A PASSION FOR PORCHES

Here in the Caribbean we are fortunate enough to enjoy a climate that encourages “life on the porch” and there are many ways we can enhance this most important living space.

·                    Simply Classic.  Wicker furniture and rocking chairs are porch classics.  Keep the seating arrangement simple and comfortable and liven the grouping with contrast colours.  Choose fabrics in plaids or stripes to keep that traditional feel.

·                    Thoughtful Grouping.  Narrow porches require careful furniture choice and placement.  Put larger pieces out of the way of foot traffic and make sure that the rocker has room to rock!  Consider using narrow benches for seating as these take up less space and can also be used as resting places for magazines and wine glasses.  Pile with colourful cushions for a lazy, casual look.

·                    Dream Space.  If you have a large area that you wish to make more intimate revive the old idea of sleeping on the porch by placing a day bed in a quiet corner, tucked away behind a collection of tall, leafy plants.  You have created that perfect, breezy haven for your afternoon siestas.

·                    Indoors/Outdoors.  If your porch is enclosed rather more than you would like you can still feel connected to the outdoors with the careful use of colour and texture.  Choose natural flooring and plenty of potted plants.  Choose a low, glass topped coffee table for that ‘lightweight’ feel and perhaps even add a simple swing, suspended from the ceiling on slender ropes entwined with foliage.

·                    Cool Blue. The timeless combination of blue and white porch furnishings appears to cool even on the hottest day.  For a touch of drama, add a tub of scarlet petunias!

Finally, appear to bring your garden onto the porch by growing plants right up to its edge.  Let the garden path meander up to the steps.  Hang large baskets of flowers on the pillars and group large potted ferns around the furniture.  With luck perhaps even the hummingbirds will be fooled!

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