Summer Southern Front Porch at Duke Manor Farm
Welcome to the Summer Southern front porch at Duke Manor Farm …..and the Summer Simplified blog tour. The links to 4 days worth of simplified outdoor summer inspiration will be at the end of this post.
If you are visiting me from my friend Yvonne over at Stone Gable, I am glad you are here. If this is your first time visiting Duke Manor Farm, welcome. Around here we are big outdoor people and have created special spots around the property to enjoy every part of the year. Probably the most favorite of all of the spots is the front porch at Duke Manor. To see more of Duke Manor Farm, click here.
When we designed and built our home we had three requirements for the porch. First, it would be a place that would feel comfortable to us and represent our casual, simplified lifestyle. Second, our friends ,family and pets would feel right at home when sitting on the porch. And third,it would be a place on the property where memories would be created for years to come. I am happy to say that after almost 15 years of living in our home, all three requirements have been met and continue to do so each day.
Since this space is an extension of the inside of our home and basically another room, we try to keep it user friendly especially for the kids and dogs. Although I have a ‘no pets on the furniture rule’, they somehow manage to jump up and get cozy when I am not looking. I use to stress out about that, but now have found cushions that seem to go the extra mile with kids and dogs. I can usually go 2-3 years with the seat cushions and just freshin up the pillows each year. I find that scotch guard helps to repel against dogs and kids wearing red Georgia clay.
Since we have a big outdoor table for eating on the back patio, the front porch is basically for drinks, snacks, reading, chatting, laughing , everything else and tea drinking. As you would expect, Southerners love our iced tea. The sweeter the better. And for some reason drinking tea on the porch, really does taste better. Ask any southerner, and they will tell you.
Another staple a southern summer porch can’t be with out is the ferns, and lots of them. The indirect light is perfect to keep them happy and healthy all summer long.
And don’t forget precious little girls,in jammies eating strawberries first thing in the morning. They make everything on the porch that much sweeter.
Oh…the day lilies are courtesy of my day lily garden on the side of the house. I planted it years ago with the porch in mind.
Happy simplified summer to you! Next stop is my pal Kim over at Savvy Southern Style.
PS- remember I mentioned the 2 year thing…well yesterday was 2 years 5 months ( or something like that) and it was time to move the current cushions out and get some new ones. I have come to the realization that darker is better on the cushions for this space. I am waiting on a few new summer pillows, but here’s a peek.
*affiliate links used
Click here to see last years summer porch right before we got the house painted and before I painted the furniture.
Day 1 ( Wednesday)
Driven By Decor
Garden Therapy
Empress of Dirt
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Day 2
StoneGable ( Thursday)
Duke Manor Farm
Savvy Southern Style
Southern Hospitality
Shabbyfufu
Day 3 ( Friday)
In My Own Style
The Wood Grain Cottage
Maison de Pax
Love of Home
Setting For Four
My Soulful Home
Day 4 ( Saturday)
Don’t forget to follow Duke Manor Farm on instagram and on facebook for daily updates and pictures from around my real life funny farm!
your porch is just so beautiful! i love that floor every time i see it!
Your porch is beyond beautiful – it’s definitely my favorite “virtual” place to hang out! 😉
First time on your blog, Laura. Duke Manor Farm is amazing! I spent quite a bit of time looking around, and your home took my breath away! I signed up for emails and will follow you on Pinterest. Your definitely going to be one of my favorite bloggers!
I am so happy that you came by…and will come back to visit Duke Manor Farm.
I am jealous of your front porch which is always beautiful because all I have is a darn stoop! I’m going to come sit on your porch since I don’t have one.
no porch haters here….you are always welcomed! 🙂
Gosh this is GORGEOUS!! Love seeing everyone’s outdoor summer spaces and all of the flowers…
Thanks Janet. I was by your secret little garden earlier and had a hard time leaving a comment ( I couldn’t change my old email for verification)
I bet the tea does taste better on your gorgeous porch!
come and have a glass with me. i will make your’s a long island.
A most beautiful Southern porch!!!…..Now pass me a glass of tea…with lemon please!
sweet or unsweet?
So gorgeous, Laura!! I’m so glad I had the pleasure of seeing it all in person and I love the new paint colors. What a wonderful front porch you have with all that seating and the beauty of the flowers surrounding you. It’s totally a Southern porch!! Happy summer my friend!
happy summer to you!
I love, love, love your front porch and the landscaping is fabulous too.
thanks so much marty!
This is exactly what I envision when I think about a classic Southern porch – I LOVE it!!
thanks kris.
Oh my, your porch is perfection. What a beautiful place to spend time. Lovely!
thanks so much melissa.
Just love the front porch — and the navy & white new look is going to be fabulous! You know I love a good navy & white combo! 🙂
Laura, It’s always been a dream of mine to be southern. I love the charm and sass of southern woman! Your porch exudes southern hospitality and welcome! And your little one in her jammies is so so precious! See you soon, sweet friend! xo
Your porch is gorgeous! What a wonderful place to sit!
Laura! I loved the white wicker but I adore it in black and the blue cushions are the perfect touch. Your home is just magical! What an amazing place for your kids to grow up. Well done!
So fabulous Laura!! I LOVE your porch so much! Happy Summer my friend!
Your porch is gorgeous! Looks straight out of Southern living.
I always love seeing your front porch Laura! Those columns make my heart pitter patter! Love all of your decor ideas and your ferns look so lush! My day lillies are several weeks away from blooming up here in the north — yours look stunning! 🙂 Happy summer friend! xo H
This Southerner would love to be drinking a tall glass of sweet tea on your gorgeous front porch! Happy Thursday!
I love your “haint” blue porch ceiling. Would you mind sharing the paint color you chose? I’ve narrowed it down to 12 shades and going batty!
Many thx!
Wonderful!! I would love to know the paint color as well you used to paint your house! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful place!