Thank you so much everyone for your comments and advise! I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to do that! I've decided to go along with all of you and place the porch sticks horizontal and stagger them! Yesterday morning I gathered my supplies and layed it all out. Cut the rounded ends off the sticks and sanded and stained them.

 

 

 

 

I ended up not using that golden oak stain because it was too light. I just happened to have a spray can of a hickory color so I used that. I found the spray can of satin at a lawn sale one summer a few years ago. I didn't know stain came in a spray can. So easy to use! Just lay your wood out, shake the can and spray away. No mess!

.

I think the color looks a little bit reddish but I think once it dries better and I add the polyurethane it will be even better! I can't wait to get to that point! I can't wait til the railing is up and the plants are hanging and the wicker furniture is placed! I'm so excited!

But first I have to work on getting these glued down. They're just laying there right now so I could get a pic to show you how it's coming along!

Thanks for being here for me and helping me along!