Rather than being a simple upgrading of the deck and front steps, this project ends up being a total reimagination of the entire front of the property: Without altering the footprint, the elegant new deck is a true extension of the interior. The homeowners can enjoy their breakfast and newspaper in this outdoor living room with views of beautiful mature trees. The deck itself is not just a deck, it is also the roof of another outdoor room, sheltered from rain but open to engage with the community.

Instead of a dark underbelly of exposed wood beams and multiple posts and braces, the area in front of the entry door is transformed into a covered terrace with two swing chairs, intriguing sculpture/furniture pieces, and an innovative floor of Black Locust pavers set in gravel. Having a south facing orientation, this area can get very hot. This shaded outdoor room creates a cool respite from the high summer sun. The clean space has only two slender steel posts and no exposed beams. The existing mundane plantings are replaced with artful clusters and a cascading series of concrete steps punctuated by thin lighting strips.