Southern Home Porches & Gardens 2021

Vintage Inspired Brilliant pops of color meet cool white woods on this dreamy covered porch. This happy color scheme is filled with bright touches like painted metalwork, ceramic animals, whimsical art pieces, and embroidered linens. Retreat and Renewal From peaceful morning routines to lively entertaining, this family’s renovated porch is as inviting as it is beautiful. Clean whites and happy pops of color create a gorgeous setup with plenty of natural light and shade for an afternoon spent reading and resting. Sun-kissed Bliss Dreamy surroundings layer effortlessly with brilliant dabs of green and yellow as hydrangeas burst forth in full glory. Pluck a few exquisite blooms from your garden to create a simple yet elegant tabletop arrangement that completes the scene. Breezy Respite Pay homage to the season by dressing a small table for two in shades…

Step outside the Alison family’s home in downtown Huntsville’s Twickenham Historic District, and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a luxurious getaway. Crystal-clear water is framed by impressive stonework and verdant landscaping. Warm neutrals and fresh blues lend a serene ambiance, while soft-hued florals and natural accents provide subtle interest without detracting from the surrounding beauty. The Alisons decided to build a pool for their four teenagers to enjoy in what was originally an unassuming, small-scale backyard. Once designer Beverly Farrington of Accents of the South joined the project, the space quickly grew into a full-fledged entertaining area for family and friends of all ages. “The Alisons wanted the pool area to be an extension of the home,” says Beverly. “Our goal was to create a comfortable and functional space…

Porches have been in and out of favor with architects over the years, but homeowners in the South have always found them popular. Maybe it’s the heat, or maybe it’s just a slower pace of living, but the porch has always offered the opportunity for casual conversation and solitary daydreams. Indoor comforts add to the outdoor style of larger porches. Tables, chairs, rugs, and lighting combine to create the ambiance of the setting. No matter if chairs are mismatched or from a decorator’s showcase, they provide seating for friends and family. Even ceilings are considered when creating these outdoor rooms. Fans produce a cool breeze on hot summer nights, while the color of the ceiling, often “haint” blue, is thought to keep away the wasps and the evil spirits. But not…

We often feel nostalgic about those bygone days when neighbors knew each other, laughter and conversation wafted from ample front porches, and kids delighted in catching lightning bugs and playing hide-and-seek until dark. If you’re convinced these images exist only in the past, think again. Washington state-based architect Ross Chapin not only believes that such neighborhoods are still viable, but he also designs refreshingly insightful homes and enclaves to actively combat urban sprawl. “My firm and I strive to create places that nourish the individual, support healthy family relationships, and foster a strong sense of community,” he states. Sharing Ross’s vision is a Seattle construction and development group that is appropriately called The Cottage Company, which has completed many of the architect’s projects. A prime example of this collaboration can be found…

Tucked away from the Florida sun, this shady Seagrove cottage welcomes friends and family for afternoons of fun in this seaside resort. The cottage’s crisp white exterior shines bright against its vibrant red double doors that open to an inviting screened-in front porch boasting a rich family history. Lucy Armour says she and her husband, Jim, love decorating with things they’ve inherited from their families. Stepping onto the spacious front porch, the familial love is obvious, as the majority of the furnishings have been passed down from their grandparents. Not only have the Armours furnished the space with family treasures, the porch also pays the family another special tribute. “Jim’s grandparents had a house in the same spot ours is in,” Lucy explains. “We had to tear it down, but when…