Crosby Residence Dog Trot

The Crosby's dog trot is true to the traditional form of two pens and a passage. The foyer is the dog trot with the master bedroom to the left and the great room in the "pen" on the right. The foyer has a custom gate in the front with a similarly detailed folding wall on the back. The entire house opens to a large terrace and swimming pool that overlooks tidal marshes and creeks. The large outdoor living space has a full outdoor kitchen and retractable screens. All photographs by John McManus

Renovation Project

This is a sweet renovation and addition project in "The Point" neighborhood in Beaufort. The original front porch had been removed so we added it back with a new comfy porch swing.

Outdoor spaces

These are some of my favorite outdoor spaces that we have designed over the past twenty years. The fireplace to the left was designed for our first clients in Beaufort in 1989. We couldn't imagine the popularity that outdoor fireplaces would become. The cable porch railings are great because they don't block your view to the water. Large screened porches can allow you to open your house almost year round in our temperate climate.

8. Create outdoor living space

Outdoor living space should be designed as throughly as interior space. Consider how you will use the exterior space. I love to entertain and my large granite table will seat 20 people. We exterior heaters we can enjoy eating outside year round. Here we are enjoying Christmas morning brunch.

The exterior space should be connected both physically and visually to the interior space.

10. All About Porches

Every Southern house needs at least one porch to sit and enjoy the view or visit with friends. The pictured house has a screened porch for dining and a high porch for enjoying the long view. The rules for porches include:

Never put a porch on the North elevation.

The best location for the porch is the south facade. This protects the interior from the hot summer sun and provides a cozy spot for winter days.

Screened porches are a must in many areas of the south, especially coastal areas where no-seeums are prevalent. Screened porches should have a minimum of two open sides to maximize the breeze. A ceiling fan is a welcomed addition to the screened porch. Consider the size of the local bugs when you choose your screen. You will also want to screen under the porch floor framing to keep the bugs out.

Porches should be at least ten feet deep.

Porches that are 30" or less from the adjacent grade, deck, or terrace do not need a railing. This is ideal because the view remains open.

An exterior fireplace on your porch will allow you to enjoy your porch year round.