On the porch: furnishings that suit your setting, style, and budget

Sunset, June, 2004 by Ann Bertelsen, Mary Jo Bowling, Daniel Gregory

Amble out to the porch, sink into a familiar armchair, and idly stir the ice in your favorite cocktail. Take a deep breath, exhale, and toast the sun as it, too, settles down after a long day. The porch, that early symbol of summer ease and small-town neighborliness, is back in a big way. Just drive through a new planned community like Stapleton in Denver or Rivermark near San Jose, and you'll see how prominent it has become once again. But finding the right outdoor furniture can be a challenge: It has to be comfortable while suiting your personality and pocketbook. Accessories like pillows and throws are also important; they should complement the tables and chairs, providing the finishing touches that create a true outdoor room. Whether your taste runs to classic, country, or contemporary style, the following pages show how to achieve that look.

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DESIGN: Greg Robinson, Cascade Joinery, Bellingham, WA (www.cascadejoinery.com or 360/527-0119)

Country style

Wicker and wood furnishings fit this white porch in California. The board-and-batten siding, gray-painted floor, warm-toned chairs and chest, and old-fashioned pendant lights give country-style character and charm to what is actually a new house.

Wicker furniture recalls late-19th-century verandas and will never go out of style. It will last for years if it's not exposed to harsh weather or prolonged direct sunlight. If weathering is an issue, consider, wicker look-alikes made from resin materials; some have a shinier, less natural appearance than true wicker or rattan, however, so make sure you are satisfied with the look before you buy. You only need a few pieces of wicker or rattan to anchor the look.

DESIGN: Greg Warner, Walker Warner Architects, San Francisco (www.walker-warner.com or 415/318-8908)

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Classic style

This idyllic lakeside porch in eastern Washington is just the spot for a good wooden chair. Designed to blend in with the natural environment, this kind of outdoor furniture is usually constructed from hardy, durable woods like teak or redwood.

Such chairs look great on any deck. But for a punch of color, consider adding some of the latest looks in pillows and throws. The hot pink and orange accessories shown below provide a fresh foil for these classic lines.

Designers are moving away from matched sets, mixing different woods and metals for variety. The versatile metal tray table shown below will blend into any setting and can function as a cocktail table or a plant stand.

DESIGN: Snyder Hartung Kane Strauss Architects, Seattle (www.shksarchitects.com or 206/675-9151)

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Contemporary style

This San Francisco porch was inspired by the homeowner's memories of growing up in Argentina, where front porches are often boldly shaped. Here, the architect gives that concept a modern geometric twist, with a circular cutout that lets light into the space and acts as a sundial. "The design blurs the line between indoors and out," says architect Craig Steely. "Because the porch uses the same materials as the interior, it's like an extension of the house. It also connects the house to the street."

Such porches call for furniture with bright colors, sensuous and sculptural shapes, and retro modern style. These products are usually made of tough, all-weather materials like polypropylene or aluminum.

DESIGN: Steely Architecture, San Francisco (www.craigsteely.com or 415/864-7013)

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RELATED ARTICLE: Get the look

Natural materials and textures--along with simple gardenoriented accents--are hallmarks of the style.

* Gangel pillows, $9.99 each. Ikea (www.ikea.com or 800/434-4532)

* Gelebo chair, $40, and chair pad, $12. Ikea

* All-Purpose pitcher, $25; Cubit 20-oz. acrylic cooler, $2.95; white Cottage tray, $33. Crate and Barrel (www.crateandbarrel.com or 800/967-6696)

* Yellow Salt plant pot, $2.99. Ikea

* Bahama stool (left), $75. Pier 1 Imports (www.pier1.com or 800/447-4371)

* Alseda stool (below), $29. Ikea

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RELATED ARTICLE: Get the look

Think of straightforward lines based on vintage elements, such as a deck chair or a butler's tray.

* Bjuron plant stand, $4.99. Ikea

* Bali sand chair, $75. Pier 1 Imports

* Strib Rand throw, $20. Ikea

* Sekt plant pot, $1.99. Ikea

* Oval tray on stand, $65. Pier 1 Imports

* Giverny armchair, $499. Smith & Hawken (www.smithandhawken.com or 800/776-3336)

* Strib pillow, $9.99. Ikea

* Anodised tumblers, $4 each. Urban Outfitters (www.urbanoutfitters.com or 800/282-2200)

* Hibachi platter, $20. Crate and Barrel

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RELATED ARTICLE: Get the look

Molded plastic and bent metal in a variety of eye-catching forms and colors predominate.

* Ps Vallo watering can, $1.99; Rbar tray, $3.99; Tuvull throw, $20. Ikea

* Ronde armchair, $95; light blue Prince AHA stool, $83. Design Within Reach (www.dwr.com or 800/944-2233)

* Green Tall Boy cooler, $2.95; orange 6-in. melamine Brunch bowl, $4.95. Crate and Barrel