Wednesday, June 13, 2012

My Favorite Spot to Relax

If you’ve visited this blog regularly, you’ve seen this spot before and probably won’t be surprised to find that my favorite spot to relax is on the screened porch of our summer cottage.
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I would much rather be outside than inside so I spend a lot of time here enjoying the view.
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When we built this home a few summers ago, a screened porch was an absolute must have. It was non-negotiable. The builder screened the top porch and we screened the bottom. We have found that the screen is a necessity due to mosquitos. The porches stretch across the whole width of the house, a whopping 30 feet and they are 12 feet in depth adding 360 square feet of outdoor room space to each level.
Most of my outdoor time is spent on the top level.
screened porch seating 1
The settee in the corner is great for taking a nap!
screened porch furniture
The server was a $20 roadside rescue. You can read about it here. I made the lamp on the end table from a lantern and a thrift store lamp and you can read about it here. I found the mirror over the server at an antique store. I love the old convex glass in it.
screened porch coffee table
The orchids thrive out here very well with little to no attention. The decorative box on the coffee table was purchased from Hobby Lobby ( with a 40% off coupon of course).
screened porch remote storage
The box provides storage for a pair of binoculars and for remotes for the fans and sound system.
screened porch upper rocking chairs
My favorite seat in the house may well be one of these rocking chairs. I believe that the key to comfort for these chairs is the contoured seat. I would not purchase a rocker without one.
screened porch upper dining 2
We enjoy many meals in the dining area at the other end of the porch. The sheer panels were purchased 3 summers ago from Ikea for $4.99 a pair! I love the way they blow in the breeze and soften the corners of the porch. Because the basement porch in just over 10 feet high, I had to cut 2 feet of material from extra panels and sew it on to make these panels come all the way to the floor. They remind me of the summer sheers that my grandmother had many years ago.
screened porch lower dining area
The dining area on the lower porch is used more for snacks than meals and for overflow when we are entertaining since it is farther from the kitchen and from the grill.
screened porch lower rocking chairs
Additional rocking chairs are on the lower porch. Both porches provide a wonderful place to relax.  After staying up all night at the hospital waiting for a special package to arrive, I have spent the day recovering here.
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My niece Hannah, the special package, arrived safely at just after 5 AM!!! I am proud to say that mommy and baby are both doing fine and she was worth every minute of the wait!
Praising God from whom all blessings flow!
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I’ll be linking to Rhoda’s porch party at Southern Hospitality and to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and to the House Party at Thrifty Decor Chick.

20 comments:

allisamazing said...

Your screened porch looks like the perfect place for a summer afternoon.

Lynn said...

What a beautiful place to relax and enjoy summer days! I love to be outside as well and your porches look very inviting:)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Wow, what a gorgeous porch & at the lake too. Lucky girl, it is truly a gorgeous space & that would be my fave place to hang out too. Thanks for joining the party!

Unknown said...

Your porch is just beautiful, and congratulations on the new addition to your family :)

Charlie @ Match Made On Hudson

Unknown said...

I love love your back porch! Even though I don't have a lake, I still want one.

Anonymous said...

Oh my I would be spending all my free time out on this porch too if it was mine! You have decorated it so nicely and I love that it is screened. Mosquitoes smell me a mile away I think- I am sitting here itching from several bites tonight!

domestiCate said...

What a gorgeous spot! I love that mirror, too. How nice to have so much square footage of screened-in space. The sheers are lovely...I may have to look into that for our porch! I'm stopping by from Rhoda's party.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

So jealous of your wonderful screened porch! It looks so comfy and your view is beautiful! Stopping by from Metamorphosis Monday.

Scribbler said...

What a sweet baby! The porch is nice too.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Congratulations on the safe arrive of little Hannah! I pray her first week of life has been wonderful for everyone. She doesn't know it yet, but she's going to LOVE coming to visit you with your fabulous porches! I've been designing one in my mind for awhile now, and you've given me a couple of ideas. Please enjoy a cool breeze for me today! :-)

gena said...

What a beautiful set of porches and what a scrumptious baby!!!! Thanks for sharing!

gena

Designing Domesticity said...

Wow, I can see why you would spend all your time there. Just lovely. Not too shabby of a view either. And congrats on the new addition to the family. Thanks for sharing, liz

Robin said...

This is just perfect! I love the sophisicated colors combination but it's stil inviting. And not just one but two! I am so jealous. Your view is spectacular also.

Robin
Robin Flies South

Sally@threeblondeboyz said...

What a beautiful space you have! I would spend most of my time out there too!, Sally xx

aimee {sixteen fourteen} said...

That view is just amazing! I see why you spend so much time out there. This looks like a great summer cottage {and the baby is cute, too!}

Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest said...

First, Hannah is beautiful and the greatest of blessings. And your porches are absolutely wonderful--no lack of space there! And you've decorated them beautifully. I love the blue and white print with the black furniture. So glad I visited! I just posted my {seeming pretty small} screened porch as well; I hope you'll stop by! ~Zuni

Decor To Adore said...

What a gorgeous delivery!

I wouldn't mind joining you at your special spot.

Thank you so very much for your friendship and loving support.

Kathy Olson said...

Oh, I envy this screened porch. It is fabulous!

Abby and Jacob said...

I know this post is old, but I've come across it looking for house ideas as my husband and I build our new home. I love your porch! It's beautiful. I was wondering where you got your table (the one that has rocking chairs in the picture as well). I've struggled to find one that seats six that I like and that one is perfect!

Pat@Life At Lydias House said...

That table (and chairs) was purchased at Lowe's several years ago. It has held up wonderfully. I cannot stress enough how much we use this porch. It stretches all the way across the back of our small house (30 feet) and truly serves as another room.