If the World Had a Front Porch

When I first arrived in Mississippi for college, I was immediately captivated by the grand houses along the sorority and fraternity rows on our campus. Not only was I struck by the beauty of their architecture, but I was charmed by the many with wide and expansive columned porches often dotted with white rocking chairs. Coming from the Midwest nothing could have seemed more quintessentially Southern to me, and I absolutely fell in love.

We have seen porches with curtains and those with screens so far in our look at these staples of summer living. Today, we'll finish with a look at spaces that perfectly characterize a traditional front porch-- those furnished with rocking chairs and swings.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Evan Sklar

Country Living

Martha Stewart

While technically the following room should have been with the other screened porches, the rocking chairs reminded me so much of those from the houses on my college campus, I had to include them here.

House Beautiful

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.

Country Living

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

Dining Alfresco {Part 3}

I must apologize for going a bit MIA, especially in the middle of my dining alfresco posts. Thus far, I have logged over 22 hours on the road this past week as I drove to Ohio for the wedding of one of my best friends and then continued north to see E's mom and grandma for a day. While I've been gone, my internet access has been far more limited than I'd expected, but it has been wonderful to have time to catch up with family and old friends.

Today starts my trip back towards Texas with day stops in Kentucky and Tennessee to visit my best friend from college and then my family, so posting may be light for the rest of the week as well, but I wanted to finish this look at outdoor dining spaces before I hit the road again.

We've looked at simple, clean-lined outdoor dining areas, as well as those with lush, garden settings in our dining alfresco posts, and I wanted to close this series with a focus on spaces that have an eclectic mix of elements.

Domino

Domino

Knibb Design via Desire to Inspire

Domino

House Beautiful

Domino

Tom Leighton via Desire to Inspire

After looking at each style, I must admit that I am still unsure what type of space I'd most want for my own; I'd be tempted to say, "One of each, please." What about you? Do you have a clear favorite if you had to choose?

Dining Alfresco {Part 2}

While the spaces in our first glance at dining alfresco were simple and clean-lined, the following are soft and lush garden settings.

I love the metal elements prevalent in the majority of these photos, as well as the romantic lighting that appears in a number of the spaces. These areas wouldn't be quite complete either without the surrounding rich greenery that plays a significant role in completing the look.

Domino

Lisa Hubbard

Philip Harvey via Desire to Inspire

Domino

Brian Andriola- stylist

via House & Life

Martha Stewart

Domino

These dining areas seem as equally suited for afternoon tea as for intimate dinner parties, and I can't say I'd be disappointed to indulge in either type of gathering in these beautiful settings.

Still ahead is the third part our dining alfresco installment with a look at more eclectic outdoor dining spaces.

Dining Alfresco {Part 1}

As I mentioned on Friday, one of my favorite things when the weather gets warm is sharing meals outdoors with family and friends, and of that I am quite certain. When it comes to deciding what type of outdoor dining space I most want to live with, however, as with much of design, I am always torn since there are so many styles I adore.

I love the natural and clean-look of these first three spaces, but I must admit, for me, the setting of each is part of the draw; I would happily step into each photo to drink in the scenic views.

Amy Neunsinger

Joe Schmeltzer

Lisa Hubbard

Stay tuned for more outdoor dining spaces, including garden settings as well as eclectic mixes, as I continue this look at alfresco dining areas and things to love about summer.

Naturally Modern

When I spotted this outdoor space it was love at first site. I'm smitten with the blend of modern and natural elements, and it seems like an ideal place to either enjoy one's solitude or the company of others.

Michael Graydon Pictures

Into the Woods

This bedroom, with its expanse of seamless windows, gives a feeling of being outdoors. It's like camping, only comfier, no?

Image: Murdock Young Architects via Desire to Inspire