For weeks, a 56-year-old Cudahy woman kept finding mysterious bags on her front porch in the 3600 block of East Hammond Avenue.

After the third instance Feb. 18, she decided to call the police.

The woman didnt go through the backpack but gave it to police and officers found a ripped piece of paper inside with a name, address, key and a message, according to a police report.

Please call mee (sic)! Andrew Steidl key inclosed (sic) #9 room, the notesaid.

The woman told police she didn't know Steidl who, according to police, has a history of stalking or following women.

According to the report:

The woman said an upstairs neighbor had seen a man walking the property. The man told the neighbor he was an old tenant and was looking for the woman. After the neighbor told the man the woman wasnt home, he dropped a bag on the property and left.

Police called the number and the man who answered identified himself as Steidl. He admitted the backpack was his and agreed to meet at his apartment.

Steidl told police he left the bag on the porch because he liked the girl that lived there and he wanted her to call him so they could meet.

Police returned the backpack and its contents to Steidl andissued him a citation for littering on private property. Police told Steidl his actions were not acceptable, and he was not welcome on the womans property.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at (262) 875-9467 or erik.hanley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at@ES_Hanley.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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A man with a history of stalking left mysterious bags on the porch of a Cudahy woman he never met, police say - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The New Orleans Police Department has released photos of porch priracy throughout Uptown. Contact the Second District, 504-658-6020, with any information on the suspects below.

3200 block of Upperline (via NOPD)

NOPD officers are searching for a suspect a package theft in the 3200 block of Upperline Street.

On Feb. 21 around 2 p.m., the pictured man reportedly stole the victims package from the front porch of her residence.

He may be driving a 2007 silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, bearing Louisiana license plate 593CHV.

3600 block of Octavia Street (via NOPD)

The NOPD is also seeking assistance from the public to identify and locate the pictured subject who is wanted in connection with a package theft that occurred in the 3600 block of Octavia Street.

On Feb. 20 between 4:51 p.m. and 5:20 p.m., the pictured individual walked onto the victims front porch, stole two packages and fled the scene.

3200 block of Upperline Street (via NOPD)

Two subjects were involved in a theft incident that occurred on Feb. 20.

The pictured man and woman were captured on security cameras walking on the front porch of a home in the 3200 block of Upperline Street, and seen stealing packages.

2400 block of State Street (via NOPD)

Another package theft occurred on Feb. 19.

At about 6:30 p.m., the pictured man was seen on video surveillance walking onto the front porch of the victims residence in the 2400 block of State Street and stealing a package from the porch.

4500 block of South Tonti Street (via NOPD)

The NOPD also is seeking to locate and identify a suspect in the investigation of a package theft that occurred on Feb. 14.

At about 4:10 p.m., the above woman was seen walking onto the front porch of the victims residence in the 4500 block of South Tonti Street and taking a package containing two 810 picture frames and a pack of footie socks. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.

Anyone with information regarding identity and whereabouts of any of the above suspects is asked to contact Second District detectives at 504-658-6020. Citizens with information that can help solve a crime are asked to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

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Suspects sought in thefts from Uptown porches - UptownMessenger.com

Citing a shift to its brewing operations and ongoing construction on Market Street, Bills Front Porch has closed its doors. Its owners plan to convert the space into a taproom and event space. (Port City Daily photo/Mark Darrough)

WILMINGTON After a nearly four-year run on Market Street, Bills Front Porch has announced it will close and convert the building into a full-time taproom and event space for the companys growing brewing operations.

The brewpup part of a Bills campus that includes Captn Bills Backyard Grill, a large sand volleyball court complex, and a new brewing production facility announced the decision Tuesday morning on its Facebook page. A new taproom is expected to open inside the building on March 17.

Bills is a family-run business, owned by John Musser and his daughter Brookes Musser, whose husband Donnie Stone helps run the brewerys operations with head brewer Jim Deaton.

The decision was based on two years of construction on Market Street that hurt customers ability to reach the location, a shift towards beer production, and a desire to condense business operations.

We made this decision based on multiple factors, according to the Facebook announcement. One reason is due to the opening of our production facility and continuing to shift our focus to the beer side of the business. We also took a hit with the road construction that took place on Market Street. During the three-and-a-half years we were open, two of those years our customers had to work really hard to get into our parking lot to come eat with us, which over time took its toll.

