Tiffany C.’s screened-porch is the most used – and loved – room in her Atlanta home. Set amongst the trees, it’s outfitted with a ceiling fan for warm summer days, a fireplace for chilly evenings, and two sofas for guests to enjoy while watching the outdoor TV.
“Whether it’s having coffee on a spring morning, an afternoon of football in the fall or entertaining friends, we spend a lot of time here,” she says.
But Tiffany saw room for improvement, in terms of the utility and cohesion of the space. So with an eye on creating a comfortable seating area for seven or eight, she visited our Phipps Plaza store and teamed up with design consultant Michelle Lee, who provided complimentary assistance as part of Frontgate’s Design Services team. The result is a soft, breezy aesthetic that invites everyone to linger a while.
A white-and-blue color palette softened and brightened the look of the screened-in porch.
Lighter and brighter
At its heart, this is a testament to the transformative nature of furniture in a space. Rather than brightening the space by refinishing the brown fireplace brick, wood deck or siding, Tiffany and her husband simply replaced their assorted darker-toned wood and wicker pieces with ones that create a unified white-and-blue palette.
“She definitely wanted to keep the cushions neutral, so that was an easy foundation to build from, and wanted to add just a little bit of color – nothing too crazy or too saturated,” Lee says.
Slipcovered upholstery on the Emerson Lounge Chairs establishes a fresh white base, which is extended by the Ensoleille Tables and cushions on the St. Kitts Sofa and Loveseat. Striped pillows, classic blue-and-white wares and plenty of faux florals further soften the look.
Emerson Lounge Chair
Ensoleille Tables
St. Kitts Sofa in Weathered Teak with Cushions
A natural connection
Ryland Indoor/Outdoor Rug
While the 8′ 6″ x 13′ Ryland Indoor/Outdoor Rug covers more of the wood decking than the couple’s previous rug, the taupe color also helps connect the new color story to the porch’s brown finishes. Woven baskets and the weathered teak frames on the St. Kitts Seating likewise link the porch’s dark and light finishes.
Beautiful in function
For Tiffany, the utility of the porch was just as important as its looks.
“With two dogs, a toddler and another one on the way, I wanted to make sure that besides being a beautiful space, it would also be functional,” she says.
Beyond replacing a freestanding hammock with the two Emerson Lounge Chairs, she worked with Lee to select furniture with all-weather frames and cushions and easy-care upholstery. (The Sunbrella fabrics on Frontgate’s outdoor cushions easily wash off with a hose, Lee points out.)
Now that the new furniture has seen plenty of use, the worry-free materials have been perfect for little ones, pets and guests. And the ease of the space has introduced an unexpected use: as a relaxing solo retreat.
“I have found myself picking up a book or magazine and spending quiet time there, in between toddler naps of course,” Tiffany says.
Tiffany savors the fresh new look of this multipurpose living space.
Learn more about the free assistance our Design Services team can provide on any project, indoors or out.
