my favorite space PORCH, PERFECTED

Designer Carrie Long transforms an under-used porch into the best room in the house.

by ELIZABETH EDWARDS

THIS BEAUTIFUL retreat-like sunroom was once a decrepit covered porch used for housing the garbage. Its full renovation included enclosing it with large picture windows and adding forced air/heating and radiant heated tile flooring that makes the space extra cozy.

Designer Carrie Long kept the existing woodpanel ceiling and accentuated it with warm LED tray lighting along with a pair of contemporary hand-blown oval sconces by Fuse Lighting. The room features four Kardiel lullaby rocking chairs in gray velvet, a fun twist on relaxed seating, and an upholstered ottoman with matching velvet accent pillows from Romo. An early 1900s art frame was repurposed into a mirror, adding light, depth and color play to the room. A vintage chrome and glass side table is just right for setting down morning coffees or evening cocktails. The Stark rug pulls the abstract accents, gray tile floor and white walls and window treatments together.

The expansive windows and a new glass door to the outdoor porch connect the indoors to the rolling backyard that’s home to a small herd of deer.