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Front Porch Tour: HGTV Green Home 2009

Partially shaded from the bright summer sun by the roof overhang, this gathering area offers a quiet spot to sit, relax and reconnect with the neighbors.

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Although HGTV Green Home 2009 boasts a more modern design aesthetic, some aspects of the exterior harken back to a simpler time. “'The New Urban Development' creates an environment where you get to know your neighbors,” explains interior designer Linda Woodrum. “Sitting out on your front porch and chatting with friends and neighbors as they walk by is a lost art and a great way to connect and be involved with your community. This is definitely an important part of the story we’re telling at HGTV Green Home 2009.”

And the story begins with an inviting front porch that entices one to linger and enjoy the scenery. Partially shaded by the roof overhang, this space – somewhat expansive – seems tucked away and cozy thanks to smart use of mature landscaping elements and casual eco-friendly furnishings. A cozy sitting area couples Weather Wicker club chairs by Ebel with a rustic concrete-slab-topped coffee table – the perfect placeholder for morning coffee or after-dinner drinks. A planter filled with native grasses gives the space a feeling of permanence, and outdoor lighting adds a hint of elegance and connects the space to the eco-chic interiors. Nearly 3-foot-tall glazed ceramic jars placed on either side of the front entryway serve as the only adornment and make a dramatic statement that’s not overdone.

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