<h6>Photos by Rebecca McAlpin</h6>
<h4><strong>A nature-loving couple welcomes the outdoors into their abode with a covered porch concept that looks elegant and feels effortless.</strong></h4>
<p>Lauren and Jay Stauffer enjoy entertaining friends and family in their new space. It boasts a soaring tongue-in-groove ceiling, a comfy seating area, a huge dining table, glorious views of woodlands—and no walls. It’s a stunning 21st-century interpretation of a covered porch.</p>
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<p><img class="aligncenter" src="https://prismrss.s3.amazonaws.com/Today_Media/THUNT/img/thunt_may_2024_a007_002.jpg" alt="porch dining" width="740" height="1182"></p>
<blockquote><p>“The clients really wanted a space that would allow them to effortlessly enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds them.”<br />
<em>—Designer Kate Pechinka</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Initially, the Stauffers envisioned replacing their existing second-floor deck with a small multiseason room. But Chester County-based designer Kate Pechinka wondered if a sunroom was the best fit for these accomplished hosts and nature lovers. Why not a large covered porch?</p>
<p>“The clients really wanted a space that would allow them to effortlessly enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds them,” says Pechinka.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-39466 size-full" src="https://assets.thehuntmagazine.com/2024/09/thunt-sept-24-covered-porch.jpg" alt="covered porch" width="1200" height="800"></p>
<p>The concept soon evolved into a two-story addition that included a covered porch on the second story and a sumptuous guest suite below. Double the size of the deck it replaced, the porch has built-in heating units so the space can be enjoyed in cooler months. A staircase provides direct access to the driveway. “Our covered deck has all the features you’d want in your living room: beautiful light fixtures, cedar ceilings, cozy furniture and a dining space,” Lauren says.</p>
<p>In the spa-like primary bath, a freestanding tub, millwork and light fixtures offer sophisticated silhouettes.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="https://prismrss.s3.amazonaws.com/Today_Media/THUNT/img/thunt_may_2024_a007_004.jpg" alt="bath tub" width="1189" height="1553"></p>
<p>The sitting room is informal and welcoming, with a tight-back sofa that maintains a neat appearance and leather chairs that soften with use and time. “This particular space retains its own unique identity within the home, while not feeling off-limits,” Pechinka says.</p>
<p>In the spa-like primary bath, a freestanding tub, millwork and light fixtures offer sophisticated silhouettes. Carrara marble tile and oversized-stone floors provide a grounding effect with their weight and scale.</p>
<p>The project also includes a mudroom with abundant storage.</p>
<p>The project also includes a mudroom with abundant storage and updates to the kids’ bedrooms. Throughout the house, the vibe is relaxed and refreshed, an artful blend of beauty and function designed to evolve with a growing family. “Kate was keen on providing us with a design to go along with the stages of life we’ve been in—spaces that feel elegant, beautiful and comfortable,” Lauren says.</p>
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<p><img class="aligncenter" src="https://prismrss.s3.amazonaws.com/Today_Media/THUNT/img/thunt_may_2024_a007_005.jpg" alt="West Chester home welcome area" width="1200" height="1410"></p>
<p><strong><em><a href="http://katekellyinteriors.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kate Kelly Interiors</a></em><br />
</strong><em>Chester Springs, (484) 543-8853</em></p>
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<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://thehuntmagazine.com/home-garden/art-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Art Conservation and Preservation Are Important Practices in the Brandywine Valley</a></strong></p>
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