Call it a silver lining. The porte cochere, in design doesn't have to be grand to create the feeling of driving towards a special place; a hidden secret. As a fan of secret passageways inside a home I am always giddy with joy when driving through a porte cochere at a residence. The connection this architectural delight provides between a home and its garages and courtyards is full of intrigue.
Whether a stone clad estate or a quaint bungalow, the porte cochere can fit like a glove. The combination of building elements considered for this passageway adds a handsome extension to the home's architecture. An extension where an interestly-shaped window has its place, a chandelier has center stage, and landscape seems to have found its perfect picture frame.
The peek into a "by invitation only" outdoor area of our home is certainly accomplished by the porte cochere. The occupants in the vehicle, driving through a porte cochere for the first time, become silent in reverence to what is to come.
With or without a gate at its entrance, the porte cochere's lure remains the same. Sort of like watching a blockbuster in the theater or in the comfort of our own home. Our experience of passage is what we make it.
And for those in the know about accessorizing a space - the porte cochere is not complete without the outdoor fixtures that finish its space, the flair of its home owner. These pieces become even more personalized when they pay homage to the family's heritage.
Let's not forget what we tuck above the porte cochere. The romance of the room above this architectural passageway cannot be a forgotten space. It deserves more than a place for storage. Whether an artist's studio, a writer's perch, a reader's nook, or the childrens' play area - the porte cochere's "crown" needs to be that special place that only a few are granted entrance.
Be wise about the placement of a porte-cochere. The home's structure, design, land plot and function all are important factors in allowing your home to garner a porte cochere. It's almost one of those things that the rest of the home is built around not vice versa.
The well-dressed home even on the outside. A passageway by invite is certainly one of those things that dress a home well.
