My lanai is a sanctuary, an oasis…a screened porch I use as an outdoor living/dining room and meditation space! I can hear the ocean waves here. I so wanted it to be special as I undertook a complete DIY remodel earlier this year. I kind of did things a little backwards though, as I placed the new and refurbished furnishings first and decided to paint later. Glidden® Paint and #GliddenGallons had a lot to do with that.
The Tropical Lagoon color from Glidden Paint’s Brilliance Collection* at Walmart is just the right hue to complete my DIY makeover. It evokes a relaxing, mellow Caribbean vibe…just what I am after. And it plays into the Southern tradition of painting your porch ceiling ‘Haint Blue’. But first, let me show you the after photos…I am so excited to share…
Outdoor Sitting Area

Restful, calm and relaxing place to gather for a cool drink or a quiet read...love the long shadows at sunrise
An additional living room on the lanai is a great way to take in the enchanting ocean sounds and aromas here on Amelia Island. Extra large and comfy chairs in aqua damask outdoor fabric surround a small glass table…just right for cool drinks. An Italian fountain provides additional water sounds to calm the soul.
I want a fire pit table here someday. There is always something on the want list, isn’t there?
I handpainted the old, stained sisal rug to coordinate with the Glidden Brilliance Collection exterior paint to give it a fresh and updated look. I used Tropical Lagoon, Caribbean Sea and Spring Cactus colors to anchor the seating area with sea like swashes of color.
I dry brushed some Caribbean Sea onto pair of old brown shutters I picked up at a salvage yard. I wanted them to look like they came from a Caribbean cottage and had been painted many times. I think I achieved that look.
Outdoor Dining Area
I love to cook and entertain. Having a place outside allows me to expand the guest list. My over-sized glass table seats six comfortably for a lazy meal or a rousing game of cards.
The Haint Blue Porch Ceiling – A Southern Tradition
From the palest of powder blues and robin’s-egg to varying shades of aqua, cobalt and periwinkle, blue porch ceilings are an old Southern tradition. This design detail has some myths and superstitions surrounding it here in the south.
Some swear that the color fools spiders and wasps into thinking the ceiling is the sky. Therefore, it would not be a good place to hang out and build webs/nests. Others believe blue is a harbinger of good luck. And many others, like me, are convinced that the color actually extends daylight and promotes a calming, cool and relaxing atmosphere.
Then there are the folks who are convinced that Haint blue ceilings scare off evil spirits. It is a tradition from the Gullah/Geechee culture, a mix of African tribes that made up a large part of the slave population once found in the Carolina Low Country from Georgetown, SC, through the Georgia Sea Islands (just 1 island away from mine.)
Leigh Handal, a director at the Historic Charleston Foundation says, The people in these communities brought many customs and myths along with them to the United States, including the superstition that the color blue warded off evil spirits (“haints,” or haunts). The Gullah people would paint the woodwork around their windows and doorways to ward off the haints. This painting practice spilled over onto porch ceilings, and the color came to be known as haint blue.
*Glidden Brilliance Collection at Walmart
Here is a little video showing the process…enjoy…
I am enamored with this paint collection for many reasons. First, as a professional decorative artist who has embellished many a wall in my career, it is an amazing paint for the price. The quality of the Brilliance Collection is comparable to higher priced paints at other stores.
It is a 2-in-1, paint and primer product also. This cuts the prep and painting time almost in half…a big plus for today’s busy homeowner. It comes in a wide variety of beautiful colors for those looking to make their living spaces more appealing.
The Brilliance Collection has both interior and exterior grades and is very durable. I painted some furniture and my studio walls a few months ago with paints from this collection. They take a lot of wear and, so far, it is exceeding expectations. I will let you know how the exterior walls hold up in future posts.
Bottom line, Glidden has outdone themselves with this line. Partnering with Walmart to bring this to you is a win-win for everyone. It is readily available and waiting for you to make a change before the holidays.
Glidden® Brilliance Collection™ 2N1™ Paint + Primer
Click the above image and you will be swept away to www.gliddentesters.com where you, my dear readers, can print 2 different coupons:
- One for $3 off a gallon of Glidden Paint
- One for $3 off 2 Glidden Testers
The Do It Yourselfer’s DIY Dream Team ~ You, Glidden Paint and Walmart…see the before pictures here.
I recently did a complete makeover of my studio with Glidden Paint. See that DIY project here.
This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All ideas and opinions are 100% my own. #cBias #GliddenGallons
Oh Rebecca, it turned out FABULOUS! I LOVE the blue ceiling, the vintage shutters and your rug turned out AWESOME.
THANKS for posting all the photos.
Rebecca! Beautiful, lovely, astounding…you never fail to amaze with your creativity and art! Thank you!
you are ever so sweet!!!
Rebecca- that is beautiful! I love it and I’m not much of a light blue person! So when can I come for drinks?? LOL
Lovely!! Can I come over, have a glass of iced tea and relax?
I love all that history about the blue ceilings – they do that here too and I never understood why. It is a beautiful space and you have a tremendous eye for color and design. Now you can relax and enjoy!
Love the blue. You created such a lovely, calm area to spend time in. I’m pretty sure I’d be sitting out there all day.
I saw this last night on your FB post and went to sleep with the most tranquil dreams! I could LIVE there! That is absolutely gorgeous! You are truly one talented lady!
Oh My Gosh, it turned out amazing!!! Great job!!
Gorgeous colors, Rebecca. Definitely a relaxing oasis! I’m getting inspired to check out the Glidden line to paint our living and dining room.
I would love a cool green shade to bring the outdoors in 🙂
Wow just simply amazing. You truly have an eye for design. What a great job.
Such a beautiful shade of blue!
Rebecca, that is stunning!
Absolutely gorgeous! You definitely invoked the Caribbean feel into your lanei-it looks so peaceful. I love the color combinations too!
Oh Rebecca, it turned our fabulous! I love the colors you use and all of the refurbished pieces. The shutters are awesome. Way to go!
Wow! This is really beautiful…I feel cool and mellow just looking at the space! The colors are gorgeous…it kind of reminds me of houses that I have seen in Charleston, South Carolina, my absolute favorite city in the U.S. You did an amazing job!
The blue is so peaceful. I want to hang out there. What time should I be there?
Ooh, love the blues. It’s definintely looking great Rebecca! Bet you’re enjoying you labor day weekend relaxing out there.
There is nothing like outdoor living! You are so lucky to have a lanai! It looks so relaxing. I especially love the way you incorporated the dresser and the twinkling lights! #Cbias
Please say I can come visit. I could sit in your Lanai all day listening to the ocean…lucky you! Beautiful makeover, thanks for sharing!