Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Home Fire Alarms – Life Savers
What happens if there is a fire in your home, dorm, hotel room or workplace? If the alarm sounds, will you be alerted? The purchase and placement of smoke detectors in a private home is the responsibility of the occupant. New...

Ideas for your Interior Christmas Decorating
There are many different ideas for interior Christmas decorating. Interior Christmas decorating is an important part of most people's holiday festivities. For many people, the interior decorations are what defines the season of...

Inspecting a Home
Inspecting a House Before you buy any house, take the time to thoroughly inspect the structure and mechanical systems. Costly repairs can often be avoided or at least anticipated by a preliminary inspection before a purchase offer is signed. If...

Patio Ponds
Garden ponds and fountains were once mainly for the very rich. Today, anyone can have a garden pond. A fountain or waterfall can be included almost anyplace--even if your "yard" is limited to a patio or balcony. Adding water to your patio can be...

Style and Perfection in Home Decoration with Plantation Shutters
Choosing plantation shutters for form or function? Plantation shutters offer both to today’s homeowner. These unique window treatments trace their roots to ancient Greece. The Greeks used them for both privacy and security. Interior shutters were...

 
Sleeping Beauties: Porches For Dreaming

There's something magical about sleeping outside, drinking in the night sounds of crickets, frogs and wind chimes, watching fireflies and stars, and feeling the cool night breeze. You'll find children giggling long past their bedtime from sheer excitement.

A treat for adults and children alike, sleeping outdoors has long been a part of camping tradition, but many adults also have fond memories of childhood nights in their parents' or grandparents' sleeping porch.

The cover story of Architectural Digest's October 2003 issue featured a visit to the Montana ranch of Dennis Quaid where he has built a magnificent home that includes a wraparound Pennsylvania bluestone porch and a tree house for his son Jack. In addition, the actor "requested specially" a sleeping porch adjacent to the veranda.

In doing so, he joins the ranks of such luminaries as former U.S. first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, author Jack London and baseball legend Babe Ruth, all of whom enjoyed slumbering in screened-in rooms.

A sleeping porch has been defined as a well-ventilated, usually screened, porch used as occasional sleeping quarters. Before the advent of air-conditioning, families often created an area on outdoor porches where children would sleep during the hot summer nights. Sleeping porches were, more often than not, on a home's second storey, frequently above a ground-level porch.

It was during the Arts and Crafts movement of the early twentieth century that sleeping porches really gained public favor. Arts and Crafts architects often designed homes without abrupt divisions between inside and out, and sleeping porches provided an ideal transition space.

Unfortunately, modern houses don't often sport open-air sleeping quarters and our culture is poorer for it. Few of life's experiences speak of summery comfort as a sleeping porch does, and one is never out of touch with one's surroundings in the neighborhood when sleeping outside.

Happily, it's relatively easy to create a secure, comfortable place that makes outdoor sleeping a real joy again. If you can, choose a porch or balcony on a side of your house that is protected from the weather, or add a


simple framework on a deck. A leak-proof roof with extended eaves is critical and helps keep inclement weather from blowing in directly onto the occupants.

If security is an issue, you'll feel safer in a second storey room. Privacy is easier to achieve on the side or back of a house, but even a room on the front of your house can be hidden from view of passers-by with the installation of matchstick roll-up blinds or fabric drapes.

The room should be screened in to protect sleepers from mosquitoes and other night-time insects. You can install window-height screens, or make entire screened walls of floor to ceiling panels. If you'd like to extend the use of the area beyond the warmest months, you'll want to install moveable windows or walls. These will also allow the room's occupants to better control the amount of outdoors that comes in -- a desirable feature during inclement weather.

You can furnish a sleeping porch with as many creature comforts as you desire, keeping in mind whatever exposure to the elements the pieces will have. Ceiling or floor fans will aid the night breezes. Bedside tables will provide a place for a book and reading glasses, or a cold drink. If you want to use the room during the day as a living area, use day beds, couches or chaises that serve the dual purpose of seating by day and sleeping space by night. Or use fold-up cots or roll-away beds. Kids will even enjoy sleeping bags on the floor.

