A Masterful Redesign Makes Room for Indoor-Outdoor Entertaining

For a family with Argentinian roots, creating a variety of outside entertainment spaces was a primary directive for Steven Kalur of F+H Architectural Design & Consulting. “They wanted a screened porch for an indoor-outdoor space in convenient proximity to the kitchen; a dramatic exterior sitting area that could take advantage of the eastern vista as well as command a lovely view of the property; a lower area with a rustic pergola; and especially a dining area designed around a custom Argentine grill,” explains Kalur.

Vintage barn siding that was brought in from Quebec has a stunning effect on the exterior. “Our emphasis was on keeping things simple but elegant to suit the fact that the original house is the oldest on the street dating back to late 1700s,” notes Kalur. “We wanted to take the dramatic height of the building and help step it all down to the ground level.”

Inside, the open kitchen empties into the dining room and is surrounded by a butler’s pantry, larder, screened porch with access to the lower dining area and terrace. “The screened porch helps scale that side of the house to the descending terrain and offers immediate access from the kitchen,” Kalur continues. “Prior to the renovation, there was only a simple and rustic terrace on the southern side.”

And the homeowners are thrilled: “The husband loves to indulge his Argentine side by tending the fire and grilling down below the kitchen at the pergola/courtyard,” says Kalur.