3 Screened-In Porches Ready for Winter
See how fire features and comfy furniture have transformed these outdoor spaces into cozy cold-weather hangouts
Screened-in porches are great when the weather’s nice. But once winter rolls around, these spaces often get left out in the cold. That is, unless a fire feature comes into play. Here, three cozy screened-in porches embrace flickering flames to brave the chill.
2. Mountainside Marvel
Designers: Architect Nathan Bryant of Samsel Architects and interior designer Traci Kearns of Alchemy Design Studio
Location: Arden, North Carolina
Size: 335 square feet (31.1 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: An outdoor space in which to read, relax, watch movies and sports, settle down by a fireplace and entertain friends and family.
Special features: Gas fireplace with stone surround. Horizontal wood paneling that opens to reveal a TV. Access to hot tub and terrace with outdoor kitchen. Porcelain tile. Large sectional, positioned for views of a wildflower meadow and Western North Carolina mountains.
Sectional and ottoman: Gloster; pillows: custom, with Sunbrella fabric
Designers: Architect Nathan Bryant of Samsel Architects and interior designer Traci Kearns of Alchemy Design Studio
Location: Arden, North Carolina
Size: 335 square feet (31.1 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: An outdoor space in which to read, relax, watch movies and sports, settle down by a fireplace and entertain friends and family.
Special features: Gas fireplace with stone surround. Horizontal wood paneling that opens to reveal a TV. Access to hot tub and terrace with outdoor kitchen. Porcelain tile. Large sectional, positioned for views of a wildflower meadow and Western North Carolina mountains.
Sectional and ottoman: Gloster; pillows: custom, with Sunbrella fabric
Designer secret: “Finding a furniture arrangement that suits two people or a whole party can be challenging to avoid a cluttered look,” architect Nathan Bryant says. “Instead of having many seats all around, the sectional concept works well for minimalist and modern spaces. It reads as a single unit and declutters the space even though it can seat eight or more people.”
Also on the team: Todd Crawford (photographer); Tyner Construction (builder)
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Fireplace: Carol Rose; floor tile: porcelain, Crossville Tile & Stone; coping and steps: 3-inch thermaled Pennsylvania bluestone; hot tub: Hot Spring; fireplace stone: dry-stacked Tennessee fieldstone; fireplace mantel: 2-by-10-inch painted steel tube
Also on the team: Todd Crawford (photographer); Tyner Construction (builder)
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Fireplace: Carol Rose; floor tile: porcelain, Crossville Tile & Stone; coping and steps: 3-inch thermaled Pennsylvania bluestone; hot tub: Hot Spring; fireplace stone: dry-stacked Tennessee fieldstone; fireplace mantel: 2-by-10-inch painted steel tube
3. Lounge Act
Designers: Steve Gray and Gary Nance
Location: Indianapolis
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters); 14 by 20 feet (4.2 by 6 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A new addition to provide an outdoor living room with a flowing transition from the rest of the home.
Special features: Fire feature. Smooth cedar structure with stone walls and floor. View to backyard. Fan. Option to add glass inserts in window openings.
Designer secret: “Adding different textures — wood, stone, paint,” designer-builder Steve Gray says. “And having fun, comfortable colors.”
Also on the team: Anne Brooks of Butternut Interiors; Andrew Kung (photographer); Greg Mullen of H.G. McCullough Designers
Furnishings: Pottery Barn; lighting and ceiling fan: Ferguson; windows: Pella
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Designers: Steve Gray and Gary Nance
Location: Indianapolis
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters); 14 by 20 feet (4.2 by 6 meters)
Homeowners’ request: A new addition to provide an outdoor living room with a flowing transition from the rest of the home.
Special features: Fire feature. Smooth cedar structure with stone walls and floor. View to backyard. Fan. Option to add glass inserts in window openings.
Designer secret: “Adding different textures — wood, stone, paint,” designer-builder Steve Gray says. “And having fun, comfortable colors.”
Also on the team: Anne Brooks of Butternut Interiors; Andrew Kung (photographer); Greg Mullen of H.G. McCullough Designers
Furnishings: Pottery Barn; lighting and ceiling fan: Ferguson; windows: Pella
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Designers: Project architect Adam Steiner of Cornerstone Architects and interior designer Wendy Williamson
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 490 square feet (45.5 square meters)
Homeowners’ request: A calm, screened-in retreat that takes advantage of views of the surrounding nature preserve.
Special features: Monolithic limestone fireplace. Comfortable furniture. Stained timber-framed structure. Tongue-and-groove ceiling. Scored and stained concrete floor. Cross breezes. Open to main home. Ceiling fan.
Also on the team: Pete Wyeth of Wyeth Custom Homes (builder); Tre Dunham of Fine Focus Photography; Bob Wetmore, principal partner of Cornerstone Architects; Ranjit Gupta, partner at Cornerstone Architects
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Furniture: Restoration Hardware; fireplace stone: Lueders limestone; fan: Minka