between friends
a
few weeks ago, I
visited our friend
Joan, who is
finishing up the
renovation of her
1930s Cape Cod-
style home. The final
piece awaiting completion is a new front
porch with sets of French doors to living
spaces. “I need to finish that porch soon,”
mused Joan, “because I want to have the
neighbors over, and this is
not
a winter
house. This is a house for summer.”
It’s striking, isn’t it, how some houses
really do seem to have a season? The first
house my husband and I owned, a tiny
two-story Colonial, was at its best in
winter, when sunlight streamed in
through floor-to-ceiling windows. In the
shade of summer the same house felt dark
and confined, with just one narrow door
to an unimproved backyard. Later, we
lived in the perfect autumn house, with
a deck overlooking woods that supplied
brilliant color all season long.
But a house that lives large in summer
may be the most desirable of all, because
that’s when our days are longest and—
often—most leisurely. Wide-open doors,
shady patios, and pretty gardens are just
a few of the summer-friendly features
that invite us to break out of our routine
and spend more time enjoying the fresh
air of home. Even entertaining slips into
It’s striking isn't it, how some
houses seem to have a ‘season’ all
their own? Make mine summer.
D
its easiest mode.
(We’llgrill the burgers,
you bring the salad.)
Some of my very best
conversations with friends have taken
place around the patio table, with a
pitcher of iced tea and our kids playing in
the yard—or more recently, popped home
for a visit. That’s the great thing about
summer: You don’t need to go too far to
feel refreshed and reconnected.
Every house has summer house
potential. That’s why this issue celebrates
the many ways of embracing the season,
from one-day outdoor decorating
(page
75) to inventive renovations that loosen
the boundaries between indoors and out.
And for pure summer pleasure, don’t miss
chef Scott Peacock’s porch-supper menu,
page 144
. 1 love his relaxed, family-style
menu, as beautiful as it is delicious—and
especially conducive to conversation
as dishes are passed and shared. Note
to Joan:
We’ll bring the dinner, you
bring the porch.
Hope your summer is filled with fun
and time to relax with those you love.
P.S. Joan is a true
Better Homes and
Gardens
woman—always finding smart,
creative ways to better her home. Tell me:
Do you know someone like that? I’d love
to know more about her or him (or you!).
COOL
IDEAS
Nothing says
summer like
frosty-cold
beverages on
a hot afternoon.
For a presentation
that’s pretty and
eco-friendly,
swap individual
cans or bottles
for reusable
ones. Cookbook
author Regina
Charboneau
pours homemade
lemonades and
teas in glass liter
bottles with
stoppers and
hand-printed
labels. Look for
more of her
festive ideas in
“Independence
Play,” page
17).
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JULY 2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
