It’s All About the Porch at a New Hampshire Lake House
June 19, 2023
This versatile, relaxing porch-that-isnāt-a-porch brings the outdoors ināliterally.
Text by Robert KienerĀ Ā Ā Photography by Rob Karosis
āItās a porch, but itās moreāa lot moreāthan just a porch,ā says architect Rob Carty with a broad smile as he describes the novel open-air space his firm, TMS Architects Interiors, designed for a vacation home overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. āItās really an outdoor living room.ā
During the homeās design phase, as his clients explained how much they loved the grounds and the views from their new lakeside lot, Carty came up with the idea of āthe porch that isnāt a porch.ā While his design for the three-story home, which he describes as a melding of the White Mountain camp, Adirondack, and Western timber-frame vernaculars, included generous patios and decks, Carty wanted to give his clients a covered outdoor space they could enjoy year-round.
Instead of enclosing the space with walls of windows or framed screens, Carty chose custom-made retractable roll screens. āBecause they are hidden away in the woodwork and can be lowered or raised at the touch of a button,ā explains builder Glenn Farrell of YFI Custom Homes, āthey allow you to change the feel, and look, of the room instantly.ā
With the screens raised, the room opens seamlessly onto the adjoining terrace and stone staircase that leads to a lower terrace, the lawn, and a pathway to the lake. Lowered, the screens make the room both cozy and bug-free. A built-in grill and a fireplace add to the porchās versatility.
Like the house itself, the space boasts a wealth of natural materials including Blue Mist granite for the flooring, flagstone on the fireplace, straight-grain fir on the ceiling, and durable Port Orford cedar for the timber framing. The owners chose sturdy resin-wicker outdoor furniture and decay-resistant ipe tables to withstand the regionās ever-changing weather. The result is a room that provides the backdrop for everything from cookouts to quiet time.
āThe owners are very outdoorsy people, and they have told us they use this space throughout the year,ā says architect and interior designer Cristina Johnson. āItās one of their favorite places to kick back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of their natural surroundings.ā
Project Team
Architecture and interior design: TMS Architects Interiors
Builder: YFI Custom Homes
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