Rick and Janet Smith don’t consider themselves outdoors people.

“We’re homebodies,” Mr. Smith said.

But a recent addition to their Hixson house has made them appreciate outdoor living more than ever. Their new space combines the functionality of an interior room, with a full ceiling and warming fireplace, with the fun of outdoor living. It includes a large enclosed grill, an open view of pastureland and casual furniture on which to enjoy it all.

THE SPACE

The Smiths moved into their home a decade ago. Since then, they’ve updated almost every room in the 3,100-square-foot house. They installed wainscoting in the foyer and crown moldings throughout the house. In the kitchen, they installed handsome cherry cabinets offset by gleaming granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.

In the backyard they felt like something was missing. Doors leading off the kitchen and living area deposited folks onto a plain, poured concrete patio. The Smiths wanted something different.

“We were thinking about a pergola,” Mrs. Smith said. “But it’s just one of those things that just grew.”

Mr. Smith said he knew he wanted a knee-high wall surrounding the pergola. And an outdoor fireplace was also in the original plan.

“I was just thinking about a little fire pit where we could roast marshmallows, though,” Mrs. Smith said.

Enter builder Matt Burgin, who had just completed putting fiber-cement siding over the vinyl siding that once covered the Smiths’ house.

“He took our ideas and ran with them,” Mr. Smith said.

Mr. Burgin said he took inspiration for the project from the way builders of old performed their craft.

“The way they used to build things was much sturdier. The way they would notch things and support the weight of a roof with bigger beams using real wood, that’s the way I like to do things,” Mr. Burgin said. “The way the old craftsmen did.”

THE CONSTRUCTION

The plan included a ceiling, built-in grill, large fireplace (not pit) and corner columns to support the roof and to flank the surrounding knee wall.

“Some things ended up a little bigger, though,” Mr. Burgin said. “Like the fireplace. But it turned out great, didn’t it?”

The fireplace is the focus of the open-air room. With a height of about 14 feet and a width of more than nine feet, its massive construction should keep the Smiths warm on cold days, Mr. Smith said. A gas line runs underneath the brick-paver floor to the grill, with another line running off it so that, if the Smiths so choose, they can convert the wood fireplace to gas.

“But we really want to burn natural wood,” Mr. Smith said.

Stacked stone is a primary construction element. It covers the fireplace and hearth, knee walls, grill surround and support columns. But appearances can be deceiving. Rather than using natural stone, which would have taken more manpower and materials, man-made stones cover cinder block.

“It’s 21/2 inches thick — just a veneer. It’s what they use on a lot of houses these days. It’s more economical laborwise, and you can get everything straighter. The materials cost a little more, but it would have taken us twice as long if we’d used natural rock.”

The ceiling, spanning 30 feet with no braces inside, was a challenge, Mr. Burgin said. But it was solved by using 1- by- 6-inch rafters covered with 1/2-inch plywood, then roofing shingles. A shade of cedar stain was then applied to the rafters to give the ceiling a tongue-and-groove look for a fraction of the cost with fewer man-hours and material involved in installation.

Mr. Burgin, the 24-year-old builder, said this was one of the largest remodel jobs he’s yet undertaken but is pleased with the result.

“The details just all came from my head,” he said. “There wasn’t a blueprint for this.”

FINISHED PRODUCT

Thick-cushioned wicker furniture, large vases with tall arrangements and knickknacks decorating the mantel and knee walls make this room look much like any other. A wind chime suspended from the ceiling jingles gently in the breeze, letting guests know that this is no ordinary room. It’s one that the Smith’s, though, will use much like any other — for cooking and for living.

“It’s added another 400 square feet to our house,” Mr. Smith said.

“And in Chattanooga’s climate, we’ll be able to use it at least three seasons,” his wife added. “When it’s really hot, maybe not. But even when it’s really cold, the fireplace is big enough to put off good heat.”

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