Landscape Design
Porch Life: Step Into a Backyard Addition With Breezy Coastal Style
Comfortable furniture, a dining area and a grill make this new porch a North Carolina family’s favorite spot
This family of six moved into a turnkey model home that was outfitted down to the towels and plates. But after about a month and a half of living in it, they realized it didn’t suit their lifestyle. They hired interior designer Bridget Gasque to add architectural elements and a style that better suited them. Since they all love indoor-outdoor living, one of the most important changes was creating an outdoor space where they could lounge, talk, grill and dine. She replaced a ho-hum patio with a beautiful open porch decorated in the coastal style the family loves.
The homeowners love breezy coastal style and wanted to capture that feeling out on the porch. Details like tongue-and-groove ceiling panels, wicker and glass furniture, and colorful pillows add beachy style. The wood decking is ipe.
“The pitched roof makes the whole porch feel larger and more spacious,” Gasque says. By placing the porch decking only 26 inches off the ground, she was able to design it without railings, which would have impeded the flow and the views to the backyard. (Check local codes regarding railings when designing your porch or deck.)
“The pitched roof makes the whole porch feel larger and more spacious,” Gasque says. By placing the porch decking only 26 inches off the ground, she was able to design it without railings, which would have impeded the flow and the views to the backyard. (Check local codes regarding railings when designing your porch or deck.)
“Rather than using a sofa or love seat and chairs, my clients wanted four comfortable lounge chairs,” Gasque says. “Arranging them in a circle is better for conversation, which was important to them.”
The designer surrounded the deck with shrubbery to keep the kids from jumping off, then added trios of large fiberglass planters in the corners. “We added some climbing vines to draw the eye up,” she says. They trained the vines up to the drapery rods using tall sticks in the planters.
The designer surrounded the deck with shrubbery to keep the kids from jumping off, then added trios of large fiberglass planters in the corners. “We added some climbing vines to draw the eye up,” she says. They trained the vines up to the drapery rods using tall sticks in the planters.
Although the family wanted a more open feeling than a screened-in porch, they did want an option to close it off sometimes for shade and privacy. The porch is within view of the community pool, so the homeowners wanted to be able to screen it out when it was busy.
Gasque chose a Sunbrella fabric that will stand up to fading, mildew and stains, and dark metal hardware that is rustproof. “We kept the drapery hardware simple so that it would not look too heavy,” she says. The fans are outdoor ceiling fans that will stand up to the elements. “The fans also help keep the bugs away,” she says.
Ceiling fans: Home Depot; drapery hardware: Pottery Barn
Gasque chose a Sunbrella fabric that will stand up to fading, mildew and stains, and dark metal hardware that is rustproof. “We kept the drapery hardware simple so that it would not look too heavy,” she says. The fans are outdoor ceiling fans that will stand up to the elements. “The fans also help keep the bugs away,” she says.
Ceiling fans: Home Depot; drapery hardware: Pottery Barn
The openness to the backyard views and the breeze makes the porch a favorite spot for the whole family.
Builder: Robert Epps Custom Homes & Renovations
More: 11 Ways to Make Your Sleeping Porch Even Better
Builder: Robert Epps Custom Homes & Renovations
More: 11 Ways to Make Your Sleeping Porch Even Better
Porch at a Glance
What happens here: A young family spends time enjoying the breeze and the backyard views while lounging, conversing, grilling and dining
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 324 square feet (30.1 square meters), 18 by 18 feet
Designer: Bridget Loftus Gasque of Loftus Design
“The original area was just stone pavers; it wasn’t cozy, and it was a waste of backyard space,” Gasque says. The new porch offers plenty of room for lounging, grilling and dining.