After living in their 1978 McLean home for several years, Jamie and Kara Hartnett were tuned in to its shortcomings. They didn’t use the formal dining room, the patio was too buggy for entertaining, and the kitchen was too small for their family of six to gather. Case Architects & Remodelers fixed these problems in late 2023 by creating an open kitchen and informal dining area that connect to a spacious porch.
Surrounded by screened windows on three sides, the new porch enjoys nature views. Clear vinyl window panels lend protection from the elements in bad weather and slide aside into a neat stack when not in use. The windows are more economical than glass, says Case architectural specialist Jorge Leon.
Stained pine ceiling rafters and a stone-veneer gas fireplace (not shown) add rustic accents, and skylights channel natural light. The fireplace and wall-mounted electric patio heaters keep the room warm, even in winter, while LED smart fans promote cross-ventilation in warmer seasons.
Durable TimberTech tongue-and-groove floors have the look of wood but are actually a low-maintenance polymer made from recycled materials.
Among Kara’s favorite features is a pass-through opening with insulated Marvin windows that connects the porch to the kitchen. With kids ranging in age from 5 to 12, she says, it helps that the sink is on the kitchen side of the opening. “As a mother of four, I spend most of my time in front of that sink. And when we have parties on the porch, I feel part of the action.”
A quartz-topped counter on the porch side provides additional space for casual dining or buffet-style serving.
The porch furnishings include an extendable dining table and a sectional sofa, both from Pottery Barn. Barstools from Serena & Lily rotate 360 degrees, as do the Huntington all-weather wicker chairs. Sunbrella slipcovers on the sofa and chairs are easy to clean.
Bonus: While the porch enhances the home’s function and value, it’s not considered conditioned space and therefore does not add taxable square footage, says Gizem Ozkaya, director of project development at Case.
“The room works well for family and for entertaining,” Jamie says, including gatherings of as many as 25 adults. “When the pass-through and doors are open, the porch and kitchen feel like one big space.”