Three-season porch for Summit Avenue home
People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Gathering Space” | 2007 ASID Showcase House
View of the main seating area
The new deck is perfect for taking in the view
The design goal on this project was to restore an incredibly outdated and unusable porch in a Victorian home on Summit Avenue in St. Paul for the 2007 ASID Showcase House Tour. Victorians loved to travel and bring back accessories to furnish their homes, so we used this concept as design inspiration. The new space reflects the excitement of traveling and river life, and takes advantage of the splendid view of the Mississippi River Valley. We also wanted to create a space that encourages lingering and reflection.
There were a number of design challenges for this porch. A doorway in the center of the porch split the space into two distinct areas, and there was no deck space to allow full enjoyment of the spectacular views. Badly damaged flooring and aluminum-clad windows from the ’70s all had to be replaced. In addition, there was a total lack of electrical outlets, and the only lighting came from an original (though very cool) Moroccan fixture.
We started by removing the old flooring and replacing it with fir flooring that reflects the architectural age of the home. A compass with wave pattern was inlaid into the floor with a combination of American cherry, Brazilian cherry, maple and walnut. The wave pattern was an important design feature; we repeated the concept based on carved woodwork found throughout the interior of the home. New windows, new glass doors, and a new deck were installed to make the space work for modern living. We cleaned and relocated the original Moroccan light fixture, and added palm leaf ceiling fans to instill a subtly exotic feel to the room.
Since the location of the interior door had to remain, we took advantage of the floor plan to create two separate but corresponding seating areas. The main seating area is perfect for enjoying an evening cocktail while watching the sun set. Teak furniture pieces with louvered backs are anchored by a natural wool rug from Morocco and softened with natural, linen-look cushions. The second area is designed to offer quiet relaxation, with another teak lounge chair and two ottomans in buttery faux leather. A leopard-print rug and telescope in this relaxation space help complete the traveler’s sanctuary.
Pieces from around the globe tell a rich story
A unique menagerie of antiques, globally sourced accessories, and pieces complimenting river life all blend together seamlessly. Thai carvings and a beaded hat from Burma live easily alongside a hand-carved chair from Tanzania and pair of 19th-century bronze leopards from the Benin Kingdom. All of these luxuries are finished off with the addition of some lush greenery to help bring the outdoors in. Though this space was once open to the elements and underutilized, it has now become a space that no one wants to leave behind—truly a Midnight at the Oasis!
→ View full set of images for this project
(Photos on this page by Josh Stokes Photography)
