It is no secret that we Southerners relish our time outdoors. And, why wouldn’t we when we have serene water, beautiful trees, and breathtaking weather (90% of the time, that is)?! While the recent #snowmageddon may have had you in a slump, we wanted to remind you that in a few short months, it will be all sunshine and rainbows! So, now is the perfect time to give your outdoor spaces an overhaul.

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When I reflect on the quintessential Southern home, I immediately think of a superbly designed porch that is comfortable, functional, and beautiful (obvi). The perfect porch should have two main components: 1) a place for casual dining, and 2) a comfortable area for lounging. A great fan and fabulous fireplace are also pretty mandatory too, if you ask me – while Southern girls may merely “glisten” in the heat, we do enjoy a nice cool breeze while sipping a Planter’s Punch.

For your dining space, a timeless farm table is the perfect combination of class, elegance, and functionality. An antique farm table lasts generations (clearly), and all those dings and scratches you may add along the way merely add to its character.

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Other great outdoor table options are made of stone, aluminum, or teak. These tables tend to hold up well for most weather conditions while adding an interesting texture to your space. Part of the beauty in interior design is mixing textures and materials to accomplish an attention-grabbing finished product.

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The sky is the limit when it comes to designing your lounging area. One of our favorite touches to a covered porch (and perhaps one of our most sought after pieces for outdoors) is our custom swinging bed, which is handmade from river birch wood. This bed has a twin-sized custom mattress and doubles as a great place to sit with friends or take a nap (think swinging day bed). You can customize your swinging bed by selecting pillows and a mattress cover fabric from our extremely large collection of outdoor fabrics!

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If you prefer to relax in a more traditional arrangement, splurge on some custom chairs and ottomans in colors that compliment your space. The world of outdoor fabrics is substantial and there are thousands of options that are both durable and comfortable.

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To add those finishing touches to your outdoor space, get creative! We love repurposing unique pieces and using them as décor in our outdoor areas.

This antique row boat and oyster wreath are lovely additions to our client’s waterfront plantation home.

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An antique shell box is a beautiful accent for this screened porch on the intracoastal waterway.

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This antique lobster trap that we had custom made into a console table is the perfect addition to any coastal home.

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Toss in beautiful greenery, repurpose architectural elements such as iron gates or antique shutters, and sprinkle about some beautiful coral and your porch will be your favorite spot this Spring!

Come visit us at CHD and let us help you create your outdoor haven. You will be glad you did on days we get a break from winter weather! Happy Winter!