Page 199 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2021

Gone are the days of sleeping on the porch but it’s still a pleasant spot for napping or just resting the eyes. You almost feel sneaky waiting out a summer shower from the coziness of a porch as if Mother Nature cannot see you there. We don’t much hang our laundry out on the front porch anymore, but we do take advantage of the back porch to dry swimsuits and beach towels. And nothing makes you feel better than finding the surprise of a fresh baked muffin or a slice of banana bread dropped off on the back porch by a neighbor.
Our back porches are not typically as grand as front porches, but backyards are quickly evolving into outdoor living spaces too. No longer just a place for the kids to play, porches, outdoor kitchens, and garden patios are being designed as extensions of our interiors, with accessories such as rugs, ambient lighting, and art. Updated wrought iron and wicker furniture have sleek lines and gone are the metal acorns and leaves of the past. Upholstered outdoor furniture with colorful pillows are more durable than ever and readily available. Outdoor living and entertaining spaces can be as traditional or as contemporary as you want them to be.
story and photo by
Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage
Porches have remained a prominent feature of South Mississippi homes, even as they have disappeared from many suburban neighborhoods elsewhere. They are a part of our culture. We like being outside and we appreciate the natural environment we are blessed with here along the coast.
So you can call it a porch, a terrace, a veranda, or one of the many other names for the spot where the heat of a southern summer and cool breezes meet. We call it the perfect place to sit back, swing, and watch the world go by. And it's where a wave from the porch still means “Hello neighbor, good to see you.”
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net June 2021 | 199