Porch sittin’ weather is upon us … It’s finally warm, the bugs aren’t terrible yet, and summer is nearly here. Today, we’re thrilled to showcase beautiful porches from around the South. Each one makes us want to prop up our feet and relax!
From Nashville:
Julie Couch, of Julie Couch Interiors, is the designer of this fabulous screened porch that was just added on to a friend’s home. It’s absolutely perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Here’s a Top 12 list Julie shared on how to make your porch PERFECT!
- Beautiful and comfy seating, pillows, and throws made of durable Sunbrella to weather the elements while looking great.
- A little shade may be a covered porch or simply an umbrella. Either way, you’re covered.
- A place to set up yummy food and drinks to serve your guests
- A place to put your feet up. We all need this one!
- Music. Whether it’s built-in speakers or just an iPhone dock, choose your favorite playlist and sing along.
- Candlelight. Spread the glow around the space using votives or hurricanes for evenings spent outdoors. Candles have a way of making even the most simple environment seem magical.
- Add lots of green plants and blooming flowers to add color! Select simple planters in neutral colors and various sizes so your blooms are the center of attention.
- An indoor/outdoor rug underfoot makes things cozy. We like Dash and Albert’s clean colors and classic designs especially in the larger sizes.
- A swing. This one is custom made and pretty incredible with room for two. But even a basic porch swing would be a wonderful way to waste the day away.
- Something to read. Grab a stack of magazines or your favorite book, and flip through the pages as leisurely as you’d like.
- A little sunshine or a great sunset.
- People you love to share it with.
From Louisville:
Elaine Crockett, a designer at Bittner’s, has a rarity in Louisville: a screened porch on the front of the house, original to the Stratton Hammon-designed house from the 1930’s. Rather than open up the porch, she kept the structure intact and redecorated the space, blending old pieces from her childhood home in central Kentucky and new pieces from Bittner’s.
Designer Dana Wolters says that every square inch of a home should be functional for you and your family, and an outdoor area is by no means excluded. A large space is not necessary to create an inviting spot to enjoy.
“By designing a sofa that can withstand the elements but looks like it could be found inside the home as well,  I have created a welcoming space to comfortably  lounge and/or entertain that is different than the outdoor furniture you normally find. It makes the space a little more special and unique, and transitions seamlessly from the inside to the outside of the home.”
From Memphis:
This Southern porch was created by Grant Ray of Ray & Baudoin Interior Design. This in-and-out living space is an ideal example of the streamlined, rustic yet sophisticated comfort that Grant Ray is known for in Memphis.
Near Greenville:
We found this gorgeous home online a while back and have been waiting to share it with you! The entire house is gorgeous, and you can find the photos pictured below and more here:Â www.homebunch.com. Â So pretty!
Another South Carolina lovely:
Designed by Historical Concepts and found near Bluffton, South Carolina, this porch is fabulous! The cottage was decorated by Ruthie Edwards out of Hilton Head, SC. The aqua and browns are fabulous. We found this porch through a favorite blog: House of Turquoise. The photographs are from Richard Leo Johnson/Atlantic Archives!
And, since we are talking Southern porches, we MUST include some Bobby McAlpine ones, right? These are all found on Bobby McAlpine’s blog: https://mcalpinetankersleyblog.com. (Seriously, you will lose a lot of time on this blog…it’s just so pretty.)
Are you ready for summer now?!
