Our clients, Leela and Justin, are working parents living in the Highlands of Seminole subdivision in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. After completing several updates to their home, including new exterior siding and interior remodeling, they were ready to address the deck. They wanted to transform their existing, weathered deck into a more functional outdoor living space. Their vision was a treehouse-inspired retreat where they could relax, enjoy the surrounding trees, and spend quality time together year-round.

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View of 3 -season room addition from the backyard.

Creating a New Space

The existing deck had weathered composite decking and a wood railing that no longer complemented the homeowner’s aesthetic. Rather than updating the materials, we chose to remove the existing deck so we could expand the footprint of the three-season porch. This gave us the square footage we needed to create a much more comfortable and versatile gathering space for the family.

Interior view of the 3-season room, capturing the boxcar ceiling and walls.

Maximizing the View and Extending the Season

To take advantage of the surroundings, the window layout was central to the design process. We wanted to capture views of the surrounding trees, maximize natural light, and let fresh air circulate throughout the space. Because the porch doesn’t have air conditioning, we strategically placed operable windows to take advantage of outdoor breezes. We kept the existing patio door in place since it was in good condition and complemented the other windows throughout the home. To extend porch use into the cooler months, we added insulation to the floor, walls, and ceiling.

Interior view capturing the existing door, Bromic heaters, and windows.

Overall view of the 3-season room, new pergola, and stairs.

New Woodwork Throughout

On the main level of the home, all of the woodwork and interior doors were replaced with a tall 5-inch Colonial baseboard and a wide, 3-inch window casing to create a substantial elegance. Wainscot was installed in the dining room giving it a sense of grandeur and formality.

Side view of 3-season room focusing on the vinyl shake and roofline.

View capturing the covered patio beneath the 3-season room.

Interior Comfort and Outdoor Accessibility

Inside, we installed pine box-car siding to bring in a natural texture and overall warmth to the space. A whitewash finish on the ceiling highlights the natural wood grain, and the light painted walls keep the design feeling bright and inviting. Another priority for the family was maintaining convenient access to the backyard. We incorporated a glass door that opens onto a landing and staircase leading to the patio below. This connection allows the family to move easily between the porch and backyard. The Bromic infrared heaters are used to provide warmth that is immediately felt in the 3-season room up above and also down on the covered patio below. Our transformative design turned the original deck into three distinct outdoor living spaces, each designed to support a different part of Leela and Justin’s daily lives.