This time of year, I totally dream about outdoor spaces. To me, there’s nothing better than enjoying the outdoors, with a breeze in the air (well, we can pray for a breeze here!), a cold drink to sip and a magazine to browse. Here in the South, a day with low humidity is extra special.
Something like this would work.
I really thought I might have my hubby talked into finally building a screened porch where our current open deck is, but it isn’t happening….at least this year and maybe never.  The neighbors behind us just had their deck rebuilt into a screened porch, so that further added to my own desire to have one.  I watched longingly and listened to the sounds of hammers nailing and saws buzzing for days. We actually got 3 estimates too, just to see the cost breakdown. FYI, around here the estimates ranged from $10,500 to over $14,000 for a screened porch with shingled roof and all the things that go with it. Could we do it? Yep, we could and if it was up to me, we would. I know it’s a space we would enjoy, but my hubby is not convinced. And when it comes to big projects like that, he has the final say.
So, after much discussion lots of whining from mostly me to the hubs, it’s too much money, he thinks and not something he wants to spend $$ on. So, my dreams of a covered porch will just have to continue being a dream for the moment. And these photos will be my inspiration. Wouldn’t you love to enjoy this space? (from Coastal Living)
Or this one? (from Coastal Living)
How quaint and cute this little porch is. (from Coastal Living)
And oh my goodness, look at this dreamy porch, with that pretty graphic green fabric, white furniture with splashes of sunshine yellow.  Now this is a heavenly porch. (from DecorPad)More yellow and white wicker, a winning combination. (from My Home Ideas)(from Southern Accents)
This looks to be a stately old Southern home with a sprawling porch across the front. This would be heaven, sitting in the rocking chairs and rocking the day away out of the weather.  (from This Old House)
To me, there’s nothing better than taking a nap outside and I can get my snooze on outdoors in the best possible way. I’ve always loved that.(Country Living, June 2010, Barbara Baekgaard’s house in Seaside, FL, the Vera Bradley lady)
Now, this is one beautiful porch, don’t you agree?! Those tall shutters flanking the very tall French windows (or doors), are just breathtaking and really make this look. And the soaring white beamed ceiling gives such a feeling of spaciousness. Another porch I totally love.Â
(from Southern Living, June 2010)
The new Southern Living featured this fantastic porch and I love Every. Single. Thing. About. IT!
I must take after my Dad. His favorite spot at their house is his outdoor swing, which he built under a little canopy, so it shields him from the sun and he takes some major naps out there in that sweet swing.
So, back to reality. I do TOTALLY realize that I’ve got SO MUCH to be thankful for and having a screened porch is a luxury and certainly not a necessity. So, I’m putting on my big girl panties 🙂 and making the best of what we have. Come back tomorrow for another discussion on that and I’ll show you what I’ve got up my sleeve to make our current deck and under deck patio even more liveable and useful.
Whining is over, time to make it happen!
So, tell me about YOUR outdoor space. Do you have a lovely space like these pics or are you still dreaming too?
Just for good measure, I’m entering the Traditional Home $26,000 Outdoor Room giveaway and the Trex Decking new deck giveaway for 3 lucky people. I figure that can’t hurt either, so feel free to join me if you are yearning for a new outdoor space. I am not getting anything from posting these links, just passing along some fun contests for you. Would I love to win? Heck yeah!!
Mary says
Rhoda, I would love to have a screened in porch too, I know it would be my favorite room in the house. Beautiful inspiration photos, I can’t wait to see your deck transformation.
I didn’t know you were going to Ree’s! I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to hear all about your trip. Mary
Becky says
Rhoda:
I so enjoyed your recent BLOG about your “dream” porch. The pictures were awesome. My favorite part of a home is the porch, it just warms the soul I think. We are in the process of building a new home (hopefully our final one!) and will have a 10 x 10 covered space that I hope to make into an all weather porch in the future. Small but cozy. A relative of mine enclosed their small patio a few years ago by using glass sliding doors on the two sides that didn’t have walls ~ one opened, one didn’t. I wish I had made photographs of it as it was decorated in pink and blue Toile that was to die for. Not near as frilly and feminine as it sounds. Her husband (my Uncle) lived on that porch, reading his paper and drinking his coffee each and every morning. In addition, they had a lovely view of the creekbed behind their home. Each visit I would go directly to the porch. The beauty of having it glassed in was they could use it year round! They recently built a new home and don’t have an enclosed porch yet but I’m sure they will in the near future! Sorry to rattle on but I too have a thing with porches…must be my southern roots.
Mari Larkin says
We were going to have our porch screened in and even with some windows…the whole package. But then we noticed a tree next to the house dying…it had beetles. So we had to pay to have it cut down and removed instead of doing the porch. *sadness* We have never saved enough money to try the porch idea again, but I am with you…I’d LOVE to turn it into a space we’d use more.
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
Love your pics! I never realized how much I liked having an outdoor space until we moved down to TN last year and we had this fantastic balcony in our apartment. Which I why I had to make over our lil patio at our new place. I head out there every day after work to read and unwind! It is so wonderful – even though it is the tiniest space ever!
Jojo says
I’d never had a porch until a few years ago and while it’s small, I even found a porch swing that is sized to fit. We love the space and the funny thing is, my husbands spends more time on the porch than me. I call it his office!
I am sure that your outdoor space redo will be beautiful and while it might not be what your dreaming of,, it will be dreamy!! Can’t wait to see your finished project.
Pat@Back Porch Musings says
I love all these inspiration pictures, Rhoda. As you know, our back porch was an afterthought.
The plan showed a terrace between the hearth room and bedroom doors. There was no fireplace and no roof. When we thought about it… about half a second… we asked the builder to extend the roof over the little terrace and add a woodburning fireplace. Of course, we had to give up something in return for this little outdoor space. Our living room has a 17 foot ceiling. The triple living room window had windows above. When the porch roof was added we lost the upper windows. But, I can tell you, we would do it again, because, as it turns out, we spend more time on that little porch than we do the living room, for one thing and the other is, when people walk in our front door, they are taken with the view through those three living room windows, of the back porch and the trees beyond. I don’t think they notice there are no windows high up.
When we sold the farm, we had the opportunity to have the home of our dreams and the little extras, which included the back porch. We are very thankful for that opportunity.
We’ve debated screening the deck at the lake, but I like taking pictures from there, so up to now, we’ve decided against screening.
Good luck with your project. I’m looking forward to seeing photos and updates.
Pat@BPM says
PS: Back again to tell you, our porch measures about 10x1o, the actual floor space is about 7×10, so not huge, by any means, but it is fun to decorate and oh so cozy. An outdoor space doesn’t have to be big. A place carved out of a tiny spot can be wonderful, too.
Theresa says
Great post and pictures! Hard to decide which is my favorite. I don’t have a porch, but I am blessed with a beautiful backyard with special niches to sip vino and scan magazines or get lost in a book or just drink in the view. Will have to post some to share!
Laura says
These porch pics are beautiful! I favor that next-to-last one from Coastal Living. Looks like you could stretch out for a nice Sunday afternoon on that sofa. My porch is not so grand, but we recently enclosed our deck and screened it, and we really enjoy it. I posted about it here: http://lalaladyslovelies.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-new-porch.html
Lacy says
I have a nice size screened porch that is in desperate need of a design plan. I know what I want, but can’t seem to find the furniture in my price range! The color scheme has also been hard for me. I love it all.
Hopefully, I will settle on something soon and be able to share a beautiful space with you all!
Mrs. Trixi says
Oh, Rhoda, those are beautiful porches. I have a large covered porch that spans almost the whole length of my house. I too would love to have a portion of it fenced in. It’s way down the list so it will be a while.
Kim says
Rhoda, I feel your pain. I would love to have some form of shade added to our deck. I cannot use it in the middle of the afternoon because it is way too hot. My husband has the last say so, too. Bummer. Those porches are beautiful. I guess for this year I will settle for just an umbrella. That will help I am sure. Thanks for sharing the Trex contest.
Beth says
Oh, Rhoda, I so hear you! I’ve been begging and pleading with The Big Guy for years to convert our brick patio into a screened room…same issue here, he doesn’t feel its worth the $$! Grrrr.
I even posted (link below) all the pretty porches here to inspire him…nothing!
My porch post: http://www.rubysupcycledesigns.com/2010/03/country-porches-southern-styleoh-how-i.html
We can dream together!!! xoxo Beth
Sharon Avinger says
Rhoda,
We are so fortunate in that we have just completed an addition to our home. We added a large sunroom, screened porch, powder room and pantry/laundry room. Of course, the sunroom is our favorite and we enjoy it a great deal, but the screened porch is so much fun! I do my Bible study out there and go out and enjoy my morning cup of tea there. I live in the South, too, and it’s so nice to have the screen to keep the bugs away! I admire you for giving up your dream for now and instead, using what you have and making it more beautiful. Sounds like I hear more yard sales in your future! HA!
Kristen @ High Heels and a Hammer says
These pictures are breathtaking! I join you in wanting a screen porch. I too am still in the dreaming stage… maybe someday. Being born and raised in MN I have often told my husband that I’m a Southern gal accidently born in a Northern state. MN does not do porches like the South.
Grace says
We actually just re-did our outdoor space this weekend. We spend less than $500 total and we LOVE it. You can see it here, if you’re interested:
http://www.noonewatching.com/archives/2010/06/100_days_to_a_happy_housewife_27.html
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
I would love a porch {I’d be fine with an open one}! I have an open patio in the back yard and a screened gazebo. The gazebo is not as big as these porches in the pictures, but it’s big enough for a table and four chairs and two wicker chairs. I like to sit out there and read; it is cooler because I actually have shade in that part of the yard. I’ll bet you could rig something up with your under deck area, Rhoda.
Amanda Eck The Eck Life says
I have to be honest we have a small (very small) screened porch and we NEVER use it. Its screened in on two side and the other two sides are the house so it is impossible to get any cross breeze. So its stuffy, humid and damp, mold growth is a constant problem. And it is soo hot here in TX that sitting out there in the summer is just not appealing I have tried to make it cozy but it never works. I am quite frustrated and tried and talk the hubs into tearing it down, but he like your husband, refuses! Lol! We both have a dilemma, how bout I tear mine down and give it to you! Lol! Think they would go for that? 🙂
sandy says
Rhoda, I think you need to get your neighbors to invite you and your hubby over for a cool drink in their sun porch….and just let the rest happen. My husband and I share big decisions in this family, so I would be very frustrated. ‘Hope you get your dream porch someday!
Celesta says
Great photos. Porches like those just beg for someone to sit on them with sweet tea and big dreams in hand. And a fly swat!