By Tedra Schneider
Room 911
Tedra Schneider.
Porches are a decorator’s delight. In addition to all the versatility of porches in displaying decorative seasonal and holiday themes, they also offer another dimension to the house.
Porches lend themselves to sociability as neighbors wander by. Once upon a time in our country it was commonplace to hear “how do you dos” and see someone rocking on a gliding seat while sipping fresh-made lemonade, was, once upon a time. Perhaps it was a place for some pre-dinner beverages or an after-dinner chance to chat, muse or gather one’s thoughts.
A porch is one of my favorite “rooms” to decorate, but I look to the owner and the setting to dictate the aesthetic outcome. Regardless of the theme, I often use outdoor rugs to set up the seating area. Be certain to allow 2-3 feet of rug to expand beyond the seating area.
Anything can be added next, from a hammock to a coffee table made from rattan, to side tables, to flowering plants that can sit atop an old pot belly stove, to an old wooden ladder with each rung holding another plant. You can even use a hanging macramé planter with begonias nestled inside. It could be a metal-hooked hanger; you can use your imagination on how to display flora on your porch.
Lighting plays a big part in how your porch is perceived. Will you use lanterns, solar or battery-operated lights?
One of my favorite looks is white wicker rocking chairs, with pots of bright red or magenta colored geraniums, a bar cart to hold refreshments, a white wicker coffee table, an all-weather game table off to the side of the porch and a magazine rack. You can put a hammock at one end of the porch and a ping pong table (if you have a big, wide porch) on the other end. While I am partial to weathered wood flooring, I have seen some gorgeous fruitwood or honey colored floors with high sheens, and equally attractive painted floors.
Another look that is rarer is a front porch overlooking a body of water, whether the ocean or Long Island Sound. For this kind of porch, crisp blue and white striped cushions made out of fabric that is weather resistant on an outdoor sofa and large, clear jars filled with sea glass atop a skirted table set the stage. Starfish, buoys and lobster traps can serve as decoration, along with lanterns or a tall replica of a lighthouse that adds an unquestionable nautical theme to the area. Lights strung around the periphery of the porch and maybe some chimes gently blowing in the breeze complete the picture.
So if your porch presently holds skateboards, sports gear, baby strollers, old newspapers still in their plastic coverings, move them out of sight. Sit on your porch and imagine these decorating looks. Remember that a porch as a place for sociability and solitude where you can turn off breaking news or stock market averages, sit back and watch the world go by.
Tedra Schneider can be reached at restagebytedra@gmail.com.