We haven’t yet shared several of the outdoor spaces from our showhouse series, even though each of the seven homes was encouraged to include engaging outdoor areas alongside the interiors. Beyond what you see from the street, our house features a roomy front porch, a back porch, and a patio with a stone fireplace. These outdoor spots were where we collaborated most closely with the builder and architect, and they quickly became some of our favorite parts of the project.
To our delight, the house earned top honors in two categories at the showhouse: the Gold Award for both Curb Appeal and Outdoor Living, plus a silver for Creative Home. As first-time participants, we didn’t expect to place, so winning those recognitions was an exciting surprise.
The front porch has already been a defining element of the house. We paired exposed wood stained in a warm cedar tone with deep navy siding and crisp white trim for a classic yet modern look. Once the landscaping was completed and the large limestone pathway was installed, the entry felt more finished. In addition to an aggregate driveway and path, we asked for generous stepping slabs cut from the same stone used for the porch column caps, with sod planted around them to create a welcoming approach from the street.
One interesting note about planting: the builder and landscaper had to submit the plan to the community developer, who requested a more open, less mature landscape for the show. We would have preferred larger, more established shrubs and trees, but the cleaner look fit the presentation goals.
The porch is generous in scale, offering a 14 x 11-foot seating area to the left of the door with a sofa, ottoman, chair, and side tables. On the other side, an 11 x 12-foot space holds a porch swing, a swivel chair, and a small side table, creating two distinct zones for relaxing. Most of the main furniture came from the Wyatt collection, which proved comfortable and durable for outdoor use.
We accessorized with affordable finds from big-box stores—metal garden stools, patterned pillows, and bolsters—to introduce color and personality. Dark 12 x 24-inch porcelain tiles help ground the porch, giving it a polished, finished feel. A swiveling egg chair and a matching side table add a playful touch, while a peaked wood ceiling and a striking light fixture provide visual interest overhead. We also swapped traditional downspouts for dark bronze rain chains, a decorative solution that guides water away while complementing the porch’s aesthetic.
Potted ferns and window boxes bring greenery and texture to the façade. We had window boxes built for a trio of windows on the garage side to enliven that elevation and soften the transition from driveway to porch.
A limestone slab walkway continues along the side of the garage and leads to the stamped concrete patio at the rear of the house. The patio is embraced by an outdoor fireplace that became the focal point of the backyard. The builder and his crew handled most of the fireplace design and installation; we provided input on stone choices and small details, and they executed it quickly and expertly.
Because the fireplace was intended to be the centerpiece, we kept additional styling simple—casual woven lounge chairs, cushions, and planters create a comfortable conversation area without competing with the masonry work. Behind the patio are two staircases: one that climbs to the mudroom (with covered storage beneath) and another that rises to the back porch.
The back porch mirrors the front with exposed wood on the ceiling but uses Trex decking for the floor. French doors open from the living area onto this porch, making it an ideal location for an outdoor dining space. We furnished it with a dining table and chairs, layered an indoor/outdoor rug for warmth, and added a few decorative touches like lanterns and planters to make the space inviting and functional.
Overall, we focused on creating outdoor rooms that feel like natural extensions of the interior—places for lingering, gathering, and enjoying both the house and the landscape. If you’d like to see a full photo tour, floor plan, and video walk-through of our showhouse, we’ve compiled a full showhouse gallery with final room photos and sourcing details.