch update where I used antique stone dolphin statues as an outdoor console table to enhance the ambiance of our porch.

Embracing Parisian-Meets-Southern Style

Call it the Louisiana roots (where I was born) or my natural propensity towards Franco-Southern style, but I have always loved the allure of Parisian design and the comfort of Southern style. When I first laid eyes on this house two years ago, I knew it was the one - so we made an offer sight-unseen to purchase it. Parisian elements such as wrought iron accents, intricate scrollwork, and ornate details were bewitching as I scrolled through the images.

Many times on my instagram, I’ve talked about finding personal style and how to embrace being unique. It’s easy to fall down the rabbit trail of copying because it makes things easier and no guesswork is involved. Not to mention, finding a personal style is HARD. I’ve focused on it for the last five years, and have finally filed it under Parisian-Meets-Southern. This hybrid style embraces the refined elements of French design and infuses them with the relaxed and hospitable atmosphere characteristic of Southern homes.

When it came to our porch, I tried to strike the right balance between the two to keep things beautiful and upscale but not too fussy. I used wicker furniture to soften the space with a charming blue cushion theme. True to southern decor, a pineapple has long been held as a symbol of hospitality, so naturally I used a dining table that had one as the base to welcome our guests. The house already had many of the Parisian elements such as the trimmings and wrought iron work. The front porch fans and wood ceilings add a southern touch.

Antique Stone Dolphin Statues as Console Table

For a unique and eye-catching feature, I repurposed some antique stone dolphin statues as an outdoor console table. Dolphins are associated with grace, intelligence, and a sense of wonder, making them an ideal addition to the porch. I love the intricate details and weathered patina because they add character to the outdoor space.