27 Jul Happy house, happy life.
There’s something nostalgic about hearing a wooden screen door slamming shut. It’s like smelling a cologne that reminds me of my dad or grandfather. Brings back memories. Simpler times. Simpler pleasures.
It’s the same feeling screened in porches invoke, at least for me. I think that’s an underlying reason people love these spaces.
J. Paul Moore Photography
This lovely porch belongs to Leigh Wylie.
From the moment she bought the house, she envisioned a porch off the living room. She loves being outside and simply wanted a living space to enjoy it in with friends.
J. Paul Moore Photography
And like many rooms in a house, the inspiration came from a single object. In this case, a table with seating attached, seats that actually swing and tuck away underneath. Leigh found this treasure while scouting through Scott’s Flea Market in Atlanta. The porch was actually under construction when this table caught her eye. She’d never seen another like it and designed the rest of the porch around it with the help of The Porch Company in Nashville.
Nancy Moore, owner of The Porch Company, says when working with a client, the most important thing they do is listen. They want to know how the client lives, what activities they plan to do on the porch, how many people will be hanging out there, what kind of furniture, and so on. Then they look at the architectural details, like roof lines, soffits, materials and colors of the existing house.
This is obviously the front of Leigh’s charming home, tucked in among fabulous foliage on a winding street in an established Nashville neighborhood. Even surrounded by a white picket fence and mature boxwoods. Then you go around back and find this new space that gave Leigh the outdoor living she desired.
J. Paul Moore Photography
J. Paul Moore Photography
Leigh knew she needed a master plan to eventually add a detached garage. The scope of the project grew since she also needed retaining walls and other hardscape to address drainage issues, so the plan grew but she says it was well worth the wait.
J. Paul Moore Photography
She also had The Porch Company doll up her mud room. which she calls a glorified potting area and room for her dog, Ellie. It’s where she keeps her potted plants in the winter so she considers it a makeshift greenhouse and nursery. And don’t you love the added glam of the light fixture that casts great shadows on the mud room walls.
J. Paul Moore Photography
Leigh says this house fits her personality which is comfortable. No “stuffy” rooms. It’s a happy house, and the added porch makes it even happier.
J. Paul Moore Photography
Most of the new furniture came from Graham’s Lighting. Her favorite, next to the table she purchased at Scott’s, is the chandelier. Once she found the perfect, casual chandelier, she used wall mounted ceiling fans instead of an overhead fan for keeping the porch cool.
J. Paul Moore Photography
Leigh says she uses the porch year round. From watching college football to her Halloween party to watching the Master’s and every season in between. Her Christmas tree is even on the porch. With a fire roaring in the fireplace and blankets handy, she says you’d be surprised how much it’s used even in the winter.
It’s really a storybook kind of house, with a happy ending to its renovation. I’m hoping to get an invitation for coffee soon! Thanks for sharing Leigh.
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