PROJECT FILES
Throw a Fête Robert and Judy Hetz love to entertain, and they’ve turned their Coosaw Creek backyard into a haven for alfresco soirees for that express purpose.
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rom their bible-study group members to the entire Charleston Southern basketball team, Robert and Judy Hetz have hosted friends in small numbers and large. “We’re really active in our church, and we work a lot with the kids at Charleston Southern,” Judy notes. “I love to cook, and entertaining is something I’ve always enjoyed doing.” This year, the Hetzes decided to take their parties outdoors by transforming their back patio
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CH+D • Summer 2015
into a space suited for entertaining in an array of weather conditions. After meeting with Craig Turner of Express Sunrooms, Robert, Judy, and Craig were able to develop a plan to breathe new life into their drab patio. They first chose an adjustable pergola, a key element in weatherproofing. Craig describes the awning saying, “The louvers open with a remote control to any angle. You can run away from the sun as it moves or close them completely.”
The Hetzes can shield their guests from rain—the pergola is watertight—and the heat of the sun. On cooler days, the pergola can be opened to allow the rays to warm the patio. Judy and Robert also incorporated freestanding heaters and overhead fans to further combat unpleasant weather. To feed their hungry guests, the homeowners requested an outdoor kitchen complete with a stainless-steel grill, pizza oven, trash receptacle, refrigerator, and icemaker. And if watching locals on the golf course isn’t