Original porch: This home, located in the Windpointe section of Waterstone in Carmel, was built mid-’90s and the owners have lived in the home for more than two years. While the home has a beautiful wooded lot and existing screened-in porch, the backyard area didn’t provide the functionality the family needed. “We knew we wanted to remodel the outdoor area as soon as we moved in. The concrete patio was too small and not in-line with the rest of the house. We wanted to expand on it. The screened porch was showing signs of deterioration, so we knew we would either have to perform extensive repairs or totally remodel it. We decided to take all of the rotted walls and screens out of the porch and have a covered, open dining area.”
Porch modifications: The existing screen porch was modified to eliminate screens and knee walls and create enough comfortable space for casual dining for eight. The existing framing was modified and new decorative cedar corner braces were added. New exterior trim was added and a beaded ceiling installed, along with new ceiling fans and lighting.
Fire pit and hardscape with pergola: The outdoor living design included a fire pit, seat walls, planter boxes and a grilling island. Bronze low-voltage lighting was added to illuminate the steps and pathways. The new patio features natural travertine stone, including rock-face stone copings for the post caps, walls and grilling area. Stair copings were upgraded to travertine with a radius nosing profile.
Final results: The homeowners commented, “My husband’s and kids’ favorite part of the area is the fire pit. I like the open-porch dining area. Before, the small-screened porch was not conducive to the seven of us eating dinner out there. Now, we have dinner outside all the time because the open space fits our family. It is a much more relaxing space now. The design of the three areas – dining, lounging and fire pit – flows nicely together.”
