Home Decorating Outdoor Living Sneak Peek: The Design Plan for the Porch at the 2021 Real Simple Home Shop the inspiration to deck out your own outdoor space. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 27, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Rendering courtesy of Architectural Renderings LLC To design each area of the 2021 Real Simple Home, we paired an editor "client" with each designer to help determine the goals and challenges within the space. For the wrap-around porch, interior designer Eduardo Rodriguez and Real Simple's photo director Muzam Agha are joining forces to create an outdoor oasis that feels like a vacation. While we'll have to wait until September 17 to see the reveal of the porch and the entire 2021 Real Simple Home, the creative duo is showing as a look at their design plan for the upcoming space. A stylish black-and-white color scheme with a burst of color on the front door makes for a curb appeal-boosting plan. Shop all the inspiration, below, then check back soon for the big reveal. Meet the Dream Team: Eduardo Rodriquez Herman Vega Eduardo's decades-long design career has included stints in fashion, theater, and window displays. "Having worked in these various fields helps me look at my projects through different lenses," he says. Muzam Agha, Photo Director Trevor Jerome An avid traveler with an affinity for warm-weather destinations, Muzam would love to replicate the easy indoor-outdoor flow of some of his favorite vacation rentals in Mexico. The Goal: Muzam wants the porch and back deck to have plenty of seating for family and friends to gather but still be cozy enough for an outdoor dinner for two. He likes to incorporate a few unique touches as well. The Challenge: The front porch affects your home's curb appeal and should also give a preview of what's to come upon entering. You want it to jibe with the overall appearance of the house—inside and out. The Design Plan: Mix it up Eduardo's black- and-white design will give our early 1900s home's exterior a sleek and modern update. Meanwhile, rattan and concrete elements will add texture. Go Green Incorporate evergreen plants for a lush vibe year-round. The plants also provide a sense of privacy, which is particularly valuable on the corner lot. Make It Last Combine the look of wood with the low-maintenance durability of composite decking. We're using TimberTech in Weathered Teak (timbertech.com for info) on both the covered front porch and exposed deck out back. Shop the Inspiration: Chic Seats Article $479, article.com Wicker is a timeless material for outdoor furniture, while the black finish makes it feel modern. Concrete Jungle Pottery Barn $149, potterybarn.com Handmade using fiber cement, these planters will stand the test of time, while the classic fluted design means they'll never go out of style. Hues at the Door Valspar Simply Seafoam 5008-7C, valspar.com A black-and-white color scheme lets you have a little fun with the front door. Try an unexpected color, like Simply Seafoam from Valspar. Set in Stone West Elm $249, westelm.com Concrete lends an industrial look to the porch. The sculptural, textured base adds visual interest, and the top offers a stylish perch for drinks, snacks, and reading materials. Light a Fire Terrain $398, shopterrain.com Family and friends will gather around this durable steel fire pit on late-summer evenings and chilly fall days for yeas to come. Over time, the steel will develop a natural patina and is designed to rust in place. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit