Take three homeowners with three very different projects, add in three experts and one common element: Create an outdoor space that’s an extension of an indoor space. From an update to an existing screened porch/kitchen/great room combination to creating a full-on family entertainment area, these three projects provide endless inspiration and ideas.
East Memphis Screened Porch
The Builder: Spike Treadwell, Swift Treadwell Custom Homes
The Homeowners: Family with three children
The Neighborhood: Shady Grove/Gwynne in East Memphis
The Goal: Low-key entertaining
Comfort and low-key entertaining were the goals for this expansive screened porch that is easily accessible from the kitchen. Image: Julie Wage Ross
The family lived in this East Memphis home for a few years while they worked with builder Spike Treadwell on a new build in the same spot. One key element of the home was an outdoor space that flowed seamlessly from the new kitchen. “The outdoor area is for entertaining and the owner’s main requirement was that it have plenty of room for a pingpong table,” says Spike.
The spectacular finished space features that pingpong gaming area, as well as a fireplace, TV, a multi-table dining area easily configured to accommodate a crowd, two multiple seating areas and an outdoor kitchen with island.
“My favorite part of the project was that the whole home feels inviting and usable,” says Spike. “There is no wasted space and the entire home feels inviting to guests due to the casual and comfortable feel. ”
A pass-through from the kitchen to the home’s casual interior dining area opens to the porch and makes for effortless entertaining. Image: Julie Wage Ross
The porch and dining area are connected by bifold French doors that slide out of the way, unifying the spaces. It was designed so that matching tables inside and out could be pushed together to create a large table for entertaining. Image: Julie Wage Ross
A bar space and outdoor kitchen is tucked into one side of the screened porch, allowing for multiple gathering areas. Image: Julie Wage Ross
An Outdoor Makeover in Midtown
The Architect: John Harrison Jones
The Homeowners: Young professionals planning for a future family
The Neighborhood: Belleair in Midtown Memphis
The Goal: An outdoor family area and space for outdoor entertaining
Large bay box windows were a focal point of the renovation, which included a large patio for al fresco entertaining. Image: Chad Mellon
The main concept behind this Midtown renovation was to open the entire house up for modern living patterns, says architect John Harrison Jones. “We wanted to create axis views and space relationships to connect the living areas and outdoor areas for a total place experience. It is a lot about taking the interiors outside and, conversely, bringing the outdoors into the house.”
The “vibe,” says Jones, was to be simple and straight-forward — providing a nice background displaying art, accommodating a beautiful grand piano and simply allowing the living areas to be a focus.
To open the space to the yard, which originally contained an AstroTurf putting green, the original windows were replaced with large floor-to-ceiling, full-glazed box bay windows. The bay windows also allow for the piano to have a beautifully lit and special space of its own. A master bedroom and bath, seen to the left, were added to overlook the garden. Image: Chad Mellon
“The original landscape design was created by the late Wiley Jones, who was a fabulous local old-school Memphis landscape architect,” says John. He wanted to respect that work, and the owner has repaired what was damaged during the construction and will be enhancing and restoring it. Image: Chad Mellon
Harbor Town Hideaway
The Designer: Selena McAdams, Spruce
The Homeowners: Family with a young son
The Neighborhood: Harbor Town, Mud Island
The Goal: Everyday entertaining
A small screen porch offers the homeowner the ultimate in versatility. Image: Micki Martin
The screened porch of this Harbor Town home is in everyday use, says designer Selena McAdams of Spruce. From a breakfast room to entertaining friends with a Kentucky Derby party, to having her son’s friends over for a play date and popsicles, this small space — just off the kitchen and living area — is in constant use.
“It’s very visible from the interior living space so, with that in mind, we needed the space to be almost equally as nice as the interior,” says Selena. “We chose furniture pieces that look like they were more interior pieces, and fabrics that feel and look like interior fabric — but are actually exterior fabric.”
Selena also added custom draperies to the porch so that the whole porch could be closed off to create the feel of an interior space.
Fabrics coordinate seamlessly inside and out, with the outdoor fabric being a high-end, weather-resistant version. Image: Micki Martin
The screened porch has a delightful, park-like view of one of the neighborhood’s fountains, which brings even more of the outdoors into the home through the small porch. The round table extends to offer more room for family meals and entertaining. Image: Micki Martin
This is a case, says Selena, where less is more; items were chosen for their flexibility and multi-functionality. “We consolidated her porch to having a sofa with a little side table and a table with four chairs. The table expands, offering multiple seating options.” Image: Micki Martin
Thoughtful planning and determining a family’s needs show how the design of these three outdoor spaces make a tremendous impact aesthetically while also enhancing the quality of life for the homeowners. Stunning, all of them!
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