In the last Saturday Sketchbook post, I discussed the three outdoor spaces I have been working on for the cottage. I casually mentioned that the front porch may or may not have railings. Then someone on Instagram posted this picture, and it sent my mind spinning.
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Do you see what I see? Isn’t this porch just gorgeous? I had never considered using planters as a buffer between porch and ground before I saw this image; But as soon as I saw it the wheels in my head started turning. Here’s a close up of the planter boxes.
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The sea of color slays me.
I tracked down a photo of this same porch, updated with different flowers in the planters. It’s a simple change that has a big impact. As someone who loves to rearrange furniture, the thought of updating the look of the exterior without lifting a hammer is really piquing my interest. Additionally, I am almost certain our cottage exterior will be all white, and a pop of color provided by flowers could really help add some visual interest.
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Excitedly, I sent these pictures to Craig and asked him what he thought. I was pretty sure his reaction would be the same as mine – pure love. Imagine my shock when he texted back three simple words. Not a fan.
Gulp! Did he just really say that?! How could it be!
The conversation continued later that night when he got home from work. I used all sorts of logic to try to persuade him to come to ‘my side’ of the equation. “See how the grass can be planted right up to the porch rail? no need for expensive landscaping!” “Wouldn’t it be nice to just keep potted plants alive and not have to worry so much about weeds?” “You can change it for the seasons – bright flowers in summer, potted spruce in winter!” “The lower planters won’t block the view out of the windows!”
Not budging.
Though he couldn’t give me a firm reason WHY he didn’t like the look, he did say that it just seems to him that a porch needs railings. (*technically.. this is the architect in me speaking…per code, we won’t be required to add a railing to our front porch because it will only be about 14 inches off of ground level)
SO… I set to work on my 3d modeling program, to get a better idea of what a planter box buffer could look like at the cottage.
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See how cute? I went ahead and added a few more porch details – to further the vision I laid out in this post – I even added a blue bead board ceiling, which I think would be lovely.
Pretend that you are sitting on the porch.
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The view from the porch swing is my favorite.
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I could probably spend all day right here. Truly.
Of course, I want to make sure and play fair – so here are a few views of the porch shown with a standard railing.
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Now it’s your turn to weigh in. Help us solve this debate by telling us which you prefer – railings or planters. Please comment below!
Read more about our home design progress here.
I vote planter, possibly a taller scale but not the railing. My reasoning is with the stone elements, putting is railing will give it a ‘boxed in’ feeling where the planters with flowers & or grasses; an airy, open dimension. For added heights besides low growing foliage, try medium height native grasses ( which can stay & in the Winter( these look beautiful topped with snow ) With Mn Winters you can change it to include minature , decorative Evergreens with lights. Don’t feel like you have to be so ‘by the book’ some of the most beautiful designs are a mix as is in fashion of clothing textures/designs. Looking forward to seeing what you choose- as always it will be beautiful!
Good point – it really does lend to a more ‘open feel’! I love it!
For that style, railings. Our midcentury ranch has a brick planter and box hedge on the front edge of our porch and it’s one of my favorite things about our house, but I don’t think the planter aspect works as well for your plans. They might work better if they weren’t so low, but they feel really out of scale with those heavy stone elements. They work for that big neoclassical porch because the columns are slender, the bases are much more delicate, and the tops of the plants are basically in line with the tops of the bases. Your big stone elements need something taller, and the spaces between the railings balance their heaviness better than the solid planter.
I agree with the stone/planter sentiment. With the stone, I like the railing better.
Good points Bonnie – I’m not totally sold on the overall size or height of the stone elements… maybe I could scale those down a bit and the planter up a bit? To me it just seems weird to have a railing I guess, when the porch is so low to the ground. And I for sure wouldn’t want the rail where the porch swing will be – so even if we do use rails, they won’t go all the way around. The good thing is, there is still a lot of time to figure this out! 😉
Also, MN winters are going to make it hard if you’re using annuals. Better suited to a more temperate climate if you want to change it up seasonally.
I was telling people in the Facebook comment thread that I see the planter more as a piece of furniture, that can be removed if need-be (like, in the winter maybe?).. I also think that it would work best to have the big planter piece, but have the actual soil and plants in separate containers that drop INTO the large planter, so that they too could be easily switched out. In the winter I can imagine some spruce type elements and berries with lights?! There would maybe be 3 changes during the year: In the early summer, fall, and for the winter – which I guess wouldn’t be any more work than if I had landscaping beds?
Planters I love it!
I had never seen that option before – had you? I love it too!
Planters!!! As long has you have a green enough thumb to keep seasonal color in them 🙂
funny enough… that is one of Craig’s big worries. I don’t really have a green thumb, but I have had good luck with planters! Once the flowers get in the ground, they tend to get overgrown with weeds under my care! LOL
Railings! I’m all about maintenance free!
ps: what is this ‘maintenance free’ you speak of? 😉
I don’t think you or I get a vote! ha ha!!!