This Fairview Park Porch is Our Summer Inspiration

The back porch of Erica Yurik’s 1951 Fairview Park ranch always looks like it’s up for a good time. And it is, whether that’s  for  a workout, a work-from-home day or a gathering with friends and family. “I love to soak up every day that is semi-warm here in Cleveland,” the owner of Erica Yurik Design Studio says. “I wanted it to be very comfortable, welcoming.” To make the outdoor space just right, Yurik repaired the concrete foundation, replaced damaged exterior red brick, touched up the French doors’ paint, and added a wood trellis at one side for privacy. She used color and texture to create a whimsical let’s-get-this-party-started look — one that can be achieved at any price point by following her lead.

Be Bold.

Yurik found a set of 1970s patio furniture at an estate sale and spray-painted the wrought-iron frames a sunny yellow acrylic formulated for outdoor use. A local upholsterer made cushions piped in yellow out of a water-, stain- and fade-resistant polyester that Yurik ordered in a solid pale pink and bright-red-and-pale-pink stripe from Colours of Arley in London. “Two to three bright colors mixed in with your neutrals really gives a good foundation to be able to balance out throughout all your patterns, all your accessories and your furniture,” she says. 

Play With Patterns.

Yurik executed her color palette in a solid and two patterns, one small and one large in scale. “That’s a way to introduce pattern without it being too overwhelming,” she says. She put the pale-pink solid on the sofa cushions, a bright-red-and-pale-pink mini stripe on the cafe-chair cushions, and a large bright-red-and-pale-pink stripe on the sofa bolsters. “If you find something else that works, you can throw it on top.”

Accessorize Accordingly.

Mix old and new pieces to inject fun and funk into porch decor. “I tried, for the most part, to match the color story of the furniture fabrics and frames,” Yurik says, alluding to red-and-pink cocktail napkins ordered from Meri Meri Party Supplies, vintage yellow cocktail glasses from eBay and hand-painted floral plates from Salvage Yard in Fairview Park. “If I’m not picking pieces that are colorful, I try to pick things that are interesting and have a unique texture.” Her cooler, for example, is actually an acrylic ice bucket concealed in a woven wicker planter. 

READ MORE: This Shaker Heights Backyard Is the Only Summer Getaway You’ll Ever Need

Go Green.

“I layered in lots of different types of plants — different sizes, textures, colors — to create (additional) interest,” Yurik says. She notes that greenery functions as a neutral in outdoor settings.

Get Glowing.

String lights are a classic touch that can remain in place throughout the year. Yurik defined the perimeter of her porch’s stained-wood ceiling with strings of white lights in a warm tone — under 3,000K. The frosted bulbs “diffuses the light a little bit better.” The string is Ingress Protection-rated IP44 for covered-outdoor use. She recommends those setting up a space exposed to the elements look for lights with an IP65 rating.  

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