Whether used for daytime catnapping or a full night's rest, sleeping porches can give you a chance to enjoy summer weather to the fullest, and experience some of life's pleasant, peaceful moments.

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com


 

 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 ways to save on homeonwers insurance

  • 20 gas and electric money savings tips

  • 20 gas electric money savings tips

  • 3 great reasons to shop for home lighting online

  • 5 steps to successful property investment

  • 5 tips for cheaper home insurance

  • 6 really cool things be the king of your castle

  • 6 saving tips when moving

  • 9 home buyer traps and how to avoid them

  • adding stairs into deck railing plans

  • advice about the latest and accurate advice with reference to security doors

  • alarm controls are the brain of your security system use yours when choosing one

  • alarm systems not just for the wealthy anymore

  • aluminium conservatories

  • aluminium window frames

  • apartment loan 101

  • are you being taken advantage of when ordering flowers online

  • a guide to garage door openers

  • a guide to natural gas fireplaces

  • a new perspective on home security

  • a new type of home that leaves your wallet fatter and your life easier to manage

  • a quick guide to home mailboxes

  • baby room decorating v nurturing head to head

  • basement renovation

  • beautifying your basement

  • being a landlord

  • branded email in the real estate industry

  • buying foreclosed properties important pitfalls

  • buy the right property dont get misled

  • candle proof your home from accidents

  • cctv for the home

  • changing tastes the appeal of the orient

  • checking your chimney caps

  • checklist do i need to replace my chimney cap

  • choosing a bed for your dog

  • choosing the right cabinet for your needs

  • choosing the right commercial flagpole

  • choosing the right garage door

  • choosing the right mortgage for you

  • choosing window frames

  • color facts and color effects

  • cooking up a lighting plan for your kitchen

  • deck railing designs and ideas

  • designing your kids room is childs play

  • dream house can be a reality

  • dream yard

  • ecology 10 ways to fortify the environment for under 10

  • energy saving ideas for setting holiday lights aglow

  • essential electrician services

  • finding a home loan with bad credit

  • fireplace terms dont need to confuse you

  • first steps in real estate investing

  • flowers online be safe with payments

  • garage door buying tips

  • garden sheds more than a storage area

  • garden sheds more than just storage

  • georgian and victorian conservatory design

  • georgian and victorian style conservatories

  • getting started in real estate

  • getting started in real estate investing

  • get rid of air pollution in your home with house plants

  • get safety for your home with home alarm las vegas

  • giving a store and maintain your business tools and equipment with self storage

  • golf course waterfront living live play relax

  • great alarms

  • great ideas for stair railings

  • having it all why some people make the leap and others dont

  • help ive been robbed

  • help i ve been robbed

  • hey your basement smells an article for people looking to sell their home

  • home decorating and style guide

  • home fire alarms life savers

  • home loans identity theft protection could hurt home sales

  • home mortgage

  • home office feng shui

  • home owner loan 5 tips to get yourself ready for a home loan application

  • home safety for your children

  • home safety tips arm yourself against the threat of a break in

  • home safety tips for seniors

  • home security

  • home security can be simple

  • home security exterior and interior lighting

  • home security how to defend your home when you are away

  • home security how to make your home burglar resistant

  • home security locks and hinges

  • home security patio sliding glass doors

  • home security systems do not discriminate in katrina aftermath

  • home security systems provide a safe environment for family members

  • home security systems you can watch from work

  • home security the doors to your home

  • home security your yard is the first line of defence

  • home selling guidelines which can enhance your property value

  • home warranty the 5 reasons you need to get one today

  • how a good bedroom design can boost your confidence

  • how can you apply for a furnished apartment

  • how much will it cost to enclose your carport so it will

  • how thousands of people are buying second homes in spain

  • how to buy double glazing in the uk

  • how to choose a camera system

  • how to choose a tool box

  • how to choose locking mailboxes

  • how to choose your jewelry armoire

  • how to create an oasis of serenity with a backyard garden hot tub

  • how to finance a new extension

  • how to finance a new kitchen

  • how to find and install the best hurricane windows

  • how to modify your landscaping to protect your house from burglars

  • how to remove adhesive from self adhesive sticky labels

  • how to save your home from foreclosure

  • how to speed up your aging pc and make it healthier too

  • how to ward off house thief

  • ideas for deck railing designs and free plans

  • ideas for your interior christmas decorating

  • identity theft recovery the road back

  • index

  • industrial income property financing part 3 of 3

  • inspecting a home

  • interior design simply means personalizing your interior environment

  • is a townhouse for you

  • is big brother watching you or are you watching big brother

  • jacuzzi a brief overview

  • jupiter microlite the facts you need to know

  • just what is surveillance technology

  • keep intruders out of your home with home burglar alarm systems

  • know what you need to buy home security system

  • lake havasu real estate

  • learn some feng shui guidelines for your childrens room

  • lighting for seniors

  • light up the night quick facts about outdoor lighting

  • light up your garden and brighten your life

  • mirrored cabinets add functionality and fashion to bathrooms

  • motion detector technology

  • my story on starting out in buying properties for growing plants

  • need a house and pet sitter while youre away but think you cant afford it think again you can find a house sitter who works for free

  • negotiating the sale of your home

  • one room apartment to tuscan villa rules to make your decorating a success

  • online mortgage refinance quotes tips to finding a better rate

  • open houses are they worth it

  • outdoor lighting fixtures great selection available online

  • patio canopies protecting your patio from the elements

  • patio ponds

  • plan your budget before investing on a property

  • power outages how can homeowners prepare

  • prerequisites while qualifying for a home loan

  • property investment finding the right property manager

  • protection against people with evil intentions towards you

  • protect your home evaluate your existing chimney caps

  • pump up the value of your rehab real estate investment

  • ready to move consider remodeling instead

  • real estate management firms make your investment easier

  • rebuilding after katrina smart energy choices

  • remodeling online

  • reverse mortgages getting a good deal in 3 easy steps

  • rotator

  • safety with style in the bath

  • scented candles take me away

  • searching for the latest opinion pertaining to doors

  • secrets of the screw

  • secure locks for the restoration of period houses

  • securing upvc door locks with multipoint door lock cylinders

  • security cameras for your peace of mind

  • security gives you that peace of mind

  • security in todays world

  • seeing the light

  • selecting replacement windows

  • selling mobile homes information

  • selling your home a fsbos guide to keeping it safe

  • sleeping beauties porches for dreaming

  • solar residential outdoor lighting is becoming the product of choice for millions of consumers

  • so you want to be a house sitter heres how to find a house sitting assignment and you wont be paid a cent for your efforts

  • sprinklers provide best chance for surviving a house fire

  • stair railings for home decorating

  • stop dreaming magically transform your garden by night

  • store seasonal items in your own self storage unit

  • styles and varieties of locking mailboxes for sale

  • style and perfection in home decoration with plantation shutters

  • style your home with decorative plantation shutters

  • successfully installing soundproof windows

  • ten commandments for first time residential property investors

  • the advantages of underwater fishing cameras

  • the benefits of steel storage buildings

  • the final walk through

  • the gardener the salsa and a day at the ranch

  • the most sensible investment decision youll ever make

  • the property thief

  • the right time to buy your first home

  • the ten essential storage principles of an extraordinary home

  • the top 5 things you need to know if you are buying or selling a home

  • thinking about home improvement then heres a checklist

  • this winter provide water for the birds

  • tiles are the foundation stone for your stylish bathroom

  • tips and tricks to find information on home security

  • tips for buying a whirlpool bath online

  • tips for keeping you home invasion free

  • tips on buying an effective alarm system

  • tips to reduce your home insurance costs

  • top ten house alarm and home security devices

  • to picket fences

  • tv news turn it off and get a better picture of the world

  • video encryption

  • visualizing your home theater

  • wall safes the safest walls on earth

  • what is a home inspection

  • what should be considered before buying home

  • wholesale vinyl flooring is perfect for wherever you need it

  • why buy a candig mini digger

  • why choose a home improvement loan

  • why double glazing

  • why you should consider staining your concrete floor

  • windows and doors enhance home safety

  • wired its more than the name of a magazine

  • wood panels and humidity

  • your guide to wireless security cameras