We had a large dining area with an oversized table that was the centerpiece for gathering in our Arizona house. We needed to find space that would allow us to entertain our favorite way, around the table with good friends, good food and good wine!
A screened in porch was located at the front of the house. There was a living room window on the porch that seemed oddly placed and reduced the amount of light in the living room. It felt small and tight for a porch, but I knew that it was perfect for a dining room. We got rid of the walls and the kitchen door that led to the porch, and gained a spacious spot to entertain. I knew the one thing we would miss when we moved was the vast amount of bright light in our Arizona house. We kept the size of the screened porch openings to keep the views & let in the maximum of light to get us through the gray winter days. It's a favorite spot for sitting with coffee and laptops in the morning, no matter the season.