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Small lot. Big ask.

The backyard was tight — typical of the close-in Bethesda neighborhoods where lots were platted long before anyone was dreaming about outdoor kitchens and screened porches. The homeowners weren't chasing square footage. They wanted one thing done right: a cozy, four-season-capable space that fit their family and didn't overwhelm the yard it sat in.

That meant every foot of the new footprint had to earn its keep — a vaulted porch for shade and gathering, a slim sundeck off the side for morning coffee, and a fireplace wall that would make the space feel like an extension of the living room, not an afterthought bolted onto the house.

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Infrared patio heaters
Ceiling-mounted heaters paired with a fan, so the porch works through the shoulder seasons, not just summer.
 
Velux skylights
Two skylights set into the vaulted roof to keep the covered porch bright without losing the shade.
 
Helical pier foundation
A foundation system chosen for a tight lot — less disruption to the yard than traditional footings.
 
Screened enclosure
Full screen panels on the open sides keep the bugs out while preserving the sightlines to the garden.
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Composite decking
Azek decking throughout the porch floor and sundeck for a wood look with none of the upkeep.
 
Vaulted shiplap ceiling
White tongue-and-groove ceiling raised to a cathedral peak to make the small footprint feel taller and airier.
 
Linear electric fireplace
Built into a shiplap-clad wall with a mounted TV above it — the anchor that turns the porch into a real living room.
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