Room of the Day: A Spacious Porch Brings Family Life Outside

Interior designer Lindsey Hene had South Africa on her mind when she was designing her family’s back porch. She and her husband, Doug, had just returned from a safari, and the trip provided fresh inspirations for their Milton, Georgia, home. Another influence was the family of four’s desire to extend their living space into the fresh air. The porch’s final design, which mixes high- and low-end pieces, incorporates their favorite dining spot, a cozy fireside circle and a cushy seating area. All lend themselves well to family time, as well as to larger gatherings of friends.

Photos by Christina Wedge

“I usually love to use a lot of color, but I decided I wanted to go neutral out on this porch,” Hene says. “When you do that, you have to layer in lots of textures for interest — that’s why I have everything from rope to sequins out here.” Indeed, jute, burlap, wood, marble, bamboo, caning, sequins, beadboard, iron and more add to the rich textural mix.

She custom designed the hanging daybed herself and hired a contractor to hang it from the studs for proper support and safety. A wide mix of fabrics graces the cushy seat’s array of throw pillows. The coffee table was a one-of-a-kind find.


Speaking of unique finds, the long console table is made of two headboards repurposed from an old bed-and-breakfast and topped with marble. The family loves to entertain, and Hene often uses it to set up a buffet or bar, or both. “We open up all of the French doors that lead into the house and let the party spill out here,” she says. “We may get a few bugs inside, but it’s worth it.”

The cane-topped stools, bamboo chairs, woven rug and palette bring in some Out of Africa British colonial flavor. The wire urns flanking the swing usually have ferns in them, but on photo-shoot day there was a tornado warning, so they didn’t make it into the shot, which brings us to the issue of potential damage to porch furnishings.

When it comes to designing porch spaces, Hene advises using indoor-outdoor fabrics and staying away from anything too precious. “You have to be OK with things getting damaged,” she says. For example, she recommends using ready-made inexpensive drapes on porches, as they will need to be replaced every few years. She also advises that you may have to replace cushions fairly often.

Rug: West Elm; chairs: Ballard Designs; swinging daybed: custom design by Lindsey Hene Interiors


Ceiling fans and a fireplace extend the family’s porch season almost year-round. Around the stacked-stone fireplace, Hene went with a more rustic vibe. Atlanta Braves and University of Georgia games dominate the TV. Hene’s husband played for UGA, so college game days are some of their favorite times to have five or six couples over. “The men often wind up gathering here with their beers and a game, while the women always wind up hanging out around the hanging bed,” she says.

The tree stump is irreplaceable to the family. “When I saw that my neighbor’s sons had cut down a tree in her yard, I said, ‘Doug! I need one of those stumps!’” she says with a laugh. After she persuaded her husband it would make the perfect coffee table, he and his brother loaded it up on a truck, and now it is one of their favorite pieces. “It weighs a ton, it is well loved, and it will be here forever,” she says.

An unexpected addition to the rustic twig chandelier is a bird’s nest. The birds that built it have since left the nest, but it has become a permanent part of the decor. It’s such an impeccable accent that guests often ask her if she placed it there.

Paint: Scotch Mist, Porter Paints; chairs: wicker, Ballard Designs; chandelier: Currey & Company


The dining area, separated from the rest of the porch by French doors, is the only part that is screened in. Hene, her husband and their two sons enjoy family dinners out here every night the weather allows.

In the spirit of nothing being too precious on the porch, Hene used a high-low mix. The tulip table is from Ikea, and the midcentury caned chairs were a lucky Goodwill find. The chandelier was a splurge. The sheepskins get moved between indoors and out, depending on the weather.

“We built a home that was mostly porches,” Hene says. Unless there’s an unbearable heat wave, a rare snowstorm or a tornado, you’ll probably find this family enjoying these spaces.

Mansion Chandelier: Currey & Company; tulip table: Ikea

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