Bethesda Fireplace

A family sought a deeper connection with their home in Whitehall Manor in Bethesda, which was nestled into a double-deep lot filled with majestic tulip trees and oaks. Their screened porch, however, failed to deliver the immersion they longed for — collecting smoke from the grill, and making the transition into spring and fall less enjoyable. They came to us with an image of an asymmetrical outdoor fireplace with a dramatic chimney; which sparked a collaboration that would transform the space into something extraordinary.

The porch was redesigned by GTM Architects with retractable phantom screens that open to a spacious terrace, blending indoor comfort with outdoor splendor. A new grill terrace was placed just outside the kitchen, ensuring convenience while keeping the space uncluttered. To add elegance, an Espaliered Ginkgo tree now graces the house, offering a delicate veil of fan-shaped leaves that turn a radiant gold in autumn. A custom handrail mimics the natural branching of the trees, creating a seamless connection with the surroundings.

The highlight is a circular terrace and a curved, asymmetrical fireplace. The stucco-clad chimney, topped with an ipe shelf and a firebox painted to resemble corten steel, provides both beauty and functionality. The expansive garden, primarily planted with native species like Red Twig Dogwood, Fothergilla, and Buttonbush, thrives with classics like Hydrangea and Camellia. Thoughtful drainage solutions and thirst-quenching plants like Iris and dappled Willow ensure the space is both beautiful and sustainable.

A stone patio features an outdoor fireplace and two lounge chairs with patterned pillows. A stone staircase leads up to the seating area, which is nestled among trees and landscaping in a garden setting.
A stone retaining wall curves around a flagstone patio, bordered by dense green shrubs and a mix of bright yellow and purple flowers.
A backyard stone patio features two lounge chairs in the foreground and a dining table for four near a built-in outdoor grill. The patio overlooks a grassy lawn surrounded by lush trees and garden shrubs.
Two wooden chairs with grey cushions sit on a stone patio in front of a stone wall. A ginkgo tree is espaliered against the wall, and two wooden candle lanterns sit on the ground between the chairs.
A curved metal handrail with a decorative laser-cut panel featuring abstract geometric shapes. It is installed along stone steps surrounded by lush green garden foliage.
A stone staircase descends into a garden bed filled with shrubs and flowering plants. To the left, a flagstone path curves through a green lawn.
Two lit wooden lanterns sit on a stone outdoor fireplace hearth next to a folded orange throw blanket. A small succulent sits in a pot nearby, while a log glows in the fireplace nook below.
An outdoor stone patio at dusk features a large, tapered fireplace with a roaring fire. Two armchairs sit on the flagstone floor in front of the hearth, surrounded by trees and landscape lighting.
A large two-story house at twilight, featuring a lit porch and an outdoor fireplace in the landscaped backyard. A stone path winds through flower beds toward the patio furniture.
A two-story traditional house with blue shutters, a brown arched front door, and a covered porch. The home sits on a manicured lawn under a sky with sunset-colored clouds.