The weather is finally getting warm -- but not too warm -- and the nights are still cool -- but not too cool -- making it perfect porch weather. On Sunday, I dragged my laptop to my front porch, poured an iced tea and started compiling my tax return, proving that sunshine and fresh air can make any task less torturous.

The porch is an essential living space in that blissful period before the onslaught of air-conditioned hibernation and after the emergence from winter's heated cocoon.

The words porch, veranda and gallery are often used interchangeably. But there are slight differences.

M. Gerwing Architects, a design firm in Boulder, Colo., has a helpful guide on its website, explaining the nuances of porches, verandas, patios, terraces and balconies.

The difference between a veranda and porch -- veranda is a roofed porch, while a porch is "attached to the house, covered or open, can be enclosed" -- seems to be splitting hairs.

A gallery is similar to a balcony but is supported by posts or columns from the ground.

For a little visual inspiration, click through the slide show above for some beautiful porches (verandas, galleries) from our photo archive.

If you want to learn more about architectural terms, I've found the Trust for Architectural Easement's Glossary of Architectural Terms useful -- if only to show off to your friends or sound smart at your next cocktail party.

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Breezy New Orleans porches, verandas and galleries: Daily Design Inspiration

Porches
Porches.

By: Chesed Mercado

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Porches - Video

FLINT, MI -- Police say one man is dead after he was shot multiple times during the early evening hours Sunday, March 30 outside a building at Atherton East Apartments in Flint.

Yellow police tape hung along the railings of several porches after the man was shot around 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of Chambers Sreet and Stonegate Drive.

He was taken to Hurley Medical Center. He was pronounced dead a short time later. Four suspects wearing dark clothing were seen leaving eastbound through a wooded area, police said, but no further description was available.

Orange cones could be seen marking off shell casings following the fatal shooting, while a few pair of sneakers hung from power lines high above the shooting scene.

Anyone with information on the shootings has been asked to contact the Flint Police Department at 810-237-6801 or 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

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One man dead following shooting at Flint apartment complex

As the weather starts to warm up more and more people are getting out their outdoor patio furniture or buying new furniture for their decks, patios and porches. Outdoor furniture is great for relaxing and entertaining guests and there are colors and prints to make everyone happy. If you are planning to buy new furniture this spring or want to give your old furniture a makeover, you may want to let one of the 2014 patio furniture trends inspire you.

Furniture Pieces This season, outdoor sectionals and conversation sets are more popular than ever. These pieces are perfect for large families or people who have a lot of parties, cookouts or get-togethers at their home. Since these pieces can tend to be expensive, it is best to choose a neutral color or pattern so you can add small details and bursts of colors with throw pillows or other accessories and easily change them when you are ready for something new. You can expect to find outdoor sectionals and conversation set prices starting at around $1200.

Colors If you want to make sure your deck or patio is decorated with the most modern furniture, choose one of the hot colors of 2014. Black and white is always in style and a safe choice. Bold colors like teal and dark purple are also hot this year. You can even mix and match colors to make a statement on your deck or porch.

Patterns If you arent a fan of the chevron pattern, you may be in trouble. Chevrons are everywhere this spring from clothing to wallpaper and even patio furniture. There are numerous colors to choose from and you can always accent your pattern with a solid colored throw pillow. Large floral prints and paisley prints are also in style, along with bold, solid colored pieces.

The 2014 spring outdoor patio furniture trends are all about being bright and bold and making a statement. Of course, you can always choose to come up with your own trend or combine your own tastes with current trends to come up with something fun and unique.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Originally posted here:
Outdoor Patio Furniture Trends For 2014

screened porches

By: Joe Berardi

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screened porches - Video

open porches

By: Joe Berardi

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open porches - Video

Porches Ponderosa

By: Jon Wade in Steamboat

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Porches Ponderosa - Video

Submitted The courtyard-style townhomes at Paseo.

Stock Development has released for sale two new buildings of flats and townhomes at Paseo, the 2013 Community of the Year. Altogether, 15 unique floor plans are available.

According to Tim Clark, vice president of sales for Paseo, one building is the third of four that will comprise the fourth courtyard complex to be developed at Paseo. Each 10-unit building includes 10 individual floor plans.

The courtyards are enormously popular at Paseo and we have seen strong sales of homes in the first two buildings released, said Clark. The four L-shaped buildings create a large open courtyard area. The fronts of the homes face outwards and feature front porches, while the garage is located in the rear of the home, overlooking the courtyard.

The landscaped courtyards include a large free-form pool with custom furnishings. There will also be a large wooden trellis covering a brick paver deck complete with BBQ grills. They is a fully furnished deck with tables, umbrellas, chairs and comfortable patio lounge furniture.

The second building released for sale this week offers five distinct floor plans, each with a view across Paseos signature lake. Both of these building are just steps from the award-winning Village Center.

Move-in ready homes are available across most of Paseos residential offerings, giving home buyers the chance to enjoy time in Southwest Florida before the close of the winter season. In addition, Stock has opened an array of beautifully furnished new single-family and multi-family models for 2014.

Flats and town homes, including two- and three-story designs, are available in a total of 14 floor plans with two, three and four bedrooms and two or three baths. These homes range from 1,227 to 2,084 square feet under air and include one and two car garages. The unique orientation of the homes provide a safe place for children to play and it creates a sense of community as neighbors congregate on their porches.

Paseo also offers six casita floor plans ranging from 1,531 to 2,080 square feet under air. Each casita features two or three bedrooms, two-and-a-half or three baths and two floors of living. The casita blends the ease and luxury of maintenance-free living with the privacy of a single-family home in residences that are built around a common driveway.

In the Esperanza neighborhood there are twin villas, as well as single-story, two-story and courtyard-style single-family homes available. Plans range from 1,575 to more than 3,100 square feet under air plus attached two-car and three-car garages.

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New townhomes released for sale at Paseo

The game is over, but cheers were still loud as University of Dayton basketball fans celebrated an Elite Eight berth -- the first since 1984.

The atmosphere is much calmer tonight around the UD campus following the Flyers disappointing 62-52 loss to No. 1 Florida in the South Regional final in Memphis.

Fans are mostly staying on porches following house parties, and police are trying to prevent students from congregating on the streets, though there are students walking through the "ghetto" area near campus.

Jennifer Fronck, a 1999 UD grad, drove from Cleveland with her boyfriend Tony Scheffer to watch the game near campus.

"It's been 14 years since I've been here," she said. "I came down from Cleveland just for this game. We're upset that they lost but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Being around all the people, it feels like home to me."

It was Scheffer's first trip to the campus. "We said after the Sweet 16, if they win, we're coming down."

The crowd that gathered at Cassano's Party Room on Brown Street also applauded their Flyers despite the loss.

Mike Schmitt, a Chicago resident who graduated from UD last year, said he is incredibly proud of the team. "They gave it everything they had," he said. "It's a shame that we lost, but we made it further than a lot of people expected so I couldn't be happier."

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Flyers fans still have reason to cheer

porches porch upvc porches
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