2 Perfect Porches

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When architectural designer Mary Meagher teamed up with a family to build a summer home in a small town on the coast of Rhode Island, she knew the site -- a generous spot of open land with unobstructed views of Narragansett Bay -- would dictate the design. So she gave the house extra-high ceilings with expansive windows, but also planned for outdoor living spaces, including a spacious screened porch.

The homeowners knew from past summers that they loved having a spot where they could relax or entertain without having to endure the harsh rays of midday sun or the relentless attack of mosquitoes. And sure enough, the new porch, with its dazzling vistas and comfortable furnishings, has become the family's favorite room during the summer months.

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