Featured in Dale Mulfinger's book The Getaway Home, Porch Cabin at a little under 2,000 square feet, seems at first glance modest by many home standards. However, its efficient floor plan provides plenty of room for guests when built as a weekend retreat, as well as plenty of space for those seeking a smaller primary residence. A key feature of the design is the home's large screen porch, which wraps around three sides of the house. Intended facilitate an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, it provides more than ample room for get-togethers. It is in fact the largest single space in the home, thought because its 760 square feet are not part of the heated space of the home, they are not included in the official square footage figures.

The simple square shape and uncomplicated lines of cabins of the early 1900s inspired the design of this home. Old-fashioned porch cabins let weekenders visiting from the city sit outside and enjoy the country-fresh air, even if it rained all weekend long. The porch is where both residents and visitors will spend most of their time, whether its napping, enjoying the view, or watching from afar while the kids play outside.

With so much daytime living happening on the porch, the living room functions as the cozy, protected heart of the home. Its stone fireplace anchors the room, and draws you in on cool evenings or during the coldest weather. In the case of the original home, the owner chose salvaged rough sawn wood for the walls and ceilings, and large reclaimed 100 year old fir structural beams, in order to add a sense durability and history. The main floor has two modest sized bedrooms sharing the full downstairs bath. The home's kitchen is open to the dining room, and glass interior walls are used between the dining and living rooms in order to provide the feeling of separation, but still allow for a continuous, open feel. The dining room has vaulted ceilings, but the bottom of the beams in the living room are lowered to 8 feet 9 inches for a more intimate and cozy feeling.

Interestingly, the upper level of the home was originally planned as the bunk and extra bedroom area (the master bedroom was intended for the same space on the main floor). But with the addition of an upstairs stone fireplace, large window seat with built in dresser below it, and a full bath, the entire upper level became the romantic private retreat of the master bedroom.