Porches/Greenhouses
Bright-flowering bush lantana (Lantana camara) attract butterflies in particular, although hummingbirds and other pollinators will also frequent the blooms. In this sunny container designed by Susan Irving of The Crafted Garden, lantana and golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) grow in a pot beneath a Meyer lemon tree.
A conservatory is typically defined by an all-glass enclosure. Although “sunroom” is a broader term that encompasses heavily windowed spaces with skylights or not, a conservatory is all about the crown. Being so completely open to sunlight makes conservatories a prime spot for growing plants. Where else in the home could you top your dining area with a halo of natural vines?
Rooftop rainforest. Making use of so much surface area for a rooftop garden makes intuitive sense, especially for homeowners who want to make their home greener but don’t get enough sunlight to justify installing solar panels. Living roofs offer a variety of benefits, such as ecosystem regeneration and natural temperature regulation. They require extra thought and planning to ensure that the weight of the soil is adequately supported, but the physical and emotional rewards can be well worth it.
playroom slab...The clean lines of the decking and modern outdoor dining table add to the space’s calm and contemporary feel. Charcoal-colored containers at the back of the deck burst with lush plantings in chartreuse and deep purple. Bright green papyrus and purple Tradescantia fill the waist-high black planters at left.
Perfect holiday getaway. This sun-drenched Miami rooftop is probably what people dream of when they imagine winning the lottery. The view of crystal-clear waters makes it a dream space for those looking to party in style. The mostly white color palette helps keep the heat down, while orange accents add a modern touch.
Make peace with your property. A vestibule can also be a terrific way to take advantage of a sloping grade. While a staircase leading to the front door is rarely appreciated when one is fumbling with luggage or groceries in the cold, a vestibule like this allows an entrant to quickly park the groceries inside, and then shuttle everything up the stairs and into the home in relative warmth.
The house is built atop cement pillars to protect against hurricanes and floods. Granda turned the space underneath the second floor into a covered patio that enjoys coastal breezes and is protected from the sun. Not wanting to add too many pieces of outdoor furniture that have to be stored, the designer instead hung a series of hammocks that can stay outside all year long.
Instead of planting vines up walls, you can allow trailing plants to cascade out of hanging baskets, window boxes or tall containers for an exuberant container display. Landscape designer Becky Whitacre of Smalls Landscaping used vines and bold foliage to transform the balcony garden in Ogden Dunes, Indiana, seen here into a tropical paradise. Plants include elephant’s ear (Colocasia sp.), fuchsia, petunias, lantanas, pink-flowering mandevilla vines and a waterfall of sweet potato vine (Ipomea batatas sp.). The containers receive filtered light and daily drip irrigation
A well-lit porch helps visitors and package deliverers find your place, but also (perhaps more important) creates a warm, welcoming mood that says “home sweet home.” Aim for at least three sources of light to create a warm glow — a pair of sconces near the seating area plus a light above the door should do the trick. Even better: Add a fourth light above the house numbers (as seen here) to make it easier for visitors to find your address at night.
Picking out seasonal flowers to adorn a porch is one of life’s great little pleasures. Whether you fill a window box or pot, aim to refresh your planter at least three times each year: in spring, summer and fall. Don’t want the hassle of maintaining a planter? Bring a vase of freshly cut flowers onto the porch to enjoy.
Whether you have room for a lounge setup complete with an outdoor coffee table, or just enough room for a pair of rockers or Adirondack chairs with a side table in between, it’s important to include some type of surface for setting down a drink and a book. For small spaces, a garden stool can do double duty, acting as a table or an extra seat.
Unless your porch is naturally shaded by a nearby tree or fence, you may want to add a set of outdoor curtains to diffuse the sun’s glare. Just as with indoor curtains, you can pull them open when you don’t need them and close them when you do. If you opt for anything but white, it’s worth choosing a fade-resistant fabric — you would be amazed at how quickly the sun can bleach even the most vibrant colors.
Green plants like ferns can give your front porch a lush, healthy feel. And while seasonal blooms have their place (see No. 9), perennials provide a foundation of long-lasting foliage that you can count on throughout the growing season. Choose the size of your pots to suit the size of your porch. A spacious porch like the one shown here can handle a great big potted plant; on a smaller porch, try a tall, narrow pot or a small planter box.
A tired doormat is one of the simplest things to replace — and making this small swap can instantly perk up your porch. For something a little different, try layering a traditional coir doormat atop a larger striped outdoor rug, as shown here
Instead of limiting yourself to a specific style, think in terms of the mood you want your home to create. This can be a more useful (and certainly more flexible) filter to use when choosing products for your home than naming a single “style.” For example, let’s say you want to create a relaxed, light mood. To channel this feeling, you might pull elements from beach, farmhouse and contemporary style — as long as the pieces you choose have the relaxed, easygoing vibe that you like, they will work together.
stone flooring
copper pipe holding plants
While this photo may have been pulled from your wildest dreams, it's still fun to imagine such an inviting space. This is probably where I'd be typing right now if I had something like this hanging off the side of my house. Oh, and the pool is just an added bonus.
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