Date: September 30, 2020 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Lauren Cerrato |
Porch Perfected: The weather is right and fall colors are beginning to show off. Grab a seat on Ashley and Michael Mosley’s Sheridan front porch for seasonal inspiration
As a mother of five, family is hugely important to Ashley Mosley. So, it’s no surprise her home—and namely its expansive front porch—reflect this value. “Our porch is really family friendly; I wanted it to be comfortable and inviting,” she says. “We spend a lot of time out here, particularly at sunset when the view is really pretty.”
Recently, she worked with Laurie Miller of The Velvet Boxwood—whom she met while planning and styling her oldest son’s wedding—to update the space and make it even cozier for the cooler days ahead. “She is great at classic style, and is really like an artist with plants,” Ashley says. This passion seems to come naturally to Laurie, who grew up with a mother who owned a nursery and a father in the commercial landscape business. “I love all things Southern. I try to bring warmth and hospitality with a European flair to all my projects,” says the designer who tackles everything from gardens to gatherings as well as interiors and floral design.
To convey this welcoming sense, Laurie worked off the blue and cream palette seen on the exterior and mixed in wood and upholstered pieces along with a truckload of fresh plantings and, of course, pumpkins. “I have a problem with pumpkins,” Lauries laughs. “When they come in season, I go bananas.” For this porch, the more the merrier rings true as an autumn-inspired rainbow of gourds leads guests up the steps. Read on to see how she pulled the look together.
“I love color, but especially blue. Before we built, I knew I wanted a big front porch with a classic haint blue ceiling,” Ashley says. “Now, I can’t imagine our front door ever being a different color. It’s going to be a part of our house forever.”
PICK YOUR PLANTINGS
While mums are a staple of the season, Laurie brings a few unexpected additions to the front planters with a mix of fragrant rosemary, ivy, cabbage, crotons, and violas. Pumpkins and gourds add to the festive scene.
CREATE COZY
You can often find the Mosley family, which includes chocolate Labrador retriever Chip (seen on our cover), passing the evening in the rocking chairs. Building off the colors of the home’s exterior, Laurie continued with a palette of light blue, cream, and green seen on an abundance of custom throw pillows and the ottoman.
SIT A SPELL
Designed by central Arkansas’s Nate & Lane, the swing bed seen here is one of three on the property. Blankets and pillows make it the perfect spot to get lost in a good book or take an afternoon nap.
See more of The Velvet Boxwood’s designs and seasonal inspiration on Instagram (@thevelvetboxwood).
Design Resources
Architect Yeary Lindsey Architects Contractor Greg Dunlap Construction Design Laurie Miller, The Velvet Boxwood Landscape design Landscape Associates Fabrics Designer Effects Furniture and accessories Park Hill Home and The Velvet Boxwood Furniture (swing bed) Nate & Lane Lighting Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights Paint Sherwin-Williams Plantings and pumpkins Plant Outlet and The Good Earth Garden Center
