Join Anna Morphey, designer at Smithouse, as she walks through a stunning outdoor living project in Lutherville. What started as an outdated, underused patio was transformed into a year-round entertaining space featuring a raised roof, expanded layout, built-in Napoleon grill, custom venting, outdoor refrigerator, fireplace, heaters, and fans for comfort in every season.
This project seamlessly blends functionality and design — from the white brick surround that ties into the home’s architecture, to the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with a recessed build, oversized mantel, and mounted TV. The custom gable end with fixed slats protects the space from sun and rain while keeping it open, airy, and inviting.
See how thoughtful design can completely change the way a backyard is used and enjoyed.
Designer: Anna Morphey
Site Supervisor: Jeremy Smith
Project Manager: Shawn Saffran
Appliance / Grill: Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Built-in Natural Gas Grill
Appliance / Hood: Zephyr Spruce 450
Appliance / Refrigerator: ZLINE 24 Inch Wide 8 Bottle Capacity
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Countertops: Rocktops
Photography: Beverly Funkhouser Photography
Video: Dave Kelley
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
Hi everyone, I’m Anna Morphey, designer here at Smith House. I’m here to walk you through this exterior project we just completed in Lutherville. Our client contacted us to transform their existing patio. Before, they had very outdated columns, the ceiling was low, and they didn’t use the space as much as they wanted. With that goal in mind, we raised the roof and, during the design process, not only updated this portion but also expanded the patio to create a much more usable space. Now it includes a built-in grill and fireplace, allowing the client to use the space almost year-round. It completely transformed how they enjoy their backyard.
Our client wanted a great outdoor grilling area, so we included a top-of-the-line Napoleon grill. Because it’s under cover, we had to meet code by venting the space, so we recessed a hood into the roof. That way, it’s functional but not always visible. On either side of the grill, we created lots of prep space and storage. The client didn’t want interruptions on the counters but still wanted a place for drinks and ice, so we added an ice drawer, storage below, and an outdoor refrigerator for food and beverages. We also surrounded the grill with white brick to tie into the home’s existing brick, making it look original to the house. To extend use of the space into colder months, we installed heaters, so it can be enjoyed year-round.
During the design, we also addressed comfort. To keep the space cool, we added ceiling fans to create airflow. For warmth, we placed heaters in different zones. The fireplace was recessed slightly into the garage wall—only about six inches—to maximize patio space, while still providing plenty of warmth. The floor-to-ceiling stone adds a beautiful feature, and we incorporated a substantial mantelpiece for code compliance, along with a large TV for entertaining.
We also wanted the patio to feel open yet protected from the elements. To achieve this, we created a custom gable end with fixed slats that block harsh sunlight during sunset and reduce rain intrusion, while still keeping airflow and an open feel.
Thanks for walking through one of my favorite outdoor projects with me. It was great to share all the details, and I can’t wait to show you more!