Modern Approach to Southern Charm -- Landscape Designer Edition

When you look at homes across the South, you’ll see a common theme, from large homes to quaint little homes—all have a front porch. Many people are moving to Greenville, SC as well as other southern states and modern remodeled homes are making their appearance while the more traditional make an exit. With this design and the team at ALL Outdoors Landscaping, a modern front porch patio design that still brings accents of the traditional elements, gives a fresh, new modern approach to southern charm was created.

Front porches have long been a staple, or have at least been known as a prime architecturally feature seen in many eras. From the 1800s to present day, porches have been showing off the skills of builders and millworking. They have even been found in classical Greek architecture with large verandas with columns and stone porches (Old House). This simple, yet charming, feature adds shelter from the rain, an inviting entrance, a place to entertain and simply a place to rest. Front porch living is as charming as it comes. Adding a modern approach to a southern front porch is what I will show you in this design, as well as how to bring the same charming feel to a modern design.

*1.1 and 1.2: Designs by Danielle Collins using Program Realtime landscape architecture

Instead of using wood that decays or adding a roof, I chose to use Techo-Bloc Blue stone in the design to bring out the cool tones in the concrete driveway and wall. The patio porch is larger on the left side to enlarge the yard with the installation a Techo-Bloc Graphix wall. This features two tones of nickel gray and onyx black to accent the home. The 18 Ft. Graphix wall has built-in drainage. The wall also wraps to the front-facing wall where you’ll find a fireplace that I custom designed with a Warming Trends custom burner. (ps. A later blog will reveal the full project transformation with fireplace, lighting and all elements finished…Stay Tuned).

The patio porch extends in both directions and is large on the left side behind the fireplace. Then, extends in front of the home to the driveway. To give the appearance of a front porch, a 7 foot wide and 30 inch tall planter box will be installed in front of the patio, centered with the windows on the front right of the home. The planter box is custom and is treated to mimic Core tin metal. There will be a powder coated horizontal slated fence front plate that will be placed 3 inches in front of the planter and back lit. The address will also be laser cut in the front plate and lit up as well. This will be installed as one of the last elements in the design. To add a little more charm, a teak bench will be installed, along with Luxor Colored lighting, new synthetic turf from Landscapers Supply in Greenville and Techo-Bloc paver apron for the end of the driveway. To top it off, new low maintenance plants will be installed. Stay tuned to my blog for the reveal of the full project!

*1.3: This is the Before and Progress Photo: (exceptions: plants and core tin planter box missing)​




By: Danielle Collins
Copyright ALL Outdoors 2022

Works cited:

1. Old House:  http://oldhouseonline.com/gardens-and-exteriors/porch-details-for-evey-era/