At first, Joy Brand’s clients thought all they needed was a basic remodel for the upstairs kitchen and family room to create more living space in their Woodinville home.

“Then they saw the beautiful outdoor living space some friends had added to their house, and decided that they couldn’t live without one of their own,” said Brand of Heritage Enterprises Remodeling “They’re people who love their back yard and enjoy being outside, but with our weather here in the Northwest, entertaining outside can be 'iffy'.”

While the kitchen, dining room and family room were remodeled as planned, a two-story addition was added, providing an outdoor living space as well as a covered outdoor space, with striking stone fireplaces on both levels.

The floor of the enlarged family room upstairs is now the ceiling to the outdoor living space downstairs. The covered space features a corner fireplace with stone matching the house, a vaulted, exposed-beam ceiling with skylights and a ceiling fan. A custom wrought iron railing completes the space, allowing an unobstructed view of the back yard.

The family’s first choice for outdoor entertaining has become the new open-air barbecue deck upstairs, featuring Trex decking, wrought iron railing, and a spiral staircase leading to the covered downstairs area. This allows the hosts to entertain their guests in the sun or retreat to the covered space in case of rain. The fireplaces add a warm, welcoming ambiance when the evenings cool down.

An example of a beautiful outdoor living space.

Brand said, “The deck’s accessibility from the family room and dining room make this an almost year-round outdoor living space for dinner parties or weekend brunches, or a peaceful haven to enjoy a glass of wine and a cozy fire when it’s just family.”

Article by Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

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