Thursday, July 9, 2009

This Old Porch

The other day, we looked at screened porches as a part of summer living, and today, we'll look at some of the un-screened variety. Each of the spaces that follow have an element I absolutely love love love-- outdoor curtains! I adore the way they help make an outdoor space feel cozy and enclosed.

Domino

Last summer, I was excited when I finally hung porch curtains at our house, as I had wanted to do so for a while, but I quickly discovered, if you live in windy central Texas, every so often there are days when said curtains wind up on your roof.

Traditional Home

The curtains I used weren't the heaviest weight, and I never discovered anything that would keep them anchored to the ground on very windy days; I even tried fishing weights! I tied them back on days when they seemed destined to head upwards, but sometimes they even broke free of those ties.

Melanie Acevedo

It was my Porch Curtains vs. the Texas Wind, but it was a loosing fight for the curtains really; the Texas Wind certainly had the upper hand. Eventually, I simply resigned myself to pulling them down off the roof any day the wind blew strong.


Still head, we have more outdoor summer living and more porches with a look at some traditional front porch fare.

11 comments:

Amanda~Weekend Host said...

Courtney I really appreciate the thought and consideration you put into your posts. (Although, after seeing these beautiful images I'm am a little undecided again about what to do with our porch area in the new house!) Have a wonderful weekend.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

So gorgeous. and so Summer!
I am lucky to have both the regular and the screened variety. Screened is best this time of year!

vicki archer said...

I love outdoor curtains blowing in the breeze. I don't have any but I sure would like some, xv.

alissa said...

this would be hard in the midwest - its like its always too hot or too cold and good outdoor spaces never get used enough!

Unknown said...

Hi!
I'm glad to visit a great blog. Smart posts and beautiful photos. I like to contact people, all over the world, by his blogs.Would you follow me,because I'm afraid to lost your blog?I'm waiting your visit. Thank's

Jayne said...

I love the porch curtains - I just which they were as practical as they are gorgeous! I tried this one year and it was a disaster, as they caught on the top of our pergola in the wind and ripped and then found their way into our 30 foot high fir tree which I couldn't reach without a cherry picker. So they stayed there. That was about 4 years ago and I think the birds and possums have used them for their own porch! I especially love the photo with the girl lying down, it is so white and relaxing! Thanks for the visit by the way - I have left some replies on my posts to your comments in case you don't select the email-reply option to my posts. Enjoy your weekend, what is left of it. Jayne

abigail said...

ok, so now I am dreaming of a porch with curtains and a swing!

the linen paperie said...

The photograph by Melanie Acevedo - with the young girl laying on the porch took my breath away... Finally I have an image to show my contractor... I was trying to explain that I will be having material shades that are drawn out when sunny and retracted when not..... I too am concerned about wind.. but regardless I will have my way and curtains will adorn my back patio. Even if I have to replace them every year....

Lauren said...

Front porches are the best! I LOVE the domino photo.

Claudia said...

I love curtains on a porch! At our last house in Florida, I used a sheer Poly-Chiffon fabric and it worked great. I tied them to each post to keep the from blowing too much. It really adds an element of privacy and seeing them move in the breeze is somehow quite relaxing. I am working on setting up our new porch and your photos have given me food for thought. Thanks! http://nestobsessed.blogspot.com/

Abbey said...

love this!