The decision was also made to condense the companys operations to spend more time with a growing family, according to the post.

The building is now planned to be converted to a full-time taproom and event space called Bills Brewing Co. Taproom. Taproom customers will be able to order food from Captn Bills next door, which will now offer Bills famous fried chicken, tater tot skillets, the Pub-Fil-a and other favorites from the original Bills Front Porch menu, or they can bring their own food.

The new taproom will be open Tuesday-Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Mussers also plan to host special events in the taproom, including beer dinners with local vendors, pop-up food nights, and weekly specials and events.

They also announced that Bills Food Truck will continue to serve the Wilmington area.

We thank you all for the support youve shown us and continue to show us and we hope to see you on March 17th as we open the doors to Bills Brewing Co. Taproom, according to the post.

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Bill's Front Porch closes, will re-open as taproom to support growing brewery - Port City Daily

"Perfection is the killer of business," says the physical therapist coach.

March4, 20207 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In this series called Member Showcase, we publish interviews with members of The Oracles. This interview is with Aaron LeBauer, PT, DPT, and owner and CEO of LeBauer Consulting, LLC, business education for physical therapists. It was condensed by The Oracles.

What was a defining moment early in your life?

Aaron LeBauer: I attended Duke University to go to medical school like my father, grandfather, and uncles. But when I sat down with my first night of chemistry homework, I was paralyzed. I stared at the first question, fighting the urge to quit for hours.

Finally, I broke down into tears, realizing that I didnt have the desire or commitment to become a physician. I didnt want to spend four hours on homework each night for the foreseeable future I wanted a life too. From that day forward, I knew that I was on a different path to help people. Theres more to life than studying in the library all day.

Share an interesting fact about yourself that not many people would know.

Aaron LeBauer:I lived in Israel for a year after college before moving across the country to San Francisco with my best friend. For six weeks, I slept on the porch couch that belonged to a friend of a friend until we found an apartment. It was during an El Nio, so it rained on me almost every night.

For about a year, I barely got by working as a temp and in restaurants, until I started dreaming about racing bicycles as I had in college. So, I became a bike messenger and loved every minute, even though I was making half of what my classmates earned in their management and banking jobs. I eventually focused on amateur racing full time and spent a summer racing in Europe alongside future Tour de France riders.

What was your biggest challenge starting in business? How did you overcome it?

Aaron LeBauer:I worked as a massage therapist for six years before earning my doctor of physical therapy degree. After seeing 43 patients in one day, I knew that I couldnt treat patients effectively with the insurance model. So, I opened my physical therapy clinic to treat patients as unique individuals, without influence from insurance companies, even though that meant we didnt accept insurance.

Other therapists said that this wouldnt work, and on top of that, we opened during the 2009 recession. But I believed that if people spent $85 on a massage, they would pay at least that much for physical therapy. I knew that patients needed my help, but they didnt realize that physical therapy was the solution. I learned to market directly to patients instead of physicians by adapting strategies from other industries.

How did your business get started?

Aaron LeBauer:I started my coaching and consulting business to help other physical therapists build clinics like mine. One day, I told my wife, Andra, I just gave so-and-so all the details about how I started my practice and they didnt even say thank you. She gave me the best advice: Dont give anything for free when you expect something in return.

The next day, another business owner insisted on paying me for my advice. That same day, I wrote down my consulting rates, created my blog, and started sharing answers to common questions I received. Within a month, I was invited to speak at a major physical therapy conference. Thats when I knew I had hit on something special.

Whats your favorite quote?

Aaron LeBauer:My favorite quote is by the great hockey player, Wayne Gretzky: You miss 100% of the shots you dont take. After I briefly consider my options, I just shoot. If you dont take a chance, youre never going to score.

I work with highly educated entrepreneurs who have been taught that if youre going to do something, it has to be perfect but perfection is the killer of business. If you listen to your fear of imperfection and failure, youll never even put the ball in play. You can only make an impact by taking the shot.

Whats the biggest common leadership mistake?

Aaron LeBauer:There is no better way to make someone feel small and unimportant than micromanaging their every move and decision. I hated being told what to do and when, which kept me from excelling as an employee.

Ive found that the best way to lead is by empowering employees to make decisions and show up with solutions. If you micromanage, theyre only going to come to you with problems, which takes away your time and energy from growing your business.

How do you evaluate a good business deal?

Aaron LeBauer:By watching the market and researching. I need to truly understand the product, as well as the value and day-to-day results it delivers. I also must be willing to walk away, because as soon as I turn to walk away, the deal gets better. But if I approach it thinking, I must have this, Im a passenger on the emotional roller coaster and not in the drivers seat.

How do you prevent burnout?

Aaron LeBauer:By focusing on what I do best and enjoy most. I try to spend my days focused on what I would do for free. If something irritates me, gets tedious or boring, or creates anxiety, I delegate it to someone who enjoys it. If I can focus 70% to 80% of my time on what fills me up and lights my fire, burnout doesnt have a chance.

What are you working on right now?

Aaron LeBauer:Im growing my clinic and coaching business to help 25,000 people locally and 100 million worldwide to avoid unnecessary surgery. I can only treat so many patients myself, so Im helping other physical therapists build successful businesses.

Im also redefining retirement by doing what I love from anywhere I want and creating more time for my family and kids, who are 8 and 10 years old. Last year, I spent 81 days out of the office with them. This year, I hope to at least match that.

What do you want to be known for, or what do you want your legacy to be?

Aaron LeBauer:I want to be known as an amazing, present husband and father who worked relentlessly to save people from unnecessary surgery. I want to change the culture of the health and wellness industry in the U.S. and help people understand that they need to see their physical therapist first when they are injured or in pain to help them see their bodies as strong, competent, and capable, not harmful, threatening, or broken down.

Follow Aaron LeBauer on Instagram or visit his website.

The words and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee alone. What worked for them may not work for everyone. Any claims in this article have not been independently verified.

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How Aaron LeBauer Went From Sleeping on a Porch in the Rain to Changing the Healthcare Industry - Entrepreneur

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NEPTUNE CITY - Animal control officers rescued eight dogs, some of them puppies, who were left outside infilthy conditions in the freezing coldearly Saturday morning, officials said.

After midnight on Saturday the law enforcement division of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to a call originally made to the Neptune City Police Department about excessive barking in an apartment complex, the Monmouth County SPCA said in a statement.

One of the dogs rescued from freezing and deplorable conditions outside a Neptune City apartment Feb. 29.(Photo: From Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Officers found eight dogs"stuffed together in small crates, and living outside on a freezing cold porch with only a plastic tarp to protect them fromthe elements," according to the statement.

The dogs were living in their own urine and feces and didn't have access to food, water or any source of heat, the SPCA said. Temperatures fell below freezing early Saturday and the dogs were trembling from the cold at the time they were rescued, officials said.

Animal control officers gave the dogs water and food at the scene, which they "drank and ate ravenously," according to the statement. The pooches were brought to the SPCA shelter in Eatontown and were given blankets and a warm place to sleep.

A medical assessment found that the dogs all had intestinal parasites, overgrown nails, skin sores and some had ear and skin infections.One adult dog was covered in scars and wounds, the SPCA said.

SPCA: Adoptions, vet clinic open again after flu quarantine

MORE: Dogs from quake-riddled Puerto Rico seek New Jersey homes

The statement did not say whether anyone had been charged in connection with the rescue, although officials did say the matter will be resolved "in court." The SPCA did not immediately return a request for more information.

The rescued dogs will remain in the Eatontown shelter until the case is resolved, but may eventually be eligible for adoption, officials said. The Monmouth SPCA launched a fundraising campaignMonday to care for the dogs.

New Jersey 101.5 shared news about a recent bill introduced into the NJ State Assembly that would allow abused dogs and cats the right to an attorney. Asbury Park Press

Looking for the trusted place to find the best home service providers? Find local pros.

Andrew Goudsward covers crime and breaking news. Contact him at agoudsward@gannettnj.com; 732-897-4555 or@AGoudsward on Twitter.

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Eight dogs some of them puppies rescued from freezing porch in Neptune City - Asbury Park Press

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. (WCJB) -- A porch pirate was arrested in Gainesville Sunday after deputies said someone recognized him from footage released on social media.

According to the arrest report, Ryan Lindemann, 24, was seen at the Oakmont neighborhood on Saturday stealing packages.

A Ring doorbell video showed a man wearing a Pentatonix shirt and pulling up in front of a house and taking packages.

ASO was called to a Publix on Sunday after someone recognized Lindemann wearing the same clothes. A deputy approached Lindemann and showed him the ring doorbell footage. Lindemann said, well, there's no denying that's me."

Deputies searched his car and found the stolen packages. He also admitted to stealing multiple packages before and selling them to make money after he dropped out of college.

Lindemann was charged with burglary and larceny. He was booked at the Alachua County Jail with bond set at $12,000.

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"Well, there's no denying that's me." Porch pirate confesses to crime caught on camera - WCJB

Update: This story has been updated to include a statement from the Chi Psi president.

Three people have been charged in connection with an incident in which skinned bodies and heads of multiple animals were found on the front porch of the Chi Psi fraternity house in February, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in an email.

Two men, one 19 and one 20, were charged with criminal trespass and improperly disposing of an animal carcass, said ACCPD Sgt. Joe Geiger in an email. A third 19-year-old was charged with improperly disposing of an animal carcass.

The two men with both charges were booked into Athens-Clarke County Jail the night of Feb. 26, according to jail records. Both were released after 1 a.m. the following day.

The three were not charged with animal cruelty because the animals left on the doorstep of the Milledge Avenue fraternity house were legally hunted and harvested, said ACCPD Lt. John Radford in an email.

On Feb. 7, a fraternity member walked out of the house to find the body of a skinned coyote, three skinned heads believed to be of raccoons, two dead rats, several raccoon feet and other entrails.

The responding police officer also found several pairs of bloody latex gloves, according to the original police report. Animal control officers took photographs of the scene and collected the carcasses and latex gloves for further investigation.

Im glad the matter is being resolved, and I hope that UGA Greek Life and our chapter are able to move on and learn from this incident, Drew Marshall, president of the UGA chapter of Chi Psi, said.

In response to the crime, Chi Psi will donate a portion of its April philanthropy event to the Athens Area Humane Society.

Hopefully the matter is resolved and we wont have to deal with anything like this again, Marshall said.

This was not the first time animal remains were left at the Chi Psi house a deer carcass was placed on the porch in September 2019, according to the February police report.

Members of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity were suspected in that incident, the report said.

A police report was never created for that incident, said Marshall. The fraternity was told there wasnt much police could do about the incident, and that the fraternity had to deal with the situations themselves.

This is an ongoing story. Check back at redandblack.com and follow @redandblack on Twitter for updates.

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3 charged in connection with animal carcasses left on UGA frat house porch - Red and Black

Tucked inside the 100-year-old Beacon Building, the Angi D Wildt Gallery, is a very special space.

Im a gallery geek who doesnt mind saying the Wildt Gallery reminds me of those great venues that popped up in century old buildings in lower Manhattan in the 1980s, SoHos golden years. Freed from the restraints of the stuffy Upper East Side, the new downtown galleries possessed a spirit of raw energy and sometimes a walk on the wild side.

Wildts gallery represents local artists inspired by regions natural beauty and majesty. She is pleased to announce Dave Bartholet, a self-taught watercolorist who left the Gilbert District Gallery after 15 years, has decided to sell his work in her year-old gallery at 737 Broadway. Hell be showing 10 pieces, nine of them originals, and one print. Wildt will also carry his cards.

Im really excited to have him here, Wildt said.

Wildt and Bartholet are not strangers. She became aware of his work 15 years ago while working in Cannon Beach at her first gallery position.

Dave gave me advice when I was about to open my own gallery, Wildt said. Hes always been supportive.

She described Bartholet as a Western painter. Hes prolific; he has thousands of pieces out there all over the world, Wildt said. Hes best known for his local beach scenes, Haystack Rock, wildlife. Hes versatile.

She said people like to take a piece of the coast home with them, and Bartholets work speaks to that.

Being in a gallery of this quality is truly an honor and to have it right in my home town is icing on the cake, Bartholet said. Im most grateful Angi took a chance on me and has afforded me this opportunity. I cant wait for this summer so the people from out-of-town can enjoy my artistic efforts at the Angi Wildt gallery.

Bartholet has a prominent social media presence and an enviable following. Wildt noted when Bartholet posted on his own page he was coming to her gallery, there were over 300 comments.

Hes going to put me on the map, Wildt said.

Shes featuring his work in the First Saturday Seaside Art Walk on March 7, taking place in downtown Seaside from 5 to 7 p.m.

Her show is called Reflections, and is a mixed medium show featuring artists inspired by the reflections on the Oregon Coast shores and other bodies of water.

Its a group show exhibiting the work of Dave Bartholet, Richard Burke, DC Yorksie, Ty McNeeley, Quata Cody, Christine Kende and Wildts own photography work. Michelle Lindloms mixed-media monotypes depict another kind of reflection, that of looking into the soul.

If you havent attended a First Saturday Art Walk youre missing big. Seaside Yarn and Fiber is unveiling a new collection of handmade weavings.

The Whet Spot is showcasing the art of Billy Lutz, another Seaside treasure. Lutz is a self-employed artist and sign painter who has provided for his family of five as a painter. Shine Fair Trade, SunRose Gallery, Blue Bond, Pacific Heirloom Art and Collectables, Fairweather House and Gallery, Art-in-the-Loft at Beach Books and Westport Winery are participants of the art event, as well as the Starry Night Art Hotel and Inn, Seaside Coffee House, the Seaside Antique Mall and Dough Dough Bakery.

Wildt said shes proud to be part of Seasides burgeoning gallery scene.

Theres a lot happening in Seaside, she said.

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View from the Porch: Lots happening art-wise in Seaside - Seaside Signal

ATHENS Georgia special teams coach Scott Cochran will make $550,000 annually, per a DawgNation FOIA request filed with the University of Georgia. Cochran's base salary is $325,000 and his annual supplemental income is $225,000 for a total of $550,000. Cochran's salary at Alabama last year as head strength and conditioning coach was reportedly $590,000, per AL.com. While Cochran's salary is less than what he was making at Alabama, it's a heavy increase over the $325,000 Scott Fountain made last season as UGA's special teams coach. RELATED: Alabama prep coaches discuss what Georgia can expect from Cochran Fountain left the Bulldogs' staff after the season to join departed UGA offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who is now head coach at Arkansas. GEORGIA FOOTBALL SALARIES 2020 (returning coaches salaries have not been released) Todd Monken, Offensive Coordinator $1,100,000 Matt Luke, Offensive Line Coach $900,000 Scott Cochran: Special Teams $550,000 GEORGIA FOOTBALL SALARIES 2019 James Coley: Offensive Coordinator / QB Coach $950,000 Sam Pittman: Associate Head Coach / OL Coach $900,000 Dell McGee: Run Game Coordinator / RB Coach $650,000 Cortez Hankton: Pass Game Coordinator / WR Coach $550,000 Todd Hartley: TE Coach $300,000 Dan Lanning: Defensive Coordinator / OLB Coach $750,000 Glenn Schumann: Co-Defensive Coordinator / ILB Coach $550,000 Charlton Warren: DB Coach $600,000 Tray Scott: DL Coach $470,000 Scott Fountain: Special Teams Coordinator $325,000 Georgia football salaries 2018 Mel Tucker, $1,500,000, Defensive coordinator / secondary Jim Chaney, $950,000, Offensive coordinator / tight ends James Coley, $850,000, Co-offensive coordinator / quarterbacks Sam Pittman, $825,000, Offensive line coach Dell McGee, $550,000, Running backs coach Tray Scott, $420,000, Defensive line coach Cortez Hankton, $375,000, Receivers coach Glenn Schumann, $325,000, Inside linebackers coach Dan Lanning, $325,000, Outside linebackers coach Scott Fountain, $300,000, Special teams coach The post Georgia football special teams coordinator Scott Cochran salary released appeared first on DawgNation.

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Frat brothers charged after gruesome prank in Athens - WGAU

Back before social media and smartphones,a porch served as a place for socialization. People would stroll through the neighborhood after dinner and visit with neighbors taking in the evening from their front porch, trading stories about their days while enjoying a mild summers eve or a crisp fall night.

While nightly porch talk may be a thing of the past, a porch still exhibits a certain neighborliness, a welcoming facade that gives passersby a glimpse into the home and the lives of its inhabitants. Its a link between two domains public and private and softens the passage from interior comforts to the world outside.

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A porch is friendly, says architect and interior designer Leslie Saul. It reaches out to nature. Its a transition space between your home and the wild outdoors.

And while a porch doesnt have to be fancy to serve its purpose, there are plenty of ways to make it a true extension of your home while allowing the natural world to blend in.

A porch like the one above exhibits a certain neighborliness, a welcoming facade that gives passersby a glimpse into the home and the lives of its inhabitants.

Incorporate elements of nature

A porch must hold up to rain, sleet, snow, and ice especially in Connecticut so using moisture-resistant materials is a must.

Saul, who as president and founder of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Leslie Saul & Associates, is familiar with the regions unforgiving weather patterns, recommends using flooring materials like slate and ipe, a durable Brazilian wood similar in appearance to mahogany.

Not only will these sturdy materials withstand snowstorms, torrential downpours and hazy, humid summers, they build on that concept of bringing the outside in, Saul says.

Using stone accents is another way to pay homage to Connecticuts landscape. Joshua Smith, an interior designer who splits his time between Litchfield County and New York City, points out that the state is famous for its gorgeous stone walls. If you have access to natural stone deposits, he suggests leaving the bricks behind and using foraged stones for architectural elements like fireplaces.

This special touch will tie in the tones and textures of the natural surroundings and create a cohesively blended setting, Smith says.

Make it a three-season affair

If you want to enjoy your porch for at least three seasons of the year, a fireplace will certainly help. East Coast mornings and evenings can get cool, and a fireplace is perfect for warming the soul and creating magical moments, Smith says.

A screened-in porch makes humid summer nights more bearable no bugs and affords the opportunity to swap the screens for storm doors and windows during colder months. Dont forget to include a ceiling fan to encourage airflow on hot and hazy summer days.

And youll want no, need to create zones in a screened-in porch to savor each moment of fall, spring and summer, according to Smith. He recently worked on a porch that featured a zone for outdoor dining and entertaining, a homey living area made for lounging around post-swim, and a spot for rocking chairs, ideal for gazing at the sunset and taking in the vistas of the changing seasons.

A porch is also an extension of your home, reaching out to nature, like a transition space between your house and its surroundings.

Maximize your view

Speaking of vistas, Smith suggests leaving breezeways unobstructed and raising the ceilings to let in natural light and fresh air.

Skylights amplify the view while letting in soft, filtered light, Saul adds. Between skylights, screens and storm windows, the porch becomes a functional space where you can tackle your to-do list while appreciating your surroundings. Adding outlets has been a popular request for porches lately, Saul says. People love to be out even when theyre working. Its a space people want to hang out in, and we need to accommodate that.

Shes even installed a TV in a porch. Its the best of both worlds: You can enjoy your shows and your sports without forsaking the view.

Amplify the spacewith light and sound

Another modern ask in porch design is lighting. During the old days, we didnt really think about [lighting], Saul says. Now its not uncommon to incorporate pendant lights, sconces and uplighting.

Smith agrees lighting can be especially stunning if the porch features a fireplace.

To create a beautiful ambiance once the sun has set, be sure to add lighting at all levels by combining lamps, sconces, lanterns and spots to illuminate the fireplace, he says.

He adds that ambient music can serve as the perfect accompaniment to Mother Natures own symphony. If your porch is equipped with outlets, install Bluetooth-enabled speakers to fill the space with your favorite melodies or amp up an evening of entertaining.

Dont forget the decor

A porch may technically be an outdoor space, but that doesnt mean you should forego your sense of interior style.

Choose furniture with patina, so that a little extra weathering from the elements will only add to the charm, Smith says. He also suggests painting or staining the floors to exude warmth; bringing in potted plants, trays, books and candles; and baskets with extra blankets and pillows to turn the space into an irresistible retreat.

Rugs can be tricky as they are prone to fading, and you will need to consider how they hold up to mildew and moisture.

Shades or curtains can serve two purposes: create privacy when you want it, and cut down on sun glare when you need it. Billowing curtains let the outdoors in while maintaining solitude, as do woven wood shades, Saul says.

If all this porch talk has you longing for one of your own or youve decided its time for an upgrade Saul has a few pointers to consider.

Pick out the location: Will it be right out front? Off to the side? And think about how youll use your porch.Will you serve dinner out there, perhaps make it an extension of your living room or home office? These two decisions will help you settle on the scope of your project and the right budget that will result in a porch that suits your needs and maybe a few wants.

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The perfect porch makes an irresistible retreat and go-to gathering spot - Connecticut Magazine