Page 70 - Flathead Living // Spring 2015

HOME EXTERIORS STORY & PHOTOS BY JAIX CHAIX
Front Porch Living
Appearances have changed, but their purpose and utility have remained largely the same
A n outdoor storage closet. A way of life. Whatever the purpose, front porches are as American as apple
pie – and indeed a unique part of Flathead Valley architecture and lifestyle.
Sure, for some folks, a porch is little more than a place to keep gear, a blend of the stuff used for outdoor activities last season, cluttered with things needed more readily at the moment. Some kind of camo gear complementing a pair of cross-country skis among spring seedlings for the garden is not uncommon. So stand some of the porches of purpose and utility.
Meanwhile, more enchanted front porches, whether in “downtown” neighborhoods or at the front of sprawling, backcountry escapes, seem more decorated and deliberate.
The front porch of this Craftsman-style home features a long, sloping roof integrated with the rest of the house, which helps keep direct sunlight and the elements at bay.
68 FLATHEAD LIVING | SPRING 2015