Great Spaces

by Scott Sowers | photo by Angela Newton Roy

ERIC PESACHOWITZ really wanted a dining table, but space was tight in his 968-square-foot bungalow in Arlington’s Bluemont neighborhood. Also on his wish list: an indoor-outdoor space that he could use most months of the year.

Pesachowitz, a marketing consultant, had already turned to Arlington interior designer Andrea Houck for a 2019 redo that included a living room and master bedroom makeover in his snug four-bedroom, two-bath home. By 2021, he was ready for Phase 2. “He wanted a big porch,” Houck says, “with a seating area and a fireplace.”

They formed a team with Lyon Architecture in Alexandria and K-Quality Services, a contractor based in Vienna. One year later, Pesachowitz had a beautiful new spot for enjoying quiet meals, entertaining dinner guests and watching TV.

Functioning as a multipurpose room, the 20-by-30-foot conditioned porch includes a dining table, a casual sofa and chairs by Summer Classics, and custom, screened window walls from Sunspace that can be opened for cool breezes or closed against winter blasts.

The porch relies on a ductless minisplit HVAC system and a stacked, ledger-stone, natural gas fireplace from White Mountain Hearth to keep it comfortable year-round. Sturdy Trex flooring (in spiced rum) stands up to the elements, not to mention Isaac, the owner’s 100-pound mastiff.

Houck selected area rugs by Stark Carpet to define the seating and dining areas. The rustic, A-frame ceiling is rendered in durable cypress and finished in clear polyurethane.

Pesachowitz is more than pleased with “the flexibility and the relaxing vibe” of his new hangout, and especially digs the wood truss ceiling. “It just gives it a real warm feeling,” he says. ■

PROJECT CREDITS:

A. Houck Designs, ahouckdesigns.com

Lyon Architecture, lyonarchitecture.com

K-Quality Services