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

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.

For the bestConnecticut Magazinecontent, plus the week's most compelling news and entertainment picks, delivered right to your inbox,sign up for our weekly newsletter.

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.

See the original post:
The perfect porch makes an irresistible retreat and go-to gathering spot - Connecticut Magazine