Here are 5 screened-in porch ideas that will make your summer hangouts unforgettable. Despite the infamous scene from My Cousin Vinny, where a witness describes a screen as a “rusty, dusty, dirty-looking thing“, designers across the country are now creating beautiful and stylish spaces in their porches. Not only do screens keep bugs out, they also create a cozy atmosphere while keeping you connected to nature, says interior designer Nina Freudenberger.
#1: Farmhouse to Table
In a 19th-century Bridgehampton, New York farmhouse designed by Steven Gambrel, the porch brings the garden inside. Bielecky Brothers' rattan sofa has cushions covered in Perennials fabric, while the dining table and benches are built of New Zealand teak. Walls painted in White, a Silver Grey ceiling, Black window and door frames, and Circa Antiques pendant lights complete the cosy environment. All of these colours were applied by Fine Paints of Europe.
#2: International Style
Architect Bill Ryall designed a sunny porch for his Long Island home, featuring a casual dining area with a 1950s butterfly chair and a plywood-top table with industrial folding legs. The space is modern and airy, with simple wood framing that holds the stainless steel screens in place.
#3: In the Heat of the Day
Textile designer Susan Hable Smith's Athens, Georgia home showcases a cheery screened porch with a custom-made banquette covered in a Hable Construction outdoor fabric and a simple Indonesian chair surrounded by antique chairs. The floors are painted in Farrow & Ball's Studio Green, which matches the hue of the lawn outside.
#4: Antiquated Glamour
Michel Botbol's Long Island property is over a century old and was originally described as having a “Harry Potter meets Miss Havisham” vibe. The rustic columns on the porch were made a showpiece and a lighter-than-air table and set of chairs from fashion designer Geoffrey Beene were placed in the center.
#5: Sky High
The rattan sofa by Bielecky Brothers has cushions covered in Perennials fabric, and the dining table and benches are constructed of New Zealand teak. The 1920s rattan furniture is original to the house, with a vintage cocktail table completing the classic look.