I liked screened porches but they aren't really as necessary in Denver. We just don't have the bugs. My favorite part of my house is the big open front porch.

I don't have a link to attach but I love Cliff May houses. They're fairly small but generally well-designed (originally) so they feel larger than they are, and they are wonderful for incorporating "outside" into the living space. There are a cluster of them here but most are in southern California - some of the ones there are just stunning.