There are certain words that are filled with nostalgia. I think "porch" is one of them. When I was a child growing up in in western Pennsylvania, I spent many happy hours each summer on my grandparents' porch. I remember pitchers of lemonade, sandwiches of tomatoes picked from the garden, card games, and neighbors dropping by. You see, the thing about a porch that is so different from a patio is that it is in the front of the house and, consequently, a place to watch the world go by. At night, we would drive to a nearby town for ice cream and bring back quarts of our favorite flavors. We scooped it into bowls and took it out to the porch to be enjoyed. It was the quintessential summer place to be.
Although I don't have a porch, I have a patio and I am out there every warm evening of the summer. Now that it is September, nothing has changed and we are all still spending every moment we can outside. Here in Los Angeles, September is often the hottest month of the year. Dinners of grilled fish and bruschetta with chopped tomatoes and basil taste really good eaten outside. As does coffee and breakfast in the morning, a great time to see what is happening in the garden. Our patio has a table for dining, as well as comfy chairs for lounging. Today's patios and porches are a lot more sophisticated in decor than my grandparents' was, but what they all share is comfy seating, inviting spaces and a graciousness that says welcome.
If you are thinking of decorating your porch or patio, here are some inspiring images to get you started.
Porch at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, New York
Hotels often have the best porches!
Photo via here
Photo via here
Photo via here
Photo via here
Hotels often have the best porches!
Carolyne Roehm's porch
Isn't this gorgeous!
Isn't this gorgeous!
The weather is warm in early September and porches and patios beckon. Dinner alfresco is still an option. Nothing sounds better than hanging out on your porch or patio with family and friends on a warm and beautiful night! It is an experience guaranteed to produce a little trip down memory lane...
And speaking of the final days of summer...my tomato plants are producing a lot of tomatoes! In my search for ways to use them, I found this recipe for a tomato tart that looks delicious.
Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart
Recipe here
Hard to believe, but fall is right around the corner...
And speaking of the final days of summer...my tomato plants are producing a lot of tomatoes! In my search for ways to use them, I found this recipe for a tomato tart that looks delicious.
Recipe here
Hard to believe, but fall is right around the corner...
Images via Pinterest, unless otherwise noted
Oh, Sunday that tart looks delicious. I will try it this weekend with my garden tomatoes. I love the photos of the porches. Aren't they a lovely way to visit with the neighbors? We spend every evening on our deck, eating dinner and lingering over our wine. I hate to see summer end but I admit to looking forward to autumn. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love porches too - they're so friendly and cozy. Some really beautiful selections here. I took a walk around the Venice canals the other afternoon, and it was so nice to see people out on their front porches chatting and relaxing, and saying "hello" as I passed pushing a baby stroller. We do have some porches off our home, but still trying to figure out the right one for our backyard. Your garden looks so amazingly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteUnless I missed it, none of the porches have a swing ...... one of the finest things you'll find on an old Southern porch. My grandparents' porch provided such a swing, a view of the Big Ivy river and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a place which required a sweater in the evening, even in the summertime.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted a porch. I bought two big wicker chairs for our balcony but it's not the same. Your tart looks delicious.
ReplyDelete