When the Darnell family approached us about transforming their backyard, they had a clear vision: create a warm, inviting outdoor living space designed for entertaining, relaxing, and year-round enjoyment. Their existing treated wood deck felt dated, lacked functionality, and simply could not accommodate the way they wanted to live outdoors.
As avid entertainers, the Darnells wanted a space that could comfortably host close friends and family while seamlessly connecting to the interior of their home. Henry, a passionate griller and Kamado Joe enthusiast known for his legendary ribs, also needed a thoughtfully designed outdoor cooking area that matched both his lifestyle and the aesthetic of the home.
Our design centered around a fully integrated screen porch featuring a gas fireplace, television, and expansive views into the backyard. One of the most transformative elements of the project was replacing a series of breakfast room windows with a large collapsible accordion door system. This allowed us to open nearly an entire wall of the home, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection and making the porch feel like a true extension of the interior living space.
Because the clients wanted a low-maintenance solution that would withstand North Carolina’s climate while maintaining a refined appearance, composite decking was selected throughout the project. Deckorators® tongue-and-groove decking was installed on the porch floor to create the appearance and feel of interior flooring rather than traditional slatted decking, giving the space a more finished, elevated aesthetic. Adjacent maintenance-free Deckorators® decking continued onto the outdoor deck area, creating visual continuity throughout the project.
To maximize comfort and year-round usability, the porch was enclosed with the Eze-Breeze® panel system. This flexible enclosure allows the space to be opened during mild weather while protecting against rain, wind, and North Carolina’s notorious pollen season when needed. Combined with the warmth of the gas fireplace, the porch remains comfortable through the colder months as well.
The finishing touch to the project was the landscaping and lighting design, which transformed the backyard into a complete outdoor environment. Ornamental trees and layered plantings were strategically placed to create a garden-like atmosphere while providing seasonal color and texture in both shaded and partially sunny areas.
FX Luminaire® Luxor lighting was integrated throughout the property to enhance both beauty and functionality after sunset. Moonlighting installed on roof overhangs softly illuminates the yard and gathering spaces, while pathway lighting, under-counter lighting, ledge lights, and step lights add ambiance, safety, and architectural depth throughout the outdoor living areas. All of this and complete control of lighting zones and individual lights from their phone.
The end result is a timeless outdoor retreat that feels fully connected to the home — thoughtfully designed for entertaining, cooking, relaxing, and enjoying every season outdoors.
FEATURED: Split-face limestone veneer ties the fireplace, kitchen, fire pit, and seat walls into one cohesive architectural language.
Backyard Reimagined Below
The fireplace became a natural focal point, finished in split-face natural limestone veneer that delivers a timeless combination of rustic texture and modern elegance. With the home elevated nearly five feet above grade, we designed a wide staircase connecting the upper deck to a purposefully designed lower patio. Recognizing the opportunity beneath the deck, we transformed the area into an outdoor kitchen and fire pit patio — extending the usable living space while maximizing the backyard footprint.
Functionality was paramount for the outdoor kitchen. At its center is a Blaze® Luxury Series 34-inch natural gas grill, chosen for its professional-grade performance and versatility for both family meals and larger gatherings. To complement the low-maintenance decking, TimberTech® Impression Rail Express aluminum railings were selected in black — their clean, minimal profile preserving views while coordinating with the black accents found throughout the project.
The lower patio was designed to feel warm, intimate, and highly functional despite limited impervious surface area. Techo-Bloc® Blu Grande slabs in Café Crema bring a clean, modern aesthetic softened by warm neutral tones. The split-face limestone veneer was carried throughout on the outdoor kitchen, fire pit, columns, and seat walls, creating a cohesive architectural language across all spaces — each finished with 2-inch Pennsylvania bluestone caps for durability and timeless character.
For the fire feature, we selected a Warming Trends® burner system, which generates significantly more warmth and a fuller, more natural flame than standard burners. Adjustable flame height allows the experience to adapt seamlessly from intimate evenings to larger gatherings
