Porch-Happy: An Outdoor ‘Den’ for Family Time
The veranda on a couple’s Carolina island vacation home is a favorite spot for eating breakfast and relaxing
Erin Carlyle
July 21, 2017
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
Photos by Josh Gibson
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: Terri Lacy and Jim Baird spend vacations here with their extended family
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Size: 420 square feet (39 square meters)
Designer: Sarah Eilers of Lucas Eilers Design Associates
The backstory: Terri Lacy and Jim Baird live in Houston and have two grown children on the East Coast, so this home on South Carolina’s Kiawah Island has become their family gathering spot for holidays, long weekends and special events like their granddaughter’s recent second birthday. Lacy and Baird hired Sarah Eilers of Lucas Eilers Design Associates to decorate the frequently used porch. “If we’re at the house, there is almost always somebody on it,” Lacy says.
Style: The porch, off the back of the house, is adjacent to the living room, master bathroom and dining area, so it was important that it continue the home’s neutral interior scheme. Eilers added bursts of orange to liven up the neutrals. “She asked for a pop of color,” the designer says of Lacy. Prior to the makeover, this home had a cabin feel, and Eilers worked to make the decor more coastal to suit its location.
Furnishings: The sofa, two chairs and dining table (see next image) are from the same company and are made from outdoor wicker and fabrics. “You could literally hose it all down if you needed to,” Eilers says.
Sofa and chairs: Janus et Cie; garden stool: One Kings Lane; rug: Dash & Albert
Porch at a Glance
Who lives here: Terri Lacy and Jim Baird spend vacations here with their extended family
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Size: 420 square feet (39 square meters)
Designer: Sarah Eilers of Lucas Eilers Design Associates
The backstory: Terri Lacy and Jim Baird live in Houston and have two grown children on the East Coast, so this home on South Carolina’s Kiawah Island has become their family gathering spot for holidays, long weekends and special events like their granddaughter’s recent second birthday. Lacy and Baird hired Sarah Eilers of Lucas Eilers Design Associates to decorate the frequently used porch. “If we’re at the house, there is almost always somebody on it,” Lacy says.
Style: The porch, off the back of the house, is adjacent to the living room, master bathroom and dining area, so it was important that it continue the home’s neutral interior scheme. Eilers added bursts of orange to liven up the neutrals. “She asked for a pop of color,” the designer says of Lacy. Prior to the makeover, this home had a cabin feel, and Eilers worked to make the decor more coastal to suit its location.
Furnishings: The sofa, two chairs and dining table (see next image) are from the same company and are made from outdoor wicker and fabrics. “You could literally hose it all down if you needed to,” Eilers says.
Sofa and chairs: Janus et Cie; garden stool: One Kings Lane; rug: Dash & Albert
“We almost always eat breakfast out here,” Lacy says. A ceiling fan keeps air circulating on hot days, while screens keep it from getting too buggy.
The porch is low country Southern style, says Eilers, referring to the South Carolina region close to the Atlantic. Many of the homes on Kiawah, including this one, are raised up from the ground because of the risk of nearby water rising.
Dining table: gray-stained teak, Janus et Cie; candleholders: Pottery Barn; chair cushions: Antiquaire; trim paint: Creamy SW 7012, Sherwin-Williams
The porch is low country Southern style, says Eilers, referring to the South Carolina region close to the Atlantic. Many of the homes on Kiawah, including this one, are raised up from the ground because of the risk of nearby water rising.
Dining table: gray-stained teak, Janus et Cie; candleholders: Pottery Barn; chair cushions: Antiquaire; trim paint: Creamy SW 7012, Sherwin-Williams
View from indoors: The living room, pictured, has French doors that open onto the porch. “The porch almost gives us a den,” Lacy says. “You’ll usually find someone out there reading or just visiting. In particular, my daughter’s dog loves the porch. Our 2-year-old granddaughter would stay on the porch all day if we let her.”
Photo from Terri Lacy
Lacy’s 2-year-old granddaughter enjoys the porch.
More: Key Measurements to Help You Design the Perfect Front Porch
Lacy’s 2-year-old granddaughter enjoys the porch.
More: Key Measurements to Help You Design the Perfect Front Porch
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I bought a house last year with a covered side patio. I thought about installing screen curtains to have some insect protection. When I moved in there didn't seem to be a big need for it, but that was the heat of summer when I wouldn't use it as much. This spring the buggers ate me up. So I think I'm going to get it installed. Shouldn't cost too much. Nothing like a screened porch!
SOOOO nice
Love the pops of orange and the Asian garden stools. I think that no room is complete without a touch of Asia and no I am not Asian just like the look.