When you live in a rural area a porch becomes a thing of necessity and the fifth room of the house. It can express the personality of the home and exist as a functioning extension of the home. My own home has three porches: the breezeway where mostly shoes wind up by the mudroom door, projects sit to dry and it serves as the gateway to the garden, pasture and garage; and,
the front where guests enter and we sit in the mornings to avoid the hot summer sun that rises in the back of the house;
the back porch serves as a sitting area, dining area, grilling area, roasting area in the fireplace and downright hangout for everyone in the house.
This settee was a fabulous find from an antique dealer who let me rummage through her storage units. She had this beauty tucked under some other things and it looked nothing like this. With new cushions and an updated paint job, I thought it turned out really well.
The next photos are of a screened porch that belongs to a client. We chose plush seating, outdoor lighting a minimal of accessories. My favorite are the old swinging doors used to accentuate the space for the small dining area you will see in the next photo and to break up the screened area while still providing that country view we all love.
A smaller table makes for a more intimate outdoor dining space.
All of these porch pictures are making me long for a crisp fall day so I can sit out on my porch with a good book and a warm cup of tea. Instead, I will have to settle for my secret place where the sun can’t reach and there is still just the slightest breeze catching the leaves to make for a comfortable spot out of the heat with a cool glass of iced tea…relaxing. (This was at dusk when the low lights are emerging before dark.)
