The Season for Front Porches

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The front porch is easily the most important aspect of your home's appearance and the impression it has on the onlooker. At Ourso Designs, being natives of the south, we LOVE our front porches! There are just a few elements that make up a great front porch.

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1. Lighting

Like every interior space, exterior spaces also need a layer of lighting. General lighting is important; after all, you want to be able to see on the porch. Next, a couple sconces or a center lantern are great for accenting. Finally, task lighting is essential for highlighting important areas of the landscape, like plant arrangements, trees, or lawn fixtures.

2. Seating

The secondary purpose of the front porch (aside from it's utility purpose to provide shelter) is to be inviting. Seating affirms that inviting impression. Another advantage is it gives you (and any guests) an opportunity to relax in an area of your home that lends a different view.

3. Plants

Also like most interior spaces, exterior spaces benefit from the addition of plants. Potted plants can act much like accessories. Like layering fabrics and patterns, its important to have plants of different shapes, sizes and textures on your porch.This will create a pleasing overall aesthetic.

4. Color

Finally, color! Many add a pop of color by painting the front door an eye-catching color. Not a fan? That's okay! There are other ways to incorporate color: in your plants' pots, the plants themselves, and seating and seating accessories (pillows/cushions), just to start. Another option is to incorporate an outdoor rug. "Color" doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be bright; producing contrast among existing materials is just as effective as having a bright red door. 

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History Lesson: The Wright Way

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We wanted to take some time to recognize one of the greatest American architects to ever live, Frank Lloyd Wright. You might have heard of him before, but not everyone knows he was, and continues to be, one of the most important American architects.

Born in Richland, Wisconsin in 1867, and dying in 1959 at the age of 91, Wright's fame reached its peak in the early 1920s. His Usonian homes, as well as his large public work projects, made Wright a household name.

With influences as eclectic as Beethoven and Japanese art, Wright managed to create cohesive, uniform spaces and buildings that all worked with, instead of against, the nature around them. This philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world provided the tenants for the "organic architecture" movement. Today, any building's shape or function that mimics nature is categorized as organic.

One of Wright's most famous residential creations is his Fallingwater house in southwestern Pennsylvania, seen above. The levels of the house juxtapose each other, creating visual interest  without disturbing the surrounding nature.

Those same juxtaposed linear levels are often seen in modern design, in everything from buildings' exterior structure to the furniture within. You are kidding yourself if you think a building with an organic shape does not catch your eye and make you want to go inside.

Wright's legacy continues to influence modern design. He changed both the ways we live and build. 

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If you're a student of history, check out our previous history lessons on Jean-Michel Frank and Elsie de Wolfe.

Trend Alert: Patterned Ceilings that Raise the Roof

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If you’re remodeling a space and want to add something to draw the eye, look no further than a patterned ceiling. No, not a popcorn ceiling – thankfully, that trend has been out for a while. Patterned ceilings, created using tiles, wood, or striking wallpapers, are bringing new life to the long-neglected "fifth wall." And, contrary to popular belief, adding pizzazz to your ceiling can make your space feel bigger and more inviting. 

Want to get ahead of the curve by incorporating this trend? Think symmetrical. Anything added to the ceiling should follow the lines of the rest of the room and not detract from patterns or styles on walls or ceilings. Geometric shapes, like squares, triangles and hexagons, make it easier to line up pieces or rolls from different wallpapers, but don't be afraid to experiment. 

Wood definitely adds the wow factor, especially when arranged in a herringbone pattern like in the picture above. However, if you want to make an easier and more cost-effective addition to a room, consider a patterned wallpaper. The rooms pictured below use geometric patterns and nature-inspired motifs to create refined and even charming spaces.  

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A great way to get an old world or shabby chic feel in a room is by adding patterned tiles. Tin tiles are still incredibly popular, especially in homes with dropped ceilings, but you could incorporate tiles with clean lines and edges for a more modern or refined look. 

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Patterned ceilings can work in pretty much any palette, as long as the color is harmonious with the rest of your decorating scheme. If you want more tips specifically about incorporating color, check out our other post on ceiling colors. 

Industry Ed with Richard: NKBA Regulations on Door Interference

I thought it might be time for a little refresher on the NKBA's standards for door interference in residential bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, etc. It's something that comes up a lot with my emphasis on aging in place, but it is relevant to anyone who works with clients who have physical limitations, run a small business from home, or other special circumstances. 

NKBA Standards 

• Entry doors should be at least 32", or 2' 8", wide. 
• Entry doors should be at least 2' 10". 
• The clear opening for doors should be at least 34" wide, which would require a 3' 0" door. 
• There should be 18" of clearance on the pull / handle side of the door. 
• No door should interfere with the safe use of appliances, equipment, or other doors. 
• There should be clear floor space for maneuvering. 
• A 3' 0" doorway is almost always used in commercial properties (but you don't always have that convenience in your home).

Following these guidelines gives plenty of room for everyone to move through the doorway, as well as move furniture throughout the home, carry a load of laundry or a platter full of food, or wheel a wheelchair or walk a walker through, without bumping into sinks or other objects in the room.

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My Experience 

• These dimensions are very hard to stick to, especially if you're renovating. 
• Really, unfortunately, older homes use 2' 0" doors more than they should, which are difficult to design around. Naturally, that doorway isn't accessible to someone in a wheelchair or using a walker. Some creativity in using the surrounding walls is necessary to make that doorway work.
• I find that doorways as small as 2' 6" can still be accessible for someone using a wheelchair or a walker. 

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A few years ago, I worked with a client, Mr. Greer. He was a big ol' guy, in his mid-80s, and wheelchair bound. From his bedroom to his bathroom, there was a 90 degree turn. The most we could squeeze into the space was a 2' 6" doorway, with just a little less clearance, but we made it work. Mr. Greer had no problem opening and closing the door without bumping into the tub. He was also able to get in and out of his bathroom with a little finessing.

Some clients might insist on using a slimmer doorway, with less clearance, usually for aesthetic purposes. It might look good, but I usually suggest designing for aging in place. It doesn't matter what age the client is; something could happen - an accident or something - and it is better to already have the clearance in place when the time comes. Of course, the client is always right in the end.

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Most clients choose to have doors that swing open away from the kitchen. This frees up space in the kitchen that might be necessary during preparation or entertaining.

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One way of getting around limited clearance space in the kitchen is by having French doors. This setup only requires a little more space than a single door, but it significantly widens the doorway.

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Pocket doors are becoming a really popular way to handle limited door clearance in bathrooms. If there is enough wall space to "hide" the door, it could be the answer to your client's needs.